2001 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
167 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
71,760 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 115 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 167 complaints (10.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 16.2% |
| Braking behavior | 21 | 12.6% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 10.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 18 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 13 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Suspension | 9 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 18; Vehicle Speed Control: 18; Structure:Frame And Members: 13; Power Train: 10; Structure:Body: 10; Electrical System: 9; Suspension: 9; Air Bags: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 23 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 23; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 18
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 52 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2004 | 26 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 3; 2002: 6; 2003: 22; 2004: 26; 2005: 16; 2006: 8; 2007: 11; 2008: 14; 2009: 8; 2010: 8; 2011: 9; 2012: 7; 2013: 7; 2014: 7; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 27 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10020471 · 2003-05-23 (May 23, 2003)
THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO REVERSE, KNOCKED THE CONSUMER DOWN AND ROLLED OVER HIS LEG. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049043 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
VECHILE HAS 16,000 MILES. THREE TIMES AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND DRIVING TWO BLOCKS OVERDRIVE INDICATOR FLASHES BY ITSELF. THEN TRANSMISSION OVER REVS AND DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. OWNERS MANUAL SAYS THAT HWEN OVERDRIVE KIGHT FLASHES TO CALL DEALER AND ARRANGE FOR SERVICE, AS THERE IS PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. BROUGHT TO DEALER TWICE, AS THEY COULD NOT RE-ENACT PROBLEM, THEY RETURNED VECHILE TO US SAYING NOTHING WRONG WITH VECHILE. I HAVE CALLED FORD CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO CONTACTED DEALER, BURNS FORD. THEY NOW SAY TO TAKE IT TO A…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010559 · 2003-03-16 (March 16, 2003)
LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND HEADLIGHTS WHEN TILT WHEEL IS ADJUSTED. DEALER HAS TRIED THREE TIMES TO REPAIR THIS. HAS REPLACED WIRING AND PARTS TWICE. IT IS NOW FAILING AGAIN WHICH WILL REQUIRE A FOURTH VISIT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 44,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016874 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
STOPPED BY POLICE BECAUSE BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING. 3RD BRAKE LIGHT WAS FUNCTIONING. ALL BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WITH THE TILT-WHEEL ALL THE WAY UP. IN ANY OTHER POSITION, ONLY THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT WORKS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052816 · 2004-01-10 (January 10, 2004)
WHEN GOING 50 TO 55 MPH WHEN PUT FOOT ON BRAKE STEERING WHEEL AND TIRES VIBRATED. - I HAVE HAD BACK TO DEALER 4 TIMES LAST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS TIRES SO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE TIRES SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG BECAUSE IT IS STILL HAPPENING MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 38000 MILES ON IT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I NOW KNOW IT IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES BUT THERE IS A DEFECT SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE ITSELF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082115 · 2004-08-16 (August 16, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL BY SLOWING DOWN THE ACCELERATION OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP . THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A SOLENOID SWITCH. *NM A WHINING SOUND BEGAN AROUND 25K MILES. THERE WAS A JERK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AT 48800K MILES, THE VIBRATION WAS CONSTANT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE MADE TURNS. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044117 · 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)
AFTER MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083620 · 2004-08-31 (August 31, 2004)
THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY STALL AT LOW RPMS BUT COULD BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE CAUSE OF STALLING WAS NOT KNOWN . *AK THE DEALERS TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IAC. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 59,485 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088792 · 2004-08-30 (August 30, 2004)
I HAVE HAD POOR FUEL MILEAGE, STALLING OF ENGINE FROM STOP SIGNED INTERSECTIONS AND ENTERING HIGHWAYS FROM SIDE ROADS. COULD CAUSE MYSELF TO STALL IN FRONT OF AN ON COMING VEHICLE, OR FROM GETTING OUT OF WAY OF A DRUNK DRIVER OR ACCIDENT. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED FOR POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS. INTAKE MANIFOLD SEALS WERE REPLACED. THE SOHC 4.0 V6 PERFORMED SOME WHAT BETTER, BUT I'M STILL HAVING SOME OF SAME PROBLEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS EVEN THOUGH IT DID NOT PREVIOUSLY SHOW ANYTHING WRONG. IT NOW READ…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,003 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096494 · 2004-10-27 (October 27, 2004)
WHEN CHANGING GEARS, THERE WAS HESITATION AS IF THE TRUCK WANTED TO CUT OFF AND SHUDDER IN STEERING. HAD OXYGEN SENSOR AND FUEL INJECTOR CHECKED. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537633 · 2013-08-28 (August 28, 2013)
GAS TANK SUPPORT HANGER RUSTED AWAY AND TANK FELL OFF. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 140,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537633 at NHTSA ↗