2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Complaint Log

I was driving and the lights on the vehicle went out I thought it was the bulbs but no lights were working I adjusted steering wheel to look to see fuse box and all lights came back on there is an electrical short somewhere then I went to start the truck and it made a funny sound and then I lost all power and truck wouldn't start then the alarm kept going off and I could turn off even with the remote or the chipped key. And the truck won't start. Also when you change gears the indicator to show what gear you are in dosent move . This truck has electrical issues and is not safe for drivers to lose all power like this and basically its something ford should be responsible for fixing because it's a defect in the electrical system also the AC compressor dosent work

TRANSMISSION NOT WORKING

CAR TAKES ABOUT 3 TO 5 TRIES TO START. I REPLACED GAS PUMP, PLUGS, CABLES, TEMP SENSOR, STILL TAKES LONG TO START.O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND NOW IT HAS A ROUGH GEAR CHANGE I BELIEVE FROM 2ND TO 3RD

VEHICLE RUNNING IN PARK WHILE DRIVER GATHERED BOXES TO PLACE IN BED OF TRUCK. DRIVE TRAIN ENGAGED SENDING DRIVERLESS VEHICLE DOWN ROAD, ACROSS INTERSECTION AND INTO BRICK WALL. WITNESS TO IMPACT RAN TO VEHICLE THINKING TO CHECK ON DRIVER. UPON OPENING DOOR, NOTED NO DRIVER AND STATED SHIFTER STILL INDICATED VEHICLE WAS IN PARK.

DRIVING ON FREEWAY FRONT DRIVER WHEEL FELL OFF CAUSING TRUCK TO ROLL OVER. NO AIR BAG WAS INFLATED. WAS TOLD THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE TIRE ON CAME OUT. TRUCK WAS TOTALLED AND HIT 2OTHER CARS WHILE ROLLING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY FAILED TO START UPON TURNING THE KEY NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER (PEGUES-HURST FORD, 200 TX-63 SPUR, LONGVIEW, TX 75601, (903) 758-6211) WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 12 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, 52 TSBS FOR THE ENGINE, AND 3 TSBS FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHICH PART CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH WHEN MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW A FLAT. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP SAFELY, THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED ON THE SIDEWALL AND THE TIRE WAS SMOKING! COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. I'VE NOW BEEN READING THAT THIS MICHELIN TIRE WAS RECALLED IN OTHER SIZES. THIS EVENT OCCURRED ON 8/17/2016 AND THE TIRE HAD 35,000 MILES ON IT.

TAKATA RECALL, THE INSIDE LIGHTSOR DOME LIGHTS, THEY SHORTED OUT ONE TO ANOTHER IN THE DOUBLE OVER HEAD LIGHTS AND GROUNDED OUT THE BATTERY COULD CAUSE SEVERAL PROBLEMS ONE IT KILLED THE BATTERY AND I FOUND OUT WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE ONE OF THE LIGHTS AND TO STOP I TOOK BOTH LIGHTS OUT AND SEPERATED THE COPPER THAT CONECTS WITH SWITCH

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRACT I DIDN'T GET TO TEST DRIVE IT BECAUSE THERE WERE OTHER VEHICAL SURROUNDING IT. WHEN I FINALLY GOT TO DRIVE MY TRUCK HOME I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION HAD A SEVERE ISSUE. WHEN I TURNED A CORNER MY TIRES RUBBED BADLY ON SOME OTHER PART TO THE TRUCKS PARTS AND THE DRIVER SEAT HAS A MEDAL ROD THAT JABS ME IN THE BACK THAT'S COMING THRU THE FABRIC NOW MY BATTERY HAS LEAKED ACID EVERY WHERE IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUALLY RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 186,000.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT I JANUARY 2016 AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSE ME DAMAGE TO MY NECK AND BOTH SHOULDER. DOCTORS SAY I NEED SURGERY ON ROTATOR CUFFS. IF AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THRUST FORWARD. I GRABBED STEERING WHEEL TO BRACE MYSELF AND WAS THRUST FORWARD THERE FOR DAMAGE BOTH ROTATOR CUFFS IN MY SHOULDER AND HURTING MY NECK ALSO. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER TRUCKS OF MY MAKE THAT AIR BAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED AND PEOPLE GETTING HURT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. . WHY ARE THERE NOT RECALLS ON THIS AIR BAGS. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

I HAVE HAD 3 TIRE BLOW OUTS IN THE SHORT TIME I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK DUE TO THE TIRES RUBBING ON A PART OF THE STEERING WHEN MAKING TURNS. ITS RUBS OFF THE MATERIAL OF THE TIRE.....ALSO THE REAR PASSANGER DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND BEARLY OPENS FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD MAKING THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. YOUR SITE WANTS ME TO ENTER A DATE... I CAN'T RECALL ALL THREE DATES

EVER SINCE I GOT THE TRUCK ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES LOCKING UP. IT HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING UP FOR A FEW HOURS AND IT'S RAINING OR THERE'S A GOOD BUT OF MOISTURE IN THE AIR. WHEN YOU FIRST GET IN THE TRUCK THE REAR BRAKES WILL LOCK UP ON YOU ONLY GOING FORWARD FOR SOME REASON. IF YOU APPLY VERY LITTLE PRESSURE IT DOES IT. AFTER ABOUT 10 TIMES LOCKING IT UP IT DRIVES FINE AS LONG AS ITS NOT PARKED FOR A WHILE. ON A GOOD HOT SUMMER DAY WITH NO MOISTURE OR RAIN IT DOES DO IT AT ALL. A FEW WEEKS AGO I BACKED OUT MY DRIVE WAY IT WAS RAINING AND IT DID IT. SO I DECIDED TO PULL BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND TAKE MY FIANCE'S CAR TO TOWN. WHEN I WAS PULLING UP IT LOCKED UP WHEN I TRYING TO STOP AND SLID INTO THE CORNER OF MY HOME. NO MAJOR DAMAGE WAS DONE JUST CRACKED THE FRONT BUMPER. I HAVE TAKING IT TO 3 LOCAL MECHANICS. NONE KNOW HOW TO FIX. THEY LOOKED AT THE BREAKS, ROTORS AND HUBS. ALL WAS FINE. ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS WAS THE 3 TIME HE HAS SEEN THIS ON THE SAME EXACT KIND OF TRUCK. I DO LIKE THE TRUCK. BUT I'M TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT. I THOUGHT ABOUT SELLING IT, BUT NOW I'M IN A SITUATION WHERE IF SOMEONE GETS HURT IN IT I WOULD FEEL HORRIBLE. I SURE HOPE SOMEONE ON HERE CAN HELP ME OUT WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE 2002. LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE (ONE DAY IT WORKED, NEXT DAY IT WAS FLOPPING AND OBVIOUSLY DISCONNECTED). CAN'T OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE ALSO FEELING FLOPPY AND LOOSE. CHILD "SAFETY" LATCHES ON BOTH BACK PASSENGER DOORS HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SO ANYONE SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT HAS TO BE LET OUT BY SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE AS THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WON'T WORK. ON THE INTERNET, YOU WILL SEE THAT DOOR FAILURES ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL ARE RAMPANT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGERS COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE TRUCK. FIXING THE DOORS IS REALLY DIFFICULT AS W/O BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, YOU HAVE TO DISMANTLE THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUCK IN ORDER TO GET TO THE I/S DOOR PANEL. THIS IS NOT A REPAIR A TYPICAL OWNER COULD DO FOR THEMSELVES, EVEN MY MECHANIC DOES NOT WANT TO DO IT. WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF TRUCK OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS DOOR FAILURE PROBLEM ON THE NET AND THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS POSITION IT PUTS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN, FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. OBVIOUSLY THESE DOOR LATCHES ARE VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE AND CONTINUED TO BE INSTALLED BY FORD FOR YEARS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HEARD A POPPING FOLLOWED BY A LOT OF METAL NOISE. THE TRUCK SEAMED SHIFT AROUND. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE TRUCK THE BODY MOUNT UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS GONE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME. THE CAB IS NOW SITTING ON THE FRAME AND SOME PARTS AROUND THE PASSENGER FRONT MOUNT ARE CRACKED. CALLED FORD, NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. (GOOD ANSWER?) I THINK NOT....TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER IN RI. TOLD HIM WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THAT MY WIFE WANTED TO USE THE SPORT TRAC TO PICK UP OUR 1 YEAR OLD GRANDSON. HE TOLD ME THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE AND NOT TO DRIVE IT ... SOUND LIKE A MAINTENANCE ISSUE? SOUNDS MORE LIKE A PRODUCT FAILURE. FORD KNOWS. NHTSA KNOWS. WE WHO OWN KNOW. THIS IS NOT ENVIRONMENTAL DUE TO THE FACT THAT I SEE IT IS ALSO HAPPENING IN TEXAS TOO. SO I WILL CALL FORD AGAIN AND DEMAND THE FIX AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES TIL MY TRUCK IS FIXED. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO START CALLING THIS WHAT IT IS "FORD"S BAD PRODUCT DECISION AND NOT THE BURDEN OF THE CONSUMER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND ANKLE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

VEHICLE BODY MOUNTS HAVE DRIED OUT AND CRUMBLES WHEN TOUCHED. THIS DETERIORATION CAUSES THE BODY TO RIDE ON TOP OF THE FRAME WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN OTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUES. THE WORSE I HAVE SEEN ON A FORD. *TR

WHEN I HAD MY VEHICLE INSPECTED I WAS INFORMED THE BODY MOUNTS WERE ALMOST ALL RUSTED OUT AND THERE IS A DANGER THE BODY COULD COME LOOSE. ITS EASY TO PICTURE WHAT COULD HAPPEN IT THIS OCCURRED IN A 60 MPH CURVE ON INTERSTATE. MECHANICS TELL THIS IS UNHEARD OF IN ANY OTHER VEHICLES EXCEPT FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRACS MODEL YEARS 2001 THRU 2005. IF THIS ISNT A HAZARD I DONT KNOW WHAT IS. ITS EVIDENT THIS PARTS ARE JUNK AND FORD DID NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. STARTING IN 2006 THIS PROBLEM NO LONGER EXISTED. *TR

VEHICLE BODY MOUNTS HAVE DRIED OUT AND CRUMBLES WHEN TOUCHED. THIS DETERIORATION CAUSES THE BODY TO RIDE ON TOP OF THE FRAME WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN OTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUES. APPEARS THE PRODUCT WAS MADE OF SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL AND HAS BEEN WORN OUT FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS. *TR

ON SUNDAY THE NIGHT BEFORE THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS USED THAT DAY. IN THE AFTERNOON AROUND 3 PM IT WAS TAKEN TO GET GASSED UP FOR THE WORK WEEK. THE NEXT MORNING WAS CHILLY AND IT WAS STARTED TO WARM THE VEHICLE UP. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DIDN'T START AT ALL. THE DASH LIGHTS, INTERIOR-EXTERIOR LIGHTS ALL HAVE POWER TO INCLUDE POWER LOCKS AND WINDOWS. THE BATTERY TESTED GOOD, THE STARTER AND SOLENOID TESTED GOOD. THE WIRE TO THE SOLENOID FROM THE BATTERY HAS POWER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT SHOWN SIGNS OF FAULTY STARTING. TWO TO 3 TIMES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT NONE OF THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK BUT THEN MIRACULOUSLY WORK AGAIN. WHEN THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK I'M MEAN THE HEADLIGHTS, LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, ETC. IT SEEMED THE ONE WAY TO GET THEM TO WORK AGAIN WOULD BE TO ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THAT DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK. WHY IS THIS VEHICLE NOT STARTING WHEN THE DAY BEFORE IS WAS WORKING JUST FINE AND HAD NOT GIVEN ANY SIGNS OF FAILURE? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UPON ENGAGEMENT AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE AIR VENTS AND FROM UNDER HOOD. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY JUMPED FROM THE VEHICLE ONCE HE NOTICED FLAMES EXTENDING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ROAD RASH AND INJURIES TO THE LEFT WRIST AND HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE THE RECALL REMEDY COULD BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,800.

GAS TANK SUPPORT HANGER RUSTED AWAY AND TANK FELL OFF. *TT

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING A CHATTER UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OUT ON TO THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE (VERY DANGEROUS, WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND COULDN'T MOVE). TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE NOISE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TENSIONERS OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT ON THE TRANSMISSION. HE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS IN THE PAST BUT NOT SURE IF THE RECALL IS STILL IN EFFECT. THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR WORSE AND FORD WILL BE LIABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SERVOS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED MANY EXPLORERS, SPORT TRAC'S, AND RANGERS. A YOUTUBE VIDEO EXPLAINS THE PROBLEM, "UPLOADED ON DEC 7, 2011 - FORD USED THE 5R55E IN MANY REAR AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE APPLICATIONS. IT IS A GOOD TRANSMISSION BUT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE VALVE BODY GASKET "BLOWING OUT." THE SYMPTOM OF THIS IN OUR VEHICLE WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION MISSED SECOND GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION BUT FOUND A HIGHER GEAR WHEN WE LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL." THIS HAPPENS TO ME DAILY, AND IS A TRAFFIC HAZARD AS THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD. FORD PUBLISHED A TSB(TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) ON 03-22-10 ACKNOWLEDGING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE IN MOST VEHICLES WHERE THE VALVE BODY SEPARATOR PLATE DOES NOT WORK AS IT SHOULD. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM BUT WANTED TO CHARGE OVER $4,000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO ALL OWNERS. PLEASE CHECK ALL COMPLAINTS REGARDING FORD'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE 5R55E AND HELP US OWNERS GET A REASONABLY PRICED CORRECTION, BEFORE ACCIDENTS OCCUR. THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS AND WOULD NO LONGER MOVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVER OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

FOUND THAT AFTER APPROX.80,000 MILES THAT ALL THE BODY SUPPORT BUSHING HAD DRIED OUT AND CRUMBLED.. THIS CAUSE SEVER LACK OF CONTROL. CORNERING WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH LOUD BODY METAL BANGING. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE AND REPAIRED. THE BODY WAS RAISED OFF THE FRAME AND ALL BUSHING WHERE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. FORD WOULD NOT COMPLETE THIS WORK UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS A GROSS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND THE RMPS WOULD INCREASE TO 3,500. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BUT THE RPMS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY INCREASE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE RPMS WOULD CONTINUE TO INCREASE AT 3500. THE VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO RUN IDLE FOR THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 04/11/12*LJ THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND ACORN NUTS NEAR THE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 04/23/12

THE RISING PRICE OF GAS DISCOURAGED ME FROM USING MY SPORT TRAC (ST) OFTEN, SO IT WAS GARAGED DURING THE WORK WEEK. ON THE WEEKENDS, I USUALLY DROVE THE ST TO RUN ERRANDS AROUND TOWN. ON JAN 28, 2012, I DROVE LESS THAN A MILE WHEN MY ST BEGAN LOSING THROTTLE RESPONSE AND AN UNFAMILIAR CLATTERING CAN BE HEARD GENERATED IN THE ENGINE BAY. I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL, SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL OVER. I THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC NEAR MY LOCATION. THE MECHANIC AFTER EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD FAILED, ALONG WITH TIMING CHAIN GUIDES WHICH SHATTERED INTO MULTIPLE PIECES (PHOTOS AVAILABLE). THE TIMING CHAIN AND ITS COMPONENTS ARE SUPPOSE TO LAST FOR A LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE, AND HENCE FORD PROVIDED NO INFORMATION OR PROVISION FOR ITS MAINTENANCE. THE REPAIR WAS EXPENSIVE, BECAUSE IT REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE WHICH IS BASED ON THE SOHC DESIGN HAVING ITS RIGHT CAMSHAFT DRIVEN BY A TIMING CHAIN LOCATED BEHIND THE ENGINE NEAR THE FIREWALL. A RECALL OF THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES AND TENSIONER SHOULD BE MADE BECAUSE OF THE COMMON PROBLEM THIS HAS BEEN FOR THIS ENGINE DESIGN, SOHC 4.0L AFTER THE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDE REPLACEMENT, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION REGISTERED AN ERROR ON MY DASHBOARD, AND AFTER CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERT, REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. THE COST OF THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD HAS BEEN VERY EXPENSIVE TO SAY THE LEAST. THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF THIS FAILURES WOULD COMPROMISE SAFETY DURING HIGH SPEED OPERATIONS. I HOPE NHTSA WILL REVIEW COMPLAINTS REGARDING TIMING CHAIN AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES, WHICH SHOULD REVEAL A PATTERN OF DESIGN FAILURES AT FORD. INTERESTINGLY, FORD HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND ENGINE REMOVAL TO REPAIR CHAIN GUIDES IN THE PAST. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK BECAME STUCK. THIS WAS NOT A GRADUAL PROBLEM; ONE DAY IT WAS WORKING, THE NEXT DAY IT WAS NOT. I COULD NOT OPEN IT WITH THE REMOTE LOCK CONTROL, THE INNER LOCK CONTROL OR THE KEY. I COULD NOT LIFT THE LOCK KNOB ON THE DOOR MANUALLY. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR WAS TO CRAWL IN FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE, REACH OVER THE CONSOLE AND PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE, WHICH SOMETIMES CREATED A GRATING SOUND. OCCASIONALLY THE REMOTE LOCK CONTROL WOULD WORK BUT VERY RANDOMLY. 99% OF THE TIME THE LOCK WOULD REMAIN STUCK. WHEN IT DID WORK, I NOTICED IT WAS ONLY IF I LOCKED THE DOOR WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL. IT NEVER WORKED IF I LOCKED THE DOOR WITH THE INNER LOCK CONTROL ON THE DOOR. THE NEAREST FORD DEALER IS OVER ONE HUNDRED MILES AWAY ROUND TRIP, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN DOOR HANDLE. I PAID $92.87 TO REPLACE THE HANDLE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MECHANIC THEN TOLD ME HE WOULD HAVE TO ORDER MORE PARTS, WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. I HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THIS INCONVENIENCE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND RECENTLY I BEGAN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON-LINE. IT APPEARS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS. ACCORDING TO THE DATA BASE, OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED LOCK FAILURES ON MULTIPLE DOORS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THESE LOCK SYSTEMS NOT ONLY CREATES AN INCONVENIENCE AND NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON VEHICLE OWNERS, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I AM WONDERING WHY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HE NOTICED THAT THE BODY BUSHING HAD DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

BODY TO FRAME MOUNTS FAILURE. *TT

FRONT DOOR LOCKS ON 2001 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC RENDERED MALFUNCTIONING BY FREEZING CONDITIONS IN MICHIGAN. DRIVER'S SIDE CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE. PASSENGER'S SIDE CAN BE UNLOCKED EITHER ELECTRONICLY OR MANUALLY. HOWEVER WHEN EVER THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS ARE USED, EVEN WHEN ALREADY UNLOCKED AND VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE PASSENGER'S FRONT DOOR RELESES FROM THE LOCKING LUG WITHOUT TOUCHING THE DOOR OPENING HANDLE. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE FIRST TIME WAS DURING THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL AND THE SECOND TIME WAS JUNE OF 2011. *TT

BACK DOORS OF MY 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FX4 4X4 DO NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE CHILD SAFELY LOCKS ARE NOT ON. WE JUST BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED, WE NOTICED THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN AT THE DEALERS, THEY SAID IT WOULD BE FIXED. UPON PICKING UP THE TRUCK WE WERE TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE THE CHILD SAFELY LOCK WAS ON. THIS IS NOT TRUE BECAUSE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS DO NOT KEEP YOU FROM OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THEY DID SOMETHING THAT ALOUD THE DOOR TO OPEN FOR ABOUT 30 MINS, WE GOT HOME AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN. THIS IS NOT SAFE, WE COULD NOT GET MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF THE TRUCK. GOD FOR BID IF THE TRUCK EVER WAS ON FIRE WE COULD NOT GET TO HER. *TR

2001 FORD SPORTTRAC ALL FRAME/BODY MOUNT BUSHING IS DETERIATING BADLY. I THINK ITS VERY SERIOUS. IF I SHOULD HAVE A WREAK OR SOMEONE HITS ME WHILE IM TM TRANSPORTING MY GRANDSON OR WIFE .WHAT HOLDS THE FRAME FROM SWAYING OFF THE TRUCK IS WELL TAKEN CARE OFF . I LIVE IN TEXAS. NO BAD WEATHER CONDITION TO DETERIATE BUSHING . IT SHOULD BE A DEFECTIVE PART. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE IT GETS PEOPLE KILLED. IM DISABLE AND ON A FIXED INCOME CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. *LN

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. 3 DIFFERENT TIMES IT HAS EJECTED THE REAR SPARK PLUG FROM THE ENGINE. I'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY GETTING IT REPARIED. EACH REPAIR HAS FAILED. EACH REPAIR SHOP HAS BEEN VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS CERTAINLY CANNOT BE SAFE. FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING FOR SUCH A POOR DESIGN OF ITS ENGINES. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC CRUMBLING BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS CAUSING CREAKING, KNOCKING NOISE UNDER FLOORBOARD. POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL. VEHICLE IS HARD TO STEER, CORNERING IS AWFUL AND TRUCK RIDES VERY ROUGH AND IS HARD TO CONTROL NOW THAT THE BUSHINGS ARE COMPLETELY GONE. OTHER POSSIBLE PROBLEMS THE BODY COULD WARP, CAUSE WINDOWS TO BREAK, DOORS TO BECOME MISALIGNED, CAUSE OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS TO FAIL PREMATURELY. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 69K MILES AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *KB

IVE HCECKED AROUND AND IT SEEMS THAT ALL OF THE EXPLORER SPORT TRACS EVENTUALLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM EVEN AFTER REPLACING WITH NEW ONES. THE BODY MOUNT INSULATORS UNDER THE CAB DETERIATE AND CRUMBLE. THE NOISE IS HIGHLY UNBEARABLE SO I HAVENT DRIVEN MY TRUCK IN A FEW MONTHS. I REFUSE TO PAY CLOSE TO $500 USD FOR PARTS WHEN I STILL HAVE TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE FOR AND PAY LABOR. I FEEL THAT FORD AND THE NHTSA HAVE NO CARE AT ALL ABOUT WHETHER IT GETS RESOLVED. FORD SYAS GO TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER SAYS GO TO FORD. THEN BACK AND FORTH LIKE NOBODY WANTS TO DEAL WITH IT, UNLESS OF COURSE IF YOU'RE PAYING THEM. THEN THEY'L FIX IT AND REPAIR IT WITH PARTS THAT WILL GO OUT. IF IT WAS WEATHER OR NATURAL CAUSES FOR THE WEAR, THEN WHY DOESNT THE FRONT AND REAR ONES WEAR OUT? WHY JUST THE TWO( WELL I SHOULD SAY FOUR TWO ON EACH SIDE) WEAR OUT? EITHER STOP MAKING CRAPPY PARTS AND CARS FOR PEOPLE WHO WORL AND DIE FOR THIS COUNTRY OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A CRAPPY EXCUSE OF A PART AND FIX IT. SO WHAT IF IT COSTS YOU MILLIONS; IF YOU MADE IT RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE THEN YOU WOULDNT HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOW. I GUESS WHEN MY CAB FLIES OFF AND KILLS SOME KIDS ON A SIDEWALK AND THE PARETS SUE FORD AND NHTSA FOR FAILURE TO HEAD PRIOR WARNINGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEN MAYBE SOMEBODY WILL MAKE SOMEBODY FIX THIS HUGE ISSUE. I MIGHT JUST GO DRIVING AND SWERVE AND LET MY CAB ROLL OF AND KILL SOMEBODY, NOTHING LIKA A LITTLE DEATH TO GET THE JOB DONE....HEY IT WORKED WHEN WE WENT FIGHTING IN IRAQ FOR YOU PEOPLE. SMH. THIS IS PLAN RIDICULOUS AND SICKNING HOW OUR GOVERNMENT ALLOWS COMPANIES TO SCREW US OVER AFTER ALL WE'VE DONE. GO OUT THERE AND SERVE YOUR COUNTRY!! AND WHEN YOU GET BACK AND YOUR CAR'S PARTS ARE FAULTY, WE WONT MAKE THE TRILLION DOLLAR COMPANY FIX IT....SMFH...AINT NO COUNTRY LIKE AMERICA. *TT

FORD 2001 SPORT TRAC SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD. *TR

TOOK MY TRUCK TO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT THE GRINDING SOUND OF MEDAL WAS, TURNED OUT TO BE THE BODY MOUNTING BUSHINGS. THEY ARE FALLING APART. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS WHAT ATTACHES THE BODY TO THE FRAME AND IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AROUND. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE COMPANY. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION I HAVE. I READ UP ON THIS ONLINE AND FOUND THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FORD CAN LET THESE TRUCKS OF THEIR LOTS KNOWING THAT THE BUSHINGS ARE NO GOOD AND SHOULD BE FIXED!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BODY MOUNTS HAD DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

BODY MOUNTS UNDER FLOOR ARE DETERIORATED. WHEN DRIVING AND GOING OVER BUMPS, VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS "BOTTOMING OUT" AS A LOUD CLUNK CAN BE HEARD AND FELT UNDER YOUR FEET. UPON INSPECTION, AT LEAST 4 MOUNTS ARE ROUGHLY 75% DETERIORATED OR MORE. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. 2WD. AUTOMATIC. A FEW MONTHS AGO I STARTED HEARING AN ANNOYING SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT WHEN I GOT HOME. THE BUSHINGS THAT GO IN THE MOUNTS TO SECURE THE CAB OF THE TRUCK TO THE FRAME ARE DETERIORATING. YOU CAN ACTUALLY TOUCH THEM AND THEY WILL FALL APART. I CHECKED WITH A FEW LOCAL AUTO PART STORES AND ALL OVER THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT THOSE BUSHINGS ARE A DEALER ITEM, AND COST ABOUT $35 EACH. ON THE INTERNET I ALSO FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THE BUSHINGS TO GO BAD. ON EACH CAB MOUNT ON THE FRAME; THERE IS AN UPPER AND LOWER BUSHING. ALL OF THE BUSHINGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ARE EITHER BAD OR GOING BAD. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALL FROM FORD ON THESE BUSHINGS. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AROUND $600 TO REPLACE THESE BUSHINGS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE THE CAB OF THE TRUCK COULD SHIFT WHEN TURNING OR ON BUMPY ROADS. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE BUSHINGS SINCE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE CAB MOUNT BUSHINGS OR KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS HAD TO; EXCEPT ON A FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. I CURRENTLY STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO EVEN PURCHASE THE BUSHINGS DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. I AM A DO-IT-YOURSELFER AND COULD REPLACE THESE ON MY OWN IF I COULD AFFORD THEM. I FEEL THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE AFFECTED MODELS OF THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS ARE DETERIORATING PREMATURELY. *DT

TRANSMISSIONS IN EXPLORER SPORT TRACS 2001 ARE NOT VERY RELIABLE, I AM HAVING TO PUT A 2ND ONE IN WITH ONLY 126,000 MILES. FORD SHOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH ALL TRANSMISSIONS IN THE EXPLORER. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD, NOR WILL I TELL ANYBODY ELSE, MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN A BAIL-OUT FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO FIX THERE CARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL STATED THAT A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY START FROM UNDER THE HOOD. LATER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS ADDED TO THE RECALL AND HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE LETTER PERTAINED TO A DIFFERENT VEHICLE HE OWNED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,350.

2001 FORD SPORT TRAC BODY MOUNTS HAVE ALL DETERATED AND FALLEN OFF. VERY SERIOUS MATTER WHEN BODY MIGHT BREAK OFF. *CN

THE EMAILS BELOW CHRONICLE MY ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ADDRESS WHAT I FEEL TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COMPONENTS THAT ARE THE SUBJECT TO THE INQUIRY ARE PART OF THE STEERING. ANY FAILURE OF THESE COMPONENTS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE RUBBER BODY MOUNT, STRUT AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON MY 2001 SPORT TRAC 4WD ARE CRUMBLING. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT CORRECTIVE ACTION THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS TAKING TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. [XXX] THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER REGARDING THE CONCERNS YOU HAVE WITH YOUR 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WE HAVE REVIEWED THE SITUATION, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, FIELD SERVICE ACTIONS/CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS ON YOUR VEHICLE THAT WOULD PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THIS REPAIR. HOWEVER, WE DO SUGGEST THAT THE REPAIR BE DONE BY A FORD/LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ARE TRAINED TO PUT YOUR VEHICLE BACK INTO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS, AND ANY FORD PARTS REPLACED WILL COME WITH A 12 MONTHS/12,000 MILES WARRANTY. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC FEE MAY BE CHARGED. IF ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, WE SUGGEST THAT YOU CONTACT THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP/SERVICE MANAGER. THEY WILL FURTHER ASSIST IN FACILITATING YOUR SERVICE/REPAIR NEEDS. YOUR NEXT STEPS ARE TO DISCUSS THIS REPAIR WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT YOUR DEALERSHIP. SHOULD YOU FEEL THAT WE HAVE NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED YOUR QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US VIA TELEPHONE AT (800)392-3673 BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8AM AND 5PM, LOCAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR 10 DIGIT REFERENCE NUMBER - [XXX] . SINCERELY, [XXX] CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR

THE RUBBER BODY MOUNT,STRUT AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON MY 2001 SPORT TRAC 4WD ARE CRUMBLING. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC VEHICLES HAS BADLY DETERIORATING CAB MOUNT BUSHINGS. (THESE BUSHINGS CONNECT THE CAB TO THE FRAME.) ON MY VEHICLE THEY HAVE ALMOST TOTALLY FALLEN APART. THEY CRUMBLE WHEN TOUCHED AND SOME ARE TOTALLY MISSING. THIS CAN CAUSE A BODY SWAY OF UP TO 3-4 INCHES. THERE IS NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUES ACCORDING TO FORD. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR IS ABOUT $600.00. *TR