2001 Ford Explorer Sport Complaint Log

WHILE ALMOST AT A STOP, VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON, BOTH FRONT SEATBELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER OR PASSENGER. DRIVER HIT HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD AND PASSENGERS HEAD HIT THE REARVIEW MIRROR. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF AFTER IMPACT TO VEHICLE. THE DEALER RESET THEM BEFORE THEY COULD SEE THEM. THEY WERE RESET IMPROPER. THE BAG IS VISIBLE, NO ALARMS ARE WORKING AND THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL ARE HANGING LOOSE. *JG

WHILE ALMOST AT A STOP VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED MOMENTS AFTER IMPACT. DRIVER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD, AND PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON REARVIEW MIRROR. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK

WHILE IN IDLE VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT OR AT TIMES JUST START SHAKING, IDLES ROUGHLY CONSTANTLY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

VEHICLE IS DRIVEN VERY SLUGISH. ALSO, CONSUMER IS HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT COULD BE THE CONVERTER.*AK

AS CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT THE BALL JOINT AND PIN BOLT BROKE CAUSING THE STEERING KNUCKLE TO DETACH, THE TIRE CAME OFF AND THE AXLE CRACKED. CONSUMERS PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WAS WITH THE 1999 MODEL. THIS VEHICLE WAS AN UPGRADE FROM THE PREVIOUS. *JG

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, INDICATING AIRBAGS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. AFTER EIGHT UNSUCCESFUL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, FORD REPLACED THE VEHICLE.

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN REAR SEAT BELT IS IN USE, THEY WILL TWIST AND RETRACT MAKING THEM INOPERTIVE. NOTHING INSTALLED IN VEHICLE TO PREVENT SEAT BELT FROM TWISTING. DEALER CONTACTED. TS

THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL, THE TURN SIGNAL ARM DOES NOT STAY IN POSITION, AND THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT OPERATE. IN ORDER TO MAKE IT WORK YOU HAVE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ANOTHER POSITION AND TRY AGAIN.

WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 50 MPH, AND MAKING A TURN, VEHICLE WILL GO UP IN AIR/ SLAM DOWN TO GROUND, AND SHAKE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT VEHICLE WILL ROLL OVER WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SECOND ROW SEAT FLIPPING OVER WHEN EXITING VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK *MJ CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT BOTTOMS ON THE BACK SEAT FLIP, THE REAR OF THE BOTTOM ON SEATS FLIPS FORWARD AND PASENGER SLIDES OFF SEAT. *SLC

THE REAR PINION BEARING FAILED. NLM

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND KEEPING STEERING WHEEL STEADY VEHICLE WANDERED TO LEFT LANE ON ITS OWN. DEALER REPLACED STEERING MECHANISM, BUT VEHICLE STILL PULLS TO LEFT. *AK CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE LEFT WHEN TURNED STEERING WHEEL AND WILL NOT TURN COMETIMES TO THE RIGHT. *YH

CUSTOMER COMPLAINS THAT BACK BENCH SEAT IS OF SUCH DESIGN THAT WHEN CHILDREN SIT ON IT, AND BRAKE IS APPLIED SEAT WILL MOVE UP, AND START TO FLIP FORWARD. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN ADULTS SIT ON BENCH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH SEAT. *AK

FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS HT, TIRE SIZE P235/75R15. CUSTOMER STATED TWO TIRES WERE CRACKED AROUND SIDEWALL. ONLY ONE OF THE TIRES WILL HOLD AIR. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK FIRESTONE DECLINED TO REPLACE THE CRACKED TIRES BUT THE CONSUMER PAID AND REPLACED IT. (DOT VDHL IRW 080) *YH

DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF THE REAR END BY FORD THEY PACK THE INAPPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF GREASE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL (WHEATHER TOO SMALL OR TOO MUCH) WHICH CAUSES THE BEARINGS TO RUB AND WEAR OUT QUICKLEY. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IT CAN RESULT IN A LOCKING OF THE REAR END THUS HENCE THE LIKELY HOOD OF ACCIDENT POTENTIAL. JUST IMAGINE OUR CHILDREN BEING AFFECTED. FORD REFUSES TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM EVEN WHEN IT IS VERY CLEAR OF LIABLITY. THE DEALERS REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE WITHOUT A CHARGE AND UNWARRENTED EXTRA WORK AND CHARGE. DT

AS SHE WAS DRIVING OVER A CURB IN PARKING LOT AT LESS THAN 5 MPH TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. 90 % OF GLASS WAS ON OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE, PIECES WERE VERY SMALL, THERE WAS NO GLASS LEFT IN WINDOW FRAME. *AK

THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR LINK BROKE DURING AN EVASIVE MANEAUVER CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER DEATH OF THE DRIVER OF A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN UNEXPLAINED ROLL OVER INVOLVING A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, A 2 DOOR VEHICLE. I DID NOT HAVE FIRESTONE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION. MY GOODYEAR TIRES WERE INTACT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE REVIEWED THE TEST DATA AND I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A FAULTY VEHICLE DESIGN. I NEARLY LOSS MY LIFE. IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS CLEARED FORD INDIRECTLY BY FOCUSING ATTENTION ON FIRESTONE TIRES AND NOT TESTING ALL FORD SUV'S.*JB

