2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac body problems

Filed Aug 7, 2014 · Body, Seat belts · 23,000 miles · FL

The body mount insulators deteriorated and the body could come loose from the chassis. Ford wants over 3000 dollars for this repair which is an obvious material flaw.

Filed Jul 7, 2013 · Body · 75,000 miles · FL

Severe deterioration of the body mount bushings to the point where they crumble when touched. Inferior material.

Filed Jul 7, 2013 · Body · 85,000 miles · FL

Door handle issue. Rear doors cannot be opened from the inside.

Filed Nov 30, 2012 · Body · 140,000 miles · NC

Body/chassis mounts are deteriorating and crumbling. Body is now loose on the frame and has slight movement. These mounts are not rubber like most; they are some sort of urethane composite. Internet research and truck owner sites confirm this to be a common problem. Ford does not see this as a safety/recall issue and has directed owners of suspect vehicles to your department. This particular vehicle has never been in salt or snow and has always been in north carolina. The cab shaking and rattling is causing movement that will undoubtedly effect the brake lines and steering column as they are attached to both the body and the chassis. Ford is now using another compound for the mounts apparently in response to complaints.

Filed Jul 29, 2012 · Body, Suspension · 110,000 miles · GA

I am experiencing a loud clanking and crashing sound emitting from under vehicle while driving on public highways with minimal bumps at various speeds with increased roll movement while cornering. After investigation, I found the body mounts to be crumbling apart, body mounts missing large chunks of material and other body mounts are soft and jelly like when touched. These ford body mounts have been engineered improperly and have reached a premature failed state. This affects the roll of the vehicle and may pose grave danger to vehicle passengers when performing a lane change or any vehicle roll maneuver and affects vehicle control. This is a major safety issue and needs to be addressed immediately. After a internet search, I have discovered this to be an issue with thousands of ford explorer sport trac owners and other ford trucks as well. I am the original owner of the vehicle. This vehicle has been in florida from 2002-2010, and in georgia from 2011-present and has never been exposed to salt, snow or any abnormal environment to cause this failure. This vehicle has not been modified in any way.

Filed Dec 28, 2011 · Body, Transmission · 52,120 miles · FL

The body mounts have deteriorated to a point that they are crumbling and are not supporting the frame to the body and need to be replaced for safety reasons. The transmission failed without any warning and had to be rebuilt. Neither of these problems should exist on a vehicle that is well maintained and has only 52,000 miles. These problems appear to be common with this vehicle and need to be addressed by ford.

Filed Feb 12, 2011 · Body · 96,793 miles · FL

Ford explorer sport-trac 2001-2005 the body mounts are crumbling, known defect on all these vehicles, inferior rubber - causing exposure of body to frame. Potential safety issue - could very likely can cause roll-overs as the rubber disintegrates there is no support between the body and the frame. Ford is aware of this defect but has not done anything to rectify the problem.

Filed Nov 6, 2010 · Body · SC

Body mount bushings have deteriorated. The car is only 8 yrs old. I looked today after hearing a cracking/popping noise and the drivers' side front bushing (there are two on each so, technically, bushings) are almost completely gone. The passenger side and 2 middle mount bushings are also cracked and deteriorating. I have confirmed that this is exceedingly premature and essentially unheard of in cars this age. In fact, I've been told in cars 20 yrs old that often the bushings are still fine. Early deterioration is unsafe and, apparently, not uncommon in these trucks. Thus, I wanted to report it.

Filed Oct 15, 2010 · Body · 78,653 miles · VA

Body mount cab bushings are deteriorating so badly they flake off in your hand if you touch them.

Filed Oct 8, 2010 · Body, Brakes · 38,000 miles · AL · 1 injury

2002 ford sport trac 8 year old child broke door handle when trying to open door with child lock on. 5 year old child broke the other door handle the same way. Something needs to be done about this. These handles are not heavy dty enough for the weight that is forced on them when trying to open even with the child lock off. These automakers should be forced to stop using the public as guinea pigs to find out what problems they have and then never issue recalls. They just modify it on the next model and blow off prior owners. The handles actually cut my daughters hand when it broke. It is utterly ridiculous. Also the brakes on the same vehicle. I have had to replace the caliper on the pass side twice and they eat brake pads up like mad. It is not driving habits that caused this it is a design flaw. No wonder they went to 4 wheel disc brakes( another wait and modify routine) I'm sure this was their fix for that problem and they avoided another recall. We pay thousand of dollars for these vehicles they should pay the thousands of dollars to fix their engineering and qc departments lack of detail when testing these vehicles. Thank you for anyone caring.