Ford Explorer Sport Trac ball joint problems

Filed Jan 23, 2018 · Suspension · 176,000 miles · MO

We had purchased this vehicle bout a year ago and when we got it we went to get tires and front end alignment and they ended up replacing upper nd lower ball joints, control arm and sway bar on passenger side.this was 6/20/2017. It wasn't making any noise until 1/3/2018. I was going down city street and something popped and then it started roaring. If you put in 4wd it roars loader and jerks. 1/23/18 replaced drivers side wheel hub and bearings. It still roars while accelerating speed but not as bad in 2wd but put in 4wd its real loud and jerks you . I have done research online for this year model sport trac and it seems like there are several complaints about this same issue. Everytime get one thing fixed on front end something else happens to it. You can drive it but if you get over 10-15 MPH the roaring gets worse and it locked the the whole wheel up and jerked the truck to the side of the road

Filed Jun 13, 2012 · Tires · 110,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer sport trac with mastercraft courser a/t 2 tires (size: lt265/75r16). While driving approximately 70 MPH, the front passenger side tire exploded, causing the contact to crash into another vehicle and the highway median. The front axle and tie rod fractured during the failure. The contact sustained a fractured back and a concussion. The contact was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08t005000 (tires:sidewall) that could have been related to the failure. The contact stated the recall the dot number was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000. The failure mileage of the vehicle was 110,000. ...updated 07/19/12

Filed May 9, 2011 · Suspension · 45,000 miles · FL

Noticed clunking sound coming from right rear while going over speed bumps or pot holes. When it was raining the right tire would spin after hitting pot hole and the electronic skid control would flash on dash indicating lost traction. If this had been ice or snow I could of lost control of vehicle. The failure was the right rear control arm bushing. Right tires were visibly worn more than the left side tires. Dealer replaced rear control arm bushing. 45,000 miles and still under warranty. Dealer has part.

Filed Feb 26, 2010 · Body, Suspension · 71,760 miles · OR

The emails below chronicle my attempt to have the ford motor company address what I feel to be a safety issue. Please note that the components that are the subject to the inquiry are part of the steering. Any failure of these components may result in loss of control of the vehicle. The rubber body mount, strut and control arm bushings on my 2001 sport trac 4wd are crumbling. Please advise what corrective action the ford motor company is taking to address this problem. [xxx] thank you for contacting the ford motor company customer relationship center regarding the concerns you have with your 2001 ford explorer sport trac. We have reviewed the situation, and unfortunately, there are no warranties, field service actions/customer satisfaction programs on your vehicle that would provide assistance for this repair. However, we do suggest that the repair be done by a ford/lincoln-mercury dealership where the technicians are trained to put your vehicle back into factory specifications, and any ford parts replaced will come with a 12 months/12,000 miles warranty. Please be advised that a diagnostic fee may be charged. If additional assistance is required, we suggest that you contact the customer relationship/service manager. They will further assist in facilitating your service/repair needs. Your next steps are to discuss this repair with the service manager at your dealership. Should you feel that we have not adequately addressed your questions, please feel free to contact us via telephone at (800)392-3673 between the hours of 8am and 5pm, local time, monday through friday. Please provide your 10 digit reference number - [xxx] . Sincerely, [xxx] customer relationship center ford motor company.

Filed Oct 30, 2009 · Body · 71,760 miles · OR

The rubber body mount,strut and control arm bushings on my 2001 sport trac 4wd are crumbling.

Filed Dec 18, 2008 · Suspension · 48,936 miles · NY

2001 ford sport trac 49,000 miles have had lower ball joints replaced two yrs ago and yesterday 12-17-2008 had the uppers replaced. All four were perm sealed type. I am 64yrs old and have never before had ball joint problems. Please force car companies to go back to grease fittings on such an important part of a vehicle.

Filed Dec 27, 2006 · Suspension · 25,000 miles · KS

I have experienced accelerated front tire wear, and associated noise and vibration on this vehicle, with current mileage at 37000 miles. I have had the wheels balanced religiously every 5000-6000 miles since I bought it. I first noticed the wear and vibration at about 25000 miles. I took the vehicle in to have the wheels balanced and was told that the ball joints were loose and out of specification. I then returned the vehicle to the dealer to have the vibration and wear problem addressed under warranty. The dealer told me that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, and that the noise was simply due to tire wear. When I indicated that a third party shop had found loose ball joints, the dealer stated that they were in spec, and then recommended front end alignment which I had performed. The vibration and noise from the front tires continued after the alignment was done. At this rate, I will have to replace the tires and likely the ball joints on this vehicle prior to reaching 40000 miles. Several other complaints to the federal safety agency are very similar to my experience with this vehicle.

Filed Jul 2, 2006 · Steering, Suspension · 49,000 miles · FL

Premature steering component failure. 48,000 tie rod ends, 59,000 upper control arms, lower ball joints, rack and pinion, and power steering pump.

Filed Feb 16, 2006 · Suspension · 37,000 miles · PA

I have had to replace lower ball joints in my 2003 sport trac multiple times. At 37000 and at 60000 miles.

Filed Aug 20, 2003 · Brakes, Suspension · ME

At 31,000 miles brakes and rotors had to be replaced, and again at 57,000 miles. Have taken it to dealer on several occasions because the brakes squealed, especially when pressure is applied. Tech said the brakes needed to seed. Problems with front brakes has been ongoing. Is this normal or are there other sport trak owners experiencing the same kind of problems with their brakes. (has lead to tires cupping, bushings needing replacement, front end alignments, ball joint replacement, etc.)