2001 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

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. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO FORD HEADQUARTERS. THEY CHECKED MY VIN AND TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL FOR A DEFECT THAT CAUSES FIRES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND THEY DID NOT TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL ON THE CAR. ALSO, THE CAR OIL WAS LAST CHANGED 3/5/2015 AND WAS BELOW THE MILEAGE FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE, SO I AM SO CONFUSED AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED, IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

THE RISING PRICE OF GAS DISCOURAGED ME FROM USING MY SPORT TRAC (ST) OFTEN, SO IT WAS GARAGED DURING THE WORK WEEK. ON THE WEEKENDS, I USUALLY DROVE THE ST TO RUN ERRANDS AROUND TOWN. ON JAN 28, 2012, I DROVE LESS THAN A MILE WHEN MY ST BEGAN LOSING THROTTLE RESPONSE AND AN UNFAMILIAR CLATTERING CAN BE HEARD GENERATED IN THE ENGINE BAY. I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL, SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL OVER. I THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC NEAR MY LOCATION. THE MECHANIC AFTER EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD FAILED, ALONG WITH TIMING CHAIN GUIDES WHICH SHATTERED INTO MULTIPLE PIECES (PHOTOS AVAILABLE). THE TIMING CHAIN AND ITS COMPONENTS ARE SUPPOSE TO LAST FOR A LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE, AND HENCE FORD PROVIDED NO INFORMATION OR PROVISION FOR ITS MAINTENANCE. THE REPAIR WAS EXPENSIVE, BECAUSE IT REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE WHICH IS BASED ON THE SOHC DESIGN HAVING ITS RIGHT CAMSHAFT DRIVEN BY A TIMING CHAIN LOCATED BEHIND THE ENGINE NEAR THE FIREWALL. A RECALL OF THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES AND TENSIONER SHOULD BE MADE BECAUSE OF THE COMMON PROBLEM THIS HAS BEEN FOR THIS ENGINE DESIGN, SOHC 4.0L AFTER THE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDE REPLACEMENT, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION REGISTERED AN ERROR ON MY DASHBOARD, AND AFTER CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERT, REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. THE COST OF THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD HAS BEEN VERY EXPENSIVE TO SAY THE LEAST. THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF THIS FAILURES WOULD COMPROMISE SAFETY DURING HIGH SPEED OPERATIONS. I HOPE NHTSA WILL REVIEW COMPLAINTS REGARDING TIMING CHAIN AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES, WHICH SHOULD REVEAL A PATTERN OF DESIGN FAILURES AT FORD. INTERESTINGLY, FORD HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND ENGINE REMOVAL TO REPAIR CHAIN GUIDES IN THE PAST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACTED WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE FENDER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CONTACTED AND REPORTS WERE FILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THERE WAS NOT A POLICE OR FIRE REPORT FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FORD 2001 SPORT TRAC SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. 3 DIFFERENT TIMES IT HAS EJECTED THE REAR SPARK PLUG FROM THE ENGINE. I'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY GETTING IT REPARIED. EACH REPAIR HAS FAILED. EACH REPAIR SHOP HAS BEEN VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS CERTAINLY CANNOT BE SAFE. FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING FOR SUCH A POOR DESIGN OF ITS ENGINES. *TR

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. DEFECT IS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE SPARK PLUG WITH SHORT THREAD FOLLOWED BY A CYLINDRICAL PART THAT ACCUMULATES MOISTURE AND RUST. *TR

AT 2100-2300 RPM ON ACCELERATION A PINGING SOUND IS HEARD THAT SOUNDS LIKE SPARK KNOCK (DETONATION). THE ACTUAL CAUSE IS FROM DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES WHICH ALLOWS SLACK IN THE TIMING CHAINS (4.0 ENGINES HAS ONE IN FRONT AND ONE IN REAR) AND IS CAUSING IT TO RATTLE AND EAT AWAY AT THE GUIDES. THIS IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "RATTLE OF DEATH" ON THE FORD 4.0 ENGINES BECAUSE ONCE THE PLASTIC ON THE GUIDES GETS EATEN AWAY BY THE LOOSE TIMING CHAIN, IT EATS INTO THE METAL SUPPORT AND CREATE METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE WHICH WILL CAUSE FAILURE, IF THE CHAIN DOES NOT FALL OFF FIRST. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM DUE TO CHEAP TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP TO BE SERVICED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 05/21/10.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WOULD HAPPEN WHEN FIRST STARTING TO DRIVE. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME. VEHICLE DESTROYED BY FIRE. *TR

