2001 Ford Explorer Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 2%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 1 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 was driving and I saw and smelt smoke. I immediately could tell where it was coming from because I saw the smoke coming out of the hazard light on top of my steering wheel, it then turned into a flame,it was inside of the steering wheel. I pulled off to the side of the road because fortunately I had water with me and I poured a little bit of water on the flames that were coming out of where the hazard light is. This has happened 2 times,with the final result being 2 fires. It happened a 3rd time with just smoke. …”
NHTSA complaint #10552446, filed 2013-11, 187,000 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 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10565495, filed 2014-02, 99,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds or while parked, the driver side turn signal failed to illuminate inside and outside the vehicle. Also, the brake lights failed to illuminate. When the steering column was tilted to the upper position, the interior and exterior turn signal lights and the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10959861, filed 2017-03, 70,000 miles“While driving 35 MPH there was are no turn signal or brake light. Driver would move the steering wheel in another direction and the signals and brake light would come on and off. The driver was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic informed the consumer there was no recall for this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10062999, filed 2004-03“The headlights are dim and do not put out adequate lighting, the consumer feels there is not enough voltage from the headlight to the bulb, the consumer has replaced the bulbs twice with white higher watt bulbs but there was no difference it was worse, the third set of bulbs were the blue halogen bulbs but when they were installed they were dark blue and the consumer could see nothing.”
NHTSA complaint #8020460, filed 2002-10Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% |
| 2020 | 56 | 4% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 25 | 1% |
| 2013 | 25 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 19 | 1% |
| 2001 | 9 | 2% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 46 | 3% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 20 | 1% |
| 1996 | 15 | 1% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 1% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Explorer
62 complaintsSuspension
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsEngine cooling
39 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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