Is the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac a bad year?
167 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer Sport Trac years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac are in line with other Explorer Sport Trac years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Explorer Sport Trac owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 90,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (22%) | 48k–128k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 27 (16%) | 74k–150k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 26 (16%) | 41k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 16 (10%) | 20k–117k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 14 (8%) | 45k–147k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 16 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 12 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 90,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 167 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2001 Ford explorer transmission problem. Transmission slipping when shifting between 2nd and 3RD. Ford unwilling to admit fault and repair problem.
The rising price of gas discouraged me from using my sport Trac (St) often, so it was garaged during the work week.
2001 explorer sport-trac automatic transmission went bad at 49,600 miles. Transmission mechanic said that the 4R55E and 5R55E transmissions are notorious for having faulty valve bodies which causes the clutches to burn up.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 90,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac: 6
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.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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. The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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. Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
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. A hood fly-up while the vehicle is being operated could result in reduced driver visibility.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Front seat back recliner attachment
Neighbouring years
2002 Explorer Sport Trac: 144 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Explorer Sport Trac year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · All Explorer Sport Trac years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac a bad year?
167 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer Sport Trac years. At 90,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (36), body structure (27), speed control (26), engine (16), electrical system (14).
How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Speed control (NHTSA 07V-336), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E026000), Seats (NHTSA 03V-281), Speed control (NHTSA 03V-280) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.