RoadVitals

2001 Ford Navigator

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
5
Latest Feb 21, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 28, 2000
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Ford Navigator, most frequently naming the driver assistance, airbags and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 6 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance240.0%
  • Airbags120.0%
  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Interior & seats120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
00V396000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Nov 28, 2000
495,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE AFFECTED EXPEDITION/NAVIGATOR OWNER GUIDES DO NOT IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS OF SEATING POSITIONS EQUIPPED WITH TETHER ANCHORAGES, AND DO NOT PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECURING CHILD SEATS TO THESE TETHER ANCHORAGES. THE F150 SC OWNER GUIDES DO NOT PROVIDE THE PROCEDURE FOR SECURING CHILD SEATS TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGES. THE TAURUS/SABLE OWNER GUIDES DO NOT IDENTIFY THE CENTER REAR SEATING POSITION AS HAVING LATCH COMPATIBLE LOWER ANCHORAGES.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH OWNER GUIDE INSERTS REVISED TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED INFORMATION, AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THESE INSERTS TO THEIR OWNER GUIDES. CUSTOMERS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED THAT IF THEY PREFER, THEIR DEALER WILL AFFIX THE INSERTS TO THEIR OWNER GUIDES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 00L11View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA05005ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Mar 22, 2005
Closed Aug 2, 2006

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 05V388000
RQ04011ClosedRecall Query

FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Opened Oct 22, 2004
Closed Feb 17, 2005

UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN (01V227), FORD RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 1.3 MILLION VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE.APPROXIMATELY 1.1 MILLION OWNERS RESPONDED BY TAKING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE BUCKLE USING A SPECIALIZED BUCKLE TEST TOOL.FORD REPORTED THAT 829,927 VEHICLES HAD BOTH BUCKLES PASS THE TOOL TEST AND ANOTHER 167,336 VEHICLES HAD ONE BUCKLE PASS.ODI AND FORD RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ALLEGING SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER PASSING THE ORIGINAL RECALL INSPECTION SERVICE.COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THAT THE BUCKLE FAILED BY EITHER NOT LATCHING OR FALSE-LATCHING (PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT OF THE LATCH TO THE LATCH PLATE).A FALSE-LATCHED BUCKLE MAY RELEASE WITH MINOR MOVEMENT OR IMPACT AGAINST THE BUCKLE HOUSING INCLUDING INADVERTENT RELEASE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS RECALL QUERY TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-004) TO FURTHER ANALYZE THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF THOSE VEHICLES THAT FORD DEALERS PASSED (ONE OR BOTH BUCKLES) USING FORD'S INSPECTION TEST (997,263 VEHICLES).

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Feb 21, 2012
Crash reported

MY HUSBAND WERE INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR CRASH. THE 2001 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR SPUN AROUND AND ROLLED OVER AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS SHOCKED WHEN ADVISED OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10448858
Incident
Feb 19, 2012
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 30, 2008
Fire reported

TRUCK WAS PARKED NOT RUNNING WHEN IT JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE IN GARAGE. ALLEN FIRE DEPT CAME AND PUT OUT FIRE, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STORAGE FACILITY, DAMAGE TO TOWNHOME, FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. TRUCK WAS NOT PD FOR, SO LIENHOLDER WENT AND SUED ME. WANT DAMAGES AND MENTAL ANGUISH PAID FOR BY FORD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236422
Incident
Nov 3, 2007
Mileage
99,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 17, 2007

UNWANTED ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY WHEN THE CAR IS UNATTENDED. EVERY TIME IT RAINS I HAVE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FOR DAYS. STARTER KICKS IN AUTOMATICALLY, BLOWER STAYS ON WHEN CAR IS OFF. HEADLIGHTS JUST TURNING ON WITH THE SWITCH OFF AND THE KEYS OUT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10178886
Incident
Dec 20, 2006
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 23, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATES: TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND IT HAS BEEN FIXED. WAS BACKING OUT OF GARAGE A SUDDENLY VEHICLE SURGED AND LEAPED BACKWARDS. REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND GASKET. NO LIGHTS CAME ON. *AK

NHTSA ID
10121948
Incident
May 20, 2005
Mileage
53,400 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 12, 2001

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED OUTSIDE AIR ENTERING THROUGH DOORS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, REPLACED DOOR SEALS . PLEASE PROVIDE FURHTER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
882734

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

16403

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE-LIGHT TICK OR RATTLE TYPE NOISE FROM ENGINE AFTER COLD START. *MJ

15122

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION AT IDLE AND/OR ENGINE DROANING NOISE ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. *SLC

15123

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A DRIVELINE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-70 MPH. *SLC

15114

INFORMATION REGARDING EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER DISCONNECT TOOL. *JADA

15136

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A WEAK SOUNDING HORN CHIRP. *YD

15137

STRUCTURE

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF WIND NOISE. *YD

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Navigator by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2003500—
2002101—
2001Viewing512—
2000421—
1999301—
1998511—
1997000—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.