Complaints
503
Crashes
82
Fires
30
Injuries
89
Fatalities
9
Recalls
0
Worst 2001 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#142 complaints
Tire Defects
Crash-related:6
#224 complaints
Tires:Tread/Belt
Avg mileage:64,296 mi
Crash-related:1
#320 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:122,856 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tire Defects | 42 | 6 | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 24 | 1 | — | 64,296 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 20 | 3 | — | 122,856 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 19 | — | 2 | 140,116 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 17 | 2 | 6 | 86,083 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 17 | 1 | — | 93,590 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 16 | 16 | — | 58,740 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 16 | 1 | — | 118,374 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 16 | 5 | — | 48,584 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 14 | — | 3 | 106,682 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 14 | 1 | 1 | 121,894 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 13 | 1 | 4 | 88,550 mi | |
| Body Structure | 11 | 1 | — | 136,273 mi | |
| Airbags | 10 | 6 | 1 | 67,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 8 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 6 | 1 | 4 | 99,375 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 6 | 1 | — | 36,500 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | 1 | 1 | 134,500 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 5 | — | — | 15,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | — | — | 121,297 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 5 | — | — | 83,362 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 5 | 1 | — | 34,479 mi | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — |
Tire Defects
42
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
24
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,296
Suspension Failures
20
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
122,856
Unintended Acceleration
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
140,116
Electrical Faults
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
6
Avg Miles
86,083
Automatic Transmission
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,590
Air Bags:Frontal
16
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,740
Seat-Related Issues
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,374
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
16
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,584
Engine & Cooling
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
106,682
Transmission / Drivetrain
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
121,894
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Avg Miles
88,550
Body Structure
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
136,273
Airbags
10
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
67,000
Suspension:Front
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
8
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Avg Miles
99,375
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,500
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
134,500
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
15,000
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
121,297
Structure:Body:Door
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,362
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,479
Side/Rear Glass
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Years
2001 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2001 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2001 Ford Explorer has 503 NHTSA complaints, 82 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Tire Defects with 42 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2001 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Tire Defects (42 complaints); Tires:Tread/Belt (24 complaints, avg 64,296 mi); Suspension Failures (20 complaints, avg 122,856 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Ford Explorer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 92,821 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2001 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA complaints for the 2001 Ford Explorer include 82 crash-related reports, 30 fire reports, 89 injuries, and 9 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2001 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2001 Ford Explorer as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2001 Ford Explorer?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2001 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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