RoadVitals

2001 Ford Explorer Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Jun 4, 2009
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 375 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
9
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 4, 2009

WHEN I HAVE USED MY SPEED CONTROL I HAVE HAD SMOKE COME OUT OF THE TOP OF MY STEERING COLUMN TWICE. THE SMOKE COMES THROUGH THE HOLE FOR MY EMERGENCY LIGHT BUTTON ON THE TOP OF MY STEERING COLUMN. THIS HAPPENED RECENTLY FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE FORD DEALER IS CHARGING $652.63 TO REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS AND THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS WIPERS, HAZARD LIGHTS, BLINKERS, ETC. THE RECALL WAS REPLACED, AND THEY SAY THE TWO ARE NOT RELATED. APPARENTLY THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AS WOULD THE RECALL PART. THE SUV IS A FORD EXPLORER 2001 V8 XLT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10272872
Incident
May 27, 2009
Mileage
194,462 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 22, 2009
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10259613
Incident
Feb 15, 2009
Mileage
150,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 8, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10248030
Incident
Nov 8, 2008
Mileage
121,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 18, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10242792
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 12, 2008

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.

NHTSA ID
10230788
Incident
Jun 12, 2008
Mileage
80,016 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 26, 2008

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST 2007 FOR PROBLEMS WITH SPEED CONTROL ON 2001 FORD EXPLORER. CALLED LOCAL FORD DEALER, WAS TOLD NO PARTS SHIPPED FROM FORD YET, WILL BE DECEMBER BEFORE THEY GET THEM. CALLED IN JAN 08, STILL NO PARTS, WILL BE MARCH BEFORE THEY GET THEM, CALLED MARCH 26, 2008 WAS TOLD NO PART SHIPPED, WILL BE END OF MAY AT THE EARLIEST. FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM WAY BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICES WERE SENT OUT IN AUGUST 07. FORD WOULD HAVE SPENT MONTHS DENYING THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND THEN MORE TIME TRYING TO FIND A WORK AROUND BEFORE FINALLY ADMITTING THEY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FOLLOW GOV.'T GUIDELINES AND DO A RECALL - MONTHS IF NOT LONGER BEFORE THE LETTERS WERE SENT OUT. PLENTY OF TIME TO KNOW HOW MANY VEHICLES WERE EFFECTED AND GET THE PARTS ORDERED. IT WILL BE A MINIMUM OF 1 YEAR SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED AND LETTERS SENT BEFORE THE PARTS ACTUALLY ARRIVE AT THE DEALERS FOR REPAIR OF PROBLEM. INEXCUSABLE! AND THE NHTSA SHOULD BE DOING MORE THAN IGNORING IT! *TR

NHTSA ID
10222358
Incident
Mar 26, 2008
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 6, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. SHE HAS MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE DEALER DISCONNECT THE SWITCH, BUT THEY CONTINUED TO STATE THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TIME. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID
10220249
Incident
Mar 6, 2008
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 7, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FOR EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007. THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

NHTSA ID
10217330
Incident
Feb 7, 2008
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 14, 2008

2001 FORD EXPLORER WITH SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TO FIX THE RECALL STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. DEALER FINALLY DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL UNTIL THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *KB

NHTSA ID
10215051
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 4, 2008
Crash reported2 injuries reported

ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2, 2008 A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT OCCURED ON MY WIFES 2001 FORD EXPLORER. SHE WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN SHE SET HER CRUISE CONTROL TO 60 MPH. WHEN SHE HIT HER BRAKES TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND HER CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT RELEASE. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN SHE CAME TO A T IN THE ROAD. SHE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER WITH HER AND 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. *CN

NHTSA ID
10213672
Incident
Jan 2, 2008
Mileage
153,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 3, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 07V336000). THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE WIRING HARNESS AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER OF 2007. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.

