Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 3% | 2,000 miles |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% | 11,000 miles |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% | 3,000 miles |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% | — |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% | 12,000 miles |
| 2020 | 35 | 3% | 43,000 miles |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% | 130,000 miles |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% | 63,000 miles |
| 2017 | 58 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 73 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 83 | 5% | 76,000 miles |
| 2014 | 103 | 6% | 85,000 miles |
| 2013 | 79 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 2012 | 22 | 3% | 139,000 miles |
| 2011 | 24 | 2% | 125,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% | 76,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 3% | 52,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% | 67,000 miles |
| 2003 | 63 | 6% | 72,000 miles |
| 2002 | 422 | 13% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 43 | 11% | 107,000 miles |
| 2000 | 62 | 7% | 57,000 miles |
| 1999 | 65 | 5% | 114,000 miles |
| 1998 | 111 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 1997 | 105 | 6% | 115,000 miles |
| 1996 | 97 | 7% | 140,000 miles |
| 1995 | 93 | 11% | 127,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the front struts needed to be replaced. The front shocks were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the front struts had been replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,289.
Vehicle has 5700 miles on it. At roughly 3000 miles I noticed a clunk or tension thud at speeds under 12 mph, both moving forward and in reverse. Brought the vehicle to the dealer and was told it was unsafe to drive. Thus far they have replaced strut mount bushings and have told me the transmission mount was loose and that they have not been able to determine why. My impression is the transmission mount is a significant safety issue in that the vehicle could loose power and subsequent control at any time if the connection worsened or just happened again.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH in cold weather, the vehicle started making an abnormal clunking and rattling sound near the wheels. The contact was unable to determine the source of the noise. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V091000 (SUSPENSION, STEERING). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front struts were worn and needed to be replaced. The dealer recommended that the contact not drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts being on backorder. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 3,600.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while parked upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed the driver's side and passenger side struts failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that both front struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 11,103.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn into the intended direction. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to remain in the intended lane while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the shocks and struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle had been taken to the dealer several times prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an alternate dealer where it was diagnosed with strut mount failures. The contact was informed that the strut mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The contact's wife owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the front struts had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred several times. The dealer replaced the front struts three times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V091000(Suspension, Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
While traveling on I-26 east near North Carolina MM 51 in the left lane, the vehicle suddenly pulled uncontrollably to the left resulting in a sideswipe of the guardrail. The vehicle then swerved to the right stopping near the center of the interstate. My wife was able to move the vehicle to the right shoulder under its own power. The right front tire/wheel was laying almost flat attached to the vehicle only by the brake line. The entire wheel assembly was detached from the steering/suspension system. The vehicle was towed to a local collision center and inspected by my insurance adjuster. The vehicle was determined a total loss. There were no injuries or other vehicles involved. The NC Highway Patrol responded but did not complete an accident report.
Ford released a bulletin - 22S27- to all dealers to immediately stop demo/delivery for all new Explorers in stock as of 4/19/22. At issue is a possibility of a fractured bolt that causes the differential to separate and cause "severe vibration" rendering the vehicle disabled. No fix was mentioned other than a software update possibly by the end of June 22 (2d qtr). This is serious if dealers are told to stop delivery! I just got mine in the beginning of April. Ford needs to step up and address this to ALL owners and not just dealers. It appears that Ford is waiting for failure of the parts before allowing any repairs. So far, only software is mentioned which supposedly throttles the engine to avoid putting stress on the rear end. This of course does NOT address the physical issue with a fractured bolt. …
Related recalls (10)
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08.
Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 08, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear suspension module, and replace any incorrect parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2021.
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode…
Remedy: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect the tightness of the CABJ, and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link as necessary, free of charge.
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge.
Show 5 more recalls
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2020.
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated, which could cause them to break.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S11.
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge.
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Suspension
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension stabilizer bar link
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (422), 1998 (111), 1997 (105), 2014 (103) and 1996 (97) model years. Suspension complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Ford Explorer suspension problems?
Yes — 10 recalls, including 26V-101 (rear, Feb 20, 2026); 24V-091 (macpherson strut, Feb 8, 2024); 21V-870 (rear, Nov 10, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Explorer suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear (294 mentions), followed by the front (204).
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.