2001 Ford Explorer problems and complaints

Owners have filed 765 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Explorer. The most-reported areas: Power Train (105), Suspension (93), Tires (91).

Key takeaways

  • 765 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 97 involve a crash, 41 a fire, 96 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Power Train10514%
Suspension9312%
Tires9112%
Structure8912%
Engine And Engine Cooling7710%
Vehicle Speed Control7610%
Service Brakes577%
Electrical System527%
Air Bags527%
Hydraulic517%
Seats486%
Steering355%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2001 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot rated2/5
2001 Ford Explorer 4-DR.Not ratedNot ratedNot rated2/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Electrical System,exterior Lighting - filed 2023-08-15

I was driving and the lights on the vehicle went out I thought it was the bulbs but no lights were working I adjusted steering wheel to look to see fuse box and all lights came back on there is an electrical short somewhere then I went to start the truck and it made a funny sound and then I lost all power and truck wou...

Seats - filed 2021-05-05

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WAS HARD TO RECLINE UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THREE TIMES TO SHAKER'S FAMILY FORD LINCOLN (831 STRAITS TURNPIKE, WATERTO...

Steering - filed 2021-01-19

SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING... CAN FEEL A CHANGE IN ENGINE WHILE DRIVING, FEELS LIKE A ROUGH RIDE, AND OVERDRIVE STARTS TO FLASH.

Diagnose it yourself

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

More for the 2001 Ford Explorer

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.