2003 Ford Explorer: ball joint or control arm failure

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 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 30, 2011 · Body, Suspension · NY

I went to leave for work one morning & I noticed the rear panel was cracked. It wasn't like that the night before, so it literally happened overnight. My mechanic said it was cosmetic & common problem with these trucks. I was told the window would be fine, but there is a chance of the panel piece falling off. I haven't had it fixed yet due to the expense, but I am afraid a piece may fall off while driving which could injure someone. To add insult to injury, a week later, my transmission started slipping & the o/d light was flashing. I had it towed & sure enough, it had to be rebuilt. It also needed a new hub bearing and both front ball joints had to be replaced.

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Suspension · 73,000 miles · MA

On 7/15/08 we brought our 2003 ford explorer to the dealership for a tune-up. We then found out our front wheel bearing needed replacing. Other problems occurred too. The lower ball joints and upper control arm also needed to be replaced. We also had a front pinion seal leaking. The cost of the tune-up was $555.54 while all the other problems costs us $1402.30. We were prepared to pay for the tune-up but not for all the other problems. We asked if ford could help out before this work was done but the dealership said we were out of warranty so we had no choice but to pay and have it fixed because the dealership told us these were safety issues. Soon after we left the dealership we noticed a loud noise coming from the front. We thought it was the tires. We brought our explorer back to the dealership on 7/31/08 only to find out the other front wheel bearing had gone. They told us it would cost another $365 and again we asked if ford could help out and they said we would need to call ford ourselves. Which we did in the waiting room of the dealership. Ford did not want to help at all. I explained to ford all the complaints I found on the federal safety agency site as well as the technical service bulletins on the same exact problem we were having with our explorer. Ford finally said they would cover $265 but we would have to pay $100 as a deductible. We said no and tried to explained to ford that these parts were defective and that ford should cover all the expenses. Ford said it was up to the federal safety agency site to issue a recall and until that time ford will not pay for these defective parts. The service manager then said he would cover the $100 but we would have to go after ford on our own for the past expenses. We had the part fixed but we want ford to step up and do the right thing and admit these parts are defective and cover the costs. Our explorer has only 73000 miles and we feel these parts should not have gone. Ford should care more about their customers safety.

Filed Oct 3, 2007 · Suspension, Transmission · 50,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 25 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle suddenly slumped and the rear driver side tire detached from the vehicle. The wheel, brake, rotor, lower control arm, and axle were damaged. Repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were 50,000. Updated 01/09/08.*lj the dealer replaced brake pads and rear end vibrating. Updated 12/12/07

Filed Aug 25, 2005 · Suspension · 63,700 miles · NJ

Dt: while driving on 8-24-05 the ball joint on the driver's side broke. The vehicle just pulled to the right. The consumer was able to pull to the side of the road without any accident. The vehicle is currently being repaired at a dealership. The vehicle is company owned. The company is aware that the consumer has filed this complaint.