VehicleVerdict

2001 Ford Explorer Sport engine problems

The 2001 Ford Explorer Sport has 21 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

21

Engine complaints

9%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Explorer Sport engine complaints by model year21 complaints1997: 9 complaints1998: 12 complaints1999: 10 complaints2000: 12 complaints2001: 21 complaints2002: 8 complaints2003: 5 complaints
Explorer Sport engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport have?

NHTSA has 21 complaints about the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport engine — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

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.