Page 2 of 4 · complaints 51–100 of 167

2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 6, 2010105,000 milesTX

2001 FORD SPORT TRAC BODY MOUNTS HAVE ALL DETERATED AND FALLEN OFF. VERY SERIOUS MATTER WHEN BODY MIGHT BREAK OFF. *CN

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 30, 200971,760 milesOR

THE RUBBER BODY MOUNT,STRUT AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON MY 2001 SPORT TRAC 4WD ARE CRUMBLING. *TR

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Sep 21, 200967,000 milesLA

I HAVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAS GONE OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHY DON'T THEY PUT SEALED BEARINGS SO YOU DON,T HAVE TO CHANGE THEM EVERY 6 MONTHS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 3, 200959,000 milesCA

WE BECAME THE OWNERS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC THROUGH A FAMILY MEMBER, AND FOUND THAT THE SIGNAL BLINKERS DO NOT WORK WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN IS ADJUSTED. THE FAMILY MEMBER NEVER KNEW SHE COULD ADJUST THE STEERING COLUMN (SHE IS 74 YEARS OLD). I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY DECLINED THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE BLINKERS WORK FINE AS LONG AS THE STEERING COLUMN REMAINS IN THE TOP UPRIGHT UNADJUSTED POSITION. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER FORD TRUCKS AS WELL SUCH AS THE FORD 150 PICKUP TRUCK. YET, FORD CLAIMS THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. OUR FORD DEALER HAS CLOSED LOCALLY. I AM INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT IF THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Structure
Filed Aug 27, 2009130,000 milesTX

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC VEHICLES HAS BADLY DETERIORATING CAB MOUNT BUSHINGS. (THESE BUSHINGS CONNECT THE CAB TO THE FRAME.) ON MY VEHICLE THEY HAVE ALMOST TOTALLY FALLEN APART. THEY CRUMBLE WHEN TOUCHED AND SOME ARE TOTALLY MISSING. THIS CAN CAUSE A BODY SWAY OF UP TO 3-4 INCHES. THERE IS NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUES ACCORDING TO FORD. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR IS ABOUT $600.00. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 12, 2009125,000 milesOK

01 FORD EXP SPORT TRAC 4X4 WITH REAR RADIO/AC CONTROLS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OUT AND KEEPS POPPING FUSE (LOCATION FOR FAN BLOWER) AND BLOWER INOP EVEN WITH HIGHER AMP FUSES. HAPPENS CHANGE WEATHER COLD/HOT AND ROUGH ROADS. JIGGLE WIRE HARNESS UNDER DASH/CENTER CONSOLE AREA CORRECTS (TEMP). CAN NOT TROUBLE SHOOT AIRBAG MOD WHEN FUSE BLOWN. AC INOP WHEN FUSE BLOWN. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 13, 200958,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEPT ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE SHIFT SOLENOID WAS REPLACED, BUT BEGAN TO FAIL 4,000 MILES LATER. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 4, 2009CA

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARP AND BRAKES ARE BAD WITHIN 13,000 MILES. PROBLEM HAS RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. APPARENTLY THE BRAKES FOR THE HEAVIER FORD SPORT TRAC MODEL ARE FROM THE LIGHTER FORD RANGER AND UNDERSIZED. BRAKES FAILING ON THIS SHORT INTERVAL COULD LEAD TO DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WITH TOTALLY INADEQUATE BRAKING CAPACITY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 16, 200985,000 milesMI

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

Suspension › Front
Filed Dec 18, 200848,936 milesNY

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

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 16, 200874,334 milesKY

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 4, 2008153,044 milesSC

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WITHIN HOURS THE TRANSMISSION STARTED NOT CATCHING...WOULD REV BETWEEN 2-3K RPM OR AROUND 30 MPH BUT NOT ACCELERATE. THEN O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. ALL OUT OF THE BLUE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 12, 200870,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EGR SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS AVAILABLE PERTAINING TO HIS VIN; THEREFORE, IT WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL NUMBER 02M01S6. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Equipment
Filed Apr 29, 2008FL

