1998 Ford Expedition Complaint Log

WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKE PEDAL, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE RESISTANCE. VEHICLE STOPS ONLY AFTER REAPPLYING THE BRAKE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. *AK *ML

WHEN STANDARD TIRE SERVICE (ROTATION) WAS PERFORMED THE WHEEL LUG NUT STUDS FAILED WHEN TIGHTENED USING TYPICAL TIGHTENING TOOLS AND PRACTICES. MORE INFORMATION AND SAMPLES OF THESE FAILED WHEEL LUG NUT STUDS ARE AVAILABLE IF REQUESTED.

NO SUMMARY

VEHICLE HAD BEEN LEAKING OIL SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT. BUT, DEALER COULDN'T FIND WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. *AK

2 TIRES SUFFERED SIDEWALL FAILURES, 2 OR MORE HOLES IN SIDEWALL, COOL AIR TEMPERATURE ABOUT 55 DEGREES F. TIRES INFLATED TO 35 PSI, BOTH FAILURES ON IMPROVED GRAVEL/ DIRT ROADS IN ALASKA, BOTH TIRES DESTROYED, NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P265/70R17 )

THERE WAS A "CLANKING" NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINATION, DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS MISSING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

A 2-YEAR OLD WAS ABLE PUT CAR INTO GEAR AND CAR ROLLED BACK. VEHICLE WAS NOT ON, AND IT TOTALLED ANOTHER CAR , CONSUMER SAID THANK GOD THERE WERE NO KIDS AROUND BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN RUN OVER. CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO FORD AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. *AK *ML

WHILE ON VACATION AT SONS HOME IN TROY MICHIGAN VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT ABOUT 9PM AND WHEN MY WIFE WENT TO GET THE CAR IN THE MORNING SHE FOUND IT MISSING. SHE WAS TOLD BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STARTED ON FIRE AROUND 2AM IN THE MORNING WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN ENGINE FIRE. THE TROT MICHIGAN POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE DISPATCHED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE POUND. MY WIFE CONTACTED THE POLICE AND FOUND THAT THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD BURNED TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN PARKED IN OUR GARAGE IN TEXAS OUR HOUSE WOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN A TOTAL LOSS WITH THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO NATIONWIDE INSURANCE AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE HOT LINE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY EXPECTS TO TRY AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE LATER TODAY 5-24-2000. AS OF NOW IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH ALLL APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE CURRENT AND EXHIBITED NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE SPONTANIOUS FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF THE TROY MICHIGAN IMPOUND LOT. MY WIFE IS STRANDED IN MICHIGAN AND CAN BE REACHED AT 248 952 0802. *AK

WHILE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT THE RIGHT SIDE TORSION BAR CRACKED COMPLETELY IN HALF. THIS DROPPED THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 INCHES RENDERING IT UNDRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO USED. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR NO HOLES OR CURBS WERE HIT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE SECURITY GUARD CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT MY VEHICLE ALARM WAS GOING OFF. WHEN I WENT OUT TO CHECK IT LOOKED LIKE A FLAT TIRE UNTIL I GOT CLOSER AND SAW THE TIRE WAS OK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING DOWN TO THE RIGHT FRONT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR MORE THAN 9 HOURS WHEN THE TORSION BAR JUST BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON THE STREET AT 25 MPH SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF THE RACK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE STREET. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

FRONT ROTORS (2) WORN OUT PRE-MATURELY AND NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER 33000 MILES. *AK

A SPARK PLUG THAT HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY TORQUED AT THE FORD FACTORY LOOSTENED AND DESTROYED THE CYLINDER HEAD. IT TOOK THE FORD DEALER 2 WEEKS TO REMOVE THE ENGINE FROM THE VEHICLE, GET THE PARTS, AND MAKE THE REPAIR.

