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.
Passenger side strut mount broke causing noises when turning either direction. Making steering hard. When looking for replacement part, it was hard to locate because this seems to be a common problem and parts can't be kept in stock.
The contact's brother-in-law owned a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her brother-in-law was driving 60-62 mph, her husband was sitting in the front passenger's side seat, the contact was sitting in the rear passenger's side seat and her sister was sitting in the rear driver's side seat. The contact stated that the front passenger's side end of the vehicle collapsed and hit the ground inadvertently. The driver lost control of the steering wheel, and the vehicle rolled over three times and landed on its wheels. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was knocked unconscious temporarily. The contact's sister and brother-in-law were able to exit the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the vehicle and stood in front of the passenger's side door attempting to assist her husband out of the vehicle. The emergency units cut the front passenger's side seat belt and assisted the contact's husband out of the vehicle. The contact's husband was air lifted to the hospital, where it was diagnosed that he had sustained a broken neck and was paralyzed from the neck down. The contact's husband received medical assistance in the hospital for 5 months until he passed away. The contact, her sister and brother-in-law were transported to the hospital. The contact sustained a broken sternum and received medical assistance. The contact's sister sustained a fractured neck. Both the contact's sister and brother-in-law had undergone back surgery. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to tow yard, where it was totaled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 07v181000 (steering). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
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.
Tl- the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that while performing routine maintenance he noticed that the body bushing had deteriorated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000 and current mileage was 132,000. Pmb.
Body mounts under floor are deteriorated. When driving and going over bumps, vehicle sounds like it is "bottoming out" as a loud clunk can be heard and felt under your feet. Upon inspection, at least 4 mounts are roughly 75% deteriorated or more.
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.
lower ball joints had to be replaced at 46000 miles. totally cupped and ruined the tires that they had just put on the vehicle from the tire recall. *tr
humming/whinning sound coming from rear-end especially when accelerating. brought in to dealership 3 times, repaired 2 times while under warranty. rear-end completely changed 2nd time. making the whinning sound again now even louder, drowns out radio. not under warranty anymore but obviously a manufacturer defect with the 2002 model, considering all the complaints with the exact problem i have read upon research. will a recall be issued to prevent any accidents that could occur from a rear-end going out while driving? my explorer is a family hauler, hate to put my babies at risk... *nm
upper ball joints worn prematurely. *tr