2001 Ford Explorer Sport Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,901miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the seat belts of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, 4% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,901 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10377100, filed 2011-01, 153,000 miles“Seat belt on driver side will not retract or recoil. I can fastener the seat belt but it will not adjust at all. I had it diagnosed at the dealer and the beat is broken where the panel will have to be taken off to repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10162811, filed 2006-07, 60,901 miles“On november 29th my mother was driving her 2001 Ford explorer 2dr 4x4 to work. She hit an ice patch going approx. 30 MPH and lost control of her vehicle because the rear end swung sideways. Her Ford then flipped on it's passenger side and hit a tree. My mother could not get her seat belt undone so she called 911 while hanging in her vehicle. A man and woman stopped to help her out because they noticed that her Ford was on fire. They had to break into the back window and the woman climbed in to release her and pull her out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10056600, filed 2004-02, 18,900 miles“---- 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10840001, filed 2016-03, 110,000 miles“While almost at a stop, vehicle was hit head on, both front seatbelts did not restrain driver or passenger. Driver hit head on the windshield and passengers head hit the rearview mirror. Damage to vehicle unknown at this time. The air bags went off after impact to vehicle. The dealer reset them before they could see them. They were reset improper. The bag is visible, no alarms are working and the controls on the steering wheel are hanging loose.”
NHTSA complaint #8012046, filed 2002-06Related service bulletins
- 10014138Jun 7, 2005Safety belt retraction speed.
- 10012954Feb 21, 2005Safety belt web stop button service.
Seat belts: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
33 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsSeats
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsTires
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology