2001 Ford Explorer Sport body problems

Filed Aug 11, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 74,500 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 15, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 204,551 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jun 20, 2013 · Body · NC

The back end bumps and thumps like there is no padding between the metal on metal parts. Very loud in the vehicle always.

Filed Jun 7, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 108,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Sep 25, 2012 · Body, Locks · WA

2001 ford explorer sport - overall good condition - complaint involves failure of both door power locks/handle mechanisms. Drivers door totally failed and repairs made at auto shop, but mechanism quickly failed again. Expensive repair. - passenger door lock also malfunctioning mildly but still operable for the time being. Appears ready to fail however since this was same prior symptom of the opposite door. No information located on recall from ford previously for this problem.

Filed Aug 2, 2012 · Body, Visibility · 180,000 miles · NC

I was driving and heard loud noise. Sounded like the back window hatch was open and vibrating with every bump in the road. The hatch was closed, so I looked under the vehicle to find the body mounts had completely crumbled away. The body of the vehicle was riding on the frame with no cushion. The body of the vehicle was very hard to handle and felt as if it may shift off the frame at anytime.

Filed Mar 8, 2012 · Body · AR

The body mounts on my explorer sport are deteriorating and causing a bad vibration in the whole vehicle when traveling and eventually the cab will shift and could cause loss of control. The ford company is the only one with the new parts needed for my model vehicle and they want $1,0000 just for the parts.

Filed Feb 3, 2012 · Body · 160,000 miles · HI

My 2001 ford explorer sport trac's body mount cushion has deteriorated and I can't drive the vehicle without an expensive (remove the body off of the truck) procedure and very expensive parts. This should last the lifetime of a vehicle. This should be a safety recall issue. Thank you, [xxx] attorney at law, maui, hawaii information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Nov 10, 2011 · Body · 60,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Sep 6, 2011 · Body · 86,524 miles · TX

2001 ford explorer sport - the body mount isolators are completely deteriorated as reported by others. All body mount isolators will crumble upon simple hand pressure. Ford has discontinued manufacturer of these replacements. If available from ford motor company, list on parts alone is >+ $600.00 for set of eight upper and lower isolators.failure @ 86,524 miles.