2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:35:35.212Z

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 PER YEAR

2001: 167 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1997	6
1998	5
1999	0
2000	3
2001	167
2002	144
2003	78
2004	86
2005	66
2006	5
2007	100
2008	23
2009	6
2010	30

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%

11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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, 20131007

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT 20-MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED A REAR END ACCIDENT. INDEPENDENT SHOP STATED THAT FRAMES WERE TORN. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20031002

STRUCTURE 6%

6% of complaints: structure — 10 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2001 — complaint volume: 167

R 20010123 — structure

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 FRACTUR

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.

Campaign 00V394000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010604 — tires

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 WILDERN

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.

Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030521 — PE (closed 20030905)

FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT

R 20030829 — vehicle speed control

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 THE

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.

Campaign 03V280000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030829 — seats

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 TH

Campaign 03V281000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070813 — vehicle speed control

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, S

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 DEACTIVATION

Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (18 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (18 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for structure issues (13 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 00V394000 (structure) has been completed.
Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V280000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V281000 (seats) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ● 2005 ● 2003

WORST YEARS

◆ 2002 ● 2007 ● 2004

See all years ranked →

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 vehicle speed control, accounting for 11% 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.