54 of the
929 complaints filed about the Ford Explorer Sport Trac
are about the suspension —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
The contact owned a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and the driver's side rear tire had seized due to a fractured rear axle and bolt. Another vehicle then crashed into the contact's driver's side rear tire causing the vehicle to spin and the front windshield cracked upon impact. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact and her wife were transported to the hospital. The contact had a fractured sternum, neck pain, and a fractured vertebra. The contact's wife had bruises on her chest from the seat belt. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V181000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11466453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE HAD PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BOUT A YEAR AGO AND WHEN WE GOT IT WE WENT TO GET TIRES AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING UPPER ND LOWER BALL JOINTS, CONTROL ARM AND SWAY BAR ON PASSENGER SIDE.THIS WAS 6/20/2017. IT WASN'T MAKING ANY NOISE UNTIL 1/3/2018. I WAS GOING DOWN CITY STREET AND SOMETHING POPPED AND THEN IT STARTED ROARING. IF YOU PUT IN 4WD IT ROARS LOADER AND JERKS. 1/23/18 REPLACED DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL HUB AND BEARINGS. IT STILL ROARS WHILE ACCELERATING SPEED BUT NOT AS BAD IN 2WD BUT PUT IN 4WD ITS REAL LOUD AND JERKS YOU . I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE FOR THIS YEAR MODEL SPORT TRAC AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. EVERYTIME GET ONE THING FIXED ON FRONT END SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS TO IT. YOU CAN DRIVE IT BUT IF YOU GET OVER 10-15 MPH THE ROARING GETS WORSE AND IT LOCKED THE THE WHOLE WHEEL UP AND JERKED THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
NHTSA complaint #11064418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAB TO FRAME MOUNTING BOLT BUSHINGS, AND STEERING STABILIZER BUSHINGS ARE HAVE AND ARE CRUMBLING. ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE TO FIX IT. I JUST INHERITED THIS TRUCK AND JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11033833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DISCOVERED UNDERNEATH THE BODY WHERE THE BODY AND FRAME MEET FOR THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS, THEY HAVE NEARLY DISINTEGRATED ON ALL FOUR BUSHINGS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THESE BUSHINGS WERE MADE OF SOME INFERIOR FOAM MATERIAL WHEREAS THE REAR BUSHINGS ARE RUBBER AND STILL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE REPAIR FOR THIS DEFECT WILL COST AROUND $600 TO $1,300 AND IF NOT DONE WILL RESULT IN THE CAB FALLING DIRECTLY ONTO THE FRAME THUS CREATING NUMEROUS SAFETY PROBLEMS INCLUDING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY FAILURE OF THE TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL SPORT TRACS MADE FROM 2001 TO 2005. THE INCLUDED PICS BEGIN WITH THE DRIVER SIDE (DRIVER SEAT) FRONT BUSHING, DRIVER SIDE (REAR SEAT) BUSHING, PASSENGER SIDE (FRONT SEAT) BUSHING, PASSENGER SIDE (REAR SEAT) BUSHING AND FINALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR BUSHINGS (BOTH IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND MADE OF ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MATERIAL) DISCLAIMER: THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY SALT WATER (BEACH) ENVIRONMENT NOR WINTER WEATHER ENVIRONMENT (WHERE SALT WAS USED), OR MUD RIDING OF ANY TIME NOR HAS BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH FLOODED AREAS WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE CONDITION OF THE BUSHINGS. VEHICLE ODOMETER READING IS 125,496.
NHTSA complaint #10920114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING ON PAVED ROAD, CLEAR WEATHER ENTERING A LEFT BANK, TURNED STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS LEFT AT 30 MPH. TRUCK STARTED TO SHIMMIED AND LOOSE CONTROL. IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKE & STOPPED VEHICLE. BACK RIGHT WHEEL MISSING 2 WHEEL STUDS. HAD TIRES EXCHANGE 400 MILES PRIOR, NO PROBLEM WITH STUDS. MECHANIC IS NOW REPLACING REAR AXEL.
