2000 Ford Expedition Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, AN UNKNOWN NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILING ARMS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

TAKING OFF FROM A STOP IN THE SUBDIVISION, MY SON WITH A FRIEND IN THE VEHICLE HEARD A SLIGHT CLUNK, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. HE KEPT DRIVING, BUT THE VEHICLE "FELT A LITTLE STRANGE" HE REPORTED. HE PULLED OUT ONTO A MAJOR ROADWAY AND HEARD ANOTHER LOUD NOISE, BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING, SO HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS HE COULD, TO DISCOVER THAT THE REAR END ALMOST FELL OFF THE CAR. THE CAR HAS 4 WHEEL DRIVE WITH AWD. THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT GOT PULLED OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE, DROPPED TO THE GROUND STARTED TO DRAG. IT SNAPPED OFF, BREAKING THE PINION SHAFT, WHEN PULLING OFF THE ROAD. THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAD RUSTED AWAY AND SNAPPED OFF. I LIVE IN THE RUST BELT IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS, AND EXPECT THINGS LIKE DOORS AND FENDERS TO RUST, BUT A MAJOR PIECE OF THE SUSPENSION THAT HOLDS THE WHOLE CAR TOGETHER? REALLY? DOESN'T THAT DESERVE AT LEAST A HEADS UP MENTION IN THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE MANUAL, OTHER THAN AT INTERVALS HAVE THE SUSPENSION CHECKED? THE MANUAL PRETTY CLEARLY DESCRIBES CHECKING THINGS AT RECOMMENDED INTERVALS, AND I'VE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED AT THE LOCAL (NOW CLOSED MERCURY DEALER NEARBY). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, AND I'VE OWNED IT FOR 12 YEARS. I'M EXTREMELY THANKFUL NOBODY WAS INJURED. FORD CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED ON THIS ISSUE. IF IT HAD 200,000 MILES AND WASN'T EVER CARED FOR OR GARAGE KEPT, THEN I'D BE A LITTLE LESS SURPRISED!! AS OF THIS WRITING I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE CAR FIXED YET BECAUSE IT WILL INVOLVE GETTING THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT. I HAD PLANNED ON KEEPING THIS VEHICLE FOR A WHOLE LOT LONGER THAN 70,000 MILES. I'M BEING FORCED TO SHOP FOR ANOTHER FAMILY BUS DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING ON FORDS PART. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE THEM SEND AT LEAST A NOTICE TO GET THESE $100 CONTROL ARMS REPLACED BEFORE; IT NOW WILL COST $2000 TO MAKE THE VEHICLE DRIVABLE AGAIN. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN BOUNCING ABNORMALLY WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE LARGE, UNKNOWN POLE WAS LYING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SHE NOTICED SOMETHING DRAGGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TRAILING ARMS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION TO FAIL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETECTED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 290,000.

WE HAVE A 2000 FORD EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION WITH 111,000 MILES. WE PURCHASED NEW &IT HAS BEEN GARAGED KEPT & ALWAYS WASHED AT THE CAR WASH AFTER A SNOW STORM. TOOK THE TRUCK FOR INSPECTION ON 8/15/11 AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY DUE TO FAILURE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. WE WHERE ADVISED IF THE CONTROL ARMS BROKE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR, ESPECIALLY @ HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF CHIPPING OF THE POWDER COATING WHICH WILL MORE THAN LIKELY LEAD TO PREMATURE FAILURE. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON LINE & FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WHO ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE RUSTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE TRUCK IS NOW SITTING IN OUR GARAGE & WE ARE WAITING FOR DELIVERY OF THE BOTH THE LOWER & UPPER CONTROL ARMS. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SOME SORT OF RUST ISSUES W/ THEM FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN THE SNOW BELT REGION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 15 MPH HEARD A CLUNK UNDER THE VEHICLE. STOPPED AND WHEN TRYING TO MOVE HEARD A LOUD POPPING/GRINDING SOUND. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORD REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC DOCUMENTED THAT BOTH REAR LOWER TRAILING ARMS HAD RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND WERE BROKEN. MECHANIC ALSO NOTED THAT BOTH REAR UPPER TRAILING ARMS WERE VERY RUSTY. BOTH UPPER AND LOWER REAR TRAILING ARMS WERE REPLACED. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION HAVE EXCESSIVE RUST AND THEY BREAK OFF WITH ENGINE TORQUE OR THROTTLE. THE DRIVE SHAFT BREAKS OFF WHEN THE REAR AXLE ROTATES AND THIS LOCKS UP THE REAR AXLE, AND ALSO SNAPS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE. THE DAMAGES ARE UP TO 3500.00 DOLLARS AND CLIMBING. THIS IS HAPPENING ON ALL VEHICLES WHERE THE NEW ROAD SALT IS USED IN EXCESS. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL. *TR

THE TRAILING ARMS/LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY 2000 FORD EXPEDITION HAD RUSTED THROUGH & HAD TO BE REPLACED. I COULD NOT WAIT FOR THEM TO FAIL GIVEN THE HAZARDOUS NATURE OF THIS DEFECT. THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE SO POORLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A PART OF THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN OFF THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE TRAILING ARM WAS REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103000.

