2001 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING, A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE IF A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A RESIDENCE AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11206286

Incident

May 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WAS ALSO RUST UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND A HOLE IN THE RUNNING BOARDS, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THEM TO DETACH. THE CONTACT CLAIMED THAT THE GROUND COULD BE SEEN THROUGH THE HOLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO PRODUCED THICK SMOKE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11187507

Incident

Mar 16, 2019

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. DURING COLDER TEMPERATURES, THE FAILURE WORSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT DISCLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. UPDATED 05/17/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10954908

Incident

Feb 15, 2001

Mileage

1,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT ENTERED THE VEHICLE NEAR THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10725337

Incident

Sep 17, 2007

I WAS SITTING IN A RESTAURANT DRIVE THRU WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON & INCHED A BIT FORWARD IN LINE. MOMENTS AFTER THAT WHILE IN DRIVE, BUT NOT MOVING, I HEARD A LOUD POP. AFTER THAT, I SAW FLAMES SHOOTING TOWARDS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON MY SIDE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND FLED. THE RESTAURANT WORKERS CAME TO MY AID AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE IT SPREAD. WHEN I WENT BACK TO SAY THANK YOU, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HEARD A SECOND POP BEFORE THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO FORD HEADQUARTERS. THEY CHECKED MY VIN AND TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL FOR A DEFECT THAT CAUSES FIRES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND THEY DID NOT TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL ON THE CAR. ALSO, THE CAR OIL WAS LAST CHANGED 3/5/2015 AND WAS BELOW THE MILEAGE FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE, SO I AM SO CONFUSED AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10712749

Incident

Apr 20, 2015

Mileage

188,093 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,500.

NHTSA ID

10586639

Incident

May 5, 2014

Mileage

26,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED, IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10511656

Incident

May 12, 2013

Mileage

200,000 mi

CPSC#I12A0111A. 2001 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATED THAT A DAY AFTER SHE BROUGHT THE CAR IT BROKE DOWN. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE, AS WELL AS A HOLE IN GAS TANK, WHICH HAD RUSTED OUT, THE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TIRE WERE DRY ROTTED, AS THEY KEPT GOING FLAT, THE DRIVER'S DOOR DID NOT LOCK, THE REAR DOORS DID NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR DID NOT OPEN AT ALL, THE OUTSIDE HANDLE WAS BROKE, THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT CLOSE, AND MOST OF THE TIME IT HAD TO BE SLAMMED SHUT.

NHTSA ID

10481761

Incident

Aug 5, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THERE WAS NOT A POLICE OR FIRE REPORT FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10420983

Incident

Aug 13, 2011

Mileage

150,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10358888

Incident

Apr 30, 2010

Mileage

91,000 mi

AS WITH SO MANY EXPLORERS I HAVE READ ABOUT, MY O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND FLASHES. I LOSE ALL POWER DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION AND THEN THE TRUCK SHOOTS OFF LIKE A ROCKET. IF I TURN THE IGNITION OFF, THE LIGHT RESETS AND THE VEHICLE IS OK FOR A WHILE UNTIL THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I HAD THE CODES READ AND IT CAME UP A SOLENOID PROBLEM. I HAD THEM REPLACED AND TEN MILES FROM THE LOT, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FROM FORD, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO ACT ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10317611

Incident

Feb 20, 2010

Mileage

104,000 mi

2001 FORD EXPLORER TIMING CHAIN RATTLE AND FAILURE. ON 4.0L SOHC. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON FORUMS. FORD NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MOTOR ISSUE OR REIMBURSE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10262588

Incident

Mar 10, 2009

Mileage

146,544 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD RATTLING NOISES IN THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT GOT A SECOND OPINION AND WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. A THIRD REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAMSHAFT WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE MODIFIED AND WERE DEFECTIVE; THEREFORE, ENTIRELY NEW PARTS WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS HAVING ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

NHTSA ID

10258093

Incident

Jan 9, 2009

Mileage

135,000 mi

WIFE PARKED EXPLORER IN GARAGE, 20 MIN LATER HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE OUR HOME AND EVERYONE IS ALRIGHT. CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED AND OUR GARAGE IS A DISASTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10230894

Incident

Jun 10, 2008

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RIDE ROUGHLY AND BACKFIRED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS, HOWEVER, THE HEX NUT SNAPPED WHEN IT WAS REMOVED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THREADED PART OF THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED INSIDE THE HEAD. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT A MACHINE SHOP REMOVE THE SPARK PLUG. AS OF JULY 3, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,184.

