Explorer XLT V6

• Automatic transmission
• 62,000 miles

Four months after purchasing a used 2005 Explorer after an auto accident claimed my previous Explorer, the engine of the car seized. I did not purchase the warranty yet because I was not able to afford it (divorcing single mother of two receiving no child support). Due to the youth of the car I figured I had a little bit of time before any engine worries. I was wrong. The car failed while accelerating up a hill on the highway. Investigation revealed that a small part called the keyway, which holds the gear of one of the timing chains onto the shaft, simply broke allowing the gear to slide off. This obviously caused the timing chain to stop causing all others to cease:pistons hit valves and the engine was done.There was no way to forsee this would occur. Previous maintenance had no impact on the performance of this part, however I will tell you in case you were wondering, yes... the car had oil. It had just had an oil change the week before.
The car was originally towed to my mechanic who took apart the surrounding parts around the engine. Once they saw the basic problem they told me to contact Ford. The car was then towed to Ford. Ford would not look at it because the parts around the engine were out (but available in the back of the car) however the engine was intact. They made me tow it back to my mechanic who had to reassemble it and then tow it back to Ford.
Once diagnosed, the mechanic said he had never seen anything like this before on a car so young. He confirmed that there was no way to have prevented this. The dealer, after much arguing, put a couple thousand dollars toward the repair and loaned me a car. The main Ford company would not assist me in any way, shape or form despite many letters and calls. My mechanic, the smallest company of them all, charged me NOTHING... no towing fees either for which I was very grateful. My out of pocket cost was $3300 and I did not have my car for a month and a half.