Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Explorer Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: owns 2001 Ford Explorer, both driver and passenger are pregnant. Had just entered interstate and was driving about 70 MPH and tried to slow down to about 65mph. Tried to tap brake but heard engine rev up and it immediately sped back up. Tapped brake again and knew something was wrong. Engaged hazard lights and tried to pull off road. Down shifted to 2nd gear,then to 1st, and slowed to about 50 MPH. Tried to engage emergency brake with no luck. Was using both brakes while traveling in the grass uphill. When it slowed to about 15-20 MPH passenger jumped from vehicle. Vehicle continued to rev up, driver let off brake while trying to escape and was slung from vehicle. The Explorer went back and crossed 4 lanes of traffic, entered onto service road where it struck a tree. From there the vehicle accelerated up the tree up-rooting it. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving at speed at 15 MPH, the vehicle lost electrical power and the engine stalled. The steering became very difficult to maneuver and the contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle rolled over as a result of the failure. The police arrived on the scene and the driver sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was taken to a local body shop to be serviced. The failure recurred intermittently and was then taken to an authorized dealer for service. The failure continued to recur intermittently. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 1,500 and the current mileage was 40,000. Updated 05/21/10. The consumer stated the failure would happen when first starting to drive. Updated 10/14/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. The contacted was driving 35 MPH when white smoke emitted from the fender of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered flames were coming from under the hood. The vehicle was destroyed. The police and fire departments were contacted and reports were filed. The failure caused no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileages were 126,000.
At 2100-2300 RPM on acceleration a pinging sound is heard that sounds like spark knock (detonation). The actual cause is from defective timing chain guides which allows slack in the timing chains (4.0 engines has one in front and one in rear) and is causing it to rattle and eat away at the guides. This is commonly known as the "rattle of death" on the Ford 4.0 engines because once the plastic on the guides gets eaten away by the loose timing chain, it eats into the metal support and create metal shavings throughout the engine which will cause failure, if the chain does not fall off first. This is a well known and well documented problem due to cheap timing chain guides.
Problems with tire equipment on 2001 Explorer Sport. While driving the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the emissions sensor needed to be replaced. The technician indicated that the cost of the repair would be $240.57 and that the replacement would take about 45 minutes because the sensor was difficult to get to. The consumer requested that the old part be returned to him. When the consume got home he opened the hood and saw that the sensor was extremely accessible on the top right of the engine. The consumer fells the cost of the repair was not reasonable.
This is a 7 year old vehicle and it seems as though recalls continue. This vehicle has a chain guide problem that seems to be major. We now either need a new motor or we have to have it replaced for 2,500.00 everywhere we check. Major problem. Not that old of a vehicle.
Starting problems with temperatures below 40 degrees fahrenheit on a cold start. Vehicle attempts to start but will not turn over without pressure being applied to accelerator. Only duplicates in cold weather. Very widespread problem many other owners report same issues.
Exhaust fumes seeped into the vehicle's interior cabin. Dealer was unable to determine cause or source of leak. Manufacturer stated exhaust fume smell was normal. The smell would worsen when going up hills and or the mountains. Scc
Vehicle's motor stalled out when the accelerator was depressed. The consumer wants to put Ford motor company on notice that his vehicle is in fact defective and has not been repaired and respectfully request that Ford motor company will extend the warranty on this vehicle and remedy a future failure, at no cost, should a similar problem reccur after the warranty expires.
EGR valve failed on my vehicle 3 times. According to an online repair forum, this could lead to stalling and hesitation in acceleration. My EGR valve has failed all 3 times during periods of acceleration while on the freeway. This could pose a safety hazard should it fail and stall while accelerating to enter the freeway or while passing another vehicle on a 2 lane road.
NHTSA investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Engine complaints in other Explorer Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, 11% of the model year's 188 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Explorer Sport engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Explorer Sport engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.