IN NOVEMBER 2007 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. I PROMPTLY CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND PLACED MY NAME ON THE "WAIT" LIST. I HAVE CALLED THREE TIME SINCE AUGUST AND HAVE BEEN ASSURED EACH TIME THAT I AM STILL ON THE LIST; HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER HAS NOT SHIPPED THE PART FOR MY 2001 FORD SPORT TRAC. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Mar 29, 200880,000 milesVA

FORD SENT ME A NOTICE IN THE JULY/AUGUST 2007 TIME FRAME ADVISING ME OF A RECALL ON MY FORD SPORT TRAC FOR A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE. SEVEN (7) MONTHS LATER MY DEALER IN SPRINGFIELD, VA STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THIS IS TOTALLY UN-ACCEPTABLE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 7, 2008PA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,600. UPDATED 5/20/08 *CN

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Feb 28, 2008WA

FORDS RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IS A SCAM IN MY OPINION. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN, I BELIEVE IT WAS OCTOBER 2007. THE LOCAL DEALER UNPLUGGED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD MAKE REPAIRS WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE REPAIR IS TO PUT A FUSE IN LINE WITH THE SWITCH. THIS, IN NO WAY, REPAIRS THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE ADDITION OF A FUSE, AS RELATED TO ME BY THE DEALER, HAS NOW ALSO BEEN RECALLED. THAT IS A MUTE POINT BECAUSE FORD HAS NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART/FUSE. TODAY IS THE 28TH OF FEBRUARY 2008. I HAVE BEEN WAITING, AND UNABLE TO USE MY CRUISE CONTROL SINCE THE DEALER DISCONNECTED IT IN OCTOBER OF 2007. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE THAT FORD IS INSTALLING IN SOME VEHICLES. THE LOCAL DEALER TELLS ME THAT MY 2001 EXPLORER SPORTAC IS NOT INCLUDED. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD REPLACE THE PART MYSELF BUT FORD WOULD NOT INSTALL IT UNDER THE RECALL FOR NO CHARGE EVEN IF I PAID FOR THE PART. THE PART # IS SW-6350 THE LOCAL DEALER HAS 21 OF THESE SWITCHES IN STOCK TODAY. BECAUSE FORD HAS NOT ALLOWED THE USE OF THIS PART IN ITS RECALL, WE THE CONSUMERS ARE LEFT IN A POSITION OF EITHER NOT USING SOMETHING WE PAID FOR OR RISKING A FIRE. I AM APPALLED BY THE LACK OF ACTION ON THIS MATTER. I BELIEVE THAT THE NHSTA NEEDS TO APPLY THE PRESSURE TO FORD TO RESOLVE THIS INACTION. THERE IS AN HOW TO ARTICLE AT MYSPORTAC.COM. IT INCLUDES INSTRUCTIONS AND PHOTO'S POSSIBLY YOU COULD ASK FORD TO CHECK IT OUT. THANK YOU DA

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 22, 2008AL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEALER HAS STATED EVERY MONTH SINCE THEN THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000. UPDATED 04/03/08. *LJ

