Ford Explorer Complaints (2001)

730 consumer complaints on file.

#10381949February 7, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD, DRIVER 2 CARS AHEAD OF ME CAME TO A DEAD STOP. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HIT BRAKES HARD, I ALSO HIT MY BRAKES HARD, ON WET PAVEMENT. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT KICK IN, AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP.MY CAR SLID INTO THE REAR END OF DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. AS I HAD JUST COME THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR. THE WET PAVEMENT CAUSED MY CAR TO SKID QUITE A WAYS. THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE INCLUDED THE ENTIRE BUMPER COVER BUCKLING, BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE DAMAGED AND BROKEN OUT. NONE OF THE COMPONENTS WERE PUSHED BACK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NEITHER THE DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY PASSENGER WAS JOLTED FORWARD AND ALMOST HIT THE WINDSHIELD DESPITE HAVING SEAT BELT ON. I WAS JOLTED FORWARD AS WELL WITH SEAT BELT ON, AND MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377100January 18, 2011
SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT
I DRIVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE REAR SEATBELTS DO NOT LOCK. I WENT TO MY LOCAL CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND SHE CONFIRMED FOR ME WHILE TRYING TO PLACE THE CARSEAT INTO THE VEHICLE. EVERYTIME I TURN THE CARSEAT UNLOCKS FROM THE SEATBELT AND RE-LOCKS ITSELF. MY CHILD IS LITERALLY LAYING O HER SIDE IN THE SEAT. CALLED FORD AND I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY TO GET IN FIXED WHEN THERE IS NO REASON WHY BOTH REAR SEATBELTS SHOULDN'T LOCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376883January 16, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2001 FORD SPORTTRAC ALL FRAME/BODY MOUNT BUSHING IS DETERIATING BADLY. I THINK ITS VERY SERIOUS. IF I SHOULD HAVE A WREAK OR SOMEONE HITS ME WHILE IM TM TRANSPORTING MY GRANDSON OR WIFE .WHAT HOLDS THE FRAME FROM SWAYING OFF THE TRUCK IS WELL TAKEN CARE OFF . I LIVE IN TEXAS. NO BAD WEATHER CONDITION TO DETERIATE BUSHING . IT SHOULD BE A DEFECTIVE PART. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE IT GETS PEOPLE KILLED. IM DISABLE AND ON A FIXED INCOME CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375117January 7, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL OF THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE CAUSED BY THE BODY MOUNT INSULATOR WHICH WAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370998December 17, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE GUY BEFORE ME (AND MANY BEFORE HIM) EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT: O/D OFF LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING, FEELING LOSS OF POWER AND HARD SHIFTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO GO FROM A COMPLETE STOP. TURN OFF VEHICLE, THEN RESTART PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, BUT MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER. NOTHING COMING UP ON DIAGNOSTIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370649December 14, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. O/D OFF LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING, FEELING LOSS OF POWER AND HARD SHIFTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO GO FROM A COMPLETE STOP. TURN OFF VEHICLE, THEN RESTART PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, BUT MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER. NOTHING COMING UP ON DIAGNOSTIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366816November 19, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BODY MOUNTS HAD DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366436November 16, 2010
SUSPENSION
THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS BEGAN DETERIORATING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE REAR FOUR ARE COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AND CAUSING SAFETY/HANDLING PROBLEMS AND SAFETY CONCERNS ARE BEGINNING TO BE AN ISSUE. FORD MECHANICS SAY THERE IS NO RECALL AND WERE NOT AWARE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE I'VE LOCATED SIMILAR REPORTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND I ALSO LOCATED MORE THAN 5 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN THIS WEBSITE (10331811, 10220625, 10243054, 10248006, 10193852). PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF FORD WILL BE ISSUING A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363703November 2, 2010
STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD SPORT TRAC NEW ON JULY 21, 2001. IT NOW HAS ALMOST 78,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW MONTHS AGO I STARTED NOTICING ALOT ROUGHER RIDE THAN USUAL. AS IT SEEMED TO GET WORSE AND WORSE, I DECIDED TO PUT IT ON A LIFT AND HAVE A LOOK. WHAT I FOUND WAS THAT ALL OF THE CAB BODY MOUNTING BUSHINGS HAVE JUST DETERIORATED. THEY ARE STILL THERE, BUT WILL ACTUALLY CRUMBLE IN YOUR HANDS. AS I KNEW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I DECIDED TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ANSWER IS YES. IT LOOKS LIKE QUIET A NUMBER OF PEOPLE. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO ASK IF FORD HAD A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED HOW THE BUSHINGS WOULD JUST CRUMBLE IN YOUR HANDS, AND THAT IT WAS ONLY THE CAB BODY BUSHINGS. THE BED BUSHINGS ARE ALMOST LIKE NEW, NOT HARDLY SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF WEAR. I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THEM TO LOOK AT IT, BUT WAS GIVEN THE PHONE NUMBER OF FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO CALL THEM AND EXPLAIN THE SITUATION. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXPLAINED IT TO THEM. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I DID THAT, AND WAS INFORMED AT THAT TIME THAT ALL I COULD DO WAS CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE BACK AND SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP ME OUT, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I CALLED THEM AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY , AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE WORK DONE ON IT BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I WOULD GET A 12 MONTH/ 12000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE WORK. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER FOR PRICES ON THE BUSHINGS, I WAS ABOUT FLOORED TO HEAR THAT THEY WOULD COST ABOUT $478.36 PER SIDE, SO THAT IS TIMES 2 SIDES. THEN, THAT DOES NOT EVEN INCLUDE THE NEW BOLTS TAX, OR LABOR. THIS COULD BE A REALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. BUT I EXPLAINED THAT TO FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE ALSO, AS THEY COULD SEEM TO CARE LESS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NO WAY SHOULD THE BUSHINGS BE DETERIORATED LIKE THIS . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360362October 13, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT
BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS, ARE NEW... THE EXPLORER SPORT STILL DOES NOT COME TO A FULL STOP ... (2001) MILES 4900, BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR AND KEEPS GOING 2 TO THREE FEET MORE BEFORE IT STOPS... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358888October 2, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FORD EXPLORER 2001, V8 5.0L ENGINE. THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER SPARK PLUGS HAD RUSTED IN THE IRON BLOCK AND METAL RING SEPARATED FROM THE CERAMIC PART WHEN I TRY TO REMOVE THEM. A BROKEN THREADED PART REMAINED IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. IT HAPPENED ON THE FIRST THREE TRIED. ON FIST TWO I WAS ABLE TO USE A REMOVER TO EXTRACT THE LEFT OVER PART, ON THE THIRD ONE, THE THREADER BROKE IN THE HEAD. I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC SHOP, PULL BOTH CYLINDER HEADS OUT AND REPLACE THE REST OF THE SPARK PLUGS. PORTS NEEDED TO HAVE INSERTS INSTALLED. DEFECT IS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE SPARK PLUG WITH SHORT THREAD FOLLOWED BY A CYLINDRICAL PART THAT ACCUMULATES MOISTURE AND RUST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357388September 24, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN ENGAGED, AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN EXTREMELY WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS POSITIONED CLOSE TO THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE ABS TO OVERHEAT AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357190September 23, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
LEFT HINGE ON THE BACK GLASS KEEPS FALLING OFF. I HAVE REPLACED IT 3 TIMES NOW AND FORD KEEPS SAYING THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH IT. THEY SAY IT MUST BE SOMETHING I'M DOING TO IT. THE RIGHT HINGE IS FINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354717September 9, 2010
POWER TRAIN
I OWN A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. RECENTLY, IT APPEARS THAT IF I AM GOING A STEADY SPEED OR LEAVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR GOES INTO OVER DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME A MIN. OF 5 TIMES A DAY. THE BUTTON DOES NOT WORK FOR THE OVER DRIVE, SO EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES THE OD GOES ON MINUTES AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO GET FIXED BECAUSE THE MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME IT IS SIGNS OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET 3,000 WHEN THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH 6,000 AT BEST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353442September 2, 2010
