2001 Ford Explorer
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Ford › Explorer › 2001
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2001 Ford Explorer. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
12 recalls name the 2001 Ford Explorer. Newest first.
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…
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. on 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. repairs will be completed free of charge. the safety recall began on october 27, 2009. owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Dope, inc. IS recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on july 28, 2009. owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Sabersport IS recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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.
This could result in an underhood fire.
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.
Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n f65277, shipped from january 16 through june 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. due to incorrect design, the quick connectors may not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection may believe that the quick connector IS fully…
Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. the recall began on august 4, 2006. owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the 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.
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. the recall began on july 1, 2006. owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
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.
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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 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.
The throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control IS disengaged. braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.
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 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…
The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. owner notification began march 7, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
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…
Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
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.
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.
Incorrect tire inflation pressure could result in tire tread separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the certification labels.
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, watertown, ct 06795) for the recall. On the first dealer visit, the mechanic was unable to remove the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat. On the second visit, the dealer was able to remove the upper bolt and installed a new bolt however, the contact believed that the dealer damaged the seat in the process of installing the new bolt. The contact stated that the seat no longer reclined and needed the middle row seats to keep it upright. On the third visit, the contact was informed that the seat needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but declined to offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 143,800.
Smoke coming from steering... Can feel a change in engine while driving, feels like a rough ride, and overdrive starts to flash.
TL* the contact owned a 2001 ford explorer. While driving, a burning odor was present and the air bag deployed without warning or an impact. There were no injuries. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact noticed flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact was not aware if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a residence and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked anti-freeze and transmission fluid. There was also rust underneath the vehicle and a hole in the running boards, which almost caused them to detach. The contact claimed that the ground could be seen through the hole. The vehicle also produced thick smoke. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The contact planned to have the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and referred the contact to nhtsa. The failure mileage was 170,000.
The vehicle rolled over on its side on dry pavement on the fwy at the posted speed limit in good weather conditions. No other vehicle was involved, the car skided when I attempted to change lanes. I went into a skid and the car turned on its side.
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While the vehicle was stationary, the child safety locks are not functioning on the rear doors could not be opened from the inside, but only from outside the vehicle. Marysville ford in marysville, washington was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30. *Tt *tr
I have a great 2001 ford explorer but it started leaking from the roof and the leak source can not be found. There was no damage, just something changed. There IS now mold all over the interior and its posing a great health risk to myself and any occupants. I would like the problem fixed by ford.
The extirer door hadle keep breaking can not get into vehicle with out going thru back door.if I had an accident there would be no way so.eo e could get me out.i have owned vehicle for 2 years and I have replaced ed them 3 times and again they are broken.
Air bag light on since I purchased the vehicle from a private party in 2014.
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving 35 mph, the front passenger wheel seized and caused the contact to head towards oncoming traffic. There was no crash involved. The vehicle was not able to be driven and was towed. It was diagnosed that the front passenger side wheel bearing disintegrated. The vehicle was repaired and the wheel bearing was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,600.
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving various speeds or while parked, the driver side turn signal failed to illuminate inside and outside the vehicle. Also, the brake lights failed to illuminate. When the steering column was tilted to the upper position, the interior and exterior turn signal lights and the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The failure occurred without warning. During colder temperatures, the failure worsened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the diagnosis was not disclosed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. updated 05/17/17*lj *cn
Driving around 30 mph on a flat straight paved road when it suddenly shifted into 4 wheel low.
Switched into 4 wheel drive low without a command while driving around 30 mph on a dry level paved road.
TL* the contact owned a 2001 ford explorer. While driving 55 mph, the contact steered to the right and the vehicle skidded and crashed into a guardrail. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained four broken ribs and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. updated 10/19/16*lj
The S.U.V leaks water in causing issues I had to replace the brain and fuse box now minexpensive has a drainage of its battrey and the light done go off I replaced the battrey an altnator.an as well.ford should fix it thy he to many issues like this.parked in drive way.
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard a loud thump coming from the rear hatch window. Upon further investigation, the rear hatch window was loose. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000. ....Updated 07/05/16 *bf updated 07/13/16.*jb
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving at approximately 5 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal with force and the passenger seat independently folded forward and then backwards. The seat would no longer hold its upright position and had to be propped up by folding down the rear seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the weld on the back of the seat had fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 03v281000 (seats). The approximate failure mileage was 66,500. updated 04/04/16*lj a bolt was replaced in the seat back. Updated 04/05/16.*jb
Main problem at the moment IS a clicking, knocking noise that sounds like IS coming from underneath truck in the middle. You can feel truck shake/vibrate when you hear the noise. Previous problems lug bolts came loose and almost cause tire to fall off. other problem truck started off sounding like the brake pads were going then the truck started making a horrible grinding noise . Felt like the engine was going to fall out. Ended up being front passenger side tire. Rim had stattered.
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle shook violently. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,699.
Was making a right hand turn from a city street into my community and about 90 degrees into the turn the steering locked up and I was headed for the median. I stopped with the brakes and looked down at the dash and the battery picture was red which helped me to realize the car had turned off. I put the car in park and then started it up and the problem was gone.
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving, the front driver side seat belt would suddenly unlock. In addition, the driver side and passenger side front seats would move forward when making a sudden stop and the passenger side door and hatch door would not open. The vehicle was not diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 166,694.
On driving my truck it slowed down almost to a stop then moved but continued to putter and slow down--i got scared and got it in my driveway and called aa to tow to my service mechanic--the mechanic had it for 2 days and could find nothing wrong with it---i told him I felt it was in the gearshift automatic as when I put it in p it lunges forward and I have to put my foot on the brake again--also when I have it in d the gearshift does not stay in the middle, as it always did. he said it might be water in the gas, which I said no to. I know my vehicle as I had it from day one and it did not drive like that. it has only 110,000 miles on it and I took good care of it for upkeep and now that I am retired and age 70, money to repair does not come easy with small pension and social security.
Frame /body mounts, creak, squawk crunch , the noise IS most noticeble when turning or hitting bumps. Some peple also describe the noise a hammer beating under the vehicle, the cause IS deteriorate body to frame mount cushions, these cushions apper to have been made of substandard material, much like chinese valve stems that cause so much trouble after a few years the body mounts dry rot , crumble and literally fall apart, this a terrible, this can provoked a accident.
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in an unknown manufacturer recall. The dealer performed the repair, but the failure recurred. The contact noticed smoke near the engine compartment that entered the vehicle near the dashboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The nhtsa campaign number was unavailable. The failure mileage was not available.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton V-8 and V-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi IS not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi IS aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it IS possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect IS very low.in view of the foregoing, it IS unlikely that nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition IS denied.
By letter dated august 4, 2003, ford notified the agency that it IS conducting a voluntary safety recall (nhtsa recall no. 03V281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 ford explorer / mercury mountaineer 4-door, my 1998-2000 ford explorer 2-door and my 2001-2002 ford explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipped with high back seats.complaints allege that the driver's seat back reclined without warning.a bolt between the upper seat recliner attachment and the seat back frame may fracture.ford will replace the bolt that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame on the driver side seat.based on ford's safety recall action, this investigation IS closed.
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.