Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint Problems of Ford Explorer

2005 Ford Explorer. Consumer writes in regards to premature failure of ball joints. The consumer stated after a scheduled tire rotation, it was discovered the upper ball joints were out of specifications, which resulted in them being replaced. The consumer stated the front suspension was severely compromised.

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The contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle veered to the right and crashed into two parked vehicles. The vehicle was towed and the dealer stated that the ball joint failed and caused the wheel to detach from the vehicle. There were no warnings prior to the failure. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not repaired because the contact wants further inspection. The current and failure mileages were 16,000. Updated 02/12/08. The consumer stated the wheel fell off prior to the collision, causing it to veer to the right and crash into park cars. State of michigan traffic report updated 02/12/08.

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The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving 20 mph or greater, the contact heard a rattling noise when driving over bumps in the road. He took the vehicle to the Ford dealer and was informed that his ball joints needed to be replaced. The failure caused the front tires on the vehicle to begin cupping. The contact was advised by the dealer not to drive the vehicle until the ball joints were replaced. The current and failure mileages were 114,000.

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At 37,741 miles,my 2001 Ford vehicle had to have its lower right and left ball joints replaced because they were in dangerous condition according to the Ford repair shop. It seems to me they had to be defective from day one in order to both fail at this low mileage. Jeep liberty also Dodge durango vehicles had similar failures. Ford told me they are backing up their product as normal failure while the garage foreman has said he has had many similar cases.

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: 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.

Front suspension ball joints front wheel bearings and brake rotors.

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Went to take my 2004 Ford Explorer in for a state vehicle inspection. It failed due to faulty ball joints. The Explorer has 15,000 miles on it and it is unacceptable for this to happen. Also, if I did not need an inspection, there would have been serious consequences. This is a safety concern that needs to be addressed.

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Dealership informed the consumer of the worn out lower front ball joint on the driver/passenger sides. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

While having the tires rotated dealership noticed that the upper and lower ball joints wore out prematurely, and needed to be replaced.

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I have a 2000 Explorer 4wd and lower ball joint on the drivers side is squeeling realy bad. I was told to replace for $400. 00. This is just another problem I've had with this SUV. The transmission had a bad valve body gasket another $300. 00. It's only got 39000 miles. What else can go wrong. . . Sorry that's a bad question. Needless to say I'll be selling this one soon.

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Vehicle: Ford Explorer xls, my 2001. Problem: front suspension lower ball joint failure at low mileage (50000km and 63000 km, or aprox 31000miles and 39000miles). The failure was detected early and didnot have dramatic consequences. One part has been changed. The other will be dealt with soon.

40,500 miles, Ford Explorer v8. Vehicle would sway and pull side to side from front end, mostly unsafe at higher speeds on highway. Dealer (miller Ford , mrt. 38 , mount holly, NJ)said it needed both front ball joints replaced. I had them replaced for $700 vehicle has never driven the same and does not "feel" safe on the road at high speeds. Feels like front end driver side has a major problem waiting to happen and dealer says it is fine. Any bumps or potholes make it sound like the front driver wheel from the joint is going to come loose sometime.

I was told by alderman Ford that the ball joints on my Ford Explorer were in a failure condition at 53000 miles--"unsafe to drive". This car has had normal driving use. I was told that Ford's choice of "sealed ball joints" was the reason for the failure-prone ball joints, and that this is "normal". Are all Explorere users in this endangered position? if so, is a recall necessary? is there a way you can check how many owners have had to replace these bad joints? my 91 Explorer went 135000 miles without ball joint problems. Ball joint failure at speed is dangerous. Thank you for your help.

Tires were cupping at 29,000 miles in sept. 01. Dealer replaced both lower ball joints. New tires were installed and vehicle aligned. Cupping has returned 12 mo and 8,000 miles later. Ford refuses to address problem without me having to pay a non-refundable "diagnostic" charge. Ts.

Lower ball joints were shot. Problem was found during routine maintenance. This was what caused vehicle to rattle when hitting bumps or cracks in road. Consumer was advised that ball joints have no grease joints and that is why they failed .

Air conditioner failed due to a defective accumulator. . . . Not covered by Ford esp plan. Also, lower ball joints failed. . . . Covered by Ford esp plan.

When turning steering wheel,would hear a rubbing noise, like metal against metal. Every time a bump is hit, would have same noise problem. Took to dealer & mechanic indicated it was the lower ball joints that were causing the problem & they were bad. Will be ordering replacement parts.

Lower ball joint failed to operate at 44,000 mail of wear; dealer/mfr notified and refused to replace/repair unless cost goes to consumer.

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1997 Ford Explorer lower ball joints on Explorer, both sides, left and right, had a clunk when going over dips in road. Ford did not find the problem. The problem was there from new, I have 57,000 miles on the Explorer. The problem was found at firestone when rotating the tires and getting ready for a front end alinement. I was told that the ball joints were bad on both sides . Nothing has been done. I talked to Ford, they say the warranty is gone and will do nothing, but will turn it over to the engineers.

Problems with front ball joints on 2000 Ford Explorer. Consumer stated vehicle is only three years old and there should be a recall if there is a problem with the way the ball joints were made on the SUV. Consumer feels this could be a safety issue.