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. *TR

2001 FORD EXPLORER TIMING CHAIN RATTLE AND FAILURE. ON 4.0L SOHC. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON FORUMS. FORD NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MOTOR ISSUE OR REIMBURSE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD RATTLING NOISES IN THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT GOT A SECOND OPINION AND WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. A THIRD REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAMSHAFT WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE MODIFIED AND WERE DEFECTIVE; THEREFORE, ENTIRELY NEW PARTS WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS HAVING ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

THIS IS A 7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH RECALLS CONTINUE. THIS VEHICLE HAS A CHAIN GUIDE PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE MAJOR. WE NOW EITHER NEED A NEW MOTOR OR WE HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED FOR 2,500.00 EVERYWHERE WE CHECK. MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT THAT OLD OF A VEHICLE. *TR

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EGR SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS AVAILABLE PERTAINING TO HIS VIN; THEREFORE, IT WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL NUMBER 02M01S6. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RIDE ROUGHLY AND BACKFIRED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS, HOWEVER, THE HEX NUT SNAPPED WHEN IT WAS REMOVED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THREADED PART OF THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED INSIDE THE HEAD. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT A MACHINE SHOP REMOVE THE SPARK PLUG. AS OF JULY 3, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,184.

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRACT WITH A FAILURE MILEAGE OF 84,000 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UNDER WET CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A HARD JERK AND THEN LOST POWER. THE CONTACT TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, WHO FOUND THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE ENGINE AND THE TIMING GEAR HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE FAILURE HAPPENED. THE CONTACT HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED, AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE'S FAILURE WAS DUE TO RECALL 00M12 CONCERNING THE TIMING CHAIN OF WHICH NHTSA HAD NO RECORD. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK IS A 2001, IT SHOULD BE LISTED ON THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST 2000. THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE. UPDATE 05/04/07*TR

FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC TIMING BELT TENSIONER BROKE AT 38,000 BROKE AGAIN AT 92,000

I AM EXPERIENCING THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SATISFACTION PROGRAM #00M12. THIS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS OR 72,000 MILES ON THAT PART. TOO LATE FOR ME, AS I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE A FEW MONTHS A GO. NOW, I AM AT 6 YEARS/87,000 MILES. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING AND SO I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY. THEY TOLD ME TO LODGE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTS. PRETTY BAD SITUATION FOR ME AND MANY OTHERS AS I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET. *NM

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. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH IN COLD WET WEATHER. *NM

DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 2001 FORD EXPLORER XLT. *NM

PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM BACKUS FORD ON THE 15TH OF FEB AND NOTICED IT HAD A ROUGH IDLE AND WHEN TURING THE TRUCK RIGHT OR LEFT IN THE IDLE SPEED IT WOULD ALMOST STALL. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BUT IT IS STILL THERE AND DOES THE SAME THING .IT ACTS LIKE IT IS MISSING. BACKUS HAS GONE THRU ALL SPECS ON IT AND CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I THINK IT MIGHT BE A CHIP OR COMPUTER PROBLEM BUT THEY (THE DEALER) DOES NOT. HAS ANY ONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM

DT: OWNS 2001 FORD EXPLORER, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE PREGNANT. HAD JUST ENTERED INTERSTATE AND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH AND TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 65MPH. TRIED TO TAP BRAKE BUT HEARD ENGINE REV UP AND IT IMMEDIATELY SPED BACK UP. TAPPED BRAKE AGAIN AND KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. ENGAGED HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED TO PULL OFF ROAD. DOWN SHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR,THEN TO 1ST, AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 50 MPH. TRIED TO ENGAGE EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH NO LUCK. WAS USING BOTH BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING IN THE GRASS UPHILL. WHEN IT SLOWED TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH PASSENGER JUMPED FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV UP, DRIVER LET OFF BRAKE WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE AND WAS SLUNG FROM VEHICLE. THE EXPLORER WENT BACK AND CROSSED 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC, ENTERED ONTO SERVICE ROAD WHERE IT STRUCK A TREE. FROM THERE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP THE TREE UP-ROOTING IT. THE TIRES CAUGHT FIRE AND BYSTANDER TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN ICE CHEST AND AGAIN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TT

VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHEN IT WAS AROUND 30 DEGREES OR LOWER IN THE WINTER AND WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE 3 OR 4 TIMES TO GET IT TO STAY STARTED, NOW VEHICLE DOES THIS EVERY MORNING AND EVEN WHEN ITS WARM OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER PUT SEAL ON INTAKE PLATTON. VEHICLE DOES IT EVERY TIME YOU START IT NOW.