2000 FORD EXPEDITION 4X4. REAR LOWER TRAILING ARMS OR ( CONTROL ARMS ). PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE POWDER COATING FLAKES OFF EXPOSING THE BARE METAL. CONTROL ARMS RUST THROUGH AND BREAK IN HALF. WHEN THIS HAPPENS TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL CAN HAPPEN. FORD STATES THEY NEVER HAD ANY COMPLAINTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RIDE VERY HARD OVER ROUGH TERRAIN. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO LOWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PERFORM A FREE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR SUSPENSION DID NOT ACTIVATE THE SHOCKS ACCORDINGLY AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SAT LOW ON THE GROUND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED AND SUGGESTED PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETECT ANY POSSIBLE FAILURE CODES.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT, IT ALSO RATTLED ON BUMPY ROADS AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE SHOCKS WERE ALSO LOOSE. UPDATED ON 05/30/06. *AK

LTR FM PATRICIA BLUE-BILAL (NC) REQUEST RECALL OF THE 2000 FORD EXPEDITION AIR RIDE SUSPENSION SYSTEM, ALSO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *TS THE REAR AIR RIDE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ON 8 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *JB

ON MAY 28TH, 2005 I WAS PERFORMING A PRE-VACATION SAFETY INSPECTION OF MY 2000 FORD EXPEDITION WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT ANTI SWAY BAR ENDS WERE NOT CONNECTED TO ANYTHING ON MY VEHICLE. I CALLED SHAWNEE MISSION FORD IN SHAWNEE, KS FOR ADVICE. THEY DIRECTED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR IMMEDIATE REPAIR. AFTER ARRIVAL AT THE DEALER, I STAYED WITH THE MECHANIC TO OBSERVE REPAIRS. HE SHOWED ME TWO RUSTED AND BROKEN HALVES OF LINK THAT HAD SNAPPED IN TWO FROM CORROSION AND METAL FATIGUE. HE SAID THAT HE GETS SEVERAL OF THESE EACH WEEK ON F150S, EXPEDITIONS AND EXPLORERS. HE REFERRED TO IT AS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN RECTIFIED BY A RECALL ON THE EXPLORER WITH A LARGER OR REINFORCED LINK, BUT NOT ON THE EXPEDITION OR THE F150. I DECIDED THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED OR HAVE THEIR VEHICLE DAMAGED BY THE BOTTOM HALF OF THESE LINKS FALLING OF ONTO THE ROADWAY. SECOND, I SUSPECT THE PREMATURE AND CHOPPY WEAR OF MY FRONT TIRES IS DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THIS DEFECT. SOMEONE EQUIPPED THIS VEHICLE WITH THAT ITEM FOR A REASON. IT ISN'T PERFORMING ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED WITH AN ACCEPTABLE AND SAFE PART.1 *JB

THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKAGE BOLTS RUSTED AND BROKE ON BOTH SIDES. I ONLY HAD 47K MILES ON MY VEHICLE. I NOTICED THE VEHICLE JERKED AFTER HITTING POT HOLES ALMOST BEING UNCONTROLLABLE IF I WAS NOT HOLDING ON THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS. *LA

AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR KEEPS FAILING. *JB

UPON LOOKING UNDER MY TRUCK I NOTICES THE ANTI SWAY BAR WAS NOT CONNECTED ON EITHER END OF THE BAR TO ANYTHING. I HAVE THE TRUCK AT MILLER FORD WHERE THEY HAVE TOLD ME THEY SEE SEVERAL OF THESE WEEKLY. I ASKED HOW COULD IT BE? THE REPLY WAS THEY SIMPLY BREAK OFF. I ASKED WOULDN'T THEY BE ANY REMNANTS OF THE CONNECTION LEFT? THE REPLY WAS "NO" THEY SIMPLY FALL OFF ONTO THE ROAD. COULD THIS BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR NOT ONLY A ROLLOVER BUT A PROJECTILE BEING LAUNCHED ONTO THE HYWAY? SEEING AS THEY SEE "AT LEAST SIX CASES A WEEK.*AK

WHEN TURNING THE FRONT TIRES ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE AXLE. DEALERSHIP IS PUZZLED AS TO HOW TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. *NM

