Body problems of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport

11 problems related to body have been reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2014

2001 Ford Explorer Sport. During normal driving, a rear rattle/ banging noise would occur when going over rough road or over bumps. This has progressively gotten worse over time. Investigation and inspection of the vehicle had revealed that all the body/frame mount bushings have deteriorated to the point that they were crumbling, leaving no support/cushion between body and frame. This could potentially make the vehicle unsafe as there would be no support for the body, cause excessive body movement and a shift in the vehicle weight dynamics. This issue has already been reported in several vehicle safety complaints prior to mine.

2 Body problem

Failure Date: 06/07/2014

All body bushings were defective and had to be replaced. The bushings were desiccated and had crumbled away. This made the vehicle unsafe when cornering as there was nothing to support the weight of the body between it and the frame causing excessive movement and compromise of center of gravity. According to the mechanic who replaced my bushings, he had seen this defect on all the vehicles of this make and model year. He said that it was not a problem on the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport. I went to a local junk yard and looked at several Ford Explorer Sports and noticed the same defect on all the 2001 model years. The 1998 model year had bushings that were still in good condition.

3 Body problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2012

My 2001 Ford Explorer Sport trac's body mount cushion has deteriorated and I can't drive the vehicle without an expensive (remove the body off of the truck) procedure and very expensive parts. This should last the lifetime of a vehicle. This should be a safety recall issue. Thank you, [xxx] attorney at law, maui, hawaii information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

4 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/30/2011

2001 Ford Explorer Sport - the body mount isolators are completly deterioated as reported by others. All body mount isolators will crumble upon simple hand pressure. Ford has discontinued manufacturer of these replacements. If available from Ford motor company, list on parts alone is >+ $600. 00 for set of eight upper and lower isolators. Failure @ 86,524 miles.

5 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/08/2011

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact stated that the body bushings were rotting. The contact stated that the body of the vehicle was loose from the frame. The contact then called the manufacturer regarding the frame and the manufacturer advised that there were no recalls for the failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer or a local mechanic for inspection or repairs. The failure mileage was 126,000.

6 Body problem

Failure Date: 05/31/2011

I was driving and heard loud noise. Sounded like the back window hatch was open and vibrating with every bump in the road. The hatch was closed, so I looked under the vehicle to find the body mounts had completely crumbled away. The body of the vehicle was riding on the frame with no cushion. The body of the vehicle was very hard to handle and felt as if it may shift off the frame at anytime. ## VIN passed ## Ford Explorer Sport 2001 ##.

7 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2010

Left hinge on the back glass keeps falling off. I have replaced it 3 times now and Ford keeps saying there is no problem with it. They say it must be something I'm doing to it. The right hinge is fine.

8 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2009

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact was driving 15 mph when a banging sound was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the body mounts had disintegrated from the vehicle due to corrosion. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

9 Body problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2009

The back end bumps and thumps like there is no padding between the metal on metal parts. Very loud in the vehicle always.

10 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/21/2008

2001 Ford explorer body mounts. Completely deteriorated.

11 Body problem

While driving the consumer heard a loud popping noise. The noise was caused by the #3 body reinforcement. The reinforcement broke loose on the right rear side of the cab. There's a TSB 630329 on this issue.


Other Structure related problems of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport


Fuel Economy of Explorer Sport Vehicles
Explorer Sport Service Bulletins
Explorer Sport Defect Investigations