69 of the 1,203 complaints about the 2000 Ford Explorer are about the suspension — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 57,000 miles.
69
Complaints
10
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE TIRE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.
NHTSA complaint #10419656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. HE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR LINK FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,500. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR LINK FAILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION. UPDATED 01/14/09.
NHTSA complaint #10241024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
DURING AN UP-HILL LEFT HAND TURN AT SPEED LESS THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR THE DRIVER'S SIDE SWAY BAR LINK FAILED AND BROKE WITH A LOUD BANG. A SWAY BAR LINK KIT WAS PURCHASED FROM NAPA AND REPLACED BY THE OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10225337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
BEARING BROKE ON FORD EXPLORER. WHEEL WAS ALMOST OFF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY GOING SLOW.
NHTSA complaint #10222680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE ON A TRIP WITH MY FAMILY. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS UNDER 85,000 MILES. IT COST ME OVER $1500 TO HAVE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. APPARENTLY, OTHER FORD EXPLORER XLT OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IN ADDITION, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, BOTH WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY'S HAVE GONE BAD TO THE TUNE OF OVER $800. THE MILEAGE IS STILL UNDER 90,000. I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN TODAY AND FOUND OUT THAT A BALL JOINT HAS GONE BAD NEAR THE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY AND IT'S GOING TO COST AROUND $250 TO REPLACE THAT. IT'S UNFATHOMABLE THAT FORD WOULD BE ALLOWED TO PUT OUT SUCH A SHODDY VEHICLE THAT FALLS APART ONCE YOU GET OVER 80,000 MILES USAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10218461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE ON A TRIP WITH MY FAMILY. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS UNDER 85,000 MILES. IT COST ME OVER $1500 TO HAVE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. APPARENTLY, OTHER FORD EXPLORER XLT OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IN ADDITION, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, BOTH WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY'S HAVE GONE BAD TO THE TUNE OF OVER $800. THE MILEAGE IS STILL UNDER 90,000. I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN TODAY AND FOUND OUT THAT A BALL JOINT HAS GONE BAD NEAR THE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY AND IT'S GOING TO COST AROUND $250 TO REPLACE THAT. IT'S UNFATHOMABLE THAT FORD WOULD BE ALLOWED TO PUT OUT SUCH A SHODDY VEHICLE THAT FALLS APART ONCE YOU GET OVER 80,000 MILES USAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10218461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
CONSUMER LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT AND SHREDDED CAUSING CONSUMER TO REPLACE TIRE WITH SPARE. *TS THE TIRE BLEWOUT PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LEFT SIDE WHEEL BEARING SHOT AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS GOING BAD. REAR BRAKES SHOT.
NHTSA complaint #10172230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MAKES A CLANKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE TAKES UP TO 2-5 SECONDS UPON CHANGING GEARS TO REVERSE. GOING UP HILL IT WILL DOWN SHIFT VERY HARD AS IF THE FLOOR BOARD IS BEING KNOCKED OUT. THE DIFFERENTIAL, AND REAR END WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10112879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHILE TURNING INTO HER DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. ON THE NEXT INCIDENT, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED THE BALL JOINT FELL OFF INTO THE MECHANIC'S HAND JULY 8, 2004. *LA ALL OF THE PROBLEMS HAD BEEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10082182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE BALL JOINTS ON MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER NEED TO REPLACED AFTER ONLY 42,000 MILES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING BALL JOINTS SHOULD LAST A MINIMUM OF 100-150,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10060553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I HAVE A 2000 EXPLORER 4WD AND LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS SQUEELING REALY BAD. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE FOR $400.00. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS SUV. THE TRANSMISSION HAD A BAD VALVE BODY GASKET ANOTHER $300.00. IT'S ONLY GOT 39000 MILES. WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG...SORRY THAT'S A BAD QUESTION. NEEDLESS TO SAY I'LL BE SELLING THIS ONE SOON.
NHTSA complaint #10058274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAS CORRODED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10055733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 1/03 WITH 39,000 MILES ON IT. 3/03 THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WENT BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEN 7/03 THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE SLIPPING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. THIS COST $1,800 TO FIX. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 43,000 MILES ON AT THAT TIME. NOW IT IS 1/04 AND THE TRUCK IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR AN IDLE PROBLEM ONCE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE JERKS AND BUCKS WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35-40 MPH. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AND FORD SHOULD BE REPLACING ALL THE IAC VALVES UNDER A RECALL BECAUSE THERE ARE AN ABUNDANCE OF EXPLORER OWNERS WHO THIS HAS HAPPENED TO AROUND THE 39,000 -43,000 MILES MARK!