2000 FORD EXPEDITION ANTI SWAY BAR LINK BROKEN ON LEFT SIDE. THE SWAY BAR IS NOW HANGING LOOSE ON THAT SIDE. MY BOYFRIEND HEARD POPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE AND FOUND THE ANTI SWAY BAR BROKEN LOOSE. HE HIT A PUDDLE AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

2000 FORD EXPEDITION, EDDIE BAUER CONCERN: FRONT STABILIZER LINK BOLTS APPEAR TO BE COUNTERFIT. THE BOLTS FAIL AT THE TOP CONNECTION TO THE STABILIZER BAR AT 62,000-65,000 MILES. THIS CREATES UNSAFE STEERING AND HANDLING UNDER MANY DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE HEAD OF THE BOLT SHEARS OFF. THE OEM BOLT DOES NOT MEET THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT BOLTS CONTAINED IN THE LINK KITS FROM FORD ARE NOT THE SAME. THE BOLTS ARE GALVANIZED AND APPEAR TO BE IMPERIAL (BRITISH) STANDARD VICE METRIC. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE NEW LINK KITS SAYS THAT THEY DISCOVER MANY SUCH FAILURES AND SELL MANY REPLACEMENT KITS FOR THIS VEHICLE. THESE BOLTS ARE LIFETIME ITEMS. THEY SHOULD NEVER FAIL. THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. I HAVE THE REMAINDER OF THE ASSEMBLY THAT RECENTLY FAILED. THE OTHER SIDE FAILED LAST SPRING AND THE ASSEMBLY FELL OFF COMPLETELY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND THAT PARTS THAT I HAVE TO YOUR RESEARCH GROUP.*AK

AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE ON 2000 EXPEDITION CAUSING REAR OF TRUCK TO DROP TOTALLY AND RIDE UNSAFELY ON THE FRAME BUMPERS. ALL SPRINGING WAS TOTALLY LOST. FORTUNATELY THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT BUT A SIMILAR FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY COULD CREATE A SERIOUS HAZARD IN MY OPINION. PART NUMBER 2L1Z-5B322AA UN ASY-800173. TRUCK HAS ONLY 23,180 MILES ON IT AND IS A GARAGED VEHICLE WELL MAINTAINED. *AK

TRUCK WOULD VIBRATE WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT REAR END WAS GONE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE A REAR END.*AK

I PURCHASED A NEW FORD EXPEDITION IN AUGUST 2000. AT TIME OF PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT A NOISY MOTOR WOULD RUN UNDER THE HOOD FOR 30-45 SECONDS. THIS RATTLING NOISE WAS AUDIBLE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. I QUESTIONED THIS NOISE TO THE SALES PERSON. HE SAID IT WAS THE COMPRESSOR OF THE SUSPENSION LEVELING SYSTEM AND WAS NORMAL. SEVERAL MONTHS PASSED WITH THE SAME NOISE BEING HEARD AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING. DURING THE FIRST MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENT I QUESTIONED THIS NOISY COMPRESSOR AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID, EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD, NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, IT'S COMMON FOR THE EXPEDITIONS TO DO THIS. I QUESTIONED THIS COMPRESSOR NOISE EACH TIME I TOOK IT IN FOR SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE. AS ALWAYS, I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. I WAS CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BECAUSE IT JUST DIDN'T SEEM NORMAL FOR THIS NOISE TO HAPPEN CONSTANTLY. ON FEBRUARY 9, 2002 I HAD TWO RECALLS PERFORMED. ONCE AGAIN I HAD THE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE NOISY COMPRESSOR. THE WORK ORDERED STATED, CK AIR RIDE AIR PUMP & CUSTOMER STATES PUMP IS VERY NOISY. MECHANIC INDICATED, CKD & NO ABNORMAL NOISES AT THIS TIME. ON JULY 28, 2003 THE SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR FINALLY STOPPED WORKING. A NEW SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR WAS INSTALLED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE OLD COMPRESSOR WAS BURNED OUT AND MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. I TOLD HIM THAT IT ALWAYS MADE THAT RATTLING NOISE. HE STATED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG BEFORE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MAKE THE NOISE NOW. THIS COMPRESSOR WAS THE MOTOR THAT CONSTANTLY MADE NOISE FROM DAY ONE. YET I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. IF NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT, THEN WHY IS IT SILENT NOW WHEN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS ACTIVATES. A MAJOR FATALITY COULD HAVE OCCURRED HAD I BEEN DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY DRIVING AWAY FROM A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED. I'M STILL PARANOID AFTER HAVING THIS REPAIRED. I'M ALWAYS QUESTIONING, WHEN WILL THE SUSPENSION FAIL? *NLM