THERE WERE NO PRECEDING EVENTS; UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE DIED. THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ALL ATTENDANT PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE ALSO FAILED IMMEDIATELY UPON INSTALLATION. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED WITH YET ANOTHER ENGINE. COST TO CONSUMER: $6348.50. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLY PROBLEMS. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. ALL TIRES HAD STRESS MARKS LOCATED IN THE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRES. GOODYEAR, WRANGLER RTS P255/70R16. ALSO, COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE . CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE LEAK. BUT TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE STRESS MARKS. *AK

DRIVER SEAT RECLINER BOLT, THE SEAT BACK/RECLINE/FORWARD BROKE, REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *BF THE OIL FILTER HAD COME WITH A HOLE TOO LARGE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HANDLE BROKE, THE TIRES BLEWOUT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. *SC

WHEN CHANGING GEARS, THERE WAS HESITATION AS IF THE TRUCK WANTED TO CUT OFF AND SHUDDER IN STEERING. HAD OXYGEN SENSOR AND FUEL INJECTOR CHECKED. *AK *JB

DROVE HOME, GARBAGE PICK-UP MISSED OUR HOUSE. GRAB THE CAN ,AND PUT IN BACK OF FORD SPORT TRAC..TRIED TO CATCH THE GARBAGE TRUCK DOWN A DIRT ROAD. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FRONT HOOD ON MY SPORT TRAC CAME OPEN.ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING ON AIR-CONDITIONER.I BELEIVE SAME TYPE OF PARTS OR COMPONENTS USED IN PREVIOUS YEARS FORD EXPLORER SPORT...RANGING BACK TO 98 OR FURTHER.PROBABLY SAME TYPES RECALLED OR COMPLAINED ABOUT IN THOSE YEARS PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTS..I HAVE FOUND THAT MY 2001 FORD SPORT TRAC WAS ACTUALLY MADE IN LATE YEAR OF 2000.*AK

CURRENTLY FORD HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM UNDER ONP 00M12 WHICH EXTENDS THE WARRANTY FOR THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER ON, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, 2001 EXPLORER SPORT TRACS. ACCORDING TO FORD'S SYSTEM, MY CAR, WHILE A 2001 SPORT TRAC WITH THE SOHC MOTOR, IS NOT COVERED. I AM AT THIS TIME EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE COVERING UNDER THIS EXTENSION, BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR IS EXCLUDED. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAD NO INFORMATION WHY MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED, BUT DID ADMIT THAT 2001 SPORT TRACS WERE PART OF THIS EXTENDED COVEREAGE. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY DETAILS OR FACTS TO SUPPORT THEIR REASONING. IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THE SOHC MOTORS, THUS THE REASON FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, MY CAR SEEMS TO BE NOT PART OF THIS PROGRAM, THUS NOT COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY, YET I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS WHAT IS COVERED.*AK

THERE WERE REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE IDLE AIR CONTROL MOTOR ON 2001 FORD EXPLORER. *MR UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. *SC

PROBLEMS WITH TIRE EQUIPMENT ON 2001 EXPLORER SPORT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE EMISSIONS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR WOULD BE $240.57 AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 45 MINUTES BECAUSE THE SENSOR WAS DIFFICULT TO GET TO. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE OLD PART BE RETURNED TO HIM. WHEN THE CONSUME GOT HOME HE OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE SENSOR WAS EXTREMELY ACCESSIBLE ON THE TOP RIGHT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER FELLS THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS NOT REASONABLE. *NM

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND HESITATED. A MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

EGR VALVE FAILED ON MY VEHICLE 3 TIMES. ACCORDING TO AN ONLINE REPAIR FORUM, THIS COULD LEAD TO STALLING AND HESITATION IN ACCELERATION. MY EGR VALVE HAS FAILED ALL 3 TIMES DURING PERIODS OF ACCELERATION WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. THIS COULD POSE A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD IT FAIL AND STALL WHILE ACCELERATING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY OR WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE ROAD.*AK

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON OCTOBER 8,2003. THREE DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK FOUR TIMES BACK TO BACK. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THE SAME THING. ON THE FOURTH ATTEMPT, THEY HAD ME TAKE IT TO ONE OF "THEIR" MECHANICS. HE SAID IT WAS A BAD SWITCH IN THE SYSTEM. NOT EVEN A WHOLE WEEK LATER, THE CHECK GUAGE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR LOT WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LOOK AT MY CAR BECAUSE OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF THEIR HEART THEY'VE ALREADY LOOKED AT IT. SO I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY FIXED IT AND SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION, AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY CAR LOT SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR SOME PROBLEMS THAT ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I LATER FOUND OUT THAT A SALES PERSON WHO WAS NOT CERTIFIED MECHANIC, TRIED TO FIX THE CAR WHEN THEY SAID THEY WERE SENDING IT TO A MECHANIC. I'M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE JUST GETTING WORSE!

