2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT Suspension Problems

AS MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT, THERE IS A VERY LOUD BANGING COMING FROM THE REAR END OF MY SUV WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BUMP OR ROUGH ROAD. I HAVE REPLACED THE SHOCKS BUT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO THIS PROBLEM. IT STILL IS SO LOUD AND THE RIDE REMAINS VERY ROUGH. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS HAVE DETERIORATED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO IMPROVE THE RIDE AND MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 156,000

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. DURING NORMAL DRIVING, A REAR RATTLE/ BANGING NOISE WOULD OCCUR WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH ROAD OR OVER BUMPS. THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. INVESTIGATION AND INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE HAD REVEALED THAT ALL THE BODY/FRAME MOUNT BUSHINGS HAVE DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THEY WERE CRUMBLING, LEAVING NO SUPPORT/CUSHION BETWEEN BODY AND FRAME. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY MAKE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AS THERE WOULD BE NO SUPPORT FOR THE BODY, CAUSE EXCESSIVE BODY MOVEMENT AND A SHIFT IN THE VEHICLE WEIGHT DYNAMICS. THIS ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED IN SEVERAL VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINTS PRIOR TO MINE. *TR

Mileage: 74,500

A CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. IN LOOKING AT IT, IS SEEMS THERE IS A WORN BODY BUSHING. INVESTIGATION ON THE WEB SHOWS SEVERAL INCIDENCES OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN WORSE, THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 54000 MILES ON IT.I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

ALL BODY BUSHINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BUSHINGS WERE DESICCATED AND HAD CRUMBLED AWAY. THIS MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE WHEN CORNERING AS THERE WAS NOTHING TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE BODY BETWEEN IT AND THE FRAME CAUSING EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT AND COMPROMISE OF CENTER OF GRAVITY. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED MY BUSHINGS, HE HAD SEEN THIS DEFECT ON ALL THE VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR. HE SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM ON THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. I WENT TO A LOCAL JUNK YARD AND LOOKED AT SEVERAL FORD EXPLORER SPORTS AND NOTICED THE SAME DEFECT ON ALL THE 2001 MODEL YEARS. THE 1998 MODEL YEAR HAD BUSHINGS THAT WERE STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. *JS

Mileage: 204,551

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BUSHING PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUSHINGS DISINTEGRATED. THE COST TO REPLACE THEM, WAS $2000. *JB

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD BANGING/BUMPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. INITIALLY THOUGHT THAT JACK HAD CAME LOOSE FROM HOLDER LOCATED IN FENDER WELL COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION JACK WAS FOUND TO BE TIGHT IN HOLDER. NOTICED THAT YOU COULD HEAR THE BANGING NOISE WHEN ROCKING THE VEHICLE UP AND DOWN. CARRIED VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED IT AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BODY INSULATOR HAD DETERIORATED AND FELL OUT ALLOWING THE EXPLORER'S BODY TO RIDE DIRECTLY ON THE FRAME. MECHANIC STATED THAT HE FELT IT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BUT ADVISED TOO, THAT IT COULD DAMAGE THE BODY BECAUSE IT WAS RIDING DIRECTLY ON FRAME.COST TO REPAIR = $325 ($110 LABOR + $167 FOR NEW CHASSIS BODY INSULATOR PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALER + 40 FOR USED BODY MOUNT SUPPORTS PURCHASED AT A LOCAL SALVAGE YARD + 8 IN TAXES). MECHANIC HAD TO ALSO TIGHTEN BOLTS ON HINGES HOLDING REAR LIFT GATE ON. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE WAS 108,000. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

