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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Explorer 2001 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2001 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

374Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
109Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Tires62 complaints

62 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control36 complaints

36 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 03V280000, 07V336000, 09V399000.

Vehicle Structure31 complaints

31 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V094000.

Electrical System28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats25 complaints

25 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V281000.

Steering22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment11 complaints

11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V313000.

Fuel and Propulsion System11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V313000Reported October 17, 2000 - 5 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on October 17, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 5 vehicles across all affected models.

03V094000Reported March 7, 2003 - 3,674 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on March 7, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 3,674 vehicles across all affected models.

03V280000Reported August 5, 2003 - 448,005 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on August 5, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 448,005 vehicles across all affected models.

03V281000Reported August 5, 2003 - 1,552,880 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on August 5, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 1,552,880 vehicles across all affected models.

07V336000Reported August 3, 2007 - 3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on August 3, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 3,600,000 vehicles across all affected models.

09V399000Reported October 13, 2009 - 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on October 13, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03020Opened May 21, 2003 - Closed September 5, 2003

FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT. Resulted in recall campaign 03V281000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200042
200180
200275
200330
200421
200522
20068
200714
200817
20096
201012
20115
20124
20134
20149
20159
20165
20176
20182
20191
20212
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.