2001 Ford Explorer suspension problems

Filed Apr 18, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 251,000 miles · CA · crash · 5 injuries

The vehicle rolled over on its side on dry pavement on the fwy at the posted speed limit in good weather conditions. No other vehicle was involved, the car skided when I attempted to change lanes. I went into a skid and the car turned on its side.

Filed May 15, 2017 · Suspension · 128,600 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving 35 MPH, the front passenger wheel seized and caused the contact to head towards oncoming traffic. There was no crash involved. The vehicle was not able to be driven and was towed. It was diagnosed that the front passenger side wheel bearing disintegrated. The vehicle was repaired and the wheel bearing was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,600.

Filed Nov 14, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · 167,218 miles · CA

Main problem at the moment is a clicking, knocking noise that sounds like is coming from underneath truck in the middle. You can feel truck shake/vibrate when you hear the noise. Previous problems lug bolts came loose and almost cause tire to fall off. Other problem truck started off sounding like the brake pads were going then the truck started making a horrible grinding noise . Felt like the engine was going to fall out. Ended up being front passenger side tire. Rim had stattered.

Filed Oct 13, 2015 · Suspension · 119,699 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle shook violently. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,699.

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 107,000 miles · KS

Rear end of car thumped every time you would go over the smallest separation in the road and also on a bumpy road. Replaced rear end shocks. Still have the same problem of thumping. Some times it feels like I'm going to loose the rear end of the vehicle. I was told possibly now that back bushings holding the body to the frame may be disintegrated. Vehicle has always been well maintained and garaged. I have found out that there have been many complaints about this occurring now with this 2001 model. You would think there would be a safety recall by ford to fix these bushing problems.

Filed Jun 4, 2014 · Suspension · 77,000 miles · FL

Ford explorers manufactured in 2001 were equipped with defective engineered body to frame bushings which have completely deteriorate and just as easily crumbled in your hand, now, but begin deteriorating only a few short years from when new. Ford stopped using this style manufactured mount bushings after these few manufacturing years because they knew they were defective. I've spoken to many explorer owners who have this exact same problem , and those I ask to look under their vehicles, which are not a visible defect unless under the car and hands-on inspection, also found this problem. My vehicle is in like-new condition otherwise and has always been garaged in the state of florida. These body to mount bushings, when deteriorated cause serious safety problems to explorer drivers and all others driving in other vehicles, due to unexpected swaying and or bouncing possibly causing the vehicle to crash and cause serious injury to anyone driving near the explorers. I believe, and am sure, that the material mix of the rubber/silicone bushings was compromised during manufacturing and these vehicles should immediately recalled to replace these bushings which should last the lifetime of the vehicle. Cars 40 plus years old have body to frame bushings still in good condition. For these bushings to start deteriorating after only a few years and being completely useless at this age and condition of vehicle is unheard of. Now is the time to make sure all explorer sport owners in the 2001 plus or minus vicinity be notified by ford of this defect. Please look under any explorer sport made in 2001 , and you can confirm my findings. Also, have a private engineer test the bushing rubber/silicone materials used in this year range, and I assure you they will back my claim.

Filed Apr 30, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 123,587 miles · NJ

Body mounts deteriorate before their time and ball joint fail.

Filed Oct 17, 2012 · Body, Engine · WV

Cpsc#i12a0111a. 2001 ford explorer. Consumer stated that a day after she brought the car it broke down. *ln the consumer stated there was a problem with the engine, as well as a hole in gas tank, which had rusted out, the bearings needed to be replaced, the tire were dry rotted, as they kept going flat, the driver's door did not lock, the rear doors did not open from the inside, the rear driver's door did not open at all, the outside handle was broke, the rear hatch would not close, and most of the time it had to be slammed shut.

Filed Sep 28, 2006 · Suspension · 37,741 miles · NY

At 37,741 miles,my 2001 ford vehicle had to have its lower right and left ball joints replaced because they were in dangerous condition according to the ford repair shop. It seems to me they had to be defective from day one in order to both fail at this low mileage. Jeep liberty also dodge durango vehicles had similar failures. Ford told me they are backing up their product as normal failure while the garage foreman has said he has had many similar cases.

Filed Feb 23, 2006 · Suspension · 28,676 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated since ownership, the lower ball joints have been replaced three times. The vehicle was purchased at 44,159 miles and has been driven 22,530 miles since purchase. The breakdown on the repairs are; on 12/13/03 at 28,676 miles both lower ball joints were replaced, on 08/05/04 at 35,260 miles-the left lower ball joint and spindle arm were replaced, this was only 6,584 miles since the previous ball joint replacement, and on 12/26/05 at 44,159 miles-both lower ball joints and the right upper control arm were replaced at only 9,331 miles from previous replacement. The contact expressed concerns regarding the continuous repairs to the service manager at the dealership who determined the niagara falls area has the highest rate of failure for ball joints in the country. There were no additional explanations for the extreme rate of failure. Most of the miles on the truck are thruway miles. This vehicle has never been in an accident or driven in a manner to cause or aggravate this type of problem.