45 of the 503 complaints about the 2001 Ford Explorer are about the suspension — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 77,000 miles.
45
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE ON DRY PAVEMENT ON THE FWY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED, THE CAR SKIDED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES. I WENT INTO A SKID AND THE CAR TURNED ON ITS SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11088800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HEAD TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,600.
NHTSA complaint #10985858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MAIN PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT IS A CLICKING, KNOCKING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE IS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH TRUCK IN THE MIDDLE. YOU CAN FEEL TRUCK SHAKE/VIBRATE WHEN YOU HEAR THE NOISE. PREVIOUS PROBLEMS LUG BOLTS CAME LOOSE AND ALMOST CAUSE TIRE TO FALL OFF. OTHER PROBLEM TRUCK STARTED OFF SOUNDING LIKE THE BRAKE PADS WERE GOING THEN THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE . FELT LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. ENDED UP BEING FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. RIM HAD STATTERED.
NHTSA complaint #10790422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,699.
NHTSA complaint #10781597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
REAR END OF CAR THUMPED EVERY TIME YOU WOULD GO OVER THE SMALLEST SEPARATION IN THE ROAD AND ALSO ON A BUMPY ROAD. REPLACED REAR END SHOCKS. STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OF THUMPING. SOME TIMES IT FEELS LIKE I'M GOING TO LOOSE THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD POSSIBLY NOW THAT BACK BUSHINGS HOLDING THE BODY TO THE FRAME MAY BE DISINTEGRATED. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND GARAGED. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS OCCURRING NOW WITH THIS 2001 MODEL. YOU WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BY FORD TO FIX THESE BUSHING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10659595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
FORD EXPLORERS MANUFACTURED IN 2001 WERE EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE ENGINEERED BODY TO FRAME BUSHINGS WHICH HAVE COMPLETELY DETERIORATE AND JUST AS EASILY CRUMBLED IN YOUR HAND, NOW, BUT BEGIN DETERIORATING ONLY A FEW SHORT YEARS FROM WHEN NEW. FORD STOPPED USING THIS STYLE MANUFACTURED MOUNT BUSHINGS AFTER THESE FEW MANUFACTURING YEARS BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. I'VE SPOKEN TO MANY EXPLORER OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM , AND THOSE I ASK TO LOOK UNDER THEIR VEHICLES, WHICH ARE NOT A VISIBLE DEFECT UNLESS UNDER THE CAR AND HANDS-ON INSPECTION, ALSO FOUND THIS PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS IN LIKE-NEW CONDITION OTHERWISE AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THESE BODY TO MOUNT BUSHINGS, WHEN DETERIORATED CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS TO EXPLORER DRIVERS AND ALL OTHERS DRIVING IN OTHER VEHICLES, DUE TO UNEXPECTED SWAYING AND OR BOUNCING POSSIBLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO ANYONE DRIVING NEAR THE EXPLORERS. I BELIEVE, AND AM SURE, THAT THE MATERIAL MIX OF THE RUBBER/SILICONE BUSHINGS WAS COMPROMISED DURING MANUFACTURING AND THESE VEHICLES SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RECALLED TO REPLACE THESE BUSHINGS WHICH SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. CARS 40 PLUS YEARS OLD HAVE BODY TO FRAME BUSHINGS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. FOR THESE BUSHINGS TO START DETERIORATING AFTER ONLY A FEW YEARS AND BEING COMPLETELY USELESS AT THIS AGE AND CONDITION OF VEHICLE IS UNHEARD OF. NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE SURE ALL EXPLORER SPORT OWNERS IN THE 2001 PLUS OR MINUS VICINITY BE NOTIFIED BY FORD OF THIS DEFECT. PLEASE LOOK UNDER ANY EXPLORER SPORT MADE IN 2001 , AND YOU CAN CONFIRM MY FINDINGS. ALSO, HAVE A PRIVATE ENGINEER TEST THE BUSHING RUBBER/SILICONE MATERIALS USED IN THIS YEAR RANGE, AND I ASSURE YOU THEY WILL BACK MY CLAIM.
NHTSA complaint #10596257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
BODY MOUNTS DETERIORATE BEFORE THEIR TIME AND BALL JOINT FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10510134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
CPSC#I12A0111A. 2001 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATED THAT A DAY AFTER SHE BROUGHT THE CAR IT BROKE DOWN. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE, AS WELL AS A HOLE IN GAS TANK, WHICH HAD RUSTED OUT, THE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TIRE WERE DRY ROTTED, AS THEY KEPT GOING FLAT, THE DRIVER'S DOOR DID NOT LOCK, THE REAR DOORS DID NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR DID NOT OPEN AT ALL, THE OUTSIDE HANDLE WAS BROKE, THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT CLOSE, AND MOST OF THE TIME IT HAD TO BE SLAMMED SHUT.
