KnownCarProblems2001 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 375 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Explorer, most often about the wheels and tires (19% of complaints, typically around 105,000 miles). It is 17th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2001 Ford Explorer problems
Wheels and tires
70 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, rim, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, valve.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The chrome steel wheels have exterior corrosion. This condition has caused the tires to lose air pressure. This failure has occurred twice before. She was advised by a technician at the dealer to pay $257.00. To replace bother rear tires. The failure mileage was 105,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer with goodyear wrangler rt/s tires, size p255/70r16. The contact noticed the rear passengers tire was flat and the remaining three tires exhibited signs of dry rotting. The vehicle was towed to a local tire shop. The mechanic advised they would take partial liability for three of…
Engine
45 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
I am experiencing the timing belt tensioner issue that resulted in the Ford customer service satisfaction program #00m12. This extended the warranty to 6 years or 72,000 miles on that part. Too late for me, as I began having trouble a few months a go. Now, I am at 6 years/87,000 miles. My local Ford dealer said they…
Ford Explorer 2001, v8 5.0l engine. The original manufacturer spark plugs had rusted in the iron block and metal ring separated from the ceramic part when I try to remove them. A broken threaded part remained in the engine block. It happened on the first three tried. On fist two I was able to use a remover to extract…
Suspension
43 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
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 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.
Transmission
42 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 108,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, manual transmission.
Overdrive turns off - Ford has issued technical service bulletin ((tsb) 03-22-10 in obvious recognition of numerous problems ,but refused to pay for the repairs.
'o/d off' light if blinking, on and off. While light is blinking the car seems to be sluggish and does not respond to throttle properly. Rough shifts while driving.
Speed control
36 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The vehicle caught fire while parked. The fire was contained to the engine compartment and extinguished by the fire department. The vehicle was destroyed. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 95,000. The consumer stated he would like Ford to furnish…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving 75 MPH, the contact activated the cruise control. She began hearing a clicking noise and smelled something burning. He deactivated the cruise control, but the burning smell persisted. The contact did not continue to drive the vehicle. He received a safety recall…
Brakes
33 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages, conventional.
When the brake pedal is depressed at any speed vehicle pulls to the right and then jerks forward. Dealership replaced the calipers, and turned the rotors in an attempt to fix the problem, but problem still exists.
When the consumer attempted to brake, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance. The driver had an accident as a result. The vehicle rolled over. Please describe further details.
Body and structure
29 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the body mounts corroded which caused the frame to become detached from the body of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the rear body mounts were replaced. The front parts were not replaced due to the parts being unavailable. The…
Frame /body mounts, creak, squawk crunch , the noise is most noticeble when turning or hitting bumps. Some peple also describe the noise a hammer beating under the vehicle, the cause is deteriorate body to frame mount cushions, these cushions apper to have been made of substandard material, much like chinese valve…
Electrical
29 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, starter assembly.
Dt: the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact stated cruise control was not working properly. She had the cruise control set at 35 MPH while going up a hill, but was pulled over by the police, and they stated she was going approximately 65 MPH. The consumer showed the police that this was what actually…
Turn signal was turned on and smoke came billowing out of stearing collum. Smelled burnt wiring. Fire inside of collum minimal damage as I turned off signal immediately. Took to garage next day. The wireing had rubbed on collum and shorted out. Repaired. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Ford Explorer recalls
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Seats: recliner
Risk: The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. Owner notification began on august 29, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion.
Speed control: cables
Risk: The throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control is disengaged. Braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began august 29, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0l sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when the speed control is activated.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Equipment: labels
Risk: Incorrect tire inflation pressure could result in tire tread separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the certification labels.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of part 567.4, "certification." these vehicles were shipped from the assembly plant without safety certification labels.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Summary
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehi
Front seat back recliner attachment
Summary
By letter dated august 4, 2003, ford notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03v281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 ford explorer / mercury mountaineer 4-door, my 1998-2000 ford explorer 2-door and my 2001-2002 ford explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipped with high back seats.complaints allege that the driver's seat back reclined without warning.a bolt between the upper seat recliner attachment and the seat back frame may fracture.ford will replace the bolt that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame on the driver side seat.based on ford's safety recall action, this investigation is closed.
Questions about the 2001 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: wheels and tires (70 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles); engine (45 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); suspension (43 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Explorer have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2009 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is 17th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints, with 375 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.