Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2001 Ford Explorer Sport: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, most recently filed August 2007. Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 5campaigns 2 vehicle speed control · 2 seat · 1 structure Source: NHTSA Complaints 188filed Owner reports, 1993–2005 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 18mpg combined $3,628/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 4 L 6-cyl· 5-speed manual 4 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V336000 Filed Aug 3, 2007

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
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 SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Repair progress not yet reported3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V336000
Listed for 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 06V114000 Filed Apr 10, 2006

HIGH BACK SEATS

Seats · front assembly · recliner
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.
Consequence
THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 THREADED BOLT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN (03V281).
Repair progress not yet reported8,585 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 06V114000
Listed for 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V280000 Filed Aug 5, 2003

FORD/SPEED CONTROL CABLE

Vehicle speed control · cables
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 ACTIVATED.
Consequence
THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. BRAKING FUNCTION WOULD BE MAINTAINED THOUGH STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported448,005 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V280000
Listed for 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V281000 Filed Aug 5, 2003

FORD/HIGH BACK SEATS

Seats · front assembly · recliner
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.
Consequence
THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Repair progress not yet reported1,552,880 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V281000
Listed for 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 00V394000 Filed Nov 28, 2000

FORD/HOOD

Structure · body · hood · hinge and attachments
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 FRACTURES. IF THE HOOD STRIKER FRACTURES, THE HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Consequence
A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.
Repair progress not yet reported137,700 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V394000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Explorer Sport years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford Explorer SportAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (188)

188 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.

18involved a crash
11involved a fire
20injuries reported
4deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 188.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2001 compares with other Explorer Sport years

Best and worst Explorer Sport years →
5 37 121 93 71 188 133 65 18 5
1993199719981999200020012002200320042005
This year (2001)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
16
city
20
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,700
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2001 Ford Explorer Sport configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 18$3,700494
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16$4,200555
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15$4,450593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2001 Explorer Sport for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Explorer Sport years

Where to next

Which Explorer Sport years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2002 Ford Explorer Sport report133 complaints · 3 campaigns →2000 Ford Explorer Sport report71 complaints · 1 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2001 Ford Explorer Sport FAQ

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 07V336000 (vehicle speed control), 06V114000 (seat), 03V280000 (vehicle speed control), 03V281000 (seat), 00V394000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2001 Ford Explorer Sport problems?

Owners filed 188 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (33), Structure (30), Power train (26) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport get?

EPA rates the 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 16 city, 20 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2001 Explorer Sport compare with other years?

Among the 1993–2005 Ford Explorer Sport model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (5) and the 2001 the most (188). The 2001 drew 188. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.