Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Explorer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires62
- Suspension43
- Power train42
- Engine and engine cooling39
- Vehicle speed control36
- Service brakes, hydraulic31
- Structure29
- Electrical system29
- Air bags28
- Seats24
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 65 injuries and 6 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 74 2001 Explorer vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 63 people died inside them, and 41 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Ford Explorer failed the safety check 1.67% of the time — 17% less often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 145,797 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
22 first registered in 2001 are on Dutch roads; 73% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde18
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm9
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect8
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld7
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse6
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af6
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht5
- Roestschade van 1,5 t/m 2,0E of meer dan 15% dikteafname5
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
7 cars built in 2001 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 12 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
98 2001 cars are on the New Zealand register; 11% arrived as used imports, 88% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 15.5–16.2 L/100 km (about 15 mpg US), CO₂ 357–373 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 17.4 | 13.1 | 15.5 |
| Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 18.6 | 13.3 | 16.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 Ford Explorer.
| 2019420 21 Aug 2019 | Other Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempere… |
| 2009292 14 Oct 2009 | Other On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
| 2007258 7 Aug 2007 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears t… |
| 2006079 18 Apr 2006 | Seats And Restraints On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac vehicles, the upper bolt on the driver's high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to… |
| 2003190 11 Aug 2003 | Seats And Restraints On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac vehicles, the upper bolt on the driver's high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to… |
| 2003189 11 Aug 2003 | Other On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Tract vehicles, the speed control cable strand cover could impact the conduit end fitting during speed co… |
| 2001002 12 Jan 2001 | Structure Certain Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Rander Edge and Ranger XLT vehicles may have a wire formed hood striker that may be susceptible to fatigue fracture… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2001 Ford Explorer: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637928 | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL (EATC) BLOWS COLD AIR FROM THE FLOOR DUCTS ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BEFORE 9/30/2000 ONLY. *TT |
| 637922 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS. *TT |
| 637920 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 SOHC (SINGLE OVER-HEAD CAM) ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A PRIMARY TIMING CHAIN RATTLE NOISE. *TT |
| 637803 | CONCERNS WITH BRAKE VIBRATION, ROUGHNESS AND / OR GRINDING NOISE, AND EXCESSIVE BRAKE ROTOR CORROSION. *TT |
| 637755 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO). *TT |
| 636326 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. *TT |
| 636235 | EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 636151 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT REPEAT SERVICE FOR AN AIR BAG LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES B1994 AND B1998 SET. *TT |
| 636137 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT REPEAT SERVICE FOR AIR BAG LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1994 (DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT RESISTANCE HIGH) AND / OR B1998 (PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT RESISTANCE HIGH). *TT |
| 636065 | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT |
| 636056 | CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 4X4 OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE A FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT |
| 636013 | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING ENGINE RATTLE NOISE FROM PRIMARY CHAIN DRIVE AREA BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM ON COLD ENGINE OPERATION ONLY. *TT |
| 635998 | LOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT), SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS WITH POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0732, P0733, P1762 SET ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/1/2001. *TT |
| 630636 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0300 (RANDOM MISFIRE) OR P0301. *TT |
| 630605 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE APRIL 23, 2001 MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START/LONG CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR MORE DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION. *TT |
| 630595 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457 (GROSS LEAK AFTER FUEL FILL). *TT |
| 630576 | CONCERNS WITH SPARK KNOCK NOISE OR CHAIN RATTLE NOISE BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM, DURING COLD ENGINE OPERATION ONLY. *TT |
| 630515 | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT |
| 630442 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START/LONG CRANK CONDITION AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR MORE. *TT |
| 630418 | CONCERNS WITH REAR WIPERS THAT DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAN THE BACK GLASS. *TT |
| 630190 | SOME 4.0L SOHC MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE OIL LEAK CONDITION, COMING FROM THE OIL PAN OR LADDER FRAME AREA. *TT |
| 630105 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE APRIL 23, 2001 MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START/LONG CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR MORE. *TT |
| 630100 | SOME 4 DOOR VEHICLES WITH THE AUTOLAMP FEATURE MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF THE HEADLAMPS STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. *TT |
| 630097 | INFORMATION REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATING WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0300/P0301.*YH |
| 630018 | INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHIBITNG FUEL LINE DAMAGE DUE TO PINCHING/SQUEEZING OF THE FUEL RETURN LINE. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation