NHTSA Complaint #544657 — 1996 FORD EXPLORER

IN 1996 FORD IMPLEMENTED NEW SEALED HUB ASSEMBLIES TO REPLACE STANDARD WHEEL BEARINGS. AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES A CONSTANT SQUEAKING DEVELOPED IN MY FRONT WHEELS. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS WAS BRAKE NOISE ANNOYING BUT HARMLESS. AT 40,000 MILES THE SQUEAK TURNED SUDDENLY INTO THE SOUND OF GRAVEL IN THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE LOST STABILITY IN HANDLING AND I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT INTO THE CLOSEST GARAGE. THEY REPORTED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE BAD AND FURTHER DIAGNOSIS THEY DISCOVERED THE EXISTENCE OF THE SEALED HUB ASSEMBLIES. THE ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE BAD. ACCORDING TO THE SHOP FORD HAS A NATIONAL BACKORDER ON THE PARTS DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WILL NOT DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH AND HAS SENT ME DIRECTLY TO FORD. (I ASSUME THAT THIS IS DUE TO THEIR FAMILIARITY WITH THE PROBLEM AND INABILITY TO ASSIST.) FORD REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AS I AM CURRENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY CAN NOT EVEN TELL ME WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE NO COURSE OF ACTION.