NHTSA complaint #10053165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT END. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT COULD NO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10049867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DEALER SERVICE STATES LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. EXPERIENCE CLUNKING OVER BUMPS. DEALER SERVICE ALREADY REPLACED STEERING RACK DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY, SOMEHOW ARE PROBABLY RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT PLAY.
NHTSA complaint #10046009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BALL JOINTS ON 2000 FORD EXPLORER.*MR CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THE BALL JOINTS WERE MADE ON THE SUV. CONSUMER FEELS THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10044007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND JERK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10042247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT END MADE NOISE . DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS,AND AN INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE ROTORS. BUT THE NOISE WAS STILL OCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #10041891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THE DEALER REPLACED THE RELAY SWITCH.*MR THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR. INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE FULLY APPLIED THE LIGHTS STAYED ON. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DISENGAGED, THE INDICATOR SIGNALED AGAIN, IN SPITE OF REPLACEMENT THE PROBLEM THE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10026952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THE DEALER REPLACED THE RELAY SWITCH.*MR THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR. INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE FULLY APPLIED THE LIGHTS STAYED ON. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DISENGAGED, THE INDICATOR SIGNALED AGAIN, IN SPITE OF REPLACEMENT THE PROBLEM THE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10026952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY JERK, AND THEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10024597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD A PULSATING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL SINCE ABOUT 7000 MILES. THIS TIME THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER HE STATED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE BRAKES, ROTORS, ( BOTH OF WHICH HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE ) MASTER CYLINDER, SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER AND HAVE COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSH. ALL IN THE SPAN OF 3 YEARS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND CONTROL ARMS AS WELL. MULTIPLE OCCURENCES OF THE SAME SYMPTOMS.
NHTSA complaint #10021334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD A PULSATING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL SINCE ABOUT 7000 MILES. THIS TIME THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER HE STATED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE BRAKES, ROTORS, ( BOTH OF WHICH HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE ) MASTER CYLINDER, SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER AND HAVE COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSH. ALL IN THE SPAN OF 3 YEARS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND CONTROL ARMS AS WELL. MULTIPLE OCCURENCES OF THE SAME SYMPTOMS.
NHTSA complaint #10021334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES DUE TO HUMMING NOISES AND RECALL#00T005000. THE ENGINE MADE NOISE, VIBRATED, OVERHEATED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLES FAULTY SHOCKS CAUSED NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, VIBRATION AND NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WAS OFF TRACK, WOULD NOT GO UP ALL THE WAY AND WENT UP UNEVENLY. THE STARTER BECAME STUCK MADE SCRAPING SOUNDS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE IN ACCORDANCE TO THE LEMON LAW. *MR *SCC *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10021538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
08-14-02 (39685 MILES) - REPLACED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE - $215.87 03-14-03 (46676 MILES) - REPLACED CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS- $770.82 I FEEL THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED REPAIRS THAT WERE MADE TO MY 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE ARE A RESULT OF POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND QUALITY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MADE, AND THAT THESE CURRENT PROBLEMS ARE EVIDENCE OF "INFANT MORTALITY". THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DID NOTHING MORE THAN RECEIVE MY COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10010648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
08-14-02 (39685 MILES) - REPLACED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE - $215.87 03-14-03 (46676 MILES) - REPLACED CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS- $770.82 I FEEL THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED REPAIRS THAT WERE MADE TO MY 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE ARE A RESULT OF POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND QUALITY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MADE, AND THAT THESE CURRENT PROBLEMS ARE EVIDENCE OF "INFANT MORTALITY". THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DID NOTHING MORE THAN RECEIVE MY COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10010648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL ON THE SUSPENSION. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10009747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING CRACKED, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. WHEEL WAS SLANTED TO THE GROUND. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8009324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING CRACKED, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. WHEEL WAS SLANTED TO THE GROUND. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8009324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE WILL SWAY TO LEFT AND RIGHT OF HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8004946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.