(YEAR 2011 TO 2013 ALL THIS HAPPENED LEMON) THE WHEEL BEARINGS WENT ON THE VEHICLE...HAD TO HAVE ALL THREE REPLACED...BOTH FRONT ...ONE DRIVERS SIDE BACK. IT WASN'T THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE BRAND NEW.( $2.100 INCLUDING LABOR) THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH SPOR…
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(YEAR 2011 TO 2013 ALL THIS HAPPENED LEMON) THE WHEEL BEARINGS WENT ON THE VEHICLE...HAD TO HAVE ALL THREE REPLACED...BOTH FRONT ...ONE DRIVERS SIDE BACK. IT WASN'T THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE BRAND NEW.( $2.100 INCLUDING LABOR) THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH SPORT TRACS ...I AM TO HAVE THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE DONE SOON ...NO ONE HAS OVER $700...TO PUT TOWARDS A VEHICLE IN THIS DAY AND AGE WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS. THIS SPORT TRAC HAS BEEN WITH SO MANY ISSUES TO DO WITH WHEELS, TRANSMISSION (ONE MONTH IN THE REPAIR SHOP, REVERSE AND DRIVE GONE ON THE TRANNY( $6897.65), RADIATOR (REPLACED 3X DUE TO RUPTURE OF THE, COOLING AND HEATING SYSTEM $1017.), HOSES BREAKING ($200)...NO WONDER THEY QUIT MAKING THEM TOTAL PAIN IN THE KEESTER AND VERY HARD ON THE POCKET BOOK. IT IS PAID FOR AND IS MINE THAT IS THE ONLY REASON I KEEP IT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE...BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. THEIR SERVICE SAYS IT ALL...IT IS HORRIBLE. SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I HAVE SPENT $10,903.65 IN REPAIRS. THE TRUCK IS VERY HARD ON TIRES...I DON'T SQUEAL MY TIRES BUT I TRAVEL 70 TO AND FROM DAILY FOR WORK..EVERY YEAR BABY NEEDS NEW RUBBER BOOTS. $689. NOT FAIR IN ALL ESSENCE THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 6 YRS OLD. I HAVE HAD BETTER AND IT CERTAINLY WASN'T A FORD. YOU CAN SHARE THIS WITH THEM IF YOU LIKE BECAUSE THEY NEED TO SEE THAT THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOTHING FOR ME AND I TOOK IT TO ACUTE AUTO CARE FOR MY TRANSMISSION ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510511
78,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Wheels
IN 2008 AND THEN 2010 THE FRONT SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS ASSEMBLIES HAVE GONE BAD, REQUIRING A WHEEL BEARING KIT BY THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW IN MAY~JUNE 2012, THE REAR WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE IN THE EXPLORER SERIES, BUT DOING NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, OTHER THA…
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IN 2008 AND THEN 2010 THE FRONT SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS ASSEMBLIES HAVE GONE BAD, REQUIRING A WHEEL BEARING KIT BY THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW IN MAY~JUNE 2012, THE REAR WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE IN THE EXPLORER SERIES, BUT DOING NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, OTHER THAN CHARGING YOU $700 PER WHEEL ( $350 PARTS/ $350 LABOR) TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NICE LITTLE OPERATION THE DEALER/FORD CORP. HAVE GOING. OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS I TALKED WITH HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462085
75,000 miles · Jan 13, 2012
Wheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE CONTINUOUSLY DEFLATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO PLACE A SEALANT AROUND THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE CONTINUOUSLY DEFLATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO PLACE A SEALANT AROUND THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10443685
100,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Wheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINING THE WHEEL, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE BOLTS WHICH HELD THE WHEEL IN PLACE WERE SHEERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME WHERE THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINING THE WHEEL, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE BOLTS WHICH HELD THE WHEEL IN PLACE WERE SHEERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME WHERE THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000...UPDATED 10/04/11 *BF UPDATED 10/05/11*JB
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS FRACTURING, CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO BECOME LOOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN STEERING AS WELL AS DECREASED STEERING EFFECTIVENESS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
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