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Body and structurePart report

2001 Ford Explorer Body and structure Problems

Complaints
29about this part
Share
8%of 375 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the body and structure of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 8% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 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.

“The vehicle rolled over on its side on dry pavement on the fwy at the posted speed limit in good weather conditions. No other vehicle was involved, the car skided when I attempted to change lanes. I went into a skid and the car turned on its side.”

NHTSA complaint #11088800, filed 2018-04, 251,000 miles

“I have a 2001 Explorer and the paint has been peeling off for a couple of years. If I wash it with high pressure, the paint will blow off the hood. Paint has bubbled and come off on the hood, tailgate and both quarter panels over the rear wheels. I hand wash it at this point to minimize more paint loss.”

NHTSA complaint #10240320, filed 2008-08, 99,000 miles

“Rear end of car thumped every time you would go over the smallest separation in the road and also on a bumpy road. Replaced rear end shocks. Still have the same problem of thumping. Some times it feels like I'm going to loose the rear end of the vehicle. I was told possibly now that back bushings holding the body to the frame may be disintegrated. Vehicle has always been well maintained and garaged. I have found out that there have been many complaints about this occurring now with this 2001 model. You would think there would be a safety recall by Ford to fix these bushing problems.”

NHTSA complaint #10659595, filed 2014-11, 107,000 miles

“Frame /body mounts, creak, squawk crunch , the noise is most noticeble when turning or hitting bumps. Some peple also describe the noise a hammer beating under the vehicle, the cause is deteriorate body to frame mount cushions, these cushions apper to have been made of substandard material, much like chinese valve stems that cause so much trouble after a few years the body mounts dry rot , crumble and literally fall apart, this a terrible, this can provoked a accident.”

NHTSA complaint #10763311, filed 2015-09, 99,776 miles

“The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a loud thump coming from the rear hatch window. Upon further investigation, the rear hatch window was loose. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000. ....updated 07/05/16 updated 07/13/16.”

NHTSA complaint #10862579, filed 2016-05, 72,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202625%
202577%
2023109%
2022114%
2021256%
2020454%
201915050%
201828839%
201765939%
201659124%
201541123%
201427616%
201343920%
201214417%
20111109%
201011%
200926%
200811%
2007115%
2006112%
200515130%
200442633%
200335431%
200248615%
2001298%
2000293%
1999473%
1998482%
1997503%
1996634%
1995395%
199415813%
1993869%
19926210%
1991315%

Other parts of the 2001 Ford Explorer

Tires
62 complaints
Suspension
43 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
42 complaints
Engine cooling
39 complaints
Vehicle speed control
36 complaints
Brakes
33 complaints
Electrical system
29 complaints
Air bags
28 complaints
Seats
24 complaints
Steering
21 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaints
Other 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