MYRModel Year Report

2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:40.776Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
167
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 6 complaints 1997 1998: 5 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 3 complaints 2001: 167 complaints 2001 167 2002: 144 complaints 2003: 78 complaints 2003 2004: 86 complaints 2005: 66 complaints 2005 2006: 5 complaints 2007: 100 complaints 2007 2008: 23 complaints 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 31 complaints
1997: 6 complaints 1997 1998: 5 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 3 complaints 2000 2001: 167 complaints 2001 167 2002: 144 complaints 2002 2003: 78 complaints 2003 2004: 86 complaints 2004 2005: 66 complaints 2005 2006: 5 complaints 2006 2007: 100 complaints 2007 2008: 23 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 31 complaints 2010
1997: 6 complaints 1997 1998: 5 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 3 complaints 2000 2001: 167 complaints 2001 167 2002: 144 complaints 2002 2003: 78 complaints 2003 2004: 86 complaints 2004 2005: 66 complaints 2005 2006: 5 complaints 2006 2007: 100 complaints 2007 2008: 23 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 31 complaints 2010

2001: 167 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19976
19985
19990
20003
2001167
2002144
200378
200486
200566
20065
2007100
200823
20096
201031

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

22% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states while she was putting item in her vehicle, her two year old son crawled up to the front of vehicle and turned the key to the second turn of the gear shifter and pulled the truck into gear, the second turn on the gear shifter is the...

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-05-30

Structure

18% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and body.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving at 20-MPH vehicle was involved a rear end accident. Independent shop stated that frames were torn.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-02

Vehicle speed control

16% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard upon engagement and the vehicle continued to accelerate.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-07

Accelerator in a Ford Explorer Sport Trac engaged without driver input causing the vehicle to rapidly accelerate into another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-07

Suspension

11% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing wheel bearing and front.

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gas recirculation valve (egr valve).

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2001Complaint volume 167 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2001-01-23Structure00V394000 Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood striker.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2001-06-04Tires01X001000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Equipment description: Ford is replacing all firestone…

    Remedy: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on March 31, 2002. However, customers can contact Ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.Ford.com for possible assistance.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2003-05-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-09-05 Front seat back recliner attachment
  5. R
    2003-08-29Vehicle speed control03V280000 On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0L sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began August 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2003-08-29Seats03V281000 On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  8. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 00V394000 · Structure
  • Recall 01X001000 · Tires
  • Recall 03V280000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 03V281000 · Seats
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years1 year

FAQ

Is the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.