NHTSA complaint #10481761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
AT 37,741 MILES,MY 2001 FORD VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE ITS LOWER RIGHT AND LEFT BALL JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE IN DANGEROUS CONDITION ACCORDING TO THE FORD REPAIR SHOP. IT SEEMS TO ME THEY HAD TO BE DEFECTIVE FROM DAY ONE IN ORDER TO BOTH FAIL AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. JEEP LIBERTY ALSO DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES HAD SIMILAR FAILURES. FORD TOLD ME THEY ARE BACKING UP THEIR PRODUCT AS NORMAL FAILURE WHILE THE GARAGE FOREMAN HAS SAID HE HAS HAD MANY SIMILAR CASES.
NHTSA complaint #10169542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SINCE OWNERSHIP, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT 44,159 MILES AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN 22,530 MILES SINCE PURCHASE. THE BREAKDOWN ON THE REPAIRS ARE; ON 12/13/03 AT 28,676 MILES BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED, ON 08/05/04 AT 35,260 MILES-THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT AND SPINDLE ARM WERE REPLACED, THIS WAS ONLY 6,584 MILES SINCE THE PREVIOUS BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, AND ON 12/26/05 AT 44,159 MILES-BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE RIGHT UPPER CONTROL ARM WERE REPLACED AT ONLY 9,331 MILES FROM PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS REGARDING THE CONTINUOUS REPAIRS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE NIAGARA FALLS AREA HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF FAILURE FOR BALL JOINTS IN THE COUNTRY. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL EXPLANATIONS FOR THE EXTREME RATE OF FAILURE. MOST OF THE MILES ON THE TRUCK ARE THRUWAY MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR DRIVEN IN A MANNER TO CAUSE OR AGGRAVATE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10151038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE: FORD EXPLORER XLS, MY 2001. PROBLEM: FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGE (50000KM AND 63000 KM, OR APROX 31000MILES AND 39000MILES). THE FAILURE WAS DETECTED EARLY AND DIDNOT HAVE DRAMATIC CONSEQUENCES. ONE PART HAS BEEN CHANGED. THE OTHER WILL BE DEALT WITH SOON.
NHTSA complaint #10112019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
NAR 05/21/2003 *MR LOUD POPPING IN FRONT END,PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DEFECTIVE, BACK DOORS BREAKING FROM IN SIDE HANDLES.
NHTSA complaint #10020384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I HAVE SEVERAL MORE INVOICES 7-29-03 REPLACED DUST SEALS AND FORGOT TO PUT BRAKES BACK TOGETHER LOST WHOLE FRONT END AND BRAKING. HAD TRUCK FOR 3-4 DAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP PULLEY AND S BELT 2-3 TIMES. CRUISE CONTROL 10-16, 12/31/02 AGAIN SQUELING NOISE 02/28/03 DEFROST KILLS TRUCK AND CHIRPING STILL. 2/10/03 STEERING WHEEL SNAPED PART FALLS AROUND INSIDE,CRUISE CONTROL WAS FIXED, BEARING FAILURE IN BELT TENSIONER AGAIN. TODAY STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. COME GET THE PIECE OF !@!@#@#. I AM SICK OF TAKING THIS TRUCK IN EVERY MONTH TO FIX SOMETHING. IT IS A LEMON
NHTSA complaint #10070345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
40,500 MILES, FORD EXPLORER V8. VEHICLE WOULD SWAY AND PULL SIDE TO SIDE FROM FRONT END, MOSTLY UNSAFE AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY. DEALER (MILLER FORD , MRT. 38 , MOUNT HOLLY, NJ)SAID IT NEEDED BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS REPLACED. I HAD THEM REPLACED FOR $700 VEHICLE HAS NEVER DRIVEN THE SAME AND DOES NOT "FEEL" SAFE ON THE ROAD AT HIGH SPEEDS. FEELS LIKE FRONT END DRIVER SIDE HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN AND DEALER SAYS IT IS FINE. ANY BUMPS OR POTHOLES MAKE IT SOUND LIKE THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL FROM THE JOINT IS GOING TO COME LOOSE SOMETIME.
