Dear NHTSA: In October 2003 I purchased the nbx - V8 version of the Ford Explorer with an upgraded tow package for my wife. She never uses the tow package and I, very occasionally pull a 300lb utility trailer. I get the oil changed religiously and recently had the 30,000 mile 4WD lubrication package from Goodyear for approx. $500. At 34,000mi my wife began to notice a non-descript noise in the rear end, a rumble at slow speeds while turning. She carries things in the back and thought they were rolling around. I drove the car at 36,600 mi and also noticed the noise but we had a low rear tire and I thought it was the tire pressure. The tire actually picked up a nail and went flat and I brought the tire to Goodyear for repair. After the repair the rear end noise persisted only at low speeds and we finally got the car in to Goodyear for evaluation at 38,000 miles. They replaced the rear differential fluid again and the noise persisted. They then went on line and pulled a technical service bulletin tsb 04-17-5 which was for limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers in 2002-2004 Ford Explorer, 2003-2004 Expedition and 2004 F-150S. This was exactly what I was experiencing. Since this vehicle is not used off road, is not used to tow anything heavy, is pampered but does get a fair amount of highway miles 38,000mi in 19 months, I felt that having a transmission problem at this stage was unusual. Well, after talking to my manager at work, half the Ford Explorer fleet in boston was having this problem, with one vehicle in the shop 3 months and one never seeing the light of day yet. The tsb noted problems with the entire transmission. What about next time"? my vehicle. Vehicle # [xxx] Ford Explorer silver V8 nbx version? they also know they have a real problem with their transmissions and the consumer will end up eating it. Is Ford quality job 1?" information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA),

- Mansfield, MA, USA

Transmission clunking from reverse to forward or from forward to reverse. Whirling sound, 55-65 mph, rear differential.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

1 loud noise coming from rear-end(whining)2.fluid forced from front of differential.3. rear-end replaced 4 times to no avail.

- Oakland, TN, USA

Bought vehicle Nov 2002. No problems till Jan 2005 at approx 35000 mi. Whining noise coming from rear end at 45 - 65 mph. Hoped problem would go away but has not. Vehicle past warranty in Feb 2005 when brought in for tailgate recall at 37,000. Dealer would not look at problem. Currently driving vehicle with whining noise.

- Clark, NJ, USA

At 600 MINIwinding in rear end deler said drive it and see if it gets better it did not so at around 2000 mi damerow Ford replaced all bearings and seals problem worse then before seals went out, and had to be towed in to damerow Ford replaced rear end with tested rearend same problem at 2400 mi same problem at aprox. 3000 mi later damrow replaced with another svt rear edn this was also, tested and again at 19,000 mi and ait was replaced at mackenzie Ford at 25,000 mi it was replaced again and now it has abad vibration noise 40 to 70 mi and above at 28,000 it goes back tommorrow we will see what if nothing they can do.

- Cornelius, OR, USA

I purchased a new 2003 Explorer XLT in mid-February 2003. At about 9500 miles the SUV developed a whining noise from the rear differential. Local Ford dealer confirms noise, but is unable to fix as "Ford engineers have not yet found a fix" also at 3800 miles the at failed and was repaired-not replaced. Local dealer is supposed to let me know. As of 3/9/04 no word. This SUV is a poor vehicle.

- San Antonio, NM, USA

Excessive whining noise coming from the rear differential/drive axles/driveshaft area of the vehicle at speeds between 50 and 60 M.P.H.

- Humble, TX, USA

While driving between 35 mph and up consumer heard loud noise coming from under the vehicle. Dealer stated the need to replace the differential.

- Modesto, CA, USA