NHTSA complaint #10747618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND PARTS WERE FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME AND THE FRONT AND REAR MOTOR MOUNTS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE FRONT END MOTOR MOUNT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE PINION, BARONS, AND SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. MA 10/23/15
NHTSA complaint #10745048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOUND THAT AFTER APPROX.80,000 MILES THAT ALL THE BODY SUPPORT BUSHING HAD DRIED OUT AND CRUMBLED.. THIS CAUSE SEVER LACK OF CONTROL. CORNERING WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH LOUD BODY METAL BANGING. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE AND REPAIRED. THE BODY WAS RAISED OFF THE FRAME AND ALL BUSHING WHERE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. FORD WOULD NOT COMPLETE THIS WORK UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS A GROSS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10649989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE BODY MOUNTS HAVE DRIED OUT AND CRUMBLES WHEN TOUCHED. THIS DETERIORATION CAUSES THE BODY TO RIDE ON TOP OF THE FRAME WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN OTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUES. THE WORSE I HAVE SEEN ON A FORD.
NHTSA complaint #10629245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD UNEVEN WEAR ON MY TIRES THAT WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES FROM THE FACTORY. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM THE FORD DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE SPECS AND BRAND WERE NOT THE IDEAL TYPE FOR THIS KIND OF VEHICLE. NO WARRANTY COVERAGE GIVEN. I DID BUY MICHELIN AT OWL AND THEY HAVE HELD UP TO PRESENT 2014 AT 106250 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10627092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BODY MOUNT INSULATORS DETERIORATED AND THE BODY COULD COME LOOSE FROM THE CHASSIS. FORD WANTS OVER 3000 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH IS AN OBVIOUS MATERIAL FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #10620689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE BODY MOUNTS HAVE DRIED OUT AND CRUMBLES WHEN TOUCHED. THIS DETERIORATION CAUSES THE BODY TO RIDE ON TOP OF THE FRAME WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN OTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUES. APPEARS THE PRODUCT WAS MADE OF SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL AND HAS BEEN WORN OUT FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10594100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THEY WERE ROTTEN AND FALLING APART, I WAS LOOKING ONLINE AND EVERYBODY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THAT SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURED RECALL. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10519526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUB FRAME BODY MOUNTS ARE FALLING APART. I NOTICED THIS IN 2008 BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. CAR HAS LESS THAN 72000 MILES AND IS GARAGED, NO OFF ROAD USE. MOUNTS ARE BRITTLE AND FALL OF VEHICLE. FORD SAYS --SO SAD TOO BAD. NEVER SEEN MOUNTS FALL APART AND I HAVE OWNED VEHICLES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10488982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOR SEVERAL YEARS, THE BODY MOUNTS ON MY TRUCK HAVE BEEN CRUMBLING DUE TO POOR MATERIALS USED AT THE FACTORY. I KNOW OF MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND SINCE THE MOUNTS ARE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE I KNOW MANY HAVE AVOIDED DOING SO. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES (WHICH RANGE FROM 2001-2005) AND REPLACE THESE SHODDY PARTS (IF THEY HAVEN'T CRUMBLED COMPLETELY AWAY LIKE MINE) BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10486042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I AM EXPERIENCING A LOUD CLANKING AND CRASHING SOUND EMITTING FROM UNDER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS WITH MINIMAL BUMPS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH INCREASED ROLL MOVEMENT WHILE CORNERING. AFTER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE BODY MOUNTS TO BE CRUMBLING APART, BODY MOUNTS MISSING LARGE CHUNKS OF MATERIAL AND OTHER BODY MOUNTS ARE SOFT AND JELLY LIKE WHEN TOUCHED. THESE FORD BODY MOUNTS HAVE BEEN ENGINEERED IMPROPERLY AND HAVE REACHED A PREMATURE FAILED STATE. THIS AFFECTS THE ROLL OF THE VEHICLE AND MAY POSE GRAVE DANGER TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS WHEN PERFORMING A LANE CHANGE OR ANY VEHICLE ROLL MANEUVER AND AFFECTS VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A INTERNET SEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC OWNERS AND OTHER FORD TRUCKS AS WELL. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA FROM 2002-2010, AND IN GEORGIA FROM 2011-PRESENT AND HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT, SNOW OR ANY ABNORMAL ENVIRONMENT TO CAUSE THIS FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10468129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NOTICED CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT REAR WHILE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR POT HOLES. WHEN IT WAS RAINING THE RIGHT TIRE WOULD SPIN AFTER HITTING POT HOLE AND THE ELECTRONIC SKID CONTROL WOULD FLASH ON DASH INDICATING LOST TRACTION. IF THIS HAD BEEN ICE OR SNOW I COULD OF LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHING. RIGHT TIRES WERE VISIBLY WORN MORE THAN THE LEFT SIDE TIRES. DEALER REPLACED REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHING. 45,000 MILES AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER HAS PART.
