What 821 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

PURCHASE VEHICLE 2 21 2019 AND THE TWO ENGINE LIGHTS WARNING LIGHTS BREAKING DECELERATES WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAYS. SERVICE LIGHT TRACKING LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE VEHICLE DOES ALL THIS ON IT'S ON. I HAVE CONTACTED BY CHAT THE FORD CORPORATION ABOUT THIS SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I WAS TOLD THEIR WAS NO SERVICE BULLETIN SO THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE DANGEROUS MATTER THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAS VERY DANGEROUSAND THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. ALSO WITH THE ENGINE LIGHTS STAYING ON ALL THE TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK.

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AIRBAG LIGHTS HAVE COME ON AND OFF ON MY CAR FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. FORD FIXED ISSUE ONE TIME UNDER WARRANTY. FAULTY WIRE CONNECTION IS WHAT I WAS TOLD AND EVERYTHING ELSE WAS FINE, ACCORDING TO FORD DEALERSHIP. MY AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON ONCE AGAIN AND IT APPEARS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORERS. IT SEEMS THAT 2011-2018 ARE AFFECTED BY SOME SORT OF AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. FORD IS NOT HELPING ANYONE AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING FORD HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM ONLY FOR THE PROBLEM TO STILL EXIST. IT IS WIDE SPREAD AND NOT JUST AN ISSUE IN CERTAIN CLIMATES. AT WHAT POINT DOES THE MANUFACTURER BECOME LIABLE FOR FAULTY SAFETY EQUIPMENT? WE ARE ALL BEING TOLD THAT OUR AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF IN ANY ACCIDENT, LARGE OR SMALL, AND TO ME THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM. HOW MANY LIVES NEED BE LOST OR IN JEOPARDY BEFORE SOMEONE CAN HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR OBVIOUS DEFECT? THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS THAT SHOULDN'T EVEN NEED TO BE DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HAVE SEVERAL SMALL CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN MY VEHICLE DAILY AND NOW I FEEL THEIR LIVES ARE AT RISK WHENEVER WE GO TO THE GROCERY STORE. I DON'T HAVE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO KEEP DUMPING INTO MY VEHICLE FOR A REPAIR THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THEMSELVES. THERE ARE A FEW TSB'S OUT AT FORD CURRENTLY FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEMS AND THEY SEEM TO BE PRIMARILY AN ISSUE WITH NEEDING DIELECTRIC GREASE ADDED AT THE CONNECTORS. I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM EXPLORER OWNERS WITH THE SAME CONCERNS AND RECEIVING LITTLE TO NO HELP FROM FORD. IT'S A MATTER OF THEM SAYING 'OH WELL' OR 'THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO'. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND QUITE FRANKLY UNBELIEVABLE THAT IT'S HAPPENING ON A 40K CAR. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE ALSO STATED THAT A SAFETY ISSUE OF THIS MAGNITUDE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

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THE CONTROL PANEL THAT SHOWS THE REAR BACKING AND THEN SWITCHES TO CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE, RADIO, SEATS, ETC HAS FAILED. THERE IS NO BACKING ASSIST OR ANY CONTROLS FOR INTERIOR FUNCTIONS. THE FEATURE STOPPED WHEN IN MOTION AND HASN'T COME BACK ON SINCE.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BILLY HOWELL FORD LINCOLN (1805 ATLANTA HWY, CUMMING, GA 30040, (770) 887-2311) FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS PRIOR, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE SAME DEALER PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) FAILED AND THE EPS INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V286000 (STEERING) AND 14E001000 (STEERING); ALTHOUGH, THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME AS LISTED IN THE RECALLS. CLASSIC FORD OF SMITHFIELD (1698 E BOOKER DAIRY RD, SMITHFIELD, NC 27577, (877) 679-8179) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT NEEDED TO BE SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND THE DEALER WAS TO ALSO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

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THE SAME COMMON PROBLEM WITH EVERY SINGLE 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND POSSIBLY DISABLED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO HUNDREDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS THIS ISSUE IS AN ENDLESS MONEY PIT BECAUSE THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX AND FORD REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE COST FOR TURNING OFF THE LIGHT AT A FORD DEALERSHIP WILL BE UPWARDS OF $400 AND WILL ONLY TURN THE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF FOR A SHORT WHILE. I WAS PROMISED BY LOCAL FORD DEALER "THERE'S A HIGH PROBABILITY I'LL HAVE TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN FOR THIS ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD AND THEIR APOLOGIES BUT THERE'S NOTHING FROM FORD TO HELP ME COVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR". UNSAFE RIP OFF.... PURE AND SIMPLE

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT A UNKNOWN SPEEDS AROUND A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER HIT A CURVE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING METAL POLE. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURY, THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BUMP AND BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S SIX YEAR OLD DAUGHTER CONSTANTLY COMPLAINED OF SEVERE HEADACHES WITHIN FIFTEEN MINUTES OF BEING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN NORTH FORD (3002 US-50, EMPORIA, KS 66801) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,467.

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EXPERIENCING HARD SHIFTS WITH A THUD. HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING DOWN THEN WHEN I ACCELERAT THERE IS A DELAY THEN A THUD WHEN IT FINALLY SHODTS INTO GEAR. APPARENTLY I'M NOT THE INLY ONE FROM WHAT IVE HEARD. I WISH FORD WOULD FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO GARAGE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE.

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TWICE IN 5 DAYS THE VEHICLE HAS 'AWD OFF' ERROR MESSAGE POP UP WHEN DRIVING AT 25MPH, AND HAS FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO IDLE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. ALL OF THE MECHANICS WE TALKED TO WON'T TOUCH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND DIRECT US TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THERE IS ZERO SENSE OF SAFETY WHEN DRIVING IT.

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I HAD A SYNC BLACK SCREEN THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT AND APIM WAS NO GOOD SO I HAD NO CONTROL OF ANYTHING LIKE THE HEAT DEFROST OR ANYTHING THAT CONTROLLED WITH THE TOUCH SCREEN INCLUDING THE REAR CAMERA AND SENSORS TO THE CAR AND FROM WHAT I READ THAT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR OF THAT YEAR.

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WATER LEAKS IN THROUGH THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT TENSIONER. WATER RUNS DOWN THE SEAT BELT AND POOLS ON THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. WATER IN THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IS A SAFETY RISK. I REPORTED IT TO FORD, THEY DECLINED TO FIX IT.

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ON 4/17/2019 MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON ITS NOT BLINKING JUST SOLID ITS BEEN ALMOST A WEEK AND LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY FORD YEAR AND MODEL. FROM WHAT I RESEARCHED NONE OF THE FORD REPAIRS HAVE PERMANENTLY REPAIRED THIS ISSUE. FROM I HAVE READ IN THESE COMPLAINTS IS THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON WONDERING WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I AM NOT TAKEN MY CAR TO A FORD DEALER TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR A TEMPORARY FIX THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP.

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STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHEN YOU START TRUCK AND HAVE TO TURN OFF AND RESTARTS TO GO AWAY

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO GOSCH FORD OF TEMECULA (26895 YNEZ RD, TEMECULA, CA 92591, (951) 708-9148) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE VIN DID NOT MATCH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,107.

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POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME ON. 2014 A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 3 WEEKS AGO, CAN I STILL HAVE WORK DONE.

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I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' ERRORS ON STARTUP ON MY 2012 FORD EXPLORE FWD. THIS RESULTS IN COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TURN THE WHEEL TO EITHER DIRECTION. I'VE READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL BUT FORD HAS NOT SENT ME ANY NOTIFICATIONS IN MAIL OR NOTIFIED ME WHEN I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE.

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VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND ALL DASH LIGHTS FLASHED. RESULTED STRANDED ON SIDE OF BUSY ROAD AND ALL POWER STEERING FAILED. WAS DRIVING SIDE STREET AT TIME OF OCCURRENCE. I MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT FORD CORPORATE TO RESOLVE AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER UNDER GUARANTEED RECALL OF THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINEON. I HAVE AUTO SERVICE CENTER REPAIRS WITH A REPAIR COST OF $2000.00. PLEASE ASSIST IN COVERING THIS COST FOR REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY RECALL. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS. THANK YOU.

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THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WILL RANDOMLY SHUT DOWN MY ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE WHILE LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY TO TAKE MY KIDS TO THE BUS STOP. I COULD NOT BUDGE THE STEERING, I LOST ALL CONTROL. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THAN RESTARTED IT, THE ASSIST FAULT WAS NOT ON NOW AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED BE FOR I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE YOU LOOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE STEERING. OTHER TIMES IT COMES ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE AND WILL NOT GO OFF RIGHT AWAY, LEAVING ME STUCK AT WORK, GROCERY STORE SO ON. MY CAR IS NOW IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE FAULT ON. I HAVE TRIED EVERYDAY, BUT THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND THE FAULT WILL NOT SHUT OFF THIS TIME. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND ONLY DRIVE IT WHEN I HAVE TO. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN A CAR THAT LOOSES STEERING AT ANY TIME. IF I'M ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN I FEEL THIS IS RISKING LIFE AND SAFETY OF MYSELF AND ANYONE AROUND ME.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 WHEN I STARTEDMY CAR I STARTED SMELLING A STRONG ORDER OF A NATURAL GAS SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR. IT GETS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AT TIMES. I CONTACTED FORD REGARDING THIS HOWEVER THEY SAID THATT SINCE ME CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY IT WILL BE BE COVERED AND THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. IT'S A CONSTANT GAS SMELL WHETHER I'M DRIVING, IDLING, OR PARKED. THIS IS NOT SAFE.

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POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. FORD DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL, AND VIN SEARCH INDICATED NO OPEN RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. DEALER HAS RESET VEHICLE COMPUTER AND THAT MAY BE WHY NO OPEN RECALL SHOWS UP. INTERNET SEARCHES INDICATE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL, BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE VEHICLE EVER HAD RECALL WORK DONE. SO FAR THE PROBLEM ONLY PRESENTS ITSELF UPON INITIAL STARTUP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. HOWEVER, INTERNET SEARCHES SHOW THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD STEERING LOCK UP WHILE IN MOTION, CAUSING VEHICLE ACCIDENTS.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING), THE STEERING ABILITY FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JUNGE CEDAR RAPIDS (319-393-6500, LOCATED AT 1200 BOYSON RD, HIAWATHA, IA 52233) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,100.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, WHICH MADE THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WATSON QUALITY FORD (6130 I 55, JACKSON, MS) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,700.*BF *JB

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MY EXPLORER SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF EXHAUST WHEN ACCELERATING. IT MAKES ME NAUSEOUS AND PASSENGERS DO NOT WANT TO GET IN MY CAR ' I DON'T WANT TO GET IN MY CAR. FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE. PLUGGING UP TWO SMALL PLUGS IN THE TRUNK AND REPROGRAMMING THE AIR CONDITIONING/HEAT SYSTEM DOES NOT ADDRESS AN APPARENT EXHAUST LEAK. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH EMPLOYEES OF FORD, SEEN COUNTLESS STORIES ONLINE ' THIS ISSUE IS NOT UNKNOWN OR UNDIAGNOSABLE. I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA MAY PROVOKE FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY HURT.

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AT BEGINNING, VEHICLE FREQUENTLY SUDDENLY REDUCE THE SPEED WHILE DRIVING, THEN I EXPERIENCED THE DIFFICULTY TO START THE ENGINE IN THE MORNING. MISS FIRE OF THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED DURING BOTH IN DRIVING AND MORNING ENGINE START. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATE WHEN THE DRIVING SPEED AROUND 20 MPH IN CITY DRIVING, AND SUDDENLY REDUCING THE SPEED WHEN IT IS AROUND 80 MPH ON HIGHWAY. SO I DECIDED TO SEND IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR FINALLY I PARKED INSIDE OF THE GARAGE AND WAITING TO DELIVERY IT DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THE REPAIR SHOP COULD DETECT ANYTHING WRONG IN MECHANIC, THEREFORE THEY RECOMMEND NE SEND IT TO FORD DEALER FOR FURTHER TESTING. AFTER STORE THIS VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE FOR FEW DAYS, THE ENGINE CAN NOT START AT ALL. I HAD TO TOW IT TO FORD DEALER FOR FURTHER TESTING. THE ONLY ERROR FORD DEALER FOUND IS THE RE-INSTALLATION OF PCM SOFTWARE. WHICH FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY THE SAME FORD DEALER ON 11-15-2016. AFTER LAST WEEK RE-INSTALL THE PCM SOFTWARE BY FORD DEALER, I STILL EXPERIENCE THE UNEVEN SHAKING WHEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATE TO 4000 RPM (NOT DRIVING CONDITION), AS WELL AS THE DIVING SPEED CLOSE TO 80 MPH ON HIGHWAY. BUY FORD DEALER CLAIMS THESE SYMPTOMS ARE VERY NORMAL OF THE FORD EXPEDITION.

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