NHTSA complaint #10030410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
40,500 MILES, FORD EXPLORER V8. VEHICLE WOULD SWAY AND PULL SIDE TO SIDE FROM FRONT END, MOSTLY UNSAFE AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY. DEALER (MILLER FORD , MRT. 38 , MOUNT HOLLY, NJ)SAID IT NEEDED BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS REPLACED. I HAD THEM REPLACED FOR $700 VEHICLE HAS NEVER DRIVEN THE SAME AND DOES NOT "FEEL" SAFE ON THE ROAD AT HIGH SPEEDS. FEELS LIKE FRONT END DRIVER SIDE HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN AND DEALER SAYS IT IS FINE. ANY BUMPS OR POTHOLES MAKE IT SOUND LIKE THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL FROM THE JOINT IS GOING TO COME LOOSE SOMETIME.
NHTSA complaint #10030410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING , SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALER STATED, SPRING BROKE OVER THE THIRD VALVE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ANY LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO SHE HAD TO PAY.
NHTSA complaint #10024582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE A VIBRATION MAKING HARD TO DRIVE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED FOUR TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. AS YOU MENTIONED YOU BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON 10/26/2002 CALL 800/922-1594 STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE FOR LEMON LAW. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE MAKES HUMMING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #567425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE CONSUMER STATED, WHILE TRAVELING, THE VEHICLE WILL WANDER INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLES TIRES, HAVE BEEN REPLACE FOUR TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM THE CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE MUST STRONG ARM TO MAINTAIN CONTROL ON THE BUMPY ROADS. THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED AN UNSUSUAL CASE OF WANDERING, CLUNKING NOISE-BOLT MISSING/4 VISITS OF REPAIR, TIRE WEAR/NOISE VIBRATIONS-6 OCCURENCES, AND ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION ISSUES-5 OCCURENCES, THAT WILL NOT REPAIR. THE CONSUMER HAS HAD SEVERAL TO MANY OF THE SAME OPINIONS AND SUGGESTIONS OF/FOR REPAIR, AND HAS TRIED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM(S) AND KEEPS GETTING THE SAME PROBLEMS. ALL WITH NO COOPERATION/CONSIDERATION OF FORD. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8018626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 60/65 MPH VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE VERY BADLY,COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #8018082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND JUMPED WHEN ANY BUMP WAS HIT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR 20 MONTHS. VEHICLE WAS GETTING CLOSE TO NOT BEING DRIVEABLE DUE TO VIBRATION PROBLEM PROGRESSING. DEALER AND FORD WERE NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8014607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON STRAIGHTAWAY OWNER FEELS A WIGGLE OR PROBLEM KEEPING TRUCK STRAIGHT. TRUCK IS UNSTABLE. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8011896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING, THERE IS A NOSIE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING RIGHT, THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE SUSPENSION.
NHTSA complaint #564277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING, THERE IS A NOSIE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING RIGHT, THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE SUSPENSION.
NHTSA complaint #564277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING UP TO 60MPH OR MORE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SAME PROBLEM APPPROXIMATELY 4 TIMES. AT LAST INCIDENT DEALER FOUND THAT SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE MOE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8007361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE UNDER 5 MPH, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8007434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING 60MPH VEHICLE VIBRATES. VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT SEVERLY. STEERING WHEEL IS CROOKED, PULLS TO THE LEFT. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK ALSO, CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS VERY BAD SMELL FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH FORD SAYS IT IS NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #8006820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MAJOR SIDE TO SIDE ROCKING AT HIGH-SPEED EMERGENCY AVOIDANCE MANEUVER.
NHTSA complaint #753429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF
THE LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING DROPPED ON MY EXPLORER. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS 33" OFF THE GROUND AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL WAS 35" OFF THE GROUND. THE TRUCK SAT COCKEYED. THE TRUCK STEERING WAS LOOSE AND THE TRUCK WANDERED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, 50-70 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEAF SPRING ON 05/03/2001.
NHTSA complaint #752684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
SECOND NOTIFICATION! THE LEFT REAR SPRING ON MY 2001 EXPLORER HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE SITS COCKEYED BECAUSE THE LEFT REAR SPRING IS LOWER THAN THE RIGHT FRONT. THE TRUCK STEERING IS LOOSE AND THE TRUCK WANDERS AT HIGH SPEEDS, 50-70 MPH. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO SAID THEY CAN'T REPLACE THE SPRING UNTIL IT IS 1" OUT OF TOLERANCE. MY QUESTIONS ARE, IS THE LEAF SPRING DEFECTIVE ON FORD EXPLORERS? WHY DOES THE LEAF SPRING FAIL? WILL THE TRUCK ROLL OVER IF THER IS A BLOW OUT AT HIGH SPEEDS BECAUSE THE TRUCK DOES NOT SIT LEVEL? FINALLY, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A LEAF SPRING TO FAIL. HELP????
NHTSA complaint #752686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.