THE VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, THERE IS ALSO A BURNING SMELL, POSSIBLY AN EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILURE, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY SOURCE. NLM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP TO BE SERVICED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 05/21/10.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WOULD HAPPEN WHEN FIRST STARTING TO DRIVE. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P235 75 R15 EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT. *SLC

SECOND ROW SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY ANCHORED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.*AK WHEN REAR SEAT ARE IN UPRIGHT POSITION, BACKK OF SEAT REMAINS LOCKED BUT SEAT PART MOVES IN CATAPULTING FASHION. *YH

ABS FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LOCKS AND CAUSES SUV TO PULL TO THE LEFT UNDER HEAVY BRAKING SOMETIMES, DEALER HAS REPLACED VALUE AS PER FORDS COMPUTER FIXER, THE SUV HAS 33000 MILES AND THE BRAKE STILL LOCKS SOMETIMES, THE SE3RVICE MANGER HASW STATED THAQT FORD HAS DESIGNED THE 2001&2002 ABS BRAKES SO THAT EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT BRAKE WILL LOCK, ASKING THAT FORD REPLACE THE BRAKE CAPILER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY SUV TO NOT AVAIL.*AK

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P255 70 R16) ARE EXPERIENCING CRACKING. *SLC

WHEN DRIVING ON SLIGHT UPHILL ROADS AND MAKING TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT, LIKE ON RAMPS TO FREEWAY AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, 5-10 MPH, VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL. GOES ALL OVER ROAD, BRAKING MAKES IT WORSE. DEALER REPLACED STEERING GEAR AND TIRES. DID NOT REMEDY. TO DEALER 9 DAYS ONE TIME, ANOTHER 14 DAYS.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE RIGHT AFTER START-UP.*JB

POWER STEERING MOTOR PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END. ALSO TIRES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY EXHIBITS FRONT END VIBRATION, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS (CHANGING OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND REPLACEMENT OF THE AXLE), HOWEVER VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING VIBRATION PROBLEMS, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE TIRES AND THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE.

MY PURCHASED NEW $30,000 2001 FORD 2 DOOR EXPLORER SPORT DIES OFTEN CAUSING NO BRAKES OR STEERING. IN 2001, IT DIED AND ROLLED OVER WITH NO STEERING OR BRAKES WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME, LEAVING HER STRANDED UPSIDE DOWN. FORD WOULD NOT RESPOND AND LOCAL DEALERS WOULD NOT OR COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT STILL DIES AND ALL RECALLS WERE PRESUMABLY DONE, INCLUDING THE FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH WERE THE BEST PART OF THE VEHICLE. NUMEROUS LETTERS TO FORD WERE NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A REFUND ON THIS VEHICLE. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT SPEED CONTROL SWITCH RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY MORE PARTS BUT WOULD CALL AND DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL. SHE HAS YET TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER. *KB RECALL 07V336000. *JB

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND NOTICED STEERING WAS TILTED TO LEFT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL LEFT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS THE TIRES. TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM OF PULLING LEFT STILL EXISTS. STEERING NOW TILTS RIGHT, BUT STILL PULLS LEFT. *AK *YH

CONSUMER STATES WITH NORMAL CLOSURE OF THE REAR DOOR, THE WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY SHATTERED INTO SMALL PIECES LEAVING SPLINTERS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINING MINOR HAND AND FEET INJURIES TO THE INDIVIDUAL CLOSING THE BACK DOOR. *TT

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT WHEEL ON THE DRIVER?S SIDE LOCKS WHEN HEAVY BRAKING IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. IN FORWARD THE WHEEL LOCKS AND PULLS TO THE LEFT OF DRIVER OR LEAVES RUBBER. DEALER REPLACED THE M VALUE WHICH ACCORDING TO FORD MANUAL WAS WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE BRAKE TO LOCK BUT BRAKES ARE STILL LOCKING. *YD

AFTER REMOVING FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL AT 20 TO 25 MPH, WHEN TOUCHING THE PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED, TRUCK SPUN AS THOUGH AT FULL THROTTLE. HAPPENED ONCE WHILE TURNING BEND ON A WET SURFACE. THEN HAPPENED AGAIN ON A STRAIGHT SNOW COVERED ROAD. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, BUT REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE SINCE IT'S THE MOST COMMON COMPONENT TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT AT 45MPH OR GREATER MAKING IT HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS REPLACED TIRES, DRIVESHAFT AND THROTTLE ASSEMBLY BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. MANUFACTURER INFORMED THAT CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM IS A "TECHNICAL DEFECT" THAT IS CONSIDERED NORMAL ON THIS MODEL. TS

WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE #3 BODY REINFORCEMENT. THE REINFORCEMENT BROKE LOOSE ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF THE CAB. THERE'S A TSB 630329 ON THIS ISSUE. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT. THE FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER WAS COMPLETELY CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND HIS GLASSES WERE KNOCKED OF HIS FACE. *AK *SCC *JB

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT DRIVER'S REAR TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOWOUT. *AK