NHTSA Complaint #11611420 — 2015 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to turn left, and while driving over rough road surfaces, there was a sound like metal striking metal sound coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The contact stated that while turning left caution was used because the vehicle was bouncing and was losing stability. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side wheel felt imbalanced with the rest of the wheels as if the tire pressure was low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, Lofton Motorsports (4122 S Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74145); who had diagnosed that the stabilizing axle link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where the CV axle shaft was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer, Bill Night Ford (9607 S Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74133); who had diagnosed that the front suspension system and both control arms had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the rear subframe had failed. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V245000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.