VehicleVerdict

2001 Ford Explorer Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 243 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Explorer Sport year — the 2001 model ranks #1 of 10 Explorer Sport years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 26 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (37), body & structure (31), and transmission (29), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

243

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

26

Injuries

4

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Explorer Sport years?

Explorer Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted243 complaints1993: 5 complaints1997: 44 complaints1998: 145 complaints1999: 127 complaints2000: 102 complaints2001: 243 complaints2002: 160 complaints2003: 85 complaints2004: 23 complaints2005: 5 complaints
Explorer Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Explorer Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Ford Explorer Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension3715%
Body & Structure3113%
Transmission2912%
Engine219%
Speed Control156%
Brakes156%
Seats156%
Airbags135%
Tires & Wheels135%
Other104%
Electrical System104%
Visibility & Wipers83%
Seat Belts83%
Steering83%
Lighting52%
Latches & Locks42%
Fuel System10%

Does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

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.

06V114000SeatsApril 10, 2006 · 8,585 units

Defect

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, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.

Consequence

THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN (03V281).

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

03V281000SeatsAugust 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

03V280000Speed ControlAugust 5, 2003 · 448,005 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

00V394000Body & StructureNovember 28, 2000 · 137,700 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH STEEL HOODS AND CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SHEET MOLDING COMPOUND HOODS. A WIRE FORMED HOOD STRIKER COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURES. IF THE HOOD STRIKER FRACTURES, THE HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Consequence

A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR LINK BROKE DURING AN EVASIVE MANEAUVER CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER DEATH OF THE DRIVER OF A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 31, 2001 · crash

LTR FWD FM REGION V RE THE FORD EXPLORER AS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, HIS SISTER GINA AGIN AND HER FIANCE MICHAEL HEYWORTH KILLED IN A FATAL ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, ATTACHMENTS NOT IMAGED FWD NVS-200. *LA WITNESS STATEMENTS INDICAT THE THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASSY MEDIAN 2-3 TIMES. IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 30, 2002 · crash

MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT 4X4 MAKES A LOUD WHINING NOISE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PROBABLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT ESTIMATED COST WOULD BE AT LEAST 2000$ I HAVE ALWAYS BABIED MY FORD. HOW IN THE WORD COULD A DRIVE SHAFT GO BAD? I HAVE HAD CARS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 10, 2005

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACTED WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE FENDER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CONTACTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 9, 2011 · fire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGER GRABBED THE DRIVER, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SWERVE AND HIT THE CURB. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RECLINER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · August 17, 2006 · crash

2001 Ford Explorer Sport — common questions

Is the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 243 complaints put the 2001 model at #1 of 10 Explorer Sport years. It is one of the Explorer Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Explorer Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (37 complaints), body & structure (31 complaints), transmission (29 complaints).

Does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Explorer Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Explorer Sport years to avoid are 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Explorer Sport years belongs to 2005.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.