NHTSA Complaint #769269 — 1995 FORD EXPLORER

THE VEHICLE HAS GIVEN US GOOD SERVICE UNTIL MAY OF THIS YEAR, WHEN A PROBLEM DEVELOPED IN THE TRANSFER CASE. AN OIL PICKUP TUBE HAD BROKEN, THE UNIT HAD TO BE DISASSEMBLED AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1304.53. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT 72,202 MILES AND SEEMED PECULIAR AT THE TIME, BUT WE ACCEPTED IT AS UNUSUAL WEAR AT TEAR. ON OCTOBER 21ST WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP AS THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE SERVICE ADVISOR (JASON SAVIDGE) CALLED LATER THAT DAY AND INFORMED US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS A TOTAL SHOCK TO ME AS AN AUTOMOBILE DRIVER FOR NEARLY 60 YEARS. HAVING OWNED MANY VEHICLES (AND DRIVEN MANY MORE) OF VARIOUS MANUFACTURERS BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH FAILURES. I DO NOT ABUSE MY VEHICLES AND HAVE THEM SERVICED REGULARLY. AS A ONE TIME APPRENTICE AUTO MECHANIC, A GRADUATE MECHANICAL ENGINEER WITH 40 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE I KNOW THAT PROPERLY DESIGNED ROTATING MACHINERY, MAINTAINED AND NOT ABUSED WILL LAST ESSENTIALLY INDEFINITELY. I HAVE RETAINED MOST OF MY VEHICLES FOR 100,000 MILES AND MORE WITHOUT SUCH FAILURES. I NOTED ON YOUR WEB SITE A NUMBER FAILURES SIMILAR TO OURS, SOME MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS. I ALSO REALIZE THIS MAY NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE. BUT WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FORD MOTOR CO. AND RECEIVED AND I AM SORRY BUT NOTHING IN OUR RECORDS INDICATE FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD PAY OR HELP PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. DT