2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT Recalls, Complaints & Safety

CRUISE CONTROL ON AND SET DO NOT WORK ON ANY ROAD. VEHICLE MOVING ON ANY ROAD OR STANDSTILL.

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE ONLY OPENS FROM INSIDE. PASSENGER REAR DOOR ONLY OPENS FROM OUTSIDE. DRIVERS SIDE REAR ONLY OPENS FROM OUTSIDE. 3 OUT OF 4 DOORS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN WHO ARE IN REAR CAR SEATS AND CAN'T GET THEM OUT IF EMERGENCY!!! THIS SHOULD BE RECALL WITH THIS MANY COMPLAINTS ON SAME MODEL AND BECAUSE IT POSES SAFETY ISSUE

---- THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A SEAT BELT FOR A PASSENGER RIDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR SEAT. THE REAR SEAT HAS AMPLE SPACE FOR THREE FULL-SIZED ADULTS, BUT THERE IS NO SEAT BELT FOR A MIDDLE PASSENGER. THE FORD ORIGINAL SHOP MANUAL INDICATES THAT THERE ARE NOT ANY SECURE ATTACHMENT POINTS TO INSTALL A 3RD-PARTY BELT BUILT INTO THE BODY. ---- THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MAY MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO CARRY A THIRD PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT. NHTSA SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND DIRECT FORD TO PROVIDE SEAT BELTS FOR A CENTER PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

DRIVER SEAT BOLT

IF STEERING WHEEL IS NOT IN THE VERY HIGH POSITION TURN SIGNALS BLINK VERY RAPIDLY AS IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THEM.

AS MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT, THERE IS A VERY LOUD BANGING COMING FROM THE REAR END OF MY SUV WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BUMP OR ROUGH ROAD. I HAVE REPLACED THE SHOCKS BUT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO THIS PROBLEM. IT STILL IS SO LOUD AND THE RIDE REMAINS VERY ROUGH. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS HAVE DETERIORATED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO IMPROVE THE RIDE AND MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. DURING NORMAL DRIVING, A REAR RATTLE/ BANGING NOISE WOULD OCCUR WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH ROAD OR OVER BUMPS. THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. INVESTIGATION AND INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE HAD REVEALED THAT ALL THE BODY/FRAME MOUNT BUSHINGS HAVE DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THEY WERE CRUMBLING, LEAVING NO SUPPORT/CUSHION BETWEEN BODY AND FRAME. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY MAKE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AS THERE WOULD BE NO SUPPORT FOR THE BODY, CAUSE EXCESSIVE BODY MOVEMENT AND A SHIFT IN THE VEHICLE WEIGHT DYNAMICS. THIS ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED IN SEVERAL VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINTS PRIOR TO MINE. *TR

A CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. IN LOOKING AT IT, IS SEEMS THERE IS A WORN BODY BUSHING. INVESTIGATION ON THE WEB SHOWS SEVERAL INCIDENCES OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN WORSE, THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 54000 MILES ON IT.I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

ALL BODY BUSHINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BUSHINGS WERE DESICCATED AND HAD CRUMBLED AWAY. THIS MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE WHEN CORNERING AS THERE WAS NOTHING TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE BODY BETWEEN IT AND THE FRAME CAUSING EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT AND COMPROMISE OF CENTER OF GRAVITY. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED MY BUSHINGS, HE HAD SEEN THIS DEFECT ON ALL THE VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR. HE SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM ON THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. I WENT TO A LOCAL JUNK YARD AND LOOKED AT SEVERAL FORD EXPLORER SPORTS AND NOTICED THE SAME DEFECT ON ALL THE 2001 MODEL YEARS. THE 1998 MODEL YEAR HAD BUSHINGS THAT WERE STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. *JS

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BUSHING PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUSHINGS DISINTEGRATED. THE COST TO REPLACE THEM, WAS $2000. *JB