STARTING PROBLEMS WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT ON A COLD START. VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO START BUT WILL NOT TURN OVER WITHOUT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO ACCELERATOR. ONLY DUPLICATES IN COLD WEATHER. VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORT SAME ISSUES. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST TOTAL POWER. *AK WHEN THE NEW MOTOR WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD JUST DIE WHILE IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED. IT HAD TAKEN THE DEALER THREE ATTEMPTS WHEN THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WASN'T A RUNNING CODE, SO IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. *SCC *JB

WHILE TRAVELING FROM WILLIAMSBURG/NEW PORT NEWS, VA MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO HAVE THE PROBLEM LOOKED AT. IT IS A POOR FLOW FOR THE EGR VALVE. ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTATION IN VARIOUS ENGINE REFERENCE BOOKS FAILURE OF THE VALVE COULD CAUSE ERRATIC ENGINE SURGES AND POTENTIAL OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS TO INCLUDE FAILURE OF THE POWER PLANT. THERE ARE APPARENTLY NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE 4.0L V-6 WHICH IS A COMMON ENGINE IN THE RANGER AND EXPLORER MODELS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 42000 HIGHWAY MILES AND RECEIVES REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOW LIFE OF THIS PART UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAT THE PART FAILURE COULD CAUSE. *LA

VEHICLE'S MOTOR STALLED OUT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED.*MR THE CONSUMER WANTS TO PUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON NOTICE THAT HIS VEHICLE IS IN FACT DEFECTIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE AND REMEDY A FUTURE FAILURE, AT NO COST, SHOULD A SIMILAR PROBLEM RECCUR AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. *CB *JB

VEHICLE RATTLES OVER 80 MPH. THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHAKES UNNECESSARILY. BAD SMELL EXISTING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ERP(VACUUM PART $600) IS BAD AT 45000 MILES ONLY ON A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHAT IS THIS. *NLM

EXHAUST FUMES SEEPED INTO THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR CABIN. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OR SOURCE OF LEAK. MANUFACTURER STATED EXHAUST FUME SMELL WAS NORMAL. *JB THE SMELL WOULD WORSEN WHEN GOING UP HILLS AND OR THE MOUNTAINS. SCC

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING TIMING CHAIN WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE STILL EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS. *AK

AFTER REMOVING FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL AT 20 TO 25 MPH, WHEN TOUCHING THE PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED, TRUCK SPUN AS THOUGH AT FULL THROTTLE. HAPPENED ONCE WHILE TURNING BEND ON A WET SURFACE. THEN HAPPENED AGAIN ON A STRAIGHT SNOW COVERED ROAD. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, BUT REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE SINCE IT'S THE MOST COMMON COMPONENT TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. DT

WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THIS CONDITION ALMOST CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A PARKED CAR AND A PERSON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASION BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH *NLM

CONSUMER NOTICE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GAIN SPEED FROM A STOP, VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS REPAIRED SIX TIMES BY THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING WORSE AND THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE OR REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE. *YH

WHILE IN IDLE VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT OR AT TIMES JUST START SHAKING, IDLES ROUGHLY CONSTANTLY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED, AFTERWARDS ENGINE STALLED. DEALER HAS REPLACED THERMOSTAT.*AKTHE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE WHILE IN MOTION AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED HE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. CONSUMERS INSURANCE COMPANY DID A TEST WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED OUT THAT A FAULTY THERMOSTAT WAS THE CAUSE. *JG

