Is the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport a bad year?
187 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer Sport years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport are in line with other Explorer Sport years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Explorer Sport 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 50,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 32 (17%) | 32k–75k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 30 (16%) | 50k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 26 (14%) | 68k–130k miles · ahead | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Seats | 15 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 14 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 14 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 14 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 13 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 12 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (4%) | 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 50,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 187 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 11 mention a fire · 16 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jul 2017.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I have a 2001 explorer sport. In lower speeds, my transmission would start missing. Ford and another repair center both identified the problem as a defective main body replacement valve.
I have a 2001 Ford explorer sport that the 4X4 control module constantly malfunctions.
This has occurred multiple times since I've had the vehicle. I know enough about vehicles to know this is not normal in the early years of 125,000 miles and routine maintenance.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 50,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport: 7
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.
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.
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
2000 Explorer Sport: 70 complaints, keep it · 2002 Explorer Sport: 133 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Explorer Sport year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · All Explorer Sport 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 Trac · 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 a bad year?
187 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Explorer Sport years. At 50,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (32), body structure (30), transmission and drivetrain (26), seats (15), brakes (14).
How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Speed control (NHTSA 07V-336), Seats (NHTSA 06V-114), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E026000), Seats (NHTSA 03V-281) 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.