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS DIMMED. THEN, PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 TO 45 MPH LEFT FRONT TORSION BAR BROKE AWAY FROM THE SUSPENSION, FLYING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND CAUSING A BLOWOUT OF THE RIGHT TIRES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

UNDER BACK SEAT IN REAR OF VEHICLE FRAME HAS A BAD STRESS FRACTURE. THE CRACK GOES THE WIDTH OF THE BODY ON THE FLOORBOARD. LOCATED WHERE SEATS ARE MOUNTED. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED NOTHING CAN BE DONE. MANUFACTURER WAS IN AGREEMENT. CRACK AT PRESENT IS AT LEAST 3 TO 4 INCHES LONG & GETTING WORSE. *AK

BRAKES GRINDED WHILE DRIVING. HAD TO BE CHANGED 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE STREET AT 25-35 MPH FRONT TORSION BAR BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DIP DOWN ON ONE SIDE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS MADE AT NO COST TO CONSUMER, BUT, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE OTHER SIDE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

AS WE PULLED OUT OF A TOLL BOOTH ON THE G.S.PKWY WE HEARD A LOUD BANG IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER. APPARENTLY A SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN FROM THE ENGINE. IT REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE WIRE BUT NEITHER THAT PLUG OR A NEW ONE COULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CYLINDER WAS STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KAYTES FORD. WE'RE HOPING FORD WILL INCUR THE EXPENSE OF REPAIRING IT SINCE THIS SHOULD NEVER HAD HAPPENED ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE WITH 41,000 MILES. WARRANTY WAS UP AT 36,000. *AK

THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE DUE TO STRIPPED THREADS, DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF FAILURE. *MJS

ASSIST HANDLE ON FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SPLIT IN HALF WHEN OCCUPANT CAUGHT ONTO IT TO GET INTO THE TRUCK. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSTANTLY BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP WHO CONTINUALLY SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD BROKE WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. NLM

LEATHER SEAT IS WEARING OUT AND LEATHER STEERING COVER IS WEARING BADLY. COLOR IS COMING OFF BOTH. ALSO COLOR COMES OFF BACK SIDE PANELS EASILY.

LAP BELT IN REAR SEAT WOULD NOT RETRACT WHENEVER SHOULDER BELT WAS USED ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. IF THE SHOULDER BELT WAS RELEASED FROM THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT THE LAP BELT WOULD RETRACT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER, NO REPONSE WAS RECEIVED. CAR SEAT CANNOT BE SAFELY PLACED IN THE MIDDLE SEAT WITH THIS DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT. SEATBELT WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE BELT. NO HELP FROM FORD. *AK *ML

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION (00V-073), BOLTS BECAME LOOSE AND PROBLEMS WITH TOWING AS A RESULT OF HITCH FAILURE. *MJS

TORSION BAR CRACKED WHILE BACKING / TURNING FROM DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE DISABLED AND TOWED TO DEALER FOR IN-WARRANTY REPAIRS. *AK

PE00-020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH AND REAR SIDE DRIVER'S TIRE SEPARATED FROM RIM. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK

REAR DIFFERNTIAL FLUID COVERS BRAKES, MAKES BRAKING DIFFICULT (MAJOR HAZZARD??)

INCIDENT 1 (DATED 01/27/00): SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF DRIVER-SIDE CYCLINDER HEAD. DEALER RETAPPED TREADS, REPLACED SPARK PLUG, REASSEMBLED ENGINE ($1216.79) INCIDENT 2 (DATED 08/29/02): SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF DRIVER-SIDE CYCLINDER HEAD. DEALER REPLACED CYCLINDER HEAD, REASSEMBLED ENGINE ($2035.61)

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A SHEET OF ICE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND SLID INTO A GUARDRAIL. UPON A FRONTAL IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICHNOT PROTECTING THE OCCUPANTS. ALSO, DRIVER'S SEATBELT DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH DID NOT HOLD THE OCCUPANT IN SEAT, AND CAUSING OCCUPANT TO SUSTAIN INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE IS STALLING, ONCE IT STALLED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. *SLC

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. THE LOSS OF POWER RESULTED IN BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURES. *YH

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER COLLISION, SPEED UNDETERMINED. VEHICLE HIT SEVERAL TREES BEFORE AND DURING ROLLOVER. BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE FADING AWAY AND CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. POWER BRAKES HAVE FAILED TWICE, AND TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES. CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. DEALER CONTACTED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML

BRAKING SYSTEM WENT INTO SKID OF OWN VOLITION, CAUSED VEHICLE TO CRASH AND DRIVER TO BE INJURED. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PROBLEM NOTED IN PAST BUT DEALERSHIPS REFUSED TO REPAIR.

CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE 3 TIMES ONCE BEING DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION ROD, AND AN OUT OF BALANCE CRANKSHAFT, THE SERPENTINE BELT, THERMOSTAT AND GASKET HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED, ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING, DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUGS.*JB *YH

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY ROOF LUGGAGE RACK AND LUGGAGE CAME OFF VEHICLE . DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK

ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH LAP BELT LATCH IN 2ND. ROW, FAILING TO ENGAGE, LEAVING OCCUPANT WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT IF INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE COLLISION. DEALER NOTIFIED. UNABLE TO USE THIS POSITION FOR CHILD SAFETY SEAT. *AK

PASSENGER'S REAR WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TORSION BAR CRACKED. VEHICLE IN DEALER SHOP FOR REPAIRS DUE TO WARRANTY. *AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING SPARE TIRE CABLE, LOCATED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, BROKE, AND ALLOWED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL ONTO THE STREET. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAR HOME WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED, AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, BRAKES MADE A LOUD SOUNDING NOISE, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH ANOTHER CAME OUT IN FRONT. CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON, BUT HIT THE REAR BUMPER. IN THE PROCESS, APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP, BUT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ON TOP OF HOOD AND SPUN AROUND, WINDING UP IN A DITCH.CONSUMER WAS THROWEN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH AND TOWING A 10 FOOT TRAILER, FOUR BOLTS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE TRAILER HITCH FELL OUT WHICH MADE THE TRAILER AND THE TRAILER HITCH DROP DOWN TO THE HIGHWAY. ALL FOUR BOLTS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRAILER HITCH WERE LOOSE. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TRAILER HITCH WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. *AK *ML

WIPERS GO ON AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPEED BY THEMSELVES

WHEN PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND HOOKING UP A BOAT TRAILER HITCH WITH FOOT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, KNOCKING THE BOAT TRAILER 20 FEET BACK. CONSUMER ALSO, REAR WHEELS WERE SPINNING WITH FOOT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF AFTER BEING TURNED ON. THE OWNER HAS TO PULL A FUSE LOOSE. OWNER HAS TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE RAIN IN ORDER TO HOOK FUSE UP TO TURN WIPERS ON. DEALERS SAYS VEHICLE NEEDS NEW SWITCH. *ML

I HAD A 1994 FORD ECONOLINE 150 CUSTOM VAN FOR A YEAR AND A HALF WITH APPROX 55,000 MILES ON IT PRIOR TO GETTING THIS EXPEDITION. THE TRANSMISSION ON IT ALSO SLIPPED WHILE DRIVING AND WAS IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT EVER ABLE TO "DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. SO I TRADED IT IN ON THE EXPEDITION. THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF OWNING THE CAR IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR A BROKEN DOOR HANDLE. THEN THE NEXT WEEK I HAD IT IN FOR THE CD CHANGER NOT WORKING. THE NEXT MONTH (MONTH #2) I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE THE FRONT END SHIMMIED WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE DEALERSHIP TURNED THE ROATERS. THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS A TIRE BEGAN SQUEALING AND I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY AGAIN TURNED THE ROATERS AND DID A BRAKE JOB THIS WAS IN MONTH #3. NOW WE ARE APPROACHING MONTH #4 AND DURING THE WEEK OF JULY 4TH, 3 DAYS IN A ROW, WHILE I WAS STARTING FROM A RED LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE RPM'S WENT UP BUT THE CAR DIDN'T GO AT FIRST. AS SOON AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS THE TRANSMISSION INGAGED. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT WEEK AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH ON IT. ON JULY 23RD WHILE IN DOWNTOWN FT. WORTH, TX, I WAS DRIVING AND NEEDED TO GET OVER INTO ANOTHER LANE TO TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY, SO I ACCELERATED, THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN SLIPPED ALLOWING THE RPM'S TO GO UP ALMOST TO 5000, AND THE CAR WAS NOT GOING ANY FASTER. I QUICKLY TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WENT INTO GEAR. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOW TAKEN IT BACK IN (7/29/99). THEY HAVE CALLED ME AND SAID THEY CAN'T GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I'VE KNOWN THREE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD DIFFERENT FORD PRODUCTS, 2 HAD THUNDERBIRDS AND THE OTHER HAS A 1999 F150 AND THEY ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS COULD BE A REAL DANGER, ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR HESITATES WHILE CHANGING LANES AND THERE ARE CARS COMING UP BEHIND YOU. I DO NOT BLAME THE DEALERSHIP, I BLAME FORD MANUFACTURING.

