Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||||
| 042419 | 12/13/2004 | 10014096 | Revised procedure for adjusting alignment on all suspensions - new right hand upper control arm design for torsion bar front suspensions. *tt | 04/28/2005 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||||
| 16735 | 04/01/2003 | 10002643 | Various noise issues from the rear leaf springs while driving. *tt | 09/09/2003 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 12/01/2009 | 60000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport. the contact was driving 15 mph when a banging sound was heard from the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the body mounts had disintegrated from the vehicle due to corrosion. the manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 100,000. kmj | |||
| 12/01/2009 | 60000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport. the contact was driving 15mph when a banging sound emitted from the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. the mechanic confirmed all the body mounts disintegrated from the vehicle due to corrosion. the manufacturer was contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 100,000. rds | |||
| 01/01/2008 | 75000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 03/04/2009 | 101000 | ||
| Body bushing disintegrated causing instability and ride like in a covered wagon on a cobble stone stree, | |||
| 11/01/2007 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 12/13/2003 | 28676 | 3 | 12/31/2002 |
| 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 | |||
| 01/08/2004 | 15000 | 2 | 01/21/2002 |
| 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 | |||
| 08/01/2003 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 01/15/2002 | 1 | 04/17/1999 | |
| 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 | |||
| 10/14/2001 | 0 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 11/17/2000 | 1 | 09/20/2000 | |
| While driving consumer could fell vibration coming from the drivers floor. nlm | |||
| 04/18/2000 | 9 | 04/01/2000 | |
| 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. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 09/20/2003 | 53000 | ||
| Upper ball joints worn prematurely | |||
| 06/19/2003 | 46000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 7 | 12/01/2000 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 08/01/2001 | 3 | ||
| 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 | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM | |||
| 03/30/2004 | 52437 | 1 | 05/07/2001 |
| 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 | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 03/03/2005 | 50000 | 1 | 07/12/2004 |
| 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 | |||
| 03/01/2004 | 24000 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 01/18/2004 | 38000 | 1 | 06/10/2003 |
| 2001 explorer sport had bad ball joint on front passenger suspension.*ak | |||
| 03/01/2003 | 36100 | 1 | 04/01/2001 |
| Front ball joints failed at 36400 miles. clunk in rear of vehicle as it stops, from 6000 miles. *la | |||
| 12/27/2003 | 46441 | 1 | 10/12/2001 |
| Lower ball joints in 2001 ford explorer bad at only 46,000 miles.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT | |||
| 03/30/2004 | 52437 | 1 | 05/07/2001 |
| 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 | |||
| 03/01/2004 | 24000 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 03/01/2003 | 36100 | 1 | 04/01/2001 |
| Front ball joints failed at 36400 miles. clunk in rear of vehicle as it stops, from 6000 miles. *la | |||
| 01/10/2004 | 20000 | 3 | 10/20/1999 |
| 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 | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR | |||
| 03/31/2001 | 10366 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 05/01/2010 | 26000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 07/05/2008 | 65000 | 1 | 01/26/2001 |
| 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 | |||
| 03/01/2003 | 36100 | 1 | 04/01/2001 |
| Front ball joints failed at 36400 miles. clunk in rear of vehicle as it stops, from 6000 miles. *la | |||
| 58000 | 1 | ||
| When the vehicle accelerated to 80 mph, the rear of the vehicle drifted to the right or left. *jb | |||