NHTSA complaint #10399567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IT STARTED WITH HUMMING VIBRATING NOISE IN THE FRONT END LEFT TIRE ENDING WITH FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND SMALL FIRE TO THE WHEEL BEARING RUBBER BOOT AND HARD PULLING TO THE LEFT TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS IS A MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURE AFTER INSPECTING I FOUNT THAT ONLY THE ONE NUT WAS HOLDING TIRE ON.
NHTSA complaint #10366429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. 2WD. AUTOMATIC. A FEW MONTHS AGO I STARTED HEARING AN ANNOYING SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT WHEN I GOT HOME. THE BUSHINGS THAT GO IN THE MOUNTS TO SECURE THE CAB OF THE TRUCK TO THE FRAME ARE DETERIORATING. YOU CAN ACTUALLY TOUCH THEM AND THEY WILL FALL APART. I CHECKED WITH A FEW LOCAL AUTO PART STORES AND ALL OVER THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT THOSE BUSHINGS ARE A DEALER ITEM, AND COST ABOUT $35 EACH. ON THE INTERNET I ALSO FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THE BUSHINGS TO GO BAD. ON EACH CAB MOUNT ON THE FRAME; THERE IS AN UPPER AND LOWER BUSHING. ALL OF THE BUSHINGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ARE EITHER BAD OR GOING BAD. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALL FROM FORD ON THESE BUSHINGS. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AROUND $600 TO REPLACE THESE BUSHINGS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE THE CAB OF THE TRUCK COULD SHIFT WHEN TURNING OR ON BUMPY ROADS. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE BUSHINGS SINCE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE CAB MOUNT BUSHINGS OR KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS HAD TO; EXCEPT ON A FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. I CURRENTLY STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO EVEN PURCHASE THE BUSHINGS DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. I AM A DO-IT-YOURSELFER AND COULD REPLACE THESE ON MY OWN IF I COULD AFFORD THEM. I FEEL THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE AFFECTED MODELS OF THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10351850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE EMAILS BELOW CHRONICLE MY ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ADDRESS WHAT I FEEL TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COMPONENTS THAT ARE THE SUBJECT TO THE INQUIRY ARE PART OF THE STEERING. ANY FAILURE OF THESE COMPONENTS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE RUBBER BODY MOUNT, STRUT AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON MY 2001 SPORT TRAC 4WD ARE CRUMBLING. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT CORRECTIVE ACTION THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS TAKING TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. [XXX] THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER REGARDING THE CONCERNS YOU HAVE WITH YOUR 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WE HAVE REVIEWED THE SITUATION, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, FIELD SERVICE ACTIONS/CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS ON YOUR VEHICLE THAT WOULD PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THIS REPAIR. HOWEVER, WE DO SUGGEST THAT THE REPAIR BE DONE BY A FORD/LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ARE TRAINED TO PUT YOUR VEHICLE BACK INTO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS, AND ANY FORD PARTS REPLACED WILL COME WITH A 12 MONTHS/12,000 MILES WARRANTY. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC FEE MAY BE CHARGED. IF ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, WE SUGGEST THAT YOU CONTACT THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP/SERVICE MANAGER. THEY WILL FURTHER ASSIST IN FACILITATING YOUR SERVICE/REPAIR NEEDS. YOUR NEXT STEPS ARE TO DISCUSS THIS REPAIR WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT YOUR DEALERSHIP. SHOULD YOU FEEL THAT WE HAVE NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED YOUR QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US VIA TELEPHONE AT (800)392-3673 BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8AM AND 5PM, LOCAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR 10 DIGIT REFERENCE NUMBER - [XXX] . SINCERELY, [XXX] CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10314655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.