2001 Ford Explorer Sport: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 188 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (16% of complaints); the 1999 and 2000 and 2003 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 188 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Passenger side door handle broke only opens from inside. Passenger rear door only opens from outside. Drivers side rear only opens from outside. 3 out of 4 doors do not work properly. This is a safety issue. I have small children who are in rear car seats and can't get them out if emergency!!! This should be recall with this many complaints on same model and because it poses safety issue”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2016
“---- this vehicle does not have a seat belt for a passenger riding in the middle of the rear seat. The rear seat has ample space for three full-sized adults, but there is no seat belt for a middle passenger. The ford original shop manual indicates that there are not any secure attachment points to install a 3rd-party belt built into the body. ---- this is a safety hazard and may make it illegal to carry a third passenger in the rear seat. NHTSA should recall these vehicles and direct ford to provide seat belts for a center passenger in the rear seat. Thank you for your consideration. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2016
“If steering wheel is not in the very high position turn signals blink very rapidly as if there was a problem with one of them.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“2001 ford explorer sport. During normal driving, a rear rattle/ banging noise would occur when going over rough road or over bumps. This has progressively gotten worse over time. Investigation and inspection of the vehicle had revealed that all the body/frame mount bushings have deteriorated to the point that they were crumbling, leaving no support/cushion between body and frame. This could potentially make the vehicle unsafe as there would be no support for the body, cause excessive body movement and a shift in the vehicle weight dynamics. This issue has already been reported in several vehicle safety complaints prior to mine. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2014
“All body bushings were defective and had to be replaced. The bushings were desiccated and had crumbled away. This made the vehicle unsafe when cornering as there was nothing to support the weight of the body between it and the frame causing excessive movement and compromise of center of gravity. According to the mechanic who replaced my bushings, he had seen this defect on all the vehicles of this make and model year. He said that it was not a problem on the 1998 ford explorer sport. I went to a local junk yard and looked at several ford explorer sports and noticed the same defect on all the 2001 model years. The 1998 model year had bushings that were still in good condition. *js”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2014
“2001 ford explorer sport. Consumer writes in regards to bushing problems. *smd the consumer stated the bushings disintegrated. The cost to replace them, was $2000. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2014
“When I started from a stop light it took off fine but shifting from 1st to 2nd and then into 3rd the engine raced but would not accelerate. I pushed the o/d off and it seemed to fix the problem. Then over the next few days it became more frequent to the point that I am afraid to pull out into traffic. I worry that I will be hit by not gaining speed to get going. Also merging on the freeway is frustrating and unsafe. The o/d light flashes on and off all of the time now. This has happened over the coarse of a week. This is an automatic transmission 2wd. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport. The contact stated that the windshield wipers, the interior lights, and the sound for the door stopped working. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was told that the generic electronic module needed to be replaced but the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall campaign id number: 00v072000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 155,637 and the current mileage was 158,000. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2013
“As many other owners of the ford explorer sport have complained about, there is a very loud banging coming from the rear end of my suv whenever I drive over even the slightest bump or rough road. I have replaced the shocks but it did not make any difference to this problem. It still is so loud and the ride remains very rough. I now understand that the body mount bushings have deteriorated and will need to be replaced to improve the ride and make the vehicle safe to drive again. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2012
“2001 ford explorer sport - overall good condition - complaint involves failure of both door power locks/handle mechanisms. Drivers door totally failed and repairs made at auto shop, but mechanism quickly failed again. Expensive repair. - passenger door lock also malfunctioning mildly but still operable for the time being. Appears ready to fail however since this was same prior symptom of the opposite door. No information located on recall from ford previously for this problem. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
How other years compare
Check your exact Explorer Sport by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?
NHTSA has 188 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. The most complained-about area is suspension (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Explorer Sport problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,522 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:body:hood:hinge and attachments. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.