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED IT PROPERLY AND I BABIED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS ON IT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS FROM BALL JOINTS TO HUB ASSEMBLIES MANY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. NOW IT IS MAKING NOISE IN THE REAR END AND MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE REAR END MAY GO AT ANY TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FIND THAT MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL. I AM NOT IN THE FINANCIAL SITUATION AT THIS TIME TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AND IT IS MY FEELING WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR EXPLORERS IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. I KNOW THAT THIS WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO ANYONE AND I'LL JUST HAVE TO STRUGGLE ALONG WITH THE PROBLEM UNTIL I CAN SAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT YOU CAN BET IF I HADN'T PAID MY PAYMENTS WHILE THE CAR WAS FINANCED THROUGH FORD MOTOR CREDIT YEARS AGO THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPOED IN NO TIME FLAT. FUNNY HOW THOSE BIG COMPANIES CAN KEEP TRACK OF THOSE THINGS BUT FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUES OF THE PRODUCTS THEY PRODUCE. GUESS I'LL HAVE TO GO BACK TO A GRAND PRIX WHEN I MAKE MY NEXT PURCHASE. THE FIELDS TO FILL OUT ASK THE QUESTION "WERE THERE ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES" THERE IS NO WHERE TO CHECK OFF "NOT YET" GO FIGURE.............. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352297August 27, 2010
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE'S LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. DRIVER MADE AN ABRUPT STEERING INPUT THAT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE OVERTURNED AND LEFT THE ROADWAY. DRIVER WAS SOLE OCCUPANT AND DID NOT SURVIVE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10351850August 25, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION
I OWN A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. 2WD. AUTOMATIC. A FEW MONTHS AGO I STARTED HEARING AN ANNOYING SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT WHEN I GOT HOME. THE BUSHINGS THAT GO IN THE MOUNTS TO SECURE THE CAB OF THE TRUCK TO THE FRAME ARE DETERIORATING. YOU CAN ACTUALLY TOUCH THEM AND THEY WILL FALL APART. I CHECKED WITH A FEW LOCAL AUTO PART STORES AND ALL OVER THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT THOSE BUSHINGS ARE A DEALER ITEM, AND COST ABOUT $35 EACH. ON THE INTERNET I ALSO FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THE BUSHINGS TO GO BAD. ON EACH CAB MOUNT ON THE FRAME; THERE IS AN UPPER AND LOWER BUSHING. ALL OF THE BUSHINGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ARE EITHER BAD OR GOING BAD. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALL FROM FORD ON THESE BUSHINGS. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AROUND $600 TO REPLACE THESE BUSHINGS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE THE CAB OF THE TRUCK COULD SHIFT WHEN TURNING OR ON BUMPY ROADS. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE BUSHINGS SINCE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE CAB MOUNT BUSHINGS OR KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS HAD TO; EXCEPT ON A FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. I CURRENTLY STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO EVEN PURCHASE THE BUSHINGS DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. I AM A DO-IT-YOURSELFER AND COULD REPLACE THESE ON MY OWN IF I COULD AFFORD THEM. I FEEL THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE AFFECTED MODELS OF THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349770August 16, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL STATED THAT A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY START FROM UNDER THE HOOD. LATER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS ADDED TO THE RECALL AND HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE LETTER PERTAINED TO A DIFFERENT VEHICLE HE OWNED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,350.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10348163August 9, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR WINDOW THE LIFT GATE FAILED TO OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V442000 STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS; THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,643.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343689July 16, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, FEELING LOSS OF POWER IN EARLY GEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO GO FROM A COMPLETE STOP. TURN OFF VEHICLE, NO PROBLEMS UNTIL AFTER DRIVING AGAIN. NOTHING COMING UP ON DIAGNOSTIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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