Ford Explorer Sport Trac Body Problems

Body complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Body
  44
• Frame and members
  17
• Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
  3
• Body › Hatchback/liftgate
  2
• Body › Roof and pillars
  2
• Body › Door
  2
• Body › Bumpers
  1
• Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
  1

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  915%
• 25k–50k
  915%
• 50k–75k
  1220%
• 75k–100k
  915%
• 100k–150k
  1423%
• 150k+
  813%

What owners report

When the brakes are engaged, that accelerator also engages causing the vehicle to not stop. Which caused a serious wreck. This has been checked out by the Ford dealer on multiple occasions. Several others have also reported this issue. Truck is totaled and airbags did not deploy with direct front end impact.

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that when the rear windows were open and the front windows were closed, the vehicle would vibrate excessively. The dealer advised that the failure was normal. The contact believed the defect to be safety related because he was unable to drive with the front windows open due to the wind pressure. The contact stated the vibrations were so violent that the drivers seat would shake and the radio would shut down when the failure would occur. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 900 and the current mileage was 900. Updated 7/26/10 updated 08/31/10

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 front, driver's side, tire came apart and caused considerable damage to my vehicle's body and possibly other damages not seen. I need to take the vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection to see if there are other damages. The tire is a good year Eagle rs-a. The dot # is 4b08 dlwr 3701. Tire size p235/70r16. I was driving on interstate I-75 when the tire came apart. It was terribly scary. I did not realize what had happened and thought the vehicle was falling apart. I pulled onto the emergency lane and realized the tire had come apart. The rubber coming off the tire caused quite a bit of body damage. The visible damages include damages to the driver's side head light, rubber ripped out the driver's side blinker, molding under the driver's door was ripped out, paint damage, tire well damage and loosening of other molding on driver's side. …

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

I went to install a pair of step bars on my truck, and noticed that my body bushings looked odd. I touched one of them and it crumbled, and upon further investigation I noticed at least 3 sets on each side were in the same shape. I called Ford customer service and was told to take it to the dealer to have it checked, and that there was no warranty, customer satisfaction plan, or recall. I told them I was a mechanic and did not need to go to the dealer, but they did register my complaint. I have never seen body bushings in such state on any name brand or model vehicle, even after they were 20 or so years old. I have seen them flatten out, but never deteriorate. I feel sure that the material used is of poor quality. By not replacing them, there is a risk of body cracking or other failures. I feel that Ford should have a recall on them. …

My aunt's vehicle was involved in an accident where the vehicle rolled several times. The front pillar on the driver's side collapsed allowing the roof to collapse almost down to the level of the steering wheel. There was also a lack of availability of side curtain airbags on the vehicle. The accident resulted in the death of the driver of the vehicle.

The vehicle was purchased new with a bent frame and a bent rear axle. The vehicle was difficult to steer. 6 sets of tires were used and replaced during this defect. The consumer took the vehicle to dealer where it was diagnosed as a bent frame. However, the dealer will do nothing about the problem. There was a vibration in the front of the vehicle, the dealers didn't find a problem. A couple of weeks later, the consumer noticed that the tires were worn on the inside. The consumer was informed that the rear end was tilted and there was no adjustment for this. The consumer was informed that the frame was bent. Three sets of tires in 20K miles and about 2 weeks later, they had to replace 1 of the back tires again. The noise and vibration remained the same. The consumer requested to be compensated for the bent frame. The rear differential cover leaked.

Related recalls (1)