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AROUND 30 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING. SHE SAID THE TRUCK WAS BUCKING WILDLY AS THOUGH IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN IT'S 30 MPH SPEED. SHE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED OVER YET THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO IDLE AS THOUGH IT WERE DRIVING 30 MILES PER HOUR. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. I ARRIVED 15 MINUTES LATER AND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND IT IMMEDIATELY REV'D AS SHE DESCRIBED SO I SHUT IT OFF. I THEN PUMPED THE GAS PEDAL (WITH THE TRUCK IN THE OFF POSITION) ASSUMING IT MAY BE STUCK THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED AND SUBSEQUENTLY DROVE NORMALLY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED NOTHING. NOTHING IN THE COMPUTER HISTORY AND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SPEED SYSTEM (PEDAL, CABLE, THROTTLE, THROTTLE BODY...) I DID SOME RESEARCH ON-LINE AND DISCOVERED AN NHTSA REPORT (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05037) OF A POSSIBLE BAD SPEED CONTROL CABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE WHERE THE TEFLON COVER COULD COMES OFF AND BIND AT THE GAS PEDAL HOLDING THE PEDAL OPEN AND UNABLE TO RETRACT. WE ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE REPLACEMENT CABLE ONLY TO FIND THAT FORD NO LONGER MAKES THE ORIGINAL OR THE REPLACEMENT WHICH WE FIND UTTERLY UNBELIEVABLE. NO MORE EXIST ANYWHERE IN THE US. I CAN FIND PARTS FOR MY 1992 FORD MUSTANG EASIER. NOT SURE WHY THEY STOPPED MAKING THE CABLE WHICH MAKES THIS MORE INTERESTING. MY NEXT STEP IS TO HAVE MY MECHANIC REMOVE THE CABLE TO SEE IF THERE IS A TEFLON BUILD UP NEAR THE GAS PEDAL. NOTE: WE HAVE NO CLEAR PROOF THAT THE CABLE IS THE ISSUE YET AT THIS POINT THE FACT THAT IT CLEARED WHEN I PUMPED THE GAS PEDAL WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE OFF POSITION LEAVES SUSPICION THAT THIS COULD BE THE SAME ISSUE NOTED IN THE NHTSA PE05037 REPORT. *TR

MY PURCHASED NEW $30,000 2001 FORD 2 DOOR EXPLORER SPORT DIES OFTEN CAUSING NO BRAKES OR STEERING. IN 2001, IT DIED AND ROLLED OVER WITH NO STEERING OR BRAKES WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME, LEAVING HER STRANDED UPSIDE DOWN. FORD WOULD NOT RESPOND AND LOCAL DEALERS WOULD NOT OR COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT STILL DIES AND ALL RECALLS WERE PRESUMABLY DONE, INCLUDING THE FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH WERE THE BEST PART OF THE VEHICLE. NUMEROUS LETTERS TO FORD WERE NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A REFUND ON THIS VEHICLE. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

Crash 1 injured

MY PURCHASED NEW $30,000 2001 FORD 2 DOOR EXPLORER SPORT DIES OFTEN CAUSING NO BRAKES OR STEERING. IN 2001, IT DIED AND ROLLED OVER WITH NO STEERING OR BRAKES WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME, LEAVING HER STRANDED UPSIDE DOWN. FORD WOULD NOT RESPOND AND LOCAL DEALERS WOULD NOT OR COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT STILL DIES AND ALL RECALLS WERE PRESUMABLY DONE, INCLUDING THE FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH WERE THE BEST PART OF THE VEHICLE. NUMEROUS LETTERS TO FORD WERE NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A REFUND ON THIS VEHICLE. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR

Crash 1 injured

THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE. I KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT VEHICLES TO KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL IN THE EARLY YEARS OF 125,000 MILES AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE RPM'S GO UP TO ABOUT 3,000 OR SO BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THE O/D LIGHT WILL FLASH AND THE VEHICLE, WHEN IT DOES ACCELERATE, IS "SLUGGISH". WHEN I PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN TURN IT BACK ON, IT SEEMS TO RESET THE LIGHT SO THAT IT IS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED BUT EVENTUALLY THE ISSUE WITH THE LACK OF ACCELERATION COMES BACK WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MILES AND USUALLY IS A PROBLEM BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. IT HAPPENS LIKE CLOCK WORK WHEN I LEAVE A DRIVEWAY AND ENTER TRAFFIC WHICH PUTS ME IN FEAR OF BEING HIT BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A POTENTIAL HAZARD AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM I HAVE COME ACROSS MULTIPLE ENTRIES ON "BLOGS" WITH SIMILAR SYMPTOMS THAT USUALLY BEGIN AROUND 120,000-150,000 MILES. IN MY OPINION, THE ISSUE CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND THE POTENTIAL RISK TO MY LIFE AND OTHERS, SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS PREVIOUS. THIS SEEMS TO BE TOO COMMON. VEHICLES, IN GENERAL, SHOULD NOT BE OPERATING LIKE THIS UNLESS THERE IS AN EXTREME LACK OF CARE IN REGARDS TO MAINTENANCE. ON ANOTHER NOTE... I'VE NOTICED THAT THE VARIOUS FAULTY PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED ARE "QUICK FIXES" WHICH TRANSLATES TO ME AS "CHEAP FIXES". IF A COMPANY PRODUCES A PRODUCT THAT FAILS BEFORE IT'S TIME OR CAUSES DANGER TO IT'S CUSTOMERS, THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY ENSURE THAT THE PROBLEM BE REMEDIED. SO "MAN UP" FORD AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE- OR THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO QUIT PRODUCING GARBAGE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHEN I STARTED FROM A STOP LIGHT IT TOOK OFF FINE BUT SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND THEN INTO 3RD THE ENGINE RACED BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PUSHED THE O/D OFF AND IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT TO THE POINT THAT I AM AFRAID TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. I WORRY THAT I WILL BE HIT BY NOT GAINING SPEED TO GET GOING. ALSO MERGING ON THE FREEWAY IS FRUSTRATING AND UNSAFE. THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF ALL OF THE TIME NOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE COARSE OF A WEEK. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2WD. *TR

THE BACK END BUMPS AND THUMPS LIKE THERE IS NO PADDING BETWEEN THE METAL ON METAL PARTS. VERY LOUD IN THE VEHICLE ALWAYS. *TR

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD BANGING/BUMPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. INITIALLY THOUGHT THAT JACK HAD CAME LOOSE FROM HOLDER LOCATED IN FENDER WELL COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION JACK WAS FOUND TO BE TIGHT IN HOLDER. NOTICED THAT YOU COULD HEAR THE BANGING NOISE WHEN ROCKING THE VEHICLE UP AND DOWN. CARRIED VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED IT AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BODY INSULATOR HAD DETERIORATED AND FELL OUT ALLOWING THE EXPLORER'S BODY TO RIDE DIRECTLY ON THE FRAME. MECHANIC STATED THAT HE FELT IT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BUT ADVISED TOO, THAT IT COULD DAMAGE THE BODY BECAUSE IT WAS RIDING DIRECTLY ON FRAME.COST TO REPAIR = $325 ($110 LABOR + $167 FOR NEW CHASSIS BODY INSULATOR PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALER + 40 FOR USED BODY MOUNT SUPPORTS PURCHASED AT A LOCAL SALVAGE YARD + 8 IN TAXES). MECHANIC HAD TO ALSO TIGHTEN BOLTS ON HINGES HOLDING REAR LIFT GATE ON. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE WAS 108,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND THE SOUND FOR THE DOOR STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,637 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT - OVERALL GOOD CONDITION - COMPLAINT INVOLVES FAILURE OF BOTH DOOR POWER LOCKS/HANDLE MECHANISMS. DRIVERS DOOR TOTALLY FAILED AND REPAIRS MADE AT AUTO SHOP, BUT MECHANISM QUICKLY FAILED AGAIN. EXPENSIVE REPAIR. - PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ALSO MALFUNCTIONING MILDLY BUT STILL OPERABLE FOR THE TIME BEING. APPEARS READY TO FAIL HOWEVER SINCE THIS WAS SAME PRIOR SYMPTOM OF THE OPPOSITE DOOR. NO INFORMATION LOCATED ON RECALL FROM FORD PREVIOUSLY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD LOUD NOISE. SOUNDED LIKE THE BACK WINDOW HATCH WAS OPEN AND VIBRATING WITH EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE HATCH WAS CLOSED, SO I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO FIND THE BODY MOUNTS HAD COMPLETELY CRUMBLED AWAY. THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ON THE FRAME WITH NO CUSHION. THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO HANDLE AND FELT AS IF IT MAY SHIFT OFF THE FRAME AT ANYTIME. *TR

THE BODY MOUNTS ON MY EXPLORER SPORT ARE DETERIORATING AND CAUSING A BAD VIBRATION IN THE WHOLE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING AND EVENTUALLY THE CAB WILL SHIFT AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. THE FORD COMPANY IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THE NEW PARTS NEEDED FOR MY MODEL VEHICLE AND THEY WANT $1,0000 JUST FOR THE PARTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON SITTING IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT, THE SEAT UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE SEAT CUSHION DROPPED DOWNWARD. NUMEROUS AUTHORIZED DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WERE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK DURING AN ICE STORM AND LOST CONTROL OF HER 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT SUV AND STRUCK A TREE. SHE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND IT SUSTAINED MAJOR SHEETMETAL AND FRAME DAMAGE. THE RADIATOR WAS PUSHED IN AND DESTROYED. *TR

Crash 1 injured

MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC'S BODY MOUNT CUSHION HAS DETERIORATED AND I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN EXPENSIVE (REMOVE THE BODY OFF OF THE TRUCK) PROCEDURE AND VERY EXPENSIVE PARTS. THIS SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF A VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU, [XXX] ATTORNEY AT LAW, MAUI, HAWAII INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *KB

HEARING NOISE BOTH DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE FRONT I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE KNOWN TOP NOTCH SHOP FOR SUSPENSION. IT WAS THERE THAT I WAS TOLD THAT MY BODY/CAB MOUNT BUSHINGS (INSULATORS) WERE SHOT. THEY CRUMBLE IN YOUR HAND IF YOU TOUCH IT. THE QUOTE TO FIX $1100.00 ! ! ! I CALLED THE DEALER AND TO MY SHOCKING SURPRISE JUST THE PARTS (FOUR SETS) DIRECTLY UNDER THE CAB ARE $550....UNBELIEVABLE. THE REASON THE LABOR IS SO HIGH - BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PULL THE INTERIOR TO GET TO THE BLOTS..FORD IN ALL THEIR WISDOM PUT THEM IN TOP SIDE DOWN ! MY BROTHER LOOKED AT IT FURTHER AND FOUND I WAS MISSING THE DRIVERS BACK BOLT ALL TOGETHER (LOOK INSIDE THE STORAGE BEHIND BACK SEAT)...NEVER THERE. I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE NOISE FRONT AND SIDE. THE MECHANIC WAS PASSIVE ABOUT THE BODY BUSHINGS, CHUCKLED WHEN I ASKED ABOUT PUTTING IN THE MISSING BOLT AND COULD NOT FIND THE FRONT END NOISE. ASKED IF IT COULD BE THE STRUT HE TOLD ME I DID NOT HAVE THEM...ONLY TO CRAWL UNDER THE TRUCK AFTER WE RETURNED FROM THE TEST DRIVE AND SAID OOPS I LIED YOU DO HAVE THEM ! FORD REALLY NEEDS TO GET BETTER MECHANICS AND BETTER MATERIALS. THEY SCREWED UP BY BREAKS THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE SO NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL NEVER TRUST THEM AGAIN. ANYWAY, WHEN I ASKED WHAT WAS THE BUSHINGS MADE OF, I WAS TOLD ..RUBBER...ONE OF THEIR OWN PART GUYS CONTACTED THE MFG....HE TOO WAS TOLD RUBBER. FOUND ON THE INTERNET...IT IS ACTUALLY.. RUBBER FOAM. ARE YOU KIDDING ME..NO WONDER IT CRUMBLES ! I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I AM AFFRAID EVERY TIME I GET IN MY TRUCK BUT HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION NOR CAN I BUY ANYTHING. SAME ON FORD ! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

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.

Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN A BANGING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BODY MOUNTS HAD DISINTEGRATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2-3 GEAR OR BETWEEN 30MPH-40MPH. O/D OFF LIGHT BLINKS ON/OFF SOMETIMES WHEN THIS OCCURS. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT - THE BODY MOUNT ISOLATORS ARE COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AS REPORTED BY OTHERS. ALL BODY MOUNT ISOLATORS WILL CRUMBLE UPON SIMPLE HAND PRESSURE. FORD HAS DISCONTINUED MANUFACTURER OF THESE REPLACEMENTS. IF AVAILABLE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY, LIST ON PARTS ALONE IS >+ $600.00 FOR SET OF EIGHT UPPER AND LOWER ISOLATORS.FAILURE @ 86,524 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY BUSHINGS WERE ROTTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FRAME AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 09/28/11*LJ

WHILE DRIVING ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD, DRIVER 2 CARS AHEAD OF ME CAME TO A DEAD STOP. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HIT BRAKES HARD, I ALSO HIT MY BRAKES HARD, ON WET PAVEMENT. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT KICK IN, AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP.MY CAR SLID INTO THE REAR END OF DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. AS I HAD JUST COME THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR. THE WET PAVEMENT CAUSED MY CAR TO SKID QUITE A WAYS. THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE INCLUDED THE ENTIRE BUMPER COVER BUCKLING, BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE DAMAGED AND BROKEN OUT. NONE OF THE COMPONENTS WERE PUSHED BACK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NEITHER THE DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY PASSENGER WAS JOLTED FORWARD AND ALMOST HIT THE WINDSHIELD DESPITE HAVING SEAT BELT ON. I WAS JOLTED FORWARD AS WELL WITH SEAT BELT ON, AND MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

Crash

WHILE DRIVING ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD, DRIVER 2 CARS AHEAD OF ME CAME TO A DEAD STOP. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HIT BRAKES HARD, I ALSO HIT MY BRAKES HARD, ON WET PAVEMENT. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT KICK IN, AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP.MY CAR SLID INTO THE REAR END OF DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. AS I HAD JUST COME THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR. THE WET PAVEMENT CAUSED MY CAR TO SKID QUITE A WAYS. THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE INCLUDED THE ENTIRE BUMPER COVER BUCKLING, BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE DAMAGED AND BROKEN OUT. NONE OF THE COMPONENTS WERE PUSHED BACK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NEITHER THE DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY PASSENGER WAS JOLTED FORWARD AND ALMOST HIT THE WINDSHIELD DESPITE HAVING SEAT BELT ON. I WAS JOLTED FORWARD AS WELL WITH SEAT BELT ON, AND MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

Crash

I DRIVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE REAR SEATBELTS DO NOT LOCK. I WENT TO MY LOCAL CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND SHE CONFIRMED FOR ME WHILE TRYING TO PLACE THE CARSEAT INTO THE VEHICLE. EVERYTIME I TURN THE CARSEAT UNLOCKS FROM THE SEATBELT AND RE-LOCKS ITSELF. MY CHILD IS LITERALLY LAYING O HER SIDE IN THE SEAT. CALLED FORD AND I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY TO GET IN FIXED WHEN THERE IS NO REASON WHY BOTH REAR SEATBELTS SHOULDN'T LOCK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL OF THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE CAUSED BY THE BODY MOUNT INSULATOR WHICH WAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

THE GUY BEFORE ME (AND MANY BEFORE HIM) EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT: O/D OFF LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING, FEELING LOSS OF POWER AND HARD SHIFTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO GO FROM A COMPLETE STOP. TURN OFF VEHICLE, THEN RESTART PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, BUT MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER. NOTHING COMING UP ON DIAGNOSTIC. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. O/D OFF LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING, FEELING LOSS OF POWER AND HARD SHIFTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO GO FROM A COMPLETE STOP. TURN OFF VEHICLE, THEN RESTART PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, BUT MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER. NOTHING COMING UP ON DIAGNOSTIC. *TR

THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS BEGAN DETERIORATING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE REAR FOUR ARE COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AND CAUSING SAFETY/HANDLING PROBLEMS AND SAFETY CONCERNS ARE BEGINNING TO BE AN ISSUE. FORD MECHANICS SAY THERE IS NO RECALL AND WERE NOT AWARE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE I'VE LOCATED SIMILAR REPORTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND I ALSO LOCATED MORE THAN 5 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN THIS WEBSITE (10331811, 10220625, 10243054, 10248006, 10193852). PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF FORD WILL BE ISSUING A RECALL. *TR

BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS, ARE NEW... THE EXPLORER SPORT STILL DOES NOT COME TO A FULL STOP ... (2001) MILES 4900, BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR AND KEEPS GOING 2 TO THREE FEET MORE BEFORE IT STOPS... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN ENGAGED, AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN EXTREMELY WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS POSITIONED CLOSE TO THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE ABS TO OVERHEAT AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

LEFT HINGE ON THE BACK GLASS KEEPS FALLING OFF. I HAVE REPLACED IT 3 TIMES NOW AND FORD KEEPS SAYING THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH IT. THEY SAY IT MUST BE SOMETHING I'M DOING TO IT. THE RIGHT HINGE IS FINE. *TR