Suspension complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Severe clanking/banging noise in passenger rear. Replaced shocks. Noise worsened. Researched and found numerous complaints regarding body mounts with Ford Explorer Sport vehicles. Upon investigation - reaching up under vehicle found no "body insulator left on passenger side rear and on driver rear the insulator crumbled like dirt and fine powder. The body mounts appeared to be manufactured of a foam like material - substandard at best! Replacement parts must be purchased through Ford since no other aftermarket parts are available. Parts only (that being able to salvage the bolts and sleeves) and purchase the two pair of insulators only - $680.00. The same material that failed and should not. There are vehicles on the road with body mounts for 40 to 50 years. This is a manufacturer's responsibility and the cost for these parts is thievery. …
While my son was driving west on route 64 in the left hand lane near rocky mount, nc at a speed of 70 MPH, the brake light came on followed by a loud noise and then the vehicle pulled hard to the right causing my son to run a motorcyclist off the road to avoid being hit. I had the vehicle towed to a shop and the determined that the right front bearing assembly had failed. This could have been a fatal accident due to the sudden loss of control.
While turning vehicle, heard a popping noise & front left tire suddenly collapsed inward. Left front upper control arm, lower ball joint, shock & cam bolts & washers were replaced. Vehicle was under warranty, however Ford dealership refused to cover stating this was the result of vandalism. No proof of this was ever submitted to me despite certified letter sent to them requesting. Vehicle was kept in locked garage at night & parked in secure, gated lot at work during the day. The same thing happened to the right front tire on 5/21/04, but was being driven straight. Ins refused to cover as no proof of vandalism.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle body mount bushings were corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the body mount bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.
I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport which I bought new. I have always maintained it properly and I babied the vehicle. I have replaced many parts on it in the last three years from ball joints to hub assemblies many expensive repairs. Now it is making noise in the rear end and my mechanic has informed me that the rear end May go at any time. I have researched this and find that many other Ford owners are experiencing the same problem but it is not considered a recall. I am not in the financial situation at this time to have this repaired and it is my feeling with so many people having this problem with their explorers it should be considered a recall. …
2000 Ford Explorer Sport rollover accident. Both my son and witnesses state that my son was driving the speed limit (55 on a rural 2 lane road) when a small dip in the road caused him to fishtail and flip onto his roof. Thank god him and his friend had on the seat belts and were able to crawl out of the car unharmed. I did not know this problem existed with the Ford Explorer. More should be done to warn people about this defect! This vehicle should be recalled! The vehicle was totaled.
The upper and lower ball joints only on the driver's side have prematurely worn out. The upper ball joint moves freely with the car's vertical motion rather than being restricted to side-to-side motion. The lower ball joint has also failed. The passenger side shows no such wear. There has been no accident to cause this problem and no accident caused from it-- yet.
Bought vehicle from American Ford in hackensack nj car always had a humming sound in the front thought only to be tires took car back to fix three times while I still had orginal warranty and not once did anyone say anything about the humming. On the extended warranty they say this part is not covered and waited until now to say, oh by the way you have a bad hub and it will cost you 500.00 to get it fixed. My complaint is that this part was defective before I bought the car and they ought to be responsible in fixing it. I originally took the car back the 4th time because when I came to a stop the car would not move again when pressing down the accelerator.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer Sport years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (33), 2002 (8), 2000 (6) and 2003 (5) model years. Suspension complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Ford Explorer Sport suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for any Ford Explorer Sport model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Explorer Sport suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › control arm › lower ball joint (8 mentions), followed by the front (7).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.