The Lemon Index2001 Ford Explorer.
The 2001 Ford Explorer is better than average by owner complaints: 247 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 55, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 15 to 18 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 374 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Explorer year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 124K miles on the car (113 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 62K–143K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 54K–135K miles
Recalls 12
- speed control 2009
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER…
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 12 recalls
- speed control 2007
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, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- speed control 2003
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 SPEED CONTROL IS AC…
- seats 2003
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.
- body structure 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC.
- tires 2001
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT.
- equipment 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567.4, "CERTIFICATION." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED FROM THE ASSEMBLY PLANT WITHOUT SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABELS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 115 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Oil leak from the inside diameter of the rear axle pinion oil seal
- Oil leak from the inside diameter of the rear axle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
- ClosedFront seat back recliner attachment2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
I have had bf goodrich tires seperate and lucky for me I did not have an accident I had a auto shop tell me about it before an accident occurred.
2001 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 10100763
More owner reports
Blow out at 65mph no accident no tread separation (tiresize: p235/75r16)( dot number: tire size: p235/75r16 )
NHTSA complaint 740558
While driving down highway at about 50 mph and after hearing a noise, consumer then decreased speed to 40 mph due to problems with tires. This was original equipment. Contacted dealer, dealer never seen it before.
NHTSA complaint 879691
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Ford Explorer reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 55; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Explorer year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2001 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (23%), suspension (13%) and brakes (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Explorer have?
12 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Ford Explorer get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,800 and 124,800 miles. The middle report was at 90,000 miles, from 113 complaints.
Does the 2001 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Ford Explorer have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works