NHTSA ID
10213609
Incident
Aug 27, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 2, 2008

RECEIVED CRUISE DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL IN AUGUST 2007. FORD WEBSITE NOTES PARTS WERE SHIPPED TO DEALERS. DEALERS HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BE THERE. CALLED FORD CORP AND WAS ADVISED THE SWITCHES WOULD NOT BE SHIPPED UNTIL AT LEAST MARCH. THAT IS AT LEAST 8 MONTHS SINCE THEY DECIDED A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN MENTIONED IN THE MEDIA AND WHY HAVE THE CONSUMERS NOT BEEN SENT 2ND LETTERS ADVISING THAT FORD IS INCOMPETENT?*CN

NHTSA ID
10213436
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 5, 2007

I HAVE A '01 FORD EXPLORER INVOLVED IN A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL ISSUED IN AUG-07, AS OF TODAY 5-DEC-07) MY LOCAL DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE PARTS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO EXPECT THEM UNTIL 1ST QUARTER. UNSATISFACTORY AND UNACCEPTABLE. IS FORD DELAYING SO THE EXPENSE DOES NOT HIT THEM THIS YEAR? THEY COULD SHOW A BETTER PROFIT FOR 2007 IF SO. SOUNDS LIKE MANIPULATING THE BOOKS TO ME, AT THE EXPENSE OF CONSUMER SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210969
Incident
Dec 5, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 19, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. RECEIVED 12/12/07. 64200 UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID
10209301
Incident
Aug 23, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 2, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID
10207781
Incident
Nov 2, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 25, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10206869
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 17, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 07V336000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND OFFERED TO DISCONNECT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT STATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME HE HAD TO WAIT. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SOMETIME IN 2008. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10205964
Incident
Aug 28, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 12, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). A MONTH LATER, HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH DEACTIVATED AND THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER. ON OCTOBER 11, 2007, THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD REMAIN UNAVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID
10205491
Incident
Sep 11, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). SHE STATED THAT THE CLOSEST DEALER WAS 75 MILES AWAY AND THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. SHE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE THE SWITCH DISCONNECTED DUE TO THE INCONVENIENCE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10204811
Incident
Aug 28, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 28, 2007

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD CONCERNING THE SPEED CONTROL. I CALLED BOB BENNET FORD ABOUT THE FIX. THEY SAID THEY HAD THE PARTS AND COULD FIX IT ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASES. I DROVE 30 MILES ONLY TO FIND OUT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD GET THEM. I DROVE HOME AND CALLED BEN SATCHER FORD. THEY SAID THEY HAD THE PARTS AND WOULD BE ABLE TO INSTALL THE FIX IN ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES. I DROVE TO SATCHER FORD (45 MILES). WHEN I GOT THERE DONALD REED SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THEY WERE OUT OF THE PARTS AND HAD BEEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. HE AT LEAST DISCONNECTED THE WIRES TO THE SPEED CONTROL. HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN MORE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF FORD DOES A RECALL THEY SHOULD HAVE THE PARTS ON HAND TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEY CAUSED IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WHY AM I NOW JUST GETTING THE NOTICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONNECT FORD WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY CLAIMED THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10200976
Incident
Aug 28, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 15, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE FORD TO FURNISH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND BE REIMBURSED FOR RENTAL CARS AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PICTURES, 2 ENGINEERS REPORT AND 2 LETTERS FROM FORD REGARDING THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING LAST WINTER. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW ON 2 OCCASSIONS. UPDATED 08/01/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10193428
Incident
May 31, 2007
Mileage
95,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 14, 2007
Fire reported

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS 2001 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING, PIPING AND ANYTHING THAT WAS CONCERNING PLASTIC MELTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DPEARTMENT STATED THAT THIS FALURE WAS COMMON WITH FORD EXPLORER, THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WOULD GET STUCK AND CATCH ON FIRE. CONTACT CAN PROVIDE INCIDENT REPORT AND PICTURES. JRB

NHTSA ID
10185042
Incident
Mar 8, 2007
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 18, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE THROTTLE AND SPEED CONTROL STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE OVER 90 MPH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT IN USE AT THE TIME. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CONTACT STATED THE CONSTANT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES CAUSED THEM TO SMOKE AND ALMOST CATCH ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10165951
Incident
Aug 18, 2006
Mileage
48,584 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 30, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SHE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 35 MPH WHILE GOING UP A HILL, BUT WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, AND THEY STATED SHE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE CONSUMER SHOWED THE POLICE THAT THIS WAS WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED 7 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. THE ON/OFF SWITCH THAT WAS USED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK, AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES HARD TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, AND HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THE LIGHTS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE LIGHTS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10134697
Incident
Aug 27, 2005
Mileage
71,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 6, 2005
Crash reported

2000 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING A SURGE OF ACCELERATION.*MR AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WENT THUR A GARAGE DOOR. *BF *NM

NHTSA ID
10120429
Incident
May 1, 2005

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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