Ford Explorer Complaints (2001)
730 consumer complaints on file.
- #10262588March 20, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2001 FORD EXPLORER TIMING CHAIN RATTLE AND FAILURE. ON 4.0L SOHC. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON FORUMS. FORD NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MOTOR ISSUE OR REIMBURSE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10262010March 16, 2009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING
NO REAL EVENT LEADS TO THIS FAILURE. PROBLEM IS THE "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT ON THE DASH. IT DETECTS WHETHER A DOOR IS PARTIALLY OPEN. THE SWITCH IN ONE OF THE DOORS FAILS FOR NO REASON. WHEN IT SENSES THIS FALSELY, THE DASH WARNING LIGHT COMES ON & BEEPS A TONE & QUITE OFTEN THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TURN ON. THE DEALER SAYS TO LUBRICATE THE DOOR LATCHES & WORK THEM SEVERAL TIMES. I'VE DONE THAT MANY TIMES & IT DOES NOT HELP. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS & THE LIGHT COMES ON, IT MAY BE BRIEF BUT OTHER TIMES, I'LL PARK THE TRUCK & WALK AWAY & THE LIGHT REMAINS ON FOR QUITE A LONG TIME. I'M SURE I'LL COME OUT TO A DEAD BATTERY ONE DAY. PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF OTHER REPORTS LIKE THIS ON THE INTERNET - FOR VARIOUS FORD MODEL CARS & TRUCKS. THE LIGHT COMING ON IS VERY DISTRACTING AND COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10259613February 22, 2009VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1. LYING IN BED ONLY TO BE AWOKEN BY BOOM (TIRE BLOWING OUT) AT 5:00 A.M. 2. FAILURE WAS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, ALSO KNOWN AS A "BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH...IGNITED SETTING VEHICLE ON FIRE 3. NOTHING DONE...VEHICLE WAS TOTALED IN FIRE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10258093February 9, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD RATTLING NOISES IN THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT GOT A SECOND OPINION AND WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. A THIRD REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAMSHAFT WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE MODIFIED AND WERE DEFECTIVE; THEREFORE, ENTIRELY NEW PARTS WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS HAVING ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10252168December 18, 2008SUSPENSION:FRONT
2001 FORD SPORT TRAC 49,000 MILES HAVE HAD LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED TWO YRS AGO AND YESTERDAY 12-17-2008 HAD THE UPPERS REPLACED. ALL FOUR WERE PERM SEALED TYPE. I AM 64YRS OLD AND HAVE NEVER BEFORE HAD BALL JOINT PROBLEMS. PLEASE FORCE CAR COMPANIES TO GO BACK TO GREASE FITTINGS ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF A VEHICLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10249540November 22, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. AFTER 4 HOURS LATER THE CAR WAS BURNING. CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT... *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10248006November 8, 2008STRUCTURE:BODY, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2001 FORD EXPLORER BODY MOUNTS. COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10248030November 8, 2008VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM WITH MY 2001 FORD EXPLORE I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 FORD EXPLORER WITH THE SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATION SWITCH. MY SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATION SWITCH IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THEIR HAS BEEN A RECALL IN PLACE FOR QUITE SOMETIME AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THE RECALL # IS 07V336000. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10247711November 4, 2008VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
I WAS ON MIRAMAR RD. & MY BACK WINDOW IN MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER EXPLODED. NOT A TINY, LITTLE CRACK, BUT A LOUD, TERRIFYING EXPLOSION WITH FLYING GLASS. THANK GOD I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY 9 YEAR OLD NIECE & 4 YR OLD NEPHEW AND THEY WERE NOT ALREADY IN MY BACK SEAT. GLASS WOULD HAVE FLEW INTO THEIR HEAD ON THE BACK SEAT OR I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THE GLASS DID NOT REACH THE FRONT, BUT WAS ALL OVER THE CARGO AREA OF THE CAR, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. (I TOOK SOME PICTURES) I PULLED OVER AND LUCKILY A MAN AT A LOCAL AUTO SHOP HELPED ME TAPE THE HANGING PARTS WITH GLASS TO THE CAR AND CLEAN UP THE GLASS SO I CAN GET THE VEHICLE HOME. I WAS IN COMPLETE SHOCK. AS I LOOKED ONLINE FOR WHAT TO DO AND FORD INFORMATION I FOUND SIMILAR INSTANCES. APPARENTLY, I WASN'T ALONE IN THIS SITUATION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS AND IN ALL SITUATIONS FORD IS REFUSING THE RESPONSIBILITY. FIRST, I CONTACTED THE LOCAL POWAY PERRY FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD BY CHRISTINE THAT UNLESS I WANTED TO SPEND AROUND $450 THERE WAS NOTHING SHE OR ANYONE CAN DO. NEXT, I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER CARE CENTER WHERE PAT AND HER SUPERVISOR ROBERT (66360) GAVE ME THE WARRANTY SPEECH AND A FEW DIFFERENT WEBSITES TO RESEARCH FOR RECALLS ISSUES AS TO GET ME OFF OF THE PHONE. I LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, FOR WHICH NEITHER REALLY CARED TO COMMENT ON AND KEPT RIVETING BACK TO THE MANUAL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY I WAS SPOKEN TO AND THIS SITUATION IN GENERAL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DEATH. I WOULD LIKE FOR FORD TO NOT ONLY RESOLVE MY ISSUE BY FIXING MY BACK WINDOW WITHOUT ANY CHARGES, BUT ALSO DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS THAT IS CAUSING THIS IN ALL THE CASES THAT WERE PRESENTED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10245736October 16, 2008STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF MY FORD THE CAB MOUNT HAS RIPPED APART THE STEEL MOUNT HAS FAILED. THE CAB IS IN DANGER OF LEAVING THE FRAME. THE BODY SHOP TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 74534 MIL. 2001. I'M THE ONLY OWNER, THE TRUCK IS GARAGE KEPT AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THIS TRUCK WAS BUILT IN OCT. 2000 AND I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN NOV. 2000. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10245340October 14, 2008POWER TRAIN, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
