2001 Ford Explorer Sport: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Sep 2, 2010 · Suspension, Transmission · 147,000 miles · VT

I have a 2001 ford explorer sport which I bought new. I have always maintained it properly and I babied the vehicle. I have replaced many parts on it in the last three years from ball joints to hub assemblies many expensive repairs. Now it is making noise in the rear end and my mechanic has informed me that the rear end may go at any time. I have researched this and find that many other ford owners are experiencing the same problem but it is not considered a recall. I am not in the financial situation at this time to have this repaired and it is my feeling with so many people having this problem with their explorers it should be considered a recall. I know that this won't make a difference to anyone and I'll just have to struggle along with the problem until I can save the money to have it repaired but you can bet if I hadn't paid my payments while the car was financed through ford motor credit years ago that it would have been repoed in no time flat. Funny how those big companies can keep track of those things but forget about the safety issues of the products they produce. Guess I'll have to go back to a grand prix when I make my next purchase. The fields to fill out ask the question "were there any deaths or injuries" there is no where to check off "not yet" go figure..............

Filed May 21, 2010 · Suspension · 46,000 miles · ND

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.

Filed May 21, 2010 · Suspension · 53,000 miles · ND

Upper ball joints worn prematurely.

Filed Apr 22, 2008 · Brakes · 29,500 miles · MI

2001 ford explorer sport - intermittent locking of the brakes which causes the vehicle to pull hard to the left, creating an uncontrollable vehicle. This intermittent locking can occur at any speed including highway speeds, which is obviously very dangerous. Vehicle can not be sold as it is unsafe to drive, ford motor company does not know how to fix the vehicle. September 2004 - 30,173 miles. Customer states vehicle pulls to the left when braking. Technician couldn't duplicate problem. October 2004 - 30,400 miles. Customer states vehicle is pulling hard to left when braking at times. Technician comments "found vehicle pulling to left and felt pop in pedal and veh started braking straight, checked brakes found right inner brake pad stuck tried to replace brake hardware. Replaced pads to get hardware kit installed hardware kit and new pads again drove the vehicle vehicle found vehicle stops straight." november 1, 2004 - customer stated that vehicle pull hard to the left when braking at times service completed brake service - caliper asy - brake - less pad - fluid brake - hub asy - wheel november 8, 2004 - 31,311 miles. - customer stated brakes pull to the left and lock up! New parts and items worked on: anti-lock braking system control and module, pin point test, anti lock module - replace, solenoid valve block / hcu - replace 5/9/2007 - 6/8/07, miles 62,013 - ford had the vehicle for one month, listed below are the items that were repaired for the same hard pulling to the left intermittently. - replaced front and rear rotors - replaced both front ball joints, aligned front end 6/14 - 6/20/07, miles 62,326. - vehicle taken home by technician to duplicate problem - inspected front caliper pistons - bled front brakes for any air - inspected front wheel bearing for looseness/ binding *we have a letter from ford stating that they can not fix the problem and that the vehicle is not safe for driving.

Filed Jan 25, 2006 · Suspension · 28,676 miles · NY

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

Filed Mar 23, 2005 · Suspension · 50,000 miles · PA

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 .

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Suspension · 52,437 miles · RI

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.

Filed Mar 10, 2004 · Steering · 50,250 miles · OH

Failture of ball joints due to no grease fro m factory.

Filed Mar 1, 2004 · Suspension · 24,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jan 20, 2004 · Suspension · 38,000 miles · LA

2001 explorer sport had bad ball joint on front passenger suspension.

Filed Jan 12, 2004 · Suspension · 36,100 miles · PA

Front ball joints failed at 36400 miles. Clunk in rear of vehicle as it stops, from 6000 miles.

Filed Jan 10, 2004 · Body, Suspension · 20,000 miles · NJ

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 .