THESE ARE AREAS THAT HAVE HAD AN IMPACT ON OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE SUCH AS TIRE WEAR, AND BRAKES. MY MECHANIC STATED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH FORD MOTOR THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING OUR EXPEDITION ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATLY 55 MILES PER HOUR, OVER SMOOTH DRY ROAD CONDITIONS SUDDENLY THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED, I FELT THE TRUCK LIFT UP A LITTLE THEN WE COULD HEAR THE RIM SCRAPING ON THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER IMEDIATLY AND COULD SEE THAT THE TIRE LOOKED AS THOUGH IT HAD DISINTEGRATED. AFTER CHANGING IT WITH THE SPARE TIRE I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE TRUCK, THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO CALL BACK LATER IN THE WEAK TO TALK TO AN REPRESENTATIVE SO I CALLED THEM BACK ON MONDAY AND THEY TOLD ME I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING AND THATS WHAT MUST HAVE HAPPEND. I TOLD THEM NO I DID NOT AND THAT I AM A CAREFULL DRIVER YOU SEE MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WHERE ALSO IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME,BESIDES I WOULD HAVE SEEN OR HEARD THE NOISE IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING. THEY WHERE VERY RUDE TO ME. THEN I TOLD MY WIFE WHAT THEY SAID AND SHE WAS VERY UPSET WITH THEM ( KORUM FORD ) SHE CALLED AND COMPLAINED AND GOT VERY ANGRY WITH THEM OVER THE PHONE AND THEY HUNG UP ON HER, SO WE SENT A LETTER TO FORD MOTOR CO . I THEN TOOK THE TIRE TO GOODYEAR AND THEY AT LEAST TREATED ME WITH SOME RESPECT THEY SAID THE TIRE COULD BE SENT OUT FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY WHICH IF IT SHOWED NO DEFECT IN THE TIRE THEN I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE OR THEY COULD SIMPLY DISCOUNT A NEW TIRE BY 50% SINCE IT WAS A QUESTIONABLE CAUSE. THE GOODYEAR DEALER TOLD ME IN HIS OPINION THE TIRE FORD USES IS TOO LIGHT FOR SUCH A BIG TRUCK, THE EXPEDITION FALLS JUST UNDER THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT FOR THE TIRE AND SINCE IT IS A TALL VEHICLE IT LEANS A LOT AROUND CORNERS PUTTING A LOT OF STRESS ON THE TIRE.THEN I REMEMBERED THAT WHEN THE TIRE BLEW I HAD JUST COME OUT OF SOME S CURVES IN THE ROAD. WHEN THE TIRE BLEW IT ALSO DAMAGED THE RIM WHICH IS A $350 DOLLAR RIM AND THE COST OF A NEW TIRE IT WAS ABOUT $500 DOLLARS!! A BIT EXPENCIVE FOR A BLOW OUT . BUT AT LEAST NO ONE WAS HURT ! HAD I NOT BEEN ATTENTIVE TO MY DRIVING WE COULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THE FULLSIZE VAN N