2001 Ford Explorer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 10%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 10% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After having my 2001 lmtd edition Explorer parked for over 45 minutes, the vehicle caught on fire and was consumed. It was a total loss, melted down to the frame of the vehicle. The fire marshal was unable to determine the cause of the fire as the damage was so severe, but I was referred to several articles regarding similar Ford Explorer fires.”
NHTSA complaint #10148277, filed 2006-01, 62,500 miles“I was sitting in a restaurant drive thru when the car turned off. I turned the car back on & inched a bit forward in line. Moments after that while in drive, but not moving, I heard a loud pop. After that, I saw flames shooting towards the front windshield coming from under the hood on my side. I put the car in park, turned off the car and took the key out of the ignition and fled. The restaurant workers came to my aid and put the fire out before it spread. When I went back to say thank you, they told me that they heard a second pop before they put out the fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10712749, filed 2015-04, 188,093 miles“As with so many explorers I have read about, my o/d light comes on and flashes. I lose all power during initial acceleration and then the truck shoots off like a rocket. If I turn the ignition off, the light resets and the vehicle is ok for a while until the light comes on again. I had the codes read and it came up a solenoid problem. I had them replaced and ten miles from the lot, the light came on again. I have read that this is a known issue from Ford, but they have yet to act on this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10317611, filed 2010-03, 104,000 miles“Wife parked Explorer in garage, 20 min later heard a loud noise then noticed the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Luckily, we were able to save our home and everyone is alright. Car is completely totaled and our garage is a disaster.”
NHTSA complaint #10230894, filed 2008-06, 110,000 miles“Ford Explorer 2001, v8 5.0l engine. The original manufacturer spark plugs had rusted in the iron block and metal ring separated from the ceramic part when I try to remove them. A broken threaded part remained in the engine block. It happened on the first three tried. On fist two I was able to use a remover to extract the left over part, on the third one, the threader broke in the head. I had to take the car to a mechanic shop, pull both cylinder heads out and replace the rest of the spark plugs. Ports needed to have inserts installed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358888, filed 2010-10, 91,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10026389May 16, 2008Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for…
- 10011150Aug 9, 2004Rattle noise from primary chain drive area 2000-3000 rpm - 4.0l sohc engine.
- 10013064Oct 28, 2002Excessive sulfur smell from exhaust.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 164 | 26% |
| 2005 | 29 | 6% |
| 2004 | 71 | 5% |
| 2003 | 69 | 6% |
| 2002 | 163 | 5% |
| 2001 | 39 | 10% |
| 2000 | 90 | 9% |
| 1999 | 100 | 7% |
| 1998 | 189 | 10% |
| 1997 | 198 | 11% |
| 1996 | 81 | 6% |
| 1995 | 45 | 5% |
| 1994 | 74 | 6% |
| 1993 | 55 | 6% |
| 1992 | 64 | 10% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Explorer
62 complaintsSuspension
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsSeats
24 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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