FORD PART # 1L24-7H473-AG VENDOR # M799G MOTOROLA MODEL # 01MU152B06 DATE CODE 01211 SERIAL # 21396939
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10245354October 14, 2008VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
FORD EXPLORER 2001 BLEND DOOR NEEDS REPLACED. CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE I FOUND OUT EARLY ONE MORNING ON A COLD DAY WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT DEFROST AND I COULD NOT SEE THREW IT WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I KEPT PULLING OVER TO WIPE THE WINDOWS AND HEADED BACK HOME. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH FORD SERVICE AND I KNOW IT'S GOING TO COST ALOT. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE WEB I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS SO COMMON OF A PROBLEM. THANK YOU, CHRISTINE *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10243054September 22, 2008SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED, IT FEELS AS IF THERE ARE NO SHOCK ABSORBERS ON THE VEHICLE. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUSHINGS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 10/30/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/30/08.*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10242792September 18, 2008VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY FORD EXPLORER 2001 HAD A RECALL NOTICE LAST YEAR REGARDING CRUISE CONTROL. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO BREMEN FORD IN BREMEN, IN TO HAVE IT DISCONNECTED. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD GET THE PART IN SHORTLY. THIS WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. IN APRIL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED OR WILL BE SHORTLY THROUGH THE SUMMER. AS YET, IT IS GOING ON A YEAR AND I HAVE HEARD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THE PARTS OR GETTING MY TRUCK FIXED. WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM. I HEARD THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH PARTS TO GO AROUND. WHAT DOES THIS SAFE FOR YOUR COMPANY? YOU SHOULD NOT SENT OUT A NOTICE UNLESS YOU INTEND TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HOW MUCH LONGER AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT? *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10240700September 2, 2008POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE EVERYTIME THE BLINKING OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION SWITCHED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR EACH TIME THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,491 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,427.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10240307August 30, 2008SEATS
MY 4 DOOR EXPLORER IS EQUIPPED WITH RECLINER HIGH BACK SEATS. ABOUT A 2 MONTHS AGO I WAS DRIVING AND THE SEAT ON THE FRONT LEFT HAND (DRIVER SIDE) IT RECLINE WITH OUT WARNING UNTIL IS CAME IN CONTACTED WITH THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION. I WENT TO A FORD DEALER SHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR SUCH PROBLEM. I HAVE SEND AND MADE CALLS AND SEND LETTERS TO FORD, BUT THEY HAVE FAIL TO ANSWER ANY OF MY LETTERS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10240320August 30, 2008STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2001 EXPLORER AND THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. IF I WASH IT WITH HIGH PRESSURE, THE PAINT WILL BLOW OFF THE HOOD. PAINT HAS BUBBLED AND COME OFF ON THE HOOD, TAILGATE AND BOTH QUARTER PANELS OVER THE REAR WHEELS. I HAND WASH IT AT THIS POINT TO MINIMIZE MORE PAINT LOSS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10236182July 28, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS IS A 7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH RECALLS CONTINUE. THIS VEHICLE HAS A CHAIN GUIDE PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE MAJOR. WE NOW EITHER NEED A NEW MOTOR OR WE HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED FOR 2,500.00 EVERYWHERE WE CHECK. MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT THAT OLD OF A VEHICLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10230894June 12, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WIFE PARKED EXPLORER IN GARAGE, 20 MIN LATER HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE OUR HOME AND EVERYONE IS ALRIGHT. CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED AND OUR GARAGE IS A DISASTER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10230788June 12, 2008VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL. SHE BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING NOISE AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. HE DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THE BURNING SMELL PERSISTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE THREE MONTHS AGO, BUT THE SWITCH WAS NEVER DISCONNECTED OR REPAIRED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,016.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0