NHTSA Complaint #757698 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER 2001. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED(THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO ELIMINATE STEERING COLUMN RATTLE) AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS BEEN REPLACED. I STILL HEAR AND FEEL A METALLIC RATTLE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IN MY REVIEW OF YOUR WEBSITE OTHER 2002 EXPLORER OWNERS ARE EXPERINCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE TALKED TO AT LEAST THREE OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. MY DEALER HAS DONE EVERYTHING RECOMMENDED BY FORD, BUT NOTHING HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. FORD IS "WORKING ON IT". THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT SINCE SEPTEMBER 2001. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THIS. IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE THAT IS CAUSING THIS NOISE IT HAS TO BE PROGRESSING. WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER MORE MILEAGE BUILDS ON THIS VEHICLE? WILL I BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE DAY AND LOSE CONTROL DUE TO STEERING FAILURE? THERE IS TO MUCH SMOKE HERE FOR THAT NOT TO BE FIRE SOONER OF LATER BY MY EXPLORER OR SOME OTHER OWNER. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A COMPANY THE SIZE OF FORD TO SOLVE A PROBLEM?*AK