NHTSA complaint: 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE DIFFERENTIAL ON THE VEHICLE IS WORN OUT. THE REAR BEARINGS WERE WORN AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HOUSING. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BEARINGS BEGAN SMOKING AND SMELLED LIKE HOT ASPHALT. SMOKE ALSO ROSE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE GEAR OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE BEARINGS AND ONTO THE BRAKES. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT PERMISSION WAS NEEDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTERWARDS, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE UNDER RECALL NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED SIX MONTHS LATER AND THE DEALER CURRENTLY REFUSES TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE CONTACT PAYS FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,344.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation