What 1,671 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT.

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VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN WE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. SO WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM SAYING IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE SHOP DID NOT WANT US TO DRIVE VEHICLE HOME DUE TO BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE HAS UNDER 80K MILES.

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ON NOVEMBER 8, 2020 I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY TO LEAVE MY HOUSE AND NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END, IT WAS VERY LOUD, AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE CARS STEERING; ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT AT LOWER SPEEDS AND ON SHARP TURNS. (THE WHEELS DO NOT STRAIGHTEN OUT OR RETURN TO CENTER WHEN EXITING A TURN AND WILL THEN OVER COMPENSATE AND VEER TO THE RIGHT AFTER HAVING TO MANUALLY TURN THE WHEEL BACK.) WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER. AFTER REVIEWING MY EXPLORER THEY STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS BAD AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ASAP DUE TO THIS BEING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND WE SHOULDN'T WAIT TO GET IT REPLACED TOTAL COST FOR THE JOB WOULD BE $4,284.59. I CALLED FORD COOPERATE AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT CAME ON SUDDENLY WITH OUT WARNING. I WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE PREVIOUS YEARS 2011-2013 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE, AND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE 2014 AND 2015 HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT WITH ONLY A "WARNING" BEING PLACED ON THEM, NOT A RECALL FOR THE 2014 OR 2015. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY YEAR DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL AND STATED I COULD OPEN A CASE AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA AND THAT WAS ALL I COULD DO, BUT IF A RECALL WAS OFFERED IN THE FUTURE I COULD POSSIBLE GET REIMBURSED. WHEN WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TOE LINK THAT CAN AFFECT THE STEERING BUT NOT A RECALL ON THE RACK. THIS STEERING RACK ISSUE POSES A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE CONSIDER WORKING WITH FORD TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL WHO DRIVE THE 2014 EXPLORER AND PLACE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM ASAP. I AM VERY FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS PHYSICALLY HURT WHEN MY STEERING WENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER OF MAJOR SAFETY. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

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WHEN REAR CAMERA IS IN USE IT TENDS TO HAVE A DELAY SHOWING REAR ACTIVITY, FLASHES ON AND OFF AND/OR THE SYNC SCREEN GOES COMPLETELY BLANK

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HI MY NAME IS [XXX]. I PURCHASED THIS 2014 FORD EXPLORER FROM A CERTIFIED FORD GARAGE MECHANIC THIS SUMMER. THE PRIVATE PARTY PURCHASE WAS IN JUNE 2020 WITH 89,XXX MILES. THE SELLER SHOWED ME EVERY REPAIR, OIL CHANGE, BRAKES ETC. WERE DONE IN A FORD GARAGE. TEN THOUSAND MILES LATER THE VEHICLE SNAPPED A TOE LINK LATERAL ARM DRIVING DOWN A SMOOTH HIGHWAY 60MPH! THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND MY WIFE AND 2 YOUNG KIDS WERE IN DANGER.. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, FOR THE WHEEL WAS TIPPED IN AND NOT STABLE...FLAT BED TOW $100 OUT OF POCKET... FORD OF HIBBING DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED AND THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TIME TO REPAIR FOR OVER A MONTH.. THEY SOLD ME THE FACTORY FORD TOE LINK THAT WAS THE "FIX" UPGRADE... WITH ALL THE DEALERS AND LOCAL AUTO SHOPS WAY WAY BEHIND AND SHORT HANDED I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AGAIN FOR $100 OUT OF POCKET TO MY GARAGE.. I WENT TO TECH SCHOOL OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL FOR AUTO MECHANIC AND RECEIVED A 2 YEAR DEGREE AND PREVIOUSLY WAS A AUTO MECHANIC FOR 10 PLUS YEARS.. ANYWAYS BEYOND THAT POINT I REPLACED THE TOE LINK IN MY SHOP AND INSPECTED OTHER POINTS.. AFTER I REPLACED THE LINK I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL TIRE AND ALIGNMENT SHOP IN HIBBING MN (IRON RANGE TIRE) WHICH THEY THAN PROFESSIONALLY ALIGNED AND TIGHTENED THE REAR SUSPENSION. 100 MILES LATER HAPPENS AGAIN TO MY WIFE AND KIDS DOWN THE HIGHWAY!! TOWED AGAIN $100! CURRENTLY AT LUNDGREN FORD DEALER EVELETH MN. $2800 TO REPLACE AND REPAIR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS! FILED A FORD CASE # [XXX]. FORD REFUSED TO COOPERATE OR POSSIBLY PAY FOR REPAIR! THE SERVICE DEPT MANAGER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED REGULARLY AT THAT SHOP AND SAID SERVICE RECORDS SHOW THE COMPLETE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED IN 2019!! 20,000 MILES AGO! AND ITS ALREADY BREAKING AGAIN! ITS UNSAFE FOR MY WIFE AND 4 & 6YR OLD BOYS! PLEASE HELP! IM SERIOUSLY NOT WASTING TIME! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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BOTH FRONT AND REAR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED BY SERVICE REPAIR FACILITY.

