If your Ford Explorer is making clunking noises, pulling to one side, or riding rough over bumps, suspension trouble could be the cause. While the Explorer has remained one of America’s most popular SUVs since its 1991 debut, with nearly 223,000 units sold in 2025, no vehicle is immune to wear and tear.

Front struts, control arms, sway bar links, and bushings are common problem areas, and repairs can cost hundreds of dollars per component. For example, replacing a control arm can run around $800. Here’s what to know about common Explorer suspension issues, how shops diagnose them, typical repair costs, and how maintenance and warranty protection can help manage long-term expenses.

Common Explorer Suspension Symptoms and What They Mean

Staying on top of common issues involving suspensions means being aware of specific symptoms:

• Clunking over bumps or a metallic knocking sound while driving on uneven pavement points to worn bushings or ball joints. Loose fasteners (nuts and bolts) could also be to blame.
• Steering that pulls to one side, especially after traveling on rough roads, could indicate worn joints or bushings, or your Explorer needs an alignment.
• A tire with uneven wear (particularly along one edge) can be caused by out-of-alignment wheels or worn control arm bushings.
• Too much body lean in turns or while driving at higher speeds often means the sway bar links or stabilizer parts are worn or broken.
• Unusual shaking or vibrations when hitting bumps can result from worn struts, bushings, or joints. The suspension is less capable of absorbing impacts.

Any of these indicators, with or without a check engine light, may suggest your Explorer’s suspension needs to be inspected. Having the problem looked at by a mechanic right away can help address handling concerns and may limit additional repair costs.

Typical Ford Suspension Problem Areas (Struts, Control Arms, Bushings, Links, Etc.)

While there are many sources for Explorer suspension problems, some areas are especially trouble-prone.

Front Struts/Shocks

A worn-out strut assembly is common for many vehicles, not just Explorers. Ideally, a strut will last at least 50,000 miles, but aggressive driving or traveling over rough surfaces can accelerate wear. In addition, Ford recalled a smaller number of 2022-2023 Explorers for an improperly installed (or missing) right front lower knuckle-to-strut fastener, which can cause alignment and steering problems.

Control Arms and Bushings

Control arms connect the steering knuckle to the vehicle’s frame and use bushings that let the suspension move while keeping the wheels properly aligned. As those bushings wear out, the joints loosen, and alignment drifts.

Stabilizer Bar/Sway Bar Links

The stabilizer (sway) bar links reduce body roll by connecting the sway bar to the suspension on both sides of the vehicle. These help transfer force between the left and right wheels to keep the vehicle level during cornering. Worn or loose links are a well-known Explorer issue.

Recall/Manufacturing Issues

Explorer suspension issues are also connected to manufacturer recalls. Examples include rear suspension failure due to corrosion affecting certain 2011-2017 Explorers and a faulty rear suspension bolt in 2020-2022 Explorers. Other suspension-related recalls have been issued in past model years. Visit www.nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your Explorer is affected.

Diagnostic Steps Shops Use and DIY Checks

Observation is the first step in diagnosing a suspension problem. Whether you’re an experienced mechanic or an active DIYer, a preliminary inspection can help pinpoint issues.

How a Shop Diagnoses Suspension Problems

Investigating suspension trouble at a repair shop starts by inspecting the control arms, bushings, ball joints, sway bar links, and other critical components. Beyond anything obviously broken, the technician will:

• Conduct a bounce test by pressing down on each vehicle corner to see how the suspension rebounds (too much bounce back usually means worn struts or bushings)
• Measure wheel alignment angles (camber, caster, and toe) to identify control arm problems or worn bushings.
• Check for open recalls (given the number of suspension-related recalls for the Ford Explorer).

When the vehicle goes on a lift or alignment rack, the technician can dig deeper:

• Check the torque specifications for fasteners.
• Inspect sway bar links and mounts with the suspension loaded (on a drive-on alignment rack) to see if any joints are loose or worn.

DIY Checks You Can Do at Home

You don’t need training or a lift to check for suspension trouble. Here’s what to do before heading to the shop:

• Push down on each corner; if the vehicle bounces more than once, the struts or shocks may be worn.
• Inspect the tires for uneven wear.
• Test if the steering pulls to one side while driving.
• Check the suspension for cracked rubber bushings, rusted components, or loose bolts (ensure the vehicle is turned off, in park, and on a level surface).

Parts Choices, Labor Hours, and Cost Ranges

Here’s a breakdown of typical replacement cost ranges for Ford Explorer suspension work:

Preventive Maintenance to Stretch Component Life

Like many other vehicle systems, the suspension needs periodic maintenance to minimize repairs. How you drive also affects suspension longevity:

• Bushings degrade over time and when exposed to heat or salt. These should be periodically inspected, especially on vehicles with 75,000 miles or above.
• Maintaining proper tire pressure reduces suspension stress and tire wear that Explorer owners may see from misalignment.
• Avoid potholes and rough roads when possible; uneven surfaces accelerate wear and can lead to premature failure of struts and sway bar links.
• Always get a wheel alignment after replacing any major suspension component (wheel alignment cost can be $189–$277)
• Replace the sway bar link kit proactively if sway bar link noise is detected (or there’s a noticeable sway while cornering). It’s a relatively inexpensive service ($125–$168) that can prevent damage to more expensive suspension components.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for the Ford Explorer; replacing worn bushings or ball joints at the earliest signs of failure can reduce the risk of significant suspension trouble later.

How an Extended Warranty or Vehicle Protection Can Help

While many suspension repairs for a Ford Explorer don’t cost four figures, they still add up over time. Engine or transmission repairs are another matter. Paying for repairs after the factory warranty has expired can be financially draining, which is why many Explorer owners opt for a vehicle service contract (also called an auto protection plan or extended car warranty).

It can help reduce out-of-pocket costs for covered breakdowns. Many extended warranty companies offer different coverage options, starting with powertrain protection that covers the engine, transmission, and drive axles. More expanded plans cover other critical systems, such as the suspension, electrical, steering, brakes, and air conditioning. Endurance has a wide range of programs, including Supreme coverage, which provides exclusionary-style coverage for many vehicle components.

An $800 repair here or a $300 service there may not be financially overwhelming, but when you add up those costs and the risk of more serious car troubles, many drivers decide additional protection is worth considering.

For Endurance customers, there are other benefits beyond peace of mind. Every plan includes 24/7 roadside assistance with towing, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption protection, and flexible payment plans. Customers are also eligible for a year of Elite Benefits.* Get access to tire repairs and replacements, windshield coverage, key fob replacement, and collision repair discounts—a value of up to $2,000.*

In addition, choose any licensed facility for covered repairs, including dealership service departments and specialty auto repair shops. Endurance also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for extra confidence.

Protect Your Ford Explorer With Endurance

Whether you’re concerned about safeguarding your Explorer’s suspension or other vital systems, Endurance has a plan for every budget. Learn more by requesting a FREE quote or visiting the Endurance online store for instant plan and pricing information. There are also custom coverage options for high-mileage vehicles. Call (800) 253-8203 to speak with an Endurance plan advisor.

Read about vehicle maintenance, DIY tips, warranty insights, and more from automakers like BMW, Honda, and Mitsubishi on the Endurance blog.