Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The failure occurred without warning. During colder temperatures, the failure worsened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the diagnosis was not disclosed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. Updated 05/17/17
On January 25,2004 I was approaching a trafic signal in my 2001 Ford Explorer I slowed to approximately 5mph. My foot was not on the accelerator, but when I hit the brake the car lunged forward ,and hit the car in front of me. I hit the brake as hard as I could but the car would not stop. The engine made a reving sound as it lunged forward. The car in front of me sustained damage totaling $ 1237 and the passenger complained of a neck aggrivation. My car sustained minimal damage to the bumper. This was the 1st accident I have ever been in where it was alleged that I May be at fault, clearly I was not. This surge when decelerating has happened 2 times after this accident, both of which were witnessed by a passenger in my car. Luckily nobody was injured on these occasions. …
I was driving and I saw and smelt smoke. I immediately could tell where it was coming from because I saw the smoke coming out of the hazard light on top of my steering wheel, it then turned into a flame,it was inside of the steering wheel. I pulled off to the side of the road because fortunately I had water with me and I poured a little bit of water on the flames that were coming out of where the hazard light is. This has happened 2 times,with the final result being 2 fires. It happened a 3rd time with just smoke. I no longer have the ability to use my windshield wipers and some of my interior lights no longer work. I don't know if this has caused other problems ie...my check engine light being on as well as my cruise control working when it wants to and other times not working at all plus the buttons on the inner side of the steering wheel being hot to the touch! …
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving, a burning odor was present and the air bag deployed without warning or an impact. There were no injuries. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact noticed flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact was not aware if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a residence and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds or while parked, the driver side turn signal failed to illuminate inside and outside the vehicle. Also, the brake lights failed to illuminate. When the steering column was tilted to the upper position, the interior and exterior turn signal lights and the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in an unknown manufacturer recall. The dealer performed the repair, but the failure recurred. The contact noticed smoke near the engine compartment that entered the vehicle near the dashboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The NHTSA campaign number was unavailable. The failure mileage was not available.
After having my 2001 lmtd edition Explorer parked for over 45 minutes, the vehicle caught on fire and was consumed. It was a total loss, melted down to the frame of the vehicle. The fire marshal was unable to determine the cause of the fire as the damage was so severe, but I was referred to several articles regarding similar Ford Explorer fires.
Turn signal was turned on and smoke came billowing out of stearing collum. Smelled burnt wiring. Fire inside of collum minimal damage as I turned off signal immediately. Took to garage next day. The wireing had rubbed on collum and shorted out. Repaired.
While attempting to back the vehicle up, it caught fire without warning. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. As a result the vehicle was considered a total loss. Please provide additional information.
As with so many explorers I have read about, my o/d light comes on and flashes. I lose all power during initial acceleration and then the truck shoots off like a rocket. If I turn the ignition off, the light resets and the vehicle is OK for a while until the light as with so many explorers I have read about, my o/d light comes on and flashes. I lose all power during initial acceleration and then the truck shoots off like a rocket. If I turn the ignition off, the light resets and the vehicle is OK for a while until the light comes on again. I had the codes read and it came up a solenoid problem. I had them replaced and ten miles from the lot, the light came on again. I have read that this is a known issue from Ford, but they have yet to act on this issue. Comes on again. I had the codes read and it came up a solenoid problem. …
Electrical complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 8% of the model year's 375 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Explorer electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2001 Ford Explorer, though it has 6 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 9 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death to electrical system 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.