2013 Ford Explorer: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Body · WI

This is a complaint regarding the handling of safety recall 20S62 (also referenced as 20S32) by Ford Motors and the dealership that performed the recall repairs, Hallada Motors. The vehicle was taken by the previous owner to Hallada 3 separate times to address the same recall related to the rear suspension toe link/ball joint issue. Documentation indicates the most recent repair occurring in 2022. This recall specifically involves components connected to the rear suspension that, if not properly addressed, can lead to corrosion and structural damage affecting the frame. Based on the history of repeated recall repairs and the current condition of the vehicle, we believe that the repair approach taken was insufficient. By the time of the third recall service in 2022, the frame should have been thoroughly inspected and potentially replaced due to corrosion risk identified in the recall guidance. The vehicle is currently being inspected and serviced at Ewald Ford. Their technicians documented significant corrosion and unusual frame damage, which they photographed and submitted to Ford corporate while requesting that the recall case be reopened. Despite this documentation, Ford has refused to reopen the recall or authorize a frame replacement. Ewald Ford technicians noticed irregularities in the documentation from Hallada Motors. 2 separate entries list the mileage as exactly 87,600 miles and exactly 95,000 miles, both ending in multiple zeros. The technicians indicated this is unusual and raised concerns whether the recall work was properly completed. The vehicle now has severe frame corrosion and structural damage and is unsafe and unusable. We are without a vehicle and have incurred financial loss. We believe the current condition is the result of improper/incomplete recall repairs. We request a look at the recall repairs performed were completed in compliance & ford's refusal to reopen is consistent with safety obligations. Ford should be held accountable.

Filed Jul 26, 2025 · Acceleration, Suspension · NC

When Driving I started noticing that my steering wheel what getting harder to turn and it felt like it was lagging control. I could still turn and maneuver the steering wheel but the control overall was defiantly not safe. I stopped in at our mechanic and they test drove it. He stated that yes something was definably wrong with the steering system and he said it was hopefully the u-joint for control arm. We made any appointment for the next following week. I drove my explorer with extreme caution and the steering issue just got worse. I noticed that I now have a griding noise coming from my steering when I turn. This is a safety issue because it just going to seize up and I will not have any control over my vehicle. When I did finally did get my explorer into the mechanic the next following week he stated that I needed a new rack and pinion. I only have 140000 miles on my explorer. The cost was astronomical!!! $1700 for the rack and Pinon $600 in labor and a wheel alignment. and don't forget tax. That was a shocker!! I cant afford that kind of out of pocket expense. My vehicle vin does not fall into the recalled safety notice however this seems to be a big issues with the 2013 Ford Explores. My safely overall is the main issued!! I expect ford to follow through in how they manufacture its vehicles and maintenance products. Please include all explorers in the recall!!!!

Filed Sep 23, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · 90,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated 6 months after installing new tires on the vehicle, the front tires were damaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was inspected, and the mechanic determined that the shocks, the control arms, and rack and pinion failures had caused damages to the tires. The mechanic informed the contact that the front tires, the shocks, the control arms, and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in an unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Steering · FL

See Ford Campaign 15N01. Coverage for this vehicle expired 3-25-2022. O/A 10-1-2023 steering became very erratic and traction light would come on intermittently. Independent garage found 4 mounting points for EPAS/steering gear were bad allowing unit to move freely and cause loss of steering. Advised was dealer repair because of proprietary computer program. Coggin Ford over several days couldn't find or would not acknowledge problem even though they were told several times where to look. They just said the lower control arms needed repair for $2500+. Had to get car back to independent garage to do repairs using parts obtained from the same dealer. Went to dealer after repair, showed replaced parts and got refund of their diagnostic fee.

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Fuel system, Suspension · OK

This winter I began starting my vehicle and letting it warm up before driving it. After letting it run approximately 10 to 15 minutes, I opened my door and to get in and there was a very strong exhaust smell inside. I would have to roll my windows down to clear the cabin of the fumes. This happened every single time I would let it sit and warm up. There is also something happening with what I believe is my drive-train. There is a lot of different noises (squealing/whining, grinding (metal to metal), clanking and thumping) when I give it gas after sitting at a light. As soon as I step on the gas pedal it makes all the above noises and jerks, then acts like it doesn't want to go. It finally kicks in then goes. Once it kicks in, it drives just fine. The noise sounds like its coming from the undercarriage and sometimes the rear end. I am not driving the vehicle now, it is parked in my driveway, so I am currently without transportation. There is also a very loud popping noise coming from the front end. I was told this could be ball joints or possibly stabilizers.

