This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Noise in rear of car. When I looked at right rear wheel I saw oil. I then took it to the closes auto repair shop in midland Texas which was allen S auto repair. They tore the rear end down and found that both rear axles were worn considerably they also told me there was plenty of oil still in the rear end. They also showed me a bulletin that Ford Motor Co. Put out on this problem, so apparently they have had problems in the past. When I got home in bander Texas after getting the repairs that cost me $677 two different people told me that they ha D the same problem one even lost a wheel. The car had less than 70,000 miles when this happened. I had just delivered 5 grand children to the air port. This could have locked up or ran a wheel off. The axles were worn down quite a bit.
Went to midland Texas from bandera tx. Which was around 300 mi. Was having noise in left rear wheel upon inspection saw oil on wheel. It was on week end I had a reputable auto shop check it out and found both rear axles were worn real bad. Their was plenty of oil in differential. They had abulletin making them aware of the problem so Ford knew their is a problem. Since I have had two more people in bandera tx. That had the same problem one had a wheel come off.
I have a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria with a 4.6L V8 and automatic transmission. In the last 44,000 miles I have had two rear axle failures that necessitated the replacement of the axle shafts, seals etc. The first failure was at 57,902 mi and was covered under warranty. The second at 102,753mi - 44,851 miles. I have found that Ford does have a recall on these vehicles but will not cover my vehicle as it is not a taxi/police/fleet vehicle. I am nearly 60, drive mostly freeway and country roads, do not race anyone, do not tow anything and work to get the best gas mileage I can from my car. I drive it gently. I have had the rear axle serviced per the schedule and it was only about 3,000 miles after my last axle service that this new failure occurred. I saw fluid all over the wheel well and upon removing the tire saw fluid coming out of the hub area. Thinking it was an emergency brake failure took it to a certified shop and found out it was the axle seals going and the axle shaft deteriorating. This was a $458.31 repair that I feel should not have been necessary. My axle has failed at 57kmi and 44kmn later. I have read on the web of numerous individuals who have had rear axles go and that some of these caused accidents. I was lucky both times because I have been working on cars for over 40 years as a hobby and watch my cars carefully. I feel Ford position of using only VIN numbers, rather that incidents, is a danger to the general public and an obvious safety issue.
My 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, developed a grinding noise in the rear end on 8/05/04. Took it to have it checked on 8/12/04 and found out that the rear axle bearings were bad and that they had cut into the axle shaft. I had to have the axle shafts, bearings and seals replaced at a cost of $513.45. I searched the internet and found out that there had been a recall on the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria "fleet" vehicles (recall #04S16) for the same problem. I called Ford on 8/13/04 and found out that it only applied to vehicles assembled at the St. Thomas facility between 12/01 and 12/02. They also verified by my VIN# [xxx], that my car was assembled in the St. Thomas facility in 7/02. I was informed that my car is not involved in this recall. I also found that Ford had issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) advising dealers to be on the lookout for service complaints centering around rear axle noise in the 2003 Crown victorias, and two other models manufactured prior to 01/01/03 and included all chassis configurations (not only fleet vehicles) except heavy-duty limousine and hearse chassis. According to Ford recall information, "early bearing failure and ultimately axle shaft fracture would lead to loss of drive function and could lead to a crash". I also found that it could lead to a wheel-off failure and a resulting crash. I also find that Ford issued a "silent recall" or "secret warranty" to deal with customer problems prior to the end of the factory warranty (dealer operation code 030505A). My car had approx 21000 miles on it when I bought it and now has approx 69000 miles on it. In my opinion, Ford is aware of this problem and has decided to be selective in which vehicles they are recalling without regard for the average person. I believe this is a safety issue and not something that should overlook the many people that ferry their families around on a daily basis in a car that is not deemed a "fleet" car but that apparently still has a problem. Updated 07/25/2012 information redacted pursuant to
At 40000 miles a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria developed a loud noise. The local mechanic determined the axle's were soft and were worn down in spite of one of the bearings being well lubricated and in good condition. This is a police package cruiser. This defect could effect thousands of police departments and cost lives.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bandera, TX, USA