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2001 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 375 owner complaints about the 2001 Ford Explorer, most often about the tires. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

2001 Ford Explorer
67
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years51% below the Explorer median · #26 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints375128 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage90kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 5, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Ford Explorer has problems

375 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires629
Suspension435
Power train426
Engine and engine cooling394
Vehicle speed control369
Service brakes, hydraulic319
Structure298
Electrical system2911
Air bags2824
17 other systems12632

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2001 Ford Explorer recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cables

Recall 03V-280 · Aug 5, 2003 · 448,005 vehicles

Risk. THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 03V-281 · Aug 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Other: labels

Recall 00V-313 · Oct 17, 2000 · 5 vehicles

Risk. INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN TIRE TREAD SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Explorer year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Ford Explorer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENTPE03020 · closed Sep 5, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-281
In owners' words

What Explorer owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEREIN A YOUNG MAN WAS SEVERELY INJURED. HE SURVIVED, BUT HAS A PLATE IN HIS JAW, AND SEVERE SCARRING ON HIS FACE. HIS SISTER WAS ALSO A PASSENGER AND WAS INJURED, BUT LESS SEVERELY. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE BLOWN OUT, CAUSING THE CRASH. A WITNESS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND…
Complaint 10524057 · Jul 10, 2013 · 5,303,079 miles
CPSC#I12A0111A. 2001 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATED THAT A DAY AFTER SHE BROUGHT THE CAR IT BROKE DOWN. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE, AS WELL AS A HOLE IN GAS TANK, WHICH HAD RUSTED OUT, THE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TIRE WERE DRY ROTTED, AS THEY KEPT GOING…
Complaint 10481761 · Oct 17, 2012
TL* 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…
Complaint 10329755 · May 10, 2010 · 112,461 miles

Own a 2001 Explorer?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.