HEARING NOISE BOTH DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE FRONT I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE KNOWN TOP NOTCH SHOP FOR SUSPENSION. IT WAS THERE THAT I WAS TOLD THAT MY BODY/CAB MOUNT BUSHINGS (INSULATORS) WERE SHOT. THEY CRUMBLE IN YOUR HAND IF YOU TOUCH IT. THE QUOTE TO FIX $1100.00 ! ! ! I CALLED THE DEALER AND TO MY SHOCKING SURPRISE JUST THE PARTS (FOUR SETS) DIRECTLY UNDER THE CAB ARE $550....UNBELIEVABLE. THE REASON THE LABOR IS SO HIGH - BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PULL THE INTERIOR TO GET TO THE BLOTS..FORD IN ALL THEIR WISDOM PUT THEM IN TOP SIDE DOWN ! MY BROTHER LOOKED AT IT FURTHER AND FOUND I WAS MISSING THE DRIVERS BACK BOLT ALL TOGETHER (LOOK INSIDE THE STORAGE BEHIND BACK SEAT)...NEVER THERE. I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE NOISE FRONT AND SIDE. THE MECHANIC WAS PASSIVE ABOUT THE BODY BUSHINGS, CHUCKLED WHEN I ASKED ABOUT PUTTING IN THE MISSING BOLT AND COULD NOT FIND THE FRONT END NOISE. ASKED IF IT COULD BE THE STRUT HE TOLD ME I DID NOT HAVE THEM...ONLY TO CRAWL UNDER THE TRUCK AFTER WE RETURNED FROM THE TEST DRIVE AND SAID OOPS I LIED YOU DO HAVE THEM ! FORD REALLY NEEDS TO GET BETTER MECHANICS AND BETTER MATERIALS. THEY SCREWED UP BY BREAKS THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE SO NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL NEVER TRUST THEM AGAIN. ANYWAY, WHEN I ASKED WHAT WAS THE BUSHINGS MADE OF, I WAS TOLD ..RUBBER...ONE OF THEIR OWN PART GUYS CONTACTED THE MFG....HE TOO WAS TOLD RUBBER. FOUND ON THE INTERNET...IT IS ACTUALLY.. RUBBER FOAM. ARE YOU KIDDING ME..NO WONDER IT CRUMBLES ! I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I AM AFFRAID EVERY TIME I GET IN MY TRUCK BUT HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION NOR CAN I BUY ANYTHING. SAME ON FORD ! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS BEGAN DETERIORATING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE REAR FOUR ARE COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AND CAUSING SAFETY/HANDLING PROBLEMS AND SAFETY CONCERNS ARE BEGINNING TO BE AN ISSUE. FORD MECHANICS SAY THERE IS NO RECALL AND WERE NOT AWARE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE I'VE LOCATED SIMILAR REPORTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND I ALSO LOCATED MORE THAN 5 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN THIS WEBSITE (10331811, 10220625, 10243054, 10248006, 10193852). PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF FORD WILL BE ISSUING A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

I HAVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED IT PROPERLY AND I BABIED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS ON IT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS FROM BALL JOINTS TO HUB ASSEMBLIES MANY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. NOW IT IS MAKING NOISE IN THE REAR END AND MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE REAR END MAY GO AT ANY TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FIND THAT MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL. I AM NOT IN THE FINANCIAL SITUATION AT THIS TIME TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AND IT IS MY FEELING WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR EXPLORERS IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. I KNOW THAT THIS WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO ANYONE AND I'LL JUST HAVE TO STRUGGLE ALONG WITH THE PROBLEM UNTIL I CAN SAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT YOU CAN BET IF I HADN'T PAID MY PAYMENTS WHILE THE CAR WAS FINANCED THROUGH FORD MOTOR CREDIT YEARS AGO THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPOED IN NO TIME FLAT. FUNNY HOW THOSE BIG COMPANIES CAN KEEP TRACK OF THOSE THINGS BUT FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUES OF THE PRODUCTS THEY PRODUCE. GUESS I'LL HAVE TO GO BACK TO A GRAND PRIX WHEN I MAKE MY NEXT PURCHASE. THE FIELDS TO FILL OUT ASK THE QUESTION "WERE THERE ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES" THERE IS NO WHERE TO CHECK OFF "NOT YET" GO FIGURE.............. *TR

Mileage: 147,000

BODY BUSHING DISINTEGRATED CAUSING INSTABILITY AND RIDE LIKE IN A COVERED WAGON ON A COBBLE STONE STREET. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

REAR PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRING WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED AROUND BUSHINGS FRONT AND REAR WHEN REMOVED FOR REPLACEMENT. 3 FORD DEALERS AND 3 OTHER SHOPS COULD NOT SEE THIS OVER A PERIOD OF 90,000 MILES. IT WASN'T TILL THE BUSHINGS ON THE OTHER SIDE STARTED TO WEAR AND I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE ALL THE COMPONENTS THAT IT WAS FOUND WHEN THE LEAF SPRING SUDDENLY FELL OUT AFTER REMOVING THE U-BOLTS. *TR

Mileage: 26,000

UPPER BALL JOINTS WORN PREMATURELY. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 46000 MILES. TOTALLY CUPPED AND RUINED THE TIRES THAT THEY HAD JUST PUT ON THE VEHICLE FROM THE TIRE RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED, IT FEELS AS IF THERE ARE NO SHOCK ABSORBERS ON THE VEHICLE. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUSHINGS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 10/30/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/30/08.*JB

Mileage: 65,000

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT DEFECTIVE BODY MOUNT INSULATORS. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BODY MOUNT INSULATORS DETERIORATED AND COULD CRUMBLE IN SOMEONE'S HAND. FORD DECLINED TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACING THE PARTS. *KB PARTS ATTACHED

BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS AND RIGHT UPPER CONTROL ARM HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THE CONSUMER'S 2001 FORD EXPLORER ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *TS *NM UPDATED 02/07/06

Mileage: 28,676

REALIZED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD, NOT SURE OF EXACT DATE WENT BAD JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE AS "FORD CERTIFIED" BUT FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS . *AK

Mileage: 50,000

DESIGN FLAW IN "BALL JOINTS" FOR 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. VECHICLE HAS 52K MILES, LESS THAN 3YRS OLD, AND NEEDED TO REPLACE LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS MAY ALSO NEED REPLACING IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AT A COST OF $400 FOR EACH SET. THESE BALL JOINTS SHOULD NEVER NEED REPLACING AT THIS LOW MILEAGE, ESPECIALLY FOR A SPORT UTILITY VECHICLE, ONE OF WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN OFF THE ROAD. *AK

Mileage: 52,437

DESIGN FLAW IN "BALL JOINTS" FOR 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. VECHICLE HAS 52K MILES, LESS THAN 3YRS OLD, AND NEEDED TO REPLACE LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS MAY ALSO NEED REPLACING IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AT A COST OF $400 FOR EACH SET. THESE BALL JOINTS SHOULD NEVER NEED REPLACING AT THIS LOW MILEAGE, ESPECIALLY FOR A SPORT UTILITY VECHICLE, ONE OF WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN OFF THE ROAD. *AK

Mileage: 52,437

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP REPLACED IN OCTOBER, 2003 THE LOWER BALL JOINT. FIVE MONTHS LATER, NEEDED TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK

Mileage: 24,000

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP REPLACED IN OCTOBER, 2003 THE LOWER BALL JOINT. FIVE MONTHS LATER, NEEDED TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK

Mileage: 24,000

THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR LINK BROKE DURING AN EVASIVE MANEAUVER CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER DEATH OF THE DRIVER OF A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. *AK

Mileage: 10,366

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, I HAVE CHANGED MY BRAKES 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. WHEN I BRAKE, IT SQUEAKS, VERY SLOW TO STOP, AND SHIFT TO EITHER SIDE. ANY BUMP WILL MAKE THE VEHICLE LOSE CONTROL, ESP WHEN TRAVELING GREATER THAN 45 MILES PER HOUR.. TRUE HAZARD.*AK

Mileage: 15,000

2001 EXPLORER SPORT HAD BAD BALL JOINT ON FRONT PASSENGER SUSPENSION.*AK

Mileage: 38,000

FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 36400 MILES. CLUNK IN REAR OF VEHICLE AS IT STOPS, FROM 6000 MILES. *LA

Mileage: 36,100

FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 36400 MILES. CLUNK IN REAR OF VEHICLE AS IT STOPS, FROM 6000 MILES. *LA

Mileage: 36,100

FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 36400 MILES. CLUNK IN REAR OF VEHICLE AS IT STOPS, FROM 6000 MILES. *LA

Mileage: 36,100

BOTH ITEMS HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER MY VECHICLE COVERAGE RAN OUT IN OCT. OF 2003,ANYWAY 1ST. THE A/C RECYCLING SWITCH WENT BAD AT AROUND 20,200 MILES, NOW THE PASSENGER FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT IS MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE , SO I ASSUME THAT THATS ON IT`S WAY OUT,ALSO I NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUMPER IS ON A DOWNWARD POSITION. TO ME I THINK THIS YEAR`S PRODUCTION MODEL STINKS . *AK

Mileage: 20,000

LOWER BALL JOINTS IN 2001 FORD EXPLORER BAD AT ONLY 46,000 MILES.*AK

Mileage: 46,441

EXPLORER SPORT VIBRATES AND SHAKES WHEN GOING OVER 50 MPH. HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE VIBRATING IS EVEN NOTICABLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH ALSO VIBRATES WHEN THIS OCCURS IN ADDITION TO THE SHAKING THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE SEAT.*AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. *JB

Mileage: 58,000

AS CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT THE BALL JOINT AND PIN BOLT BROKE CAUSING THE STEERING KNUCKLE TO DETACH, THE TIRE CAME OFF AND THE AXLE CRACKED. CONSUMERS PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WAS WITH THE 1999 MODEL. THIS VEHICLE WAS AN UPGRADE FROM THE PREVIOUS. *JG

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND NOTICED STEERING WAS TILTED TO LEFT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL LEFT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS THE TIRES. TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM OF PULLING LEFT STILL EXISTS. STEERING NOW TILTS RIGHT, BUT STILL PULLS LEFT. *AK *YH

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND KEEPING STEERING WHEEL STEADY VEHICLE WANDERED TO LEFT LANE ON ITS OWN. DEALER REPLACED STEERING MECHANISM, BUT VEHICLE STILL PULLS TO LEFT. *AK CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE LEFT WHEN TURNED STEERING WHEEL AND WILL NOT TURN COMETIMES TO THE RIGHT. *YH

WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 50 MPH, AND MAKING A TURN, VEHICLE WILL GO UP IN AIR/ SLAM DOWN TO GROUND, AND SHAKE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT VEHICLE WILL ROLL OVER WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER COULD FELL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE DRIVERS FLOOR. NLM

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY EXHIBITS FRONT END VIBRATION, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS (CHANGING OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND REPLACEMENT OF THE AXLE), HOWEVER VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING VIBRATION PROBLEMS, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE TIRES AND THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE.