Model year record

2001 Ford Explorer Sport

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 243 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V336000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,600,000
Reported to NHTSA
2007-08-03
Owners notified
2007-08-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V114000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component
Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
8,585
Reported to NHTSA
2006-04-10
Owners notified
2006-04-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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).

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V281000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component
Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,552,880
Reported to NHTSA
2003-08-05
Owners notified
2003-08-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V280000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component
Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
448,005
Reported to NHTSA
2003-08-05
Owners notified
2003-08-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V394000

Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
137,700
Reported to NHTSA
2000-11-28
Owners notified
2001-01-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension1875,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1576,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1280,000 mi
Structure: body1084,000 mi
Seats958,887 mi
Air bags883,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip715,000 mi
Structure720,000 mi
Tires7135,633 mi
Power train6125,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner680,000 mi
Air bags: frontal530,000 mi
Electrical system5110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling5100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline528,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint538,000 mi
Unknown or other5130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine450,000 mi
Equipment415,000 mi
Seat belts425,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic485,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments460,890 mi
Structure: frame and members470,000 mi
Suspension: front446,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint424,000 mi
Suspension: rear436,100 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control337,023 mi
Latches/locks/linkages392,000 mi
Steering31,500 mi
Tires: tread/belt351,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system223,310 mi
Power train: axle assembly2
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2
Power train: driveline: differential unit2
Power train: driveline: driveshaft270,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2108,000 mi
Tires: sidewall2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables125,800 mi
Electrical system: ignition128,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module151,951 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly175,529 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe144,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting1155,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights160,934 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal160,934 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline139,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch139,000 mi
Seat belts: front160,901 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: integrated child seat1153,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes11,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light160,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column1
Steering: electric power assist system151,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection150,250 mi
Structure: body: bumpers120,000 mi
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm152,437 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar110,366 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems125,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility1180,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: power window devices and controls185,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1

The 2000 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.