Subject:  Peggy's 2000 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer -- a case just like Mara's 2001 Explorer!
Date:     5/28/2003

I purchased the car in December 2000 with approx 19,000 miles (it was a Ford program car)
and about 10 months (about 12-15,000 miles) later in the fall of 2001/winter 2002, began
experiencing problems with the the automatic transmission--when driving around, the car
would have trouble shifting into 2nd and 3rd gear. After multiple inquiries and
complaints, the car was still slipping so I finally had time to take it to an outside
transmission shop who diagnosed an irreparable trans, that needed replacement. They
armed me with proof of this trans being bad in lots of cars. As a result of that and a
lot of yelling, I was able to get the dealer to replace it with a refurbished one from
Ford, for a copayment from me of 800.00.  During these months and the following year, I
had many service calls for stalling motor, engine cut off while driving, difficulting
shifting, broken windshield wiper motor, recall repair related to difficulty steering,
etc.  Now at 10,000 miles after the new trans, I have a whistling noise emanating from
the trans that 2 separate repair shops (1 trusted corner shop isolated the source of the
noise to the transmission area) (a second I took it to and now for the second time
provided me with a third party evaluation--this time stating the noise is coming from the
transmission bell housing. They said this indicates need for repair or worse) So I took it
to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong with the trans but now I need 2 new front
tires and the ball joints replaced on the front end because the car is riding out of line
and it ruined the tires and joints. All of this time in and out of the shop they have never
said the front end was not aligned or anything.
 
To make things worse, there was no paperwork for me when I picked the car up and I had to
get in a big fight with the people at the dealership about it with no resolution. I went
home with no receipts of what was said or anything!
 
Is anyone organizing a class action against Ford on these transmission/drive train
problems, or what??????? Please tell me so I can join in!!!!