Filed Dec 23, 2020 · Suspension · 122,000 miles · NJ

I received notice about a safety recall for my ball joint suspensions for my vehicle. Actually two notices from ford. I scheduled my vehicle for recall service and apparently my vehicle VIN does not fall under the recall. You can literally hear my ball joints knocking every time I make a turn. Even the mechanic confirmed that my ball joints were horrible but his hands were tied because my VIN did not pop up in his system with the recall. How is it I get not one but two notices for the safety recall and now my vehicle is not covered under the company recall? When again you can literally hear the joints knocking every single time I make a turn. Is it really going to take for me to get into an actual accident to have this issue addressed?

Filed Dec 22, 2020 · Suspension · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer regarding a ball joint failure and recall. The contact took the vehicle to langdale ford (215 w magnolia st, valdosta, ga 31601, (229) 394-4334) and was informed that the rear suspension ball joint needed to be replaced. The contact received a second letter from the manufacturer which stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall repair. The contact was informed that the rear suspension ball joint was previously replaced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v675000 (suspension) by the previous owner however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 22, 2020 · Steering · 58,957 miles · PA · crash

Explorer veered off the edge of the road while in motion on us route 322 and could not be steered back onto the road. It was repaired at cornell auto body. Chip cornell noticed a suspicious break and a crack in the lower control arm as did my brother, tom green, who is a retired welder at joy manufacturing with (42) yrs. Exerience. Tom took the lower control arm to griffin-phillis ford, 2582 pa-257 seneca, pa 16346 for them to show it to a ford representative.

Filed May 19, 2020 · Steering · 122,560 miles · IL

I had a repair done tie-rods and control arms and 2 days later my steering start stiffening they said rack and pinion is bad. So I looked up in ford they said it was a recall for that year and model some years of that year.

Filed Feb 20, 2020 · Steering, Wheels · 116,000 miles · PA

Had just picked up my mail from mailbox and started crossing road to enter my lane/private driveway when heard a loud clunk and was unable to steer car. Kept pushing gas pedal to try to move forward and get across the road and barely did but couldn't control direction the car was moving. When felt was safe I got out and walked around car to see if I could see what was wrong. Noticed front right passenger wheel was turned in while others were straight. I got back in car to turn steering wheel and see if it would move but it did not. I called family to come help and upon further looking discovered wheel had become disconnected from the tie rod. The car was towed to a garage and upon their inspection I was told that I needed a new inner and outer tie rod and that the axle centre bracket had broken. I googled the internet to see if this was a known problem and found a website carproblemzoo.com where 29 reports were listed of similar instances with a most recent date of 7/12/2019. This driver did contact ford customer care as did I but had no assistance or resolution from them. In fact ford told me they can't monitor every website and I told them this wasn't acceptable because one complaint said a mother's neck was broken. These problems must be further investigated.

Filed Jul 22, 2019 · Steering · 40,000 miles · NY

While operating 2013 ford explorer on highway at approximately 30 MPH the right wheel suddenly turned 45 degrees right causing the vehicle to unexpectedly veer to right towards curb and pedestrian walkway. A visual inspection showed the outer tie rod disconnected from outer tie rod connector without warning. Mechanic determined the male thread on outer tie rod "worked" it's way out of the female outer tie rod connector. The metal threads on the end of the tie rod were stripped allowing outer tie rod and tie rod connector to sliding in and out freely without any rotation(loosening/tightening) of tie rod end. Fortunately no personal injury was sustained by anyone involved. At time of the incident the vehicle had approximately 40,000 miles and was in excellent condition receiving regular service. I believe the oem equipment on the vehicle is defective and runs the risk of serious injury or death if it were to fail at highway speed. I contacted ford customer service to explain incident and they simply stated the vehicle was out of warranty. They did not seem to be interested in the details of mechanical failure as they did not connect me with a technician. Customer service representative told me if they would mark it as a simple tie rod failure and if enough people "complain" they would contact me. Out of abundance of caution I replaced both left and right tie rods and tie rod ends to prevent further failure. Repairs cost including labor exceeded $750 photos of failed parts attached please contact me for further information/questions.

Filed Nov 14, 2017 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford explorer. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the front passenger side. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact got out to observe the vehicle and noticed that the lower control arm was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to gus machado ford (1200 w 49th st, hialeah, fl 33012) where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm and wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.