Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | −91% | — | Body | Good |
| 2004 | 18 | −76% | — | Body | Good |
| 2003 | 65 | −45% | — | Body | Good |
| 2002 | 133 | 2.1× | 3 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2001 | 188 | 2.9× | 5 | Suspension | Avoid |
| 2000 | 71 | typical | 1 | Transmission | Average |
| 1999 | 93 | 1.5× | — | Seat | Caution |
| 1998 | 121 | 2.0× | — | Door Lock & Latch | Avoid |
| 1997 | 37 | −73% | — | Engine | Good |
* Complaints compared with the median Explorer Sport year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Ford Explorer Sport problems
Latest Ford Explorer Sport recalls
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, smoke, or burn.
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…
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
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 threaded bolt.
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
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 threaded bolt.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
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.
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.
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood striker.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Ford Explorer Sport should you avoid?
2001, 2002, 1998 and 1999 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Explorer Sport years at the same age, led by suspension problems in the 2001.
What is the best year for the Ford Explorer Sport?
2005 has the fewest complaints compared with other Explorer Sport years at the same age, followed by 2004 and 1997. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Ford Explorer Sport problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the body & structure (110), transmission & drivetrain (97) and engine & cooling (74). Body complaints peak in the 2001 model year.
How many recalls has the Ford Explorer Sport had?
5 recalls across 1997–2005. The model year with the most is 2001. See all Ford Explorer Sport recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.