NHTSA ID

10195247

Incident

Nov 1, 2006

Mileage

54,184 mi

I AM EXPERIENCING THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SATISFACTION PROGRAM #00M12. THIS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS OR 72,000 MILES ON THAT PART. TOO LATE FOR ME, AS I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE A FEW MONTHS A GO. NOW, I AM AT 6 YEARS/87,000 MILES. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING AND SO I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY. THEY TOLD ME TO LODGE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTS. PRETTY BAD SITUATION FOR ME AND MANY OTHERS AS I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET. *NM

NHTSA ID

10183668

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

Mileage

86,000 mi

AFTER HAVING MY 2001 LMTD EDITION EXPLORER PARKED FOR OVER 45 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS CONSUMED. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS, MELTED DOWN TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE, BUT I WAS REFERRED TO SEVERAL ARTICLES REGARDING SIMILAR FORD EXPLORER FIRES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10148277

Incident

Dec 4, 2005

Mileage

62,500 mi

DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 2001 FORD EXPLORER XLT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10131896

Incident

Jun 17, 2005

VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHEN IT WAS AROUND 30 DEGREES OR LOWER IN THE WINTER AND WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE 3 OR 4 TIMES TO GET IT TO STAY STARTED, NOW VEHICLE DOES THIS EVERY MORNING AND EVEN WHEN ITS WARM OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER PUT SEAL ON INTAKE PLATTON. VEHICLE DOES IT EVERY TIME YOU START IT NOW.

NHTSA ID

10120025

Incident

Dec 28, 2003

Mileage

65,000 mi

DRIVER SEAT RECLINER BOLT, THE SEAT BACK/RECLINE/FORWARD BROKE, REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *BF THE OIL FILTER HAD COME WITH A HOLE TOO LARGE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HANDLE BROKE, THE TIRES BLEWOUT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. *SC

NHTSA ID

10101009

Incident

Nov 1, 2004

THERE WERE REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE IDLE AIR CONTROL MOTOR ON 2001 FORD EXPLORER. *MR UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. *SC

NHTSA ID

10083715

Incident

Nov 21, 2002

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON OCTOBER 8,2003. THREE DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK FOUR TIMES BACK TO BACK. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THE SAME THING. ON THE FOURTH ATTEMPT, THEY HAD ME TAKE IT TO ONE OF "THEIR" MECHANICS. HE SAID IT WAS A BAD SWITCH IN THE SYSTEM. NOT EVEN A WHOLE WEEK LATER, THE CHECK GUAGE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR LOT WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LOOK AT MY CAR BECAUSE OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF THEIR HEART THEY'VE ALREADY LOOKED AT IT. SO I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY FIXED IT AND SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION, AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY CAR LOT SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR SOME PROBLEMS THAT ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I LATER FOUND OUT THAT A SALES PERSON WHO WAS NOT CERTIFIED MECHANIC, TRIED TO FIX THE CAR WHEN THEY SAID THEY WERE SENDING IT TO A MECHANIC. I'M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE JUST GETTING WORSE!

NHTSA ID

10071226

Incident

Oct 15, 2003

Mileage

76,500 mi

I HAVE SEVERAL MORE INVOICES 7-29-03 REPLACED DUST SEALS AND FORGOT TO PUT BRAKES BACK TOGETHER LOST WHOLE FRONT END AND BRAKING. HAD TRUCK FOR 3-4 DAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP PULLEY AND S BELT 2-3 TIMES. CRUISE CONTROL 10-16, 12/31/02 AGAIN SQUELING NOISE 02/28/03 DEFROST KILLS TRUCK AND CHIRPING STILL. 2/10/03 STEERING WHEEL SNAPED PART FALLS AROUND INSIDE,CRUISE CONTROL WAS FIXED, BEARING FAILURE IN BELT TENSIONER AGAIN. TODAY STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. COME GET THE PIECE OF !@!@#@#. I AM SICK OF TAKING THIS TRUCK IN EVERY MONTH TO FIX SOMETHING. IT IS A LEMON

NHTSA ID

10070345

Incident

May 15, 2002

Mileage

14,491 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST TOTAL POWER. *AK WHEN THE NEW MOTOR WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD JUST DIE WHILE IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED. IT HAD TAKEN THE DEALER THREE ATTEMPTS WHEN THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WASN'T A RUNNING CODE, SO IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10046239

Incident

Oct 27, 2003

Mileage

35,502 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING , SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALER STATED, SPRING BROKE OVER THE THIRD VALVE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ANY LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO SHE HAD TO PAY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10024582

Incident

Jun 20, 2003