ANYTIME YOU ARE STOPPED, (IN DRIVE, NEUTRAL OR REVERSE), OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE ENGINE SKIPS. THEY CALL IT A LEAN IDOL MISS. A MISS IN ANY MOTOR WILL EVENTUALLY BURN UP THE VALVES. IT IS NOT FIXABLE. THEY WILL NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOW TAKEN THE TAGS OFF AND IT SETS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WILL NOT CAUSE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE TO THIS TRUCK. I HAVE TALKED WITH EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE DEALERSHIP, THE FORD FEILD SERVICE PERSON, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ALSO AN EXECUTIVE FROM FORD IN MICHIGAN NAMED MR. DUNCAN. NO ONE WILL BUDGE. NO ONE WILL HELP ME AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR AN ATTORNEY. FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE A FLAW IN THE MOTOR, BUT THEY EXCUSE IT BY SAYING IT DOESN'T HURT THE MOTOR. YES IT DOES. MINE IS ALREADY BLOWING SMOKE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP US. THE ONLY OTHER CHOICE I HAVE IS TO LET THE TRUCK GO BACK TO THE FINANCE COMPANY. PLEASE HELP. THIS WAS MY FIRST BRAND NEW VEHICLE WE PAID 25,000.00 DOLLARS FOR NOW IT HAS TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES A NEW OVERFLOW TANK WAS INSTALLED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE REQUIRED PUTTING 1/2 QUART OF ANTIFREEZE EVERYTIME THE OIL WAS CHANGED, ON ONE OCCASION THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, VEHICLE DIED OUT WHILE DRIVING. THEN NO CRANK NO START. PCM AND BLOWN FUSE REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TT

THE VEHICLE IS LOUD ON THE INSIDE EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. WHILE ON EXTENDED TRIPS THERE IS A RINGING SOUND HEARD IN THE EARS AT THE END OF THE TRIP. CONSUMER FEELS THIS LOUD NOISE MAY DAMAGE THE HEARING AND THAT IT IS TOO LOUD TO HEAR OUTSIDE TRAFFIC. *JG

VEHICLE IS DRIVEN VERY SLUGISH. ALSO, CONSUMER IS HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT COULD BE THE CONVERTER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO DRIVE SLUGGISH, ROUGH, AND SOMETIMES MAKES A SCREECHING NOISE. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PCM, VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID, TENSIONER ASSEMBLY, VACUUM HOSE TWICE, DPFE, AND THE FUEL TANK. *SLC

MFG INSTALLATION OR DESIGN DEFECT--- UPPER RADIATOR HOSE LAYS ON THE UPPER PART OF ENGINE. IT LAYS AGAINST THE HEATER CORE INLET HOSE. THE HEATER CORE INLET HOSE HAS A CLAMP THAT CUTS INTO THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE., NORMAL ENGINE VIBRATIONS ARE ENOUGH TO CUT THROUGH THE HOSE. NOTE: THE HOSE HAS A NYLON NETTING WHICH IS ABRAIDED. THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. THE OFFENDING CLAMP IS OF POOR DESIGN AND PLACEMENT. IT IS MADE FROM STAMPED SHEET METAL AND HAS OBVIOUS SHARP EDGES, HENCE CUTTING INTO THE RADIATOR HOSE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED AT DESIGN WITH A DIFFERENT HOSE CLAMP OR AT ASSEMBLY BY TURNING THE OFFENDING CLAMP APROX 90 DEGREES.*AK

VEHICLE HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION AND HAS ALSO STALLED ON 5 OCCASIONS, THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED/REPLACED VARIOUS COMPONETS ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER CONSUMER STILL EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEMS.*JB

VEHICLE HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION AND HAS ALSO STALLED ON 5 OCCASIONS, THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED/REPLACED VARIOUS COMPONETS ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER CONSUMER STILL EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEMS.*JB

FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE THERE HAS BEEN A SMELL, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. A BURNING SMELL, AT TIMES THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS. THIS SMELL CAUSES ME TO BE NAUSEAOUS. THE DEALER CHECKED THIS ON THE COMPUTER, STATED EVERYHING IS OKAY. THE COMPUTER RESULTS VERIFY THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING WITHIN FORD STANDARDS. *AK

ENGINE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING COOLANT FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE.*AK

PINGING NOISE AT 2500-3000 RPMS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. THE NOISE GOES AWAY WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS UP.*AK

PINGING NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. WHEN THE ENGINE GETS WARMER THE NOISE STARTS TO GO AWAY. COMPUTER # JXV2. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATES AND SEEMS NOT TO GET GAS. THEN, COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING . DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

THE HEATER/COOLANT HOSE IN THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS RUBBING AGAINST THE DIPSTICK, WEARING THROUGH THE HOSE AND POTENTIALLY SPRAYING VERY HOT COOLANT UNDER THE HOOD.*AK

THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE TRIED TO RETURN TO BE REPAIRED ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE MOST UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR I'VE EVER SEEN, FROM THIS DEALERSHIP, IN THE PURCHASE AND REPAIR PROCEDURES.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

THE VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, THERE IS ALSO A BURNING SMELL, POSSIBLY AN EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILURE, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY SOURCE. NLM

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STALLED, THE VEHICLE SURGES AND HESITATES INTERMITTENTLY, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. NLM