The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving 20 mph or greater, the contact heard a rattling noise when driving over bumps in the road. He took the vehicle to the Ford dealer and was informed that his ball joints needed to be replaced. The failure caused the front tires on the vehicle to begin cupping. The contact was advised by the dealer not to drive the vehicle until the ball joints were replaced. The current and failure mileages were 114,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Dealership informed the consumer of the worn out lower front ball joint on the driver/passenger sides. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Columbus, KS, USA

1999 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition... we had gone out to dinner and when leaving the parking space it sounded as if we ran over a glass bottle. My husband looked around the vehicle and could not find anything. I got in the drivers seat and it felt as if the emergency brake was on (was not) and was very hard to move. We returned to the parking space, turned off the vehicle getting ready to call aaa for services. We both heard a "release" sound. He turned on the vehicle, backed up and we drove home very carefully. The next morning the vehicle was at the dealership to look into this mystery. The brakes were fine; however, they found the following to repair: *seals to brakes *rear axle pinion seal *both lower ball joints on the front end I was told the front right tire ball joints were completely worn down and the tire was just wobbly held on by the lug bolts. We recently purchased this vehicle and would appreciate your help in reviewing the past recalls on this type vehicle. This could and would have been an extreme hazard with probably extreme injury to the persons involved. Also, if you can please check the past history of the owners to make sure they have kept the vehicle maintained with any suggested recall items. Thank you, marlene morgan

- Indian Trail, NC, USA

I was told by alderman Ford that the ball joints on my Ford Explorer were in a failure condition at 53000 miles--"unsafe to drive". this car has had normal driving use. I was told that Ford's choice of "sealed ball joints" was the reason for the failure-prone ball joints, and that this is "normal". are all explorere users in this endangered position" if so, is a recall necessary? is there a way you can check how many owners have had to replace these bad joints" my 91 Explorer went 135000 miles without ball joint problems. Ball joint failure at speed is dangerous. Thank you for your help.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

While driving 15mph and without warning front tire collapsed. Mechanic stated that upper ball joint was missing a nut which caused brand new tire to collapse. Dealer replaced broken right lower ball joint, brake hose, wheel speed sensor and rack/pinion unit.

- Seguin, TX, USA

Consumer stated there have been numerous problems with the drive train, consumer began hearing an odd N oise in August 2000, and in April 2001, at that time dealer could not duplicate the problem, the dealership however did replace the driveshaft assembly, and the joint assembly spindle-arm, several months later the outer tie-rod ends were replaced, lower steering shaft which was leaking power steering fluid, the power steering pump and the rack and pinion, also parking brake does not release, and the cruise control cable was replaced, the check engine light illuminated.

- Salem, MA, USA

While driving, throttle/ air bypass valve malfunctions which causes accelerator pedal to stick, and pedal goes nearly to the floor. Also pedal has to be pumped before it releases. The dealer said they can fix the problem, but the vehicle still hesitates and there is rough idle, the lower ball joints failed, and were replaced.

- Brockton, MA, USA