1997 FORD EXPEDITION Complaints

IN DECEMBER 1998, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LUGS: NUTS NOT BEING TIGHTENED PROPERLY BY MARINA FORD (MARINA DEL REY, CALIFORNIA). THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MAGIC FORD FOR REPAIR. IN APRIL/MAY OF 2000, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE PEELED LIKE AN ONION AND DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE REAR PANEL OF THE TRUCK. AT THAT TIME, THE AAA TOWING SERVICE SAID THAT THE STEMS AND LUG NUTS WERE STRIPPED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO MANHATTAN BEACH FORD FOR REPAIR AND INVESTIGATION. THEY WERE TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER THE WHEELS, TIRES AND LUG NUTS WERE PROPER FOR THIS VEHICLE. THEY FIXED IT AND ASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON JUNE 2, 2000, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE CARPOOL LANE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL CAME COMPLETELTY OFF THE VEHICLE (YES - FOR THE 2ND TIME - DIFFERENT WHEEL). I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO FORD AS OF THIS MORNING. THE PROBLEM IS THAT APPARENTLY, THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE (FORD OF UPLAND) HAD PUT ON AFTERMARKET WHEELS, TIRES, AND LUG NUTS ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO ME. FORD IS CLAIMING THAT THEY DO NOT APPROVE OF SUCH AFTERMARKET ASSEMBLIES. MY CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVE NOW PUT OUR LIFE IN FORD'S HANDS IN WHICH WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THREE LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAYS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. NO ONE APPEARS TO WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND EVERYONE IS POINTING A FINGER AT SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT A FORD PRODUCT AND EXPECT THE WHEELS AND TIRES TO REMAIN ON THE VEHICLE.*AK

THE ACCELERATOR STICKS, CONSUMER HAD THE THROTTLE FIXED, HOWEVER THE ACCELERATOR WAS STICKING AGAIN.*ET

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED REAR WHEEL ON PASSENGER'S SIDE COMPLETELY CAME OFF, CAUSING DISTRESS TO THE DRIVER WHO WAS EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT, AND SEVERE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF RECALL 98V095000, AND RECEIVED NO PRIOR NOTIFICATION FROM FORD. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION ON MAY 6, 2000. *AK

WHILE DRIVING A TRAVEL TRAILER HITCHED TO THE BACK OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED LOAD FELT LOOSE.CONTACTED DEALER,. DEALER STATED THAT HITCH CRACKED, CAUSING THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED THE HITCH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH LEFT FRONT INNER TIE ROD END BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PART WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. FORD HAS PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *AK *ML

TINT WINDOWS REFLECT ALL LIGHTS COMING IN, AND THIS IMPAIRS DRIVERS VISIBILITY OF ANYTHING THAT LIGHTS UP ITEMS, EVEN A SHINY BOOK IN THE SEAT. SMOKE TINT IS FINE, BUT REFLECTIVE TYPE TINT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK

THE FIRST TIME WE TOOK THE EXPEDITION ON THE ROAD, 180 MILES INTO THE TRIP WE PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND NOTICED LIQUID ON THE GROUND BY THE FRONT AXLE AND FOUND IT HAD PUMPED APP. 1/2 OF THE FRONT AXLES GREASE OUT. I CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND THEY HAVE A TECHNICAL BULLETIN OUT ABOUT THAT AND IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID SINCE IT WAS NOT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AND I DID NOT BUY IT FROM A FORD DEALER IT WAS UP TO ME TO FIX IT. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER(ROZUM MOTOR CO - 605-996-5614) AND TALKED TO BRIAN PER FORD'S INSTRUCTIONS AND HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $500. IF IT PUMPS OUT ALL THE GREASE WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN THE ROAD WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RUINS THE FRONT AXLE OR EVEN WORSE WOULD LOCK UP? I DON'T SEE HOW THEY CAN HAVE A DESIGN PROBLEM AND TELL ME I HAVE TO FIX IT ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ADMIT THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM! THEY SAY IT ONLY HAPPENS IN ABOUT 1 OUT OF A 1000 VEHICLES THEN WHY DON'T THEY FIX THOSE THAT SPEW GREASE OUT INADVERTENTLY AS THEY SAY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE FRONT TIRES WILL SKID ALTHOUGH THE TIRES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. *AK

THE REAR LAP BELT, BEHIND THE DRIVER ,GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE OWNER'S CHILD. SEATBELT STARTED TO TIGHTEN AROUND CHILD, AND HAD TO BE CUT LOOSE. DEALER HAS NOT REPLACED THE SEATBELT. *AK

WHENEVER VEHICLE AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON IT CAUSES THE INTERIOR COURTESY LIGHT TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE POWER WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED OFF TO GET THE COURTESY LIGHT TO TURN OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK