2001 Ford Explorer Sport Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 16%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the body and structure of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, 16% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10468903, filed 2012-08, 180,000 miles“Both items happened right after my vechicle coverage ran out in oct. Of 2003,anyway 1st. The A/C recycling switch went bad at around 20,200 miles, now the passenger front lower ball joint is making a terrible noise , so I assume that thats on it`s way out,also I noticed that the rear bumper is on a downward position. To me I think this year`s production model stinks .”
NHTSA complaint #10052801, filed 2004-01, 20,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10357190, filed 2010-09, 84,000 miles“Every time I hit a bump or even a rock my car would shake and rattle so bad I couldn't even keep it on the road. We took it to the Ford place in longview and they said there wasn't any recalls on it and they wouldn't pay for it. They said something had been sprayed on it (bushings) or my car had been up north around salt water. Neither were true. I had to take it to a mechanic to get it repaired. I kept all the parts. The bushings had turned brittle and mushy and had to be put in a box.”
NHTSA complaint #10176630, filed 2006-12, 25,000 miles“I was involved in an unexplained roll over involving a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, a 2 door vehicle. I did not have firestone tires on the vehicle in question. My goodyear tires were intact after the accident. I have reviewed the test data and I am convinced this is a faulty vehicle design. I nearly loss my life. It has changed my life. It seems as though your organization has cleared Ford indirectly by focusing attention on firestone tires and not testing all Ford SUV's.”
NHTSA complaint #10008082, filed 2003-02, 20,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V394000Nov 28, 2000Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker…Covers: Ford Explorer Sport 2000–2001, Explorer Sport Trac 2000–2001, Ranger 2001
Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
33 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsSeats
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsTires
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 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 29, 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