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Feb 14, 2008GA

I WAS NOTIFIED BY FORD THAT I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY SPEED CONTROL ON MY 2001 FORD SPORT TRAC AND REQUESTED ME TO BRING MY CAR IN TO GET IT REPLACED. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK IN IN AUGUST I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS NOT IN STOCK AND TO BRING IT BACK IN DECEMBER. I JUST CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME THE PART IS NOT IN AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHEN IT IS GOING TO BE IN. FRANKLY IT APPEARED TO ME THEY DIDN'T CARE. WHEN I ASKED WHO I COULD ESCALATE IT TO AT FORD THE GENTLEMAN DID GIVE ME THE NUMBER, BUT TOLD ME IT WOULDN'T DO ANY GOOD BECAUSE FORD COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 6, 2008OK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR FORD RECALL NUMBER 05S28 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL) ARE UNAVAILABLE. HE HAS BEEN GIVEN A LOT OF INCORRECT INFORMATION AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 25, 200834,175 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LEVER IS PULLED TO CHANGE GEARS, IT GOES ONE SPACE TOO FAR. WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE DRIVES IN REVERSE. WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE OPERATES IN NEUTRAL. WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN PARK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,231 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,175. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED DISCONNECTED SPEED DEACTIVATION SWITCH PERTAINING TO RECALL 05S28. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 11, 2008GA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVICED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER OFFERED TO HAVE THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED, BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED AND STATED THAT HE PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WOULD ARRIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 125,090. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF UPDATED *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 4, 2008TX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. SINCE THAT TIME, THE DEALER HAS STATED EACH MONTH THAT THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 59,000. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Nov 2, 200791,800 milesIL

ON OCTOBER 10TH, FOLLOWING A COLD START, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE WITH THE 4X4 MODE SELECTION SWITCH SET TO 2WD MODE. INSTEAD OF 2WD MODE, THE VEHICLE WAS IN 4X4 LOW MODE. THERE WAS NO SHIFT COMMAND TO GO INTO 4X4 LOW MODE AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SWITCH OUT OF 4X4 LOW MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALERSHIP IN 4X4 LOW MODE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MOTOR HAD SHORTED FORCING THE UNCOMMANDED SHIFT TO 4X4 LOW MODE. THE SHIFT MOTOR WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED. THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. ON NOVEMBER 2ND, FOLLOWING A COLD START, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE WITH THE 4X4 MODE SELECTION SWITCH SET TO 2WD MODE. AFTER DRIVING A DISTANCE LESS THAN 1 MILE AT A VEHICLE SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, A REPETITIVE CLICKING NOISE WAS OBSERVED FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DASH. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AN UNCOMMANDED SHIFT TO 4X4 LOW MODE OCCURRED. AFTER COMING TO A STOP IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SWITCH OUT OF 4X4 LOW MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 4X4 LOW MODE. THE MOST RECENT REPAIR PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE WAS RELATED TO A FORD RECALL INVOLVING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 22, 200796,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. AS OF OCTOBER 22, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.

Seat Belts › Rear/Other1 injured
Filed Oct 11, 200720,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CENTER ROW CENTER SEAT BELT TIGHTENED BY ITSELF BEFORE THE VEHICLE EVEN MOVED. THE CONTACT'S 8 YEAR OLD CHILD SUSTAINED A BRUISED HIP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS ENGINEERED TO TIGHTEN IN THAT MANNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,364.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 9, 2007AZ

RECALL: SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH POSES RISK OF UNDERHOOD FIRE DEALER SAYS HE WON'T HAVE THE PART UNTIL DECEMBER. WHAT DO I DO NOW? *JB

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Jul 17, 200765,000 milesAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. ON JULY 9, 2007, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WITH NO PASSENGERS AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUSED THE FIRE. UPDATED 08/16/07. *JB

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Jul 9, 2007135,000 milesTX

I OWN A 2001 SPORT TRAC. I HAD TO PAY 934.00 TO BRYAN AUTOMOTIVE IN DECATUR TEXAS TO REPLACE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT AXLES, AND THE OUTER BEARINGS. THE REAR END STILL HAS A SLIGHT WHINING AT 55-70 MPH. HE SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT THE FORD HOUSE IN DECATUR TX , AND WAS TOLD SOME SPORT TRACS WILL HAVE THIS NOISE. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD A REAR END GO OUT. SOMETHING WAS DEFINITELY WRONG. PLEASE HAVE FORD REIMBURSE PEOPLE AND DO A RECALL. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 21, 2007124,000 milesGA

FEB 7TH 2006 I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT DEPLOYED BOTH AIRBAGS. MY EXPLORER SPORT TRAC DID NOT DEPLOY ANY AIRBAGS. I HAD TO HAVE A FUSION OF C5 & C6 IN MY NECK DUE TO THE CRASH. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 9, 200784,000 milesPA

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRACT WITH A FAILURE MILEAGE OF 84,000 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UNDER WET CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A HARD JERK AND THEN LOST POWER. THE CONTACT TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, WHO FOUND THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE ENGINE AND THE TIMING GEAR HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE FAILURE HAPPENED. THE CONTACT HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED, AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE'S FAILURE WAS DUE TO RECALL 00M12 CONCERNING THE TIMING CHAIN OF WHICH NHTSA HAD NO RECORD. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK IS A 2001, IT SHOULD BE LISTED ON THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST 2000. THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE. UPDATE 05/04/07*TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 5, 2007FL

MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC HAS BEEN IDLING ROUGH AND DOES NOT SEEM TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON AND FLASH. ONCE THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT COMES ON, THE VEHICLE IS VERY SLUGGISH AND DOES NOT DRIVE PROPERLY AFTER THAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF SOME OF THE EXPLORER SPORT TRAC'S BY FORD AND TO CONTACT A DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER I PROVIDED THEM. EVEN THOUGH MY TRUCK IS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHER FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRACS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 19, 200792,000 milesOH

FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC TIMING BELT TENSIONER BROKE AT 38,000 BROKE AGAIN AT 92,000

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 22, 200750,000 milesCA

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED IN EARLY 50,000 MILES RANGE. LONG LAG BETWEEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD WITH INCREASED RPM'S OF ENGINE. INTERMITTENTLY CAUSES OVERDRIVE LIGHT TO START BLINKING. DEALER NOR AAMCO COULD DETERMINE CAUSE. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Dec 13, 200698,000 milesFL

FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. *NM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 12, 2006102,000 milesAR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS ROAD HAZARDS OR DEBRIS. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED ALONG THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL AREA. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01T016000, REGARDING THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS A/T P235/75R15.

Steering
Filed Jul 2, 200649,000 milesFL

PREMATURE STEERING COMPONENT FAILURE. 48,000 TIE ROD ENDS, 59,000 UPPER CONTROL ARMS, LOWER BALL JOINTS, RACK AND PINION, AND POWER STEERING PUMP. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 7, 200664,400 milesGA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSITIONING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, THE VEHICLE SEEMED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Feb 2, 200627,000 milesTX

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN A GARAGE; THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE POLICE WERE ALSO ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND MOST LIKELY IGNITED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V388000, REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jan 17, 200617,551 milesAL

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC - 4X2 MANUAL 18 OCT 2002 - VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTING INTO GEAR CLUTCH FLUID RESERVOIR EMPTY - DEALER REPLACED CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. 02 NOV 2002 -VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTING INTO GEAR CLUTCH FLUID RESERVOIR EMPTY - DEALER REPLACED CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY 11 JUN 2003-VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTING INTO GEAR CLUTCH FLUID RESERVOIR EMPTY - DEALER REPLACED CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY I BELIEVE IT ALSO OCCURRED IN 2004 BUT NO RECORD OF WORK PERFORMED. 26 DEC 2005-VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTING INTO GEAR CLUTCH FLUID RESERVOIR EMPTY - DEALER REPLACED CLUTCH MASTER & SLAVE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY 29 DEC 2005 - VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTING INTO GEAR REWORK FROM LAST REPAIR - AIR IN CLUTCH FLUID LINE. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THE FAILURES PRESENT A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, PARTICULARLY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE; MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, ENTERING INTERSTATE, ETC FORD IS AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT ADEQUATELY. THERE ARE CURRENTLY FOUR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) ISSUED BY FORD RELATED TO THIS COMPLAINT. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 8, 200690,000 milesIN

2001 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. FORD UNWILLING TO ADMIT FAULT AND REPAIR PROBLEM. MANY OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED YET. *JB

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Jan 1, 2006109,135 milesFL

I NOTICED MY DASH TURN SIGNAL BLINKED FAST WHEN I SIGNALING TO TURN RIGHT, BUT NOT LEFT. I CHECKED THE BULB AND IT WAS WORKING. IF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, IT BLINKED AT A NORMAL PACE, WHEN I LOWERED THE COLUMN IT BLINKED FAST. I REMOVED THE PLASTIC COVER AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN AND FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE TURN SIGNALS AND WIPERS WAS MELTED ALONG WITH THE INSULATION AROUND THE WIRES. IT APPEARS THAT THE CONNECTOR OVER HEATED AND RUINED THE REST OF THE WIRES. SINCE I DISCOVERED THIS IN TIME, THANKFULLY, THERE HAVE BEEN NO CONSEQUENCES, I BELIEVE I SAVED MY VEHICLE FROM BURNING DOWN. MY STEERING COLUMN IS APART AS I AM AWAITING FOR GUIDANCE ON HOW TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, SINCE FORD IS AWARE THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES ARE CRACKING, I HOPE THERE IS A RESOLUTION SOON. *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 27, 200571,000 milesSC

I SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS ON A 2001 FORD SPORT TRAC. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 17, 2005PA

PAINT STARTING CRACKING ON ROOF AND HOOD OF TRUCK. NOW THE PAINT IS STARTING TO CHIP ON THE ROOF OF THE TRUCK. TRUCK WAS WAXED OFTEN AND TAKEN CARE OF. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBELM YET. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Oct 7, 200542,000 milesIL

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT TEN HOURS. *NM THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Sep 9, 200557,560 milesMD

CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT SWITCH DOES NOT COME ON - STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH - AND THERE IS THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. SINCE DECEMBER 2003 ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE OUT ON STEERING COLUMN (I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD IT PROBABLY NEED A FUSE - I CHECKED THE FUSE IT SEEMS TO BE O.K. IS THERE A RECALL ON CRUISE CONTROL ON THE 2001 - FORD SPORT TRAC? *JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Aug 22, 2005LA

I FOUND A RECALL DATED AUG. 5, 2003 ON AUTOSITE.COM, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THAT PARTICULAR RECALL BY BOHN FORD. I HAVE A 2001 FORD SPORTS TRAC. MY SEATS JUST FALL BACK WITHOUT WARNING, DOES AN ACCIDENT HAVE TO OCCUR FOR MY SEATS TO BE REPAIRED BY FORD? SHOULDN'T THIS BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY? WHAT VEHICLES WERE RECALLED IN AUG. 5, 2003 IF NOT MY MAKE AND MODEL?

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 4, 2005VA

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE THIRD GEAR TO SLIP. THIS HAPPENED FOR A DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE, IT BLEW A CODE AND THEY SAID IT WAS AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE OVERDRIVE INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING. AS SOON AS THAT LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP. *AK

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Aug 1, 200539,400 milesFL

DT: SPLITTING OF THE SIDEWALL ABOUT AN INCH UP FROM THE BEAD. TIRES HAVE NOT HAD A BLOW OUT. CALLER WAS LOOKING AT VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT ALL 4 TIRES HAD THIS PROBLEM. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber
Filed Jul 13, 200560,000 milesKS

I HAVE A 2001 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC WITH 60K MILES ON IT. THE STOCK SHOCKS ARE SO BAD THAT BREAKING AND HIGHWAY TRAVEL IS DANGEROUS. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING I-35 SOUTH RIGHT OUTSIDE OF KANSAS CITY, MO. A CAR BROKE DOWN IN MY LINE AND I TAPPED (NOT STOMPED) THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE TRUCK DID A NOSE DIVE AND THE BACK END KICKED OUT INTO THE OTHER LANE AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac → · Every Explorer Sport Trac year → · How the figures are calculated →