Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
Main problem at the moment is a clicking, knocking noise that sounds like is coming from underneath truck in the middle. You can feel truck shake/vibrate when you hear the noise. Previous problems lug bolts came loose and almost cause tire to fall off. Other problem truck started off sounding like the brake pads were going then the truck started making a horrible grinding noise . Felt like the engine was going to fall out. Ended up being front passenger side tire. Rim had stattered.
While driving on interstate, tire tread separated from the right rear tire causing vehicle to come into contact with gravel along the edge of the highway resulting in vehicle turning over several times. Driver and passenger injured and vehicle was a total loss.
I am not the owner of this vehicle, nor the driver. My brother-in-law was a passenger in the Ford Explorer and was killed at the scene. There is a question of whether he was wearing a seat belt and if it failed during the rollover of the vehicle. There is also a question of Firestone tire failure. Both of the rear tires were missing the valve stems. We do not know if this occurred during the accident or if they blew out previously and that is what contributed to the accident. The driver was speeding, performed an unsafe lane change, then overcorrected, lost control, crossed the median strip into the opposite roadway, rolled over and hit another vehicle where another person was killed as a result of this collision. The driver was found "not guilty" in his manslaughter trial. So it seems this accident was attributed more to vehicle failure, even though there was driver error also.
An accident occurred wherein a young man was severely injured. He survived, but has a plate in his jaw, and severe scarring on his face. His sister was also a passenger and was injured, but less severely. The right rear tire appears to have blown out, causing the crash. A witness immediately behind the car at the time of the accident stated: "I noticed what looked like one of the right side tires bend to the side and suddenly explode. At that point the driver lost control due to the tire explosion and swerved to the center divider and crashed. Information on the tires is as follows: radial sxt all terrains. Dot number on the tires were xfa 0307 and the tire size was 75/16. All tires passed inspection three months before, with a tread of 6/32. The officer noted the tread separated from the tire.
Vehicle rollover accident March 25, 2001 in toledo ohio. Approximate speed 25 MPH. Explorer rolled over 6 times with me as the passenger being ejected during the 3rd roll. Driver and rear seated passenger were help in the vehicle and received lacerations a broken finger and chest injuries. Front passenger ( me ) was ejected from the vehicle and came to rest against the front drivers side tire. Vehicle at rest on tires. Received 4 broken ribs, 5 broken , dislocated transverse process and multiple stitches for cuts and abrasions in arms and head. Rear drivers side tire was flat after the accident and was the only tire damaged. Pictures of the accident are available along with any other information. (tiresize: p255/70r16)
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer with Goodyear wrangler rt/s tires, size p255/70r16. The contact noticed the rear passengers tire was flat and the remaining three tires exhibited signs of dry rotting. The vehicle was towed to a local tire shop. The mechanic advised they would take partial liability for three of the four tires and the fourth would be replaced at the owners expense. The contact believed the tire manufacturer should take the liability for all four tires. The dot number was unknown. The tire failure mileages was 32,985. The vehicle failure and current mileages were 112,461.
Firestone, wilderness at tires mounted on Ford, Explorer ,2001. While traveling at 35-40 MPH consumer hit a construction site and passenger rear tire fell off, then vehicle rolled over. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything. Analyst is unsure ofcomponent, possible tire failure, possible lug, nut, and bolt failure, causing rollover, consumer was injured in accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The chrome steel wheels have exterior corrosion. This condition has caused the tires to lose air pressure. This failure has occurred twice before. She was advised by a technician at the dealer to pay $257.00. To replace bother rear tires. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Look like tread separation about 5 inches long on one of my wilderness ht tires. The tires came with my new Explorer sport 2001. The car currently has 9400 miles on it. I went to a Firestone dealer who inspected the tire and confirmed the defect. He recommended I change the tires for safety, but it will have to be out of my pocket since wilderness ht is not part of the recall. He confirmed the tires were manufactured in the decatur plant, and the size is the same as those in the recall. But since the model is different, Firestone will not replace it. I am very concerned with this problem since I have to drive 100 miles each day roundtrip to work. I don't feel I should have to pay to replace defective tires if the products are at fault, but I don't want to put my life at risk when the Firestone dealer has already inspected and confirmed that the tire exhibit sign of tread separation. …
Ihave lost controll of this vehicle several times due to the steering and overall handling ,my tires are also playing a roll in this I beleave this problem is much more pronounced in rain or snow . I feel this vehicle is very unsafe for myself and my children! I've already had the vehicle into auburn motor sales for 6 days for complaints of lack&surge of power,bad sulfer smell at idle rolling idle(up&down), extremely poor gas mileage. The dealership was unable to diognose problem. As of today I've lost 21 days of use ,on a vehicle I've only had about4 and a half months know they say I need an engine that I'm still waiting on. I told the dealership I didn't feel this vehicle was safe and wanted it replaced .I got know where, when they found out I got lemon law paperwork they told me Ford would not do anything about it pursue it through the state. …
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2001 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 19% of the model year's 375 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Explorer wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 14 injuries and 2 deaths to wheels & tires 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.