2000 Ford Expedition: harsh or hard shifting

Filed May 17, 2014 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · IL

Taking off from a stop in the subdivision, my son with a friend in the vehicle heard a slight clunk, but the vehicle continued to move forward. He kept driving, but the vehicle "felt a little strange" he reported. He pulled out onto a major roadway and heard another loud noise, but the car kept going, so he pulled off the road as soon as he could, to discover that the rear end almost fell off the car. The car has 4 wheel drive with awd. The rear drive shaft got pulled out of the transfer case, dropped to the ground started to drag. It snapped off, breaking the pinion shaft, when pulling off the road. The rear lower control arms had rusted away and snapped off. I live in the rust belt in the chicago suburbs, and expect things like doors and fenders to rust, but a major piece of the suspension that holds the whole car together? Really? Doesn't that deserve at least a heads up mention in the scheduled maintenance manual, other than at intervals have the suspension checked? The manual pretty clearly describes checking things at recommended intervals, and I've always had it serviced at the local (now closed mercury dealer nearby). The vehicle has been garage kept, and I've owned it for 12 years. I'm extremely thankful nobody was injured. Ford currently does not have a technical service bulletin issued on this issue. If it had 200,000 miles and wasn't ever cared for or garage kept, then I'd be a little less surprised!! As of this writing I still haven't gotten the car fixed yet because it will involve getting the entire differential rebuilt. I had planned on keeping this vehicle for a whole lot longer than 70,000 miles. I'm being forced to shop for another family bus due to poor engineering on fords part. It would have been nice to have them send at least a notice to get these $100 control arms replaced before; it now will cost $2000 to make the vehicle drivable again.

Filed Feb 4, 2011 · Suspension · 122,871 miles · IL

While driving vehicle at 15 MPH heard a clunk under the vehicle. Stopped and when trying to move heard a loud popping/grinding sound. Vehicle was towed to ford repair shop. Mechanic documented that both rear lower trailing arms had rusted all the way through and were broken. Mechanic also noted that both rear upper trailing arms were very rusty. Both upper and lower rear trailing arms were replaced. Old parts are available.

Filed Feb 26, 2007 · Body · 67,000 miles · MA

Tl*- the contact stated that while driving his 2000 ford expedition (67000 failure mileage) he was hearing a clunking sound only when turning the vehicle. The contact returned home then raised the vehicle up and got under the vehicle and noticed that part of the frame which held the front end of the vehicle together had rusted. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and the mechanic confirmed that the radiator mount was corroded. The vehicle has been repaired.

Filed Jul 22, 2004 · Transmission · 35,070 miles · NC

Total transmission failure on 2000 ford expedition with 35,070 miles on it. The car clunked and had metal on metal sound before coming to a stop. Car undrivable at that point. Towed to ford dealer and diagnosed with total transmission failure. Cost to replace transmission $2,600 - out of warranty based on age of car!! Very unhappy with ford motor company!!

Filed Nov 2, 2001 · Acceleration, Suspension · CA

Since purchasing this vehicle in march 2000, we have had problems with rough idling, transmission not wanting to shift, front end clunking, rear end suspension and sudden acceleration. Extensive repairs have been done on this vehicle, including replacing the transmission, yet none of the above items have been repaired. It is extremely dangerous to be driving a vehicle when suddenly it will accelerate and drive on its own. The car can drive at 50 - 60 MPH for several miles without stepping on the accelerator. When stopped at a traffic light you have to listen to the engine, watch the RPM's and be ready to put the car into neutral and push forcefully on the brakes to keep the car from plowing into the car ahead. Last week I pulled into the bank parking lot and with no warning the car's RPM's jumped to 3,000 and I barely missed hitting two parked cars. In addition, the front end makes hard, loud grinding noises, when backing up the four wheel drive goes out and it feels like the car has two flat tires. It also does this sometime going forward and turning, so it is difficult to steer when it does this. From the day that this car was purchased it has idled like an old car that desperately needs a tune up. All these problems still exist after having the car be at the dealer for 39 days this year. Because this vehicle is not safe, I have notified chino hills ford, ford and the arbitration board that I want ford to repurchase my vehicle because it is not safe.

Filed Oct 30, 2001 · Body, Tires · CA

While pulling out of a parking space at low speed consumer heard a popping noise coming from front end of vehicle. * ak consumer states transmission makes a clunking noise when downshifting, dealer replaced the main control valve body, transmission pan gasket, and accumulator pistons. Dealer installed bearing strips in the adjusters for the suspension noise, however later found the noise was coming from the left front floor body mount. Outside door handle was loose, dealer installed a nut and panel. Tires made vibration noises at 65 MPH and up, dealer replaced two tires due to excessive run out. Head liner was sagging down. Left rear trim was loose at back edge, dealer replaced. A connection was loose at mirror, dealer secured.