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I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR TO GET GROCERIES AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT MY STEERING FELT LIKE I WAS TURNING A TRUCK WITH NO POWER STEERING.I CALLED MY CAR DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR BUT THE YEARS BEFORE AND AFTER THE YEAR OF MY CAR , THEY HAVE RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM. I ONLY HAVE 55,000 MI. ON IT.THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $2,500 TO FIX. I CAN'T AFFORD IT BEING RETIRED NOW AND CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE.

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AS I WAS DRIVING, THANKFULLY AT A SLOW SPEED, AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING. I LOSS COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING AND WENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS SIMULTANEOUSLY POPPED UP BUT AS I WAS UNDER THE DURESS OF TRYING TO AVOID A COLLISION, I DO NOT HAVE A COMPLETE LIST BUT I DID SEE THE STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM FAILURE AND REQUIRES SERVICE ALL BLINKING RED. THERE WERE NO ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS NOR DRIVING STYLE AND ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000 MILES. I HAD TO COVER THE COST TO TOW THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER SHOP AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE ISSUE CANNOT BE REPLICATED BUT THEY BELIEVE IT IS A RACK AND PINION AND STEERING/COLUMN FAILURE AND ARE QUOTING ME OVER 2500 FOR REPAIRS. AS THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO HUNDRED IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, YEARS 2011-2014 AND 2015-2017 (IF NOT LATER) FALL UNDER THIS SAME FAILURE RECALL, THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I FEAR GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS CAR AND AM LUCKY THAT I DID NOT CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS VEHICLE FAILURE.

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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN AT FIRST. IT CONTINUED STRAIGHT FOR A SECOND. THEN IT SEAM LIKE THE STEERING JUMPED AND CAUGHT A GEAR. THE VEHICLE THEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT. I WAS TRAVELING AT AROUND 25 MPH

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RIGHT TIRE WIGGLES WHILE DRIVING. IT FEELS LIKE ITS ABOUT TO COME OFF.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, IT FELT AS IF THE REAR TIRE HAD SLIPPED ON ICE WITH A LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOE LINK DETACHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER HUSBAND REPLACED THE TOW LINK. FORD OF HIBBING (2627 E BELTLINE, HIBBING, MN 55746) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL, AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

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FRACTURED REAR TOE LINK SUSPENSION. HUSBAND FIXED IT ONCE, LESS THEN A MONTH LATER AFTER REPLACING PART IT BROKE AGAIN! NOT HAPPY HAD MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME BOTH TIMES THANKFULLY WE WERE NOT HURT AS WE WERE NOT GOING VERY FAST WHEN THE PART COMPLETELY SNAPPED! HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TURNING THE CORNER FELT LIKE MY BACK TIRE POPPED OUT OF SOCKET!

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THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, LUCKILY AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY, VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BECAME UNABLE TO STEER (THIS WAS NOT LOSS OF POWER STEERING, IT WAS LOSS OF STEERING COMPLETELY). SEVERAL WARNINGS IMMEDIATELY POPPED UP INCLUDING STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM FAILURE, SERVICE REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY. UPON INVESTIGATION IT APPEARS THIS ISSUE WAS COVERED (VIA RECALL) IN YEAR MODELS 2011-2013 AND 2015-2017. FOR SOME REASON VIN'S FROM 2014 WERE OMITTED FROM THE RECALL YET I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THESE 2014 MODELS. WE LOVE OUR EXPLORER BUT I AM AFRAID TO LET MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER DRIVE IT NOW. THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME APPROX $3,000 PLUS THE COST OF HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD AND NHTSA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS YEAR MODEL BEING OMITTED FROM THIS RECALL IS AN INCREDIBLE OVERSIGHT. MY EXPLORER HAD 123,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. AT THE TIME OF FAILURE THERE WAS NO EXCESSIVE FORCE OR HARSH DRIVING CONDITIONS BEING USED.

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WHEN ENGAGING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND DRIVING, THE BACK-UP CAMERA OFTEN GLITCHES AND OFTEN GOES BLACK. SHOWS ERROR "BACK UP CAMERA NOT AVAILABLE. CONTACT DEALERSHIP". I KNOW THE 2020 MODELS HAVE JUST HAD A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE.

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I HAVE A 2014 FORD EXPLORER XLT, RECENTLY MY PASSENGER SIDE WEATHER STRIP ALONG THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. MY DRIVER SIDE DID THE SAME ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECE ALONG THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, DRIVER SIDE IS LIFTING ALSO, I HAVE TRIED TO RE-GLUE SEVERAL TIMES BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO LAST. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY FORD, I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. THESE POSE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECE BLOWS OFF ON THE HIGHWAY.

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BACKUP CAMERA NOT WORKING. IT GOES BLACK AND STATES "CAMERA UNAVAILABLE. CONTACT YOUR DEALERSHIP." THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME WHEN IN REVERSE.

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POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. MULTIPLE WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR IN THE DASH UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS OF THIS CAR WITH THE SAME STEERING SYSTEM.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE REAR TOE LINK SPLIT IN HALF WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL AND SLAM INTO THE GUARDRAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE BOUNCED AND SPUN 260 DEGREES AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL AGAIN AND SCRAPPED ALONG THE GUARDRAIL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DOWN TO SLOW DOWN AND COME TO A REST IN THE LEFT MEDIAN LANE. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND GET OUT AND INSPECT THE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT HAD A POLICE OFFICER DIRECT HER TO FURTHER PULL HER VEHICLE COMPLETELY OUT OF THE LANE FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER APPROVED BY HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TOE LINK HAD BEEN A RECALL REPAIR FROM THE DEALER DOVI MOTORS, INC 263 TOMPKINS ST, CORTLAND, NY 13045 (607) 756-2801 BACK IN 2017. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

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THE WINDSHIELD OUTSIDE PILLAR/TRIM MOLDING OF A 2014 FORD EXPLORER, FLEW OFF CAR WHILE DRIVING (65MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITHIN LESS THAN A YEAR. AND FROM WHAT I GATHERED FROM DEALERSHIP AND ONLINE RESEARCH, IT'S A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM.

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REAR CAMERA GOES BLACK INTERMITTENTLY IN OUR 2014 FORD. WHILE WE ARE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE OR OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY IT MAY START AS EXPECTED BUT THEN BEFORE WE ARE FINISHED REVERSING IT JUST GOES TO A BLACK SCREEN. OTHER TIMES WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE REAR CAMERA DOES NOT ENGAGE AT ALL.

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LOST POWER STEERING WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. ADVANCETRAC AND POWER STEERING ASSIST CODES BOTH CAME ON. VERY DANGEROUS AND STEERING GEAR BOX HAS BEEN RECALLED IN PRIOR AND LATER MODELS BUT NOT THE 2014 MODEL. COST OF REPAIR CLOSE TO 2000 DOLLARS FOR A VEHICLE PART THEY HAVE CLEARLY HAD ISSUES WITH.

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THEY SHOULD MAKE A HEADLIGHT RETROFIT KIT AS MY 2014 EXPLORER HAS THE WORST HEADLIGHTS I EVER SAW. DANGEROUS! PERHAPS THE MOVIE-PROJECTOR LENS IS THE ISSUE? THE LIGHT SEEMS TO FUCUS MUCH LIGHT TO THE TREE TOPS INSTEAD OF CONCENTRATING THE LIGHT IN FRONT. I AM NOT A COON HUNTER AND DI NOT TO ILLUMINATE THE TREES WHEN I DRIVE. ALSO, I HAD A LED TAILLIGHT FAIL AND FIND IT IS NOT SERVICEABLE AND IT CANNOT BE SERVICED. THE WHOLE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED COSTING MEGA BUCKS. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING. I NOTE, THROUGH THE INTERNET, OTHERS ARE LISTING THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEMS.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITH THE STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATED FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN MIAMI, FLORIDA, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK & PINION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE SAME FAILURE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED EARLIER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED HE CONTINUED DRIVING UNTIL THE SMELL FADED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING A NEED FOR SERVICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE ALMOST CRASHED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE POWER STEERING SEIZING WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED HAAG FORD SALES, INC (405 E EADS PKWY, GREENDALE, IN 47025) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR ENGINEER WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT, OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 186,000.

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