NHTSA Complaint #741690 — 1995 FORD EXPLORER

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FREEDOM FORD IS THE DEALERSHIP THAT PROVIDED A $2,772.85 ESTIMATE TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM COLORADO SPRINGS JEEP/EAGLE INC. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME AT 55706 MILES, REBUILT AT A COST OF $2,628.92. NOW IT HAS FAILED A SECOND TIME WITH AN ADDITIONAL 51644 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED MOSTLY FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING, AS I COMMUTE A 101 MILES EACH DAY. IT HAS NOT BEEN USED TO TOW AND HAS ONLY BEEN USED IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE DURING SNOW STORMS. THE UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN NEGLECTED AND THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE FAILED UNLESS THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. I DID BRIEF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY MANY FORD EXPLORER OWNERS. THERE IS INFORMATION THAT INDICATES THAT FORD IS AWARE THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS USED IN THESE VEHICLES HAVE DESIGN DEFECTS, ARE POOR QUALITY AND THAT THEY HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE. HOWEVER, FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO COMPENSATE THEIR CUSTOMERS. I INTEND TO PURSUE THIS SITUATION AND I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION, ASSISTANCE OR INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCH YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN PROVIDE. THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING US. *AK