2003 Ford Explorer suspension problems

Filed Nov 26, 2019 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the front driver's side wheel detached due to the control arm being corroded. The contact called elder ford (777 john r rd, troy, mi 48083, (248) 825-8646) and was advised to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the metal of the upper control arm was not a good metal; therefore, the control arm was corroded through and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2018 · Suspension · WI

2003 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regard to malfunction to company's rear wheel bearing. *as

Filed Oct 29, 2015 · Suspension, Transmission · 180,000 miles · MD

We have recurring wheel bearing and hub assembly issue. The timing I put on the form may be off a bit but not much. Its all like a recurring ford explorer nightmare at this point! We have replaced bearings, hib assembly, tie rod, then rear end went up ( and shouldn't have)/now again, another bearing and wheel sensor. The truck cuts out when at a slower speed. I lost steering a few months ago while driving and when I try to put it in gear, sometimes it won't move.I have called ford, nhtsb and no one is willing to make ford recall these issues and ford won't do the right thing knowing it's an ongoing problem with a lot of fords! Please someone help! I have multiple sclerosis and a heart issue. I need a safe reliable car and can't afford to get another one. Someone, please do the right thing here! I know its an older model and I question if this is why the recall isn't happening.idk but this isn't right. The truck is sitting out front needing an additional $700 of work . After rear end, tie rod, bearings, brakes in the past several months, we have no way to fix this lemon. Always been ford but if they or a governing agency doesn't help.. Never a ford again. Look at all the complaints for the same thing!!!! Shameful.

Filed Nov 28, 2014 · Suspension · 98,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the front and rear wheel bearings deteriorated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the rear driver's side and the rear passenger's side wheel bearings on two occasions. The remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the front and the rear of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2014 · Brakes, Suspension · 123,000 miles · PA

I have had three incidents with my 2003 ford explorer. The first incident involved the suspension ( sway bars snapped, tires had to be repaired). Second incident was the transfer case and a wiggling drive shaft along with rear wheel bearings ( parts deemed defective by mechanics) , and emergency brakes that snapped off in my mechanics hands because they were rusty. Now it is transmission work for a possible faulty sensor. Ford needs to recalls before someone is killed due to catasrophic equipment failure! Ive called them every time and they are aware of the issues but refuse to do anything other then document them and say have a nice day!

Filed Jun 1, 2014 · Electrical, Suspension · 137,000 miles · VA

Truck jerks when trying to pick up speed picks up speed very slow sometimes doesn't want to go in drive.

Filed Aug 14, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 120,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while turning at various speeds, the body of the vehicle began to bounce abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was stated that the body mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Mar 26, 2013 · Suspension, Transmission · 135,000 miles · GA

Ok we were driving pulled out and it did not shift to second gear and cars were coming up and honking horn it takes car a long time to switch to 2nd gear at light and this is very dangerous can get hit. The o/d light flashes causing service engine light to come on. Transmission was serviced and I was told it was a ford issue with these transmission ford was not successful at helping their needs to be a recall on these transmission they are very dangerous and the customer is constantly paying the price on these vehicles.

Filed Mar 12, 2013 · Suspension · 82,665 miles · IL

Although this defect did not cause an accident or injury, the potential was there for serious damage to this or following vehicles. Specifically, the defect was the rear strut/spring assemblies I.e. Broken and shifted coil spring. As this part sits close to the fuel tank, the piece of spring that broke off could have easily punctured the fuel tank resulting in possible fire. It could also have wedged against a brake line, thus causing a brake failure and/or suspension failure/misalignment causing loss of control and an accident. In addition, if the piece of spring, weighing about three (3) pounds had fallen out, it could have caused severe damage to a following vehicle or it's operator had it bounced up and penetrated a windshield. The reason for the lapse in time in my reporting this condition is because I thought perhaps it was just a one time isolated failure to my vehicle. However, in talking to other ford explorer owners, as well as several auto repair shops, I have learned that this has been a common failure on similar vehicles. If this was a simple repair to a component that had little or no affect on the vehicles performance or did not present a safety condition, I would have probably just written it off to normal maintenance and repair. However, with my knowledge of automobiles, and a condition that could potentially cause damage as well as personal injury, as well as being a quite expensive repair, I felt compelled to report it to the proper people who perhaps have a larger data base than I do, and take action against ford motor company to mandate a recall or reimbursement to those ford explorer owners who have experienced the same failure as I have.

Filed Feb 5, 2013 · Suspension · 94,356 miles · MI

Both rear coil springs rusted through and broke.