This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ford Explorer 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 Explorer. 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.
- Venice, FL, USA
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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
The consumer stated, while traveling, the vehicle will wander into traffic. The vehicles tires, have been replace four times. Dealer has been contacted. 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.
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.
While driving 60mph vehicle vibrates. Vehicle pulls to the right severly. Steering wheel is crooked, pulls to the left. Dealer contacted. Also, consumer states that there is very bad smell from catalytic converter which Ford says it is normal.
During normal operation of vehicle there is a noise coming from all four wheels. Dealership has examined vehicle but could not determine cause of problem. Please proide any additional information/attachments.
I am presenting two problems: First concerns the SUV handling: The vehicle feels like it is going to tip over as we make sharp curves at posted speeds. I have made Ford aware of this as a "rider" issue for another problem- the climate control system. It doesn't provide median temperatures. It provides only extremely cold or extremely hot service. I have an active complaint in to the Ford and have tried on several occassions to have it repaired by the dealer to no avail. I have a lingering concern about feeling that the SUV is going to tip over and the ultimate safety of the vehicle (although this has not occurred).
While traveling at 45 mph vehicle started to pull to left without warning. Consumer did not know why this happened. Vehicle went off road, and flipped over. Road conditions were good.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Perris, CA, USA