15 of the
243 complaints about the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport are about the
braking system — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
30,000 miles.
MY PURCHASED NEW $30,000 2001 FORD 2 DOOR EXPLORER SPORT DIES OFTEN CAUSING NO BRAKES OR STEERING. IN 2001, IT DIED AND ROLLED OVER WITH NO STEERING OR BRAKES WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME, LEAVING HER STRANDED UPSIDE DOWN. FORD WOULD NOT RESPOND AND LOCAL DEALERS WOULD NOT OR COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT STILL DIES AND ALL RECALLS WERE PRESUMABLY DONE, INCLUDING THE FIRESTONE TIRES WHICH WERE THE BEST PART OF THE VEHICLE. NUMEROUS LETTERS TO FORD WERE NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A REFUND ON THIS VEHICLE. CAN YOU HELP ME?
NHTSA complaint #10568035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,057 milesOverland Park, KSCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD, DRIVER 2 CARS AHEAD OF ME CAME TO A DEAD STOP. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HIT BRAKES HARD, I ALSO HIT MY BRAKES HARD, ON WET PAVEMENT. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT KICK IN, AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP.MY CAR SLID INTO THE REAR END OF DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. AS I HAD JUST COME THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR. THE WET PAVEMENT CAUSED MY CAR TO SKID QUITE A WAYS. THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE INCLUDED THE ENTIRE BUMPER COVER BUCKLING, BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE DAMAGED AND BROKEN OUT. NONE OF THE COMPONENTS WERE PUSHED BACK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NEITHER THE DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY PASSENGER WAS JOLTED FORWARD AND ALMOST HIT THE WINDSHIELD DESPITE HAVING SEAT BELT ON. I WAS JOLTED FORWARD AS WELL WITH SEAT BELT ON, AND MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #10381949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellefonte, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS, ARE NEW... THE EXPLORER SPORT STILL DOES NOT COME TO A FULL STOP ... (2001) MILES 4900, BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR AND KEEPS GOING 2 TO THREE FEET MORE BEFORE IT STOPS...
NHTSA complaint #10360362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN ENGAGED, AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN EXTREMELY WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS POSITIONED CLOSE TO THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE ABS TO OVERHEAT AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10357388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesGlen Ridge, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. AFTER DRIVING FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME,(ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THEY SHUDDER VIOLENTLY. AS YOU TRY TO COME TO A STOP AT ANY TIME THE BRAKES GO IN ANTI- LOCK MODE AND THEN GIVE OUT!! YOU HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO HOLD. IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AT MY FORD DEALER (FETTE FORD, CLIFTON NJ) NOT THAT MANY MILES AGO. AND THEY TELL YOU THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT'S MY BAD DRIVING HABITS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A WEBSITE (FORDBRAKES.COM) WHERE HUNDREDS OF DRIVERS DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEMS AND SIMILAR LIES TOLD TO THEM BY FORD SERVICE DEPTS. WHEN THIS STORY FINALLY GETS OUT AND WE START REALIZING HOW MANY ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND MAYBE DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE PAST DOZEN YEARS. IT WILL PROBABLY RIVAL THE TOYOTA COVER-UP. PLEASE TAKE ACTION AND INVESTIGATE NOW!!!
NHTSA complaint #10316271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,500 milesRomulus, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT - INTERMITTENT LOCKING OF THE BRAKES WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO PULL HARD TO THE LEFT, CREATING AN UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE. THIS INTERMITTENT LOCKING CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS. VEHICLE CAN NOT BE SOLD AS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE VEHICLE. SEPTEMBER 2004 - 30,173 MILES. CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING. TECHNICIAN COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. OCTOBER 2004 - 30,400 MILES. CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE IS PULLING HARD TO LEFT WHEN BRAKING AT TIMES. TECHNICIAN COMMENTS "FOUND VEHICLE PULLING TO LEFT AND FELT POP IN PEDAL AND VEH STARTED BRAKING STRAIGHT, CHECKED BRAKES FOUND RIGHT INNER BRAKE PAD STUCK TRIED TO REPLACE BRAKE HARDWARE. REPLACED PADS TO GET HARDWARE KIT INSTALLED HARDWARE KIT AND NEW PADS AGAIN DROVE THE VEHICLE VEHICLE FOUND VEHICLE STOPS STRAIGHT." NOVEMBER 1, 2004 - CUSTOMER STATED THAT VEHICLE PULL HARD TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING AT TIMES SERVICE COMPLETED BRAKE SERVICE - CALIPER ASY - BRAKE - LESS PAD - FLUID BRAKE - HUB ASY - WHEEL NOVEMBER 8, 2004 - 31,311 MILES. - CUSTOMER STATED BRAKES PULL TO THE LEFT AND LOCK UP! NEW PARTS AND ITEMS WORKED ON: ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CONTROL AND MODULE, PIN POINT TEST, ANTI LOCK MODULE - REPLACE, SOLENOID VALVE BLOCK / HCU - REPLACE 5/9/2007 - 6/8/07, MILES 62,013 - FORD HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH, LISTED BELOW ARE THE ITEMS THAT WERE REPAIRED FOR THE SAME HARD PULLING TO THE LEFT INTERMITTENTLY. - REPLACED FRONT AND REAR ROTORS - REPLACED BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS, ALIGNED FRONT END 6/14 - 6/20/07, MILES 62,326. - VEHICLE TAKEN HOME BY TECHNICIAN TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM - INSPECTED FRONT CALIPER PISTONS - BLED FRONT BRAKES FOR ANY AIR - INSPECTED FRONT WHEEL BEARING FOR LOOSENESS/ BINDING *WE HAVE A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THAT THEY CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10225428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SRS LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10108669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesGuttenberg, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, I HAVE CHANGED MY BRAKES 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. WHEN I BRAKE, IT SQUEAKS, VERY SLOW TO STOP, AND SHIFT TO EITHER SIDE. ANY BUMP WILL MAKE THE VEHICLE LOSE CONTROL, ESP WHEN TRAVELING GREATER THAN 45 MILES PER HOUR.. TRUE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10057121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesGreensboro, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
I HAVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS. THE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I HAVE CHANGED BRAKE PADS AND TURNED THE ROTORS. IT CURRENLT HAS 60,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON VARIUOS WEB-SITES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS ON EXPLORERS????
NHTSA complaint #10032623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesKuttawa, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY DON'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUSH HARD ON THE PEDAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUMPING THE BRAKES DOES NOTHING. ON THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT THE CONSUMER HAD TO RUN INTO A DITCH IN ORDER TO STOP FROM GOING INTO AN INTERSECTION. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED A VIBRATION. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10002084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OHFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH SMOKE FILLED CAR AND NOTICED BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AKJLG
NHTSA complaint #8018251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinson, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT WHEEL ON THE DRIVER?S SIDE LOCKS WHEN HEAVY BRAKING IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. IN FORWARD THE WHEEL LOCKS AND PULLS TO THE LEFT OF DRIVER OR LEAVES RUBBER. DEALER REPLACED THE M VALUE WHICH ACCORDING TO FORD MANUAL WAS WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE BRAKE TO LOCK BUT BRAKES ARE STILL LOCKING.
NHTSA complaint #566171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinson, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LOCKS AND CAUSES SUV TO PULL TO THE LEFT UNDER HEAVY BRAKING SOMETIMES, DEALER HAS REPLACED VALUE AS PER FORDS COMPUTER FIXER, THE SUV HAS 33000 MILES AND THE BRAKE STILL LOCKS SOMETIMES, THE SE3RVICE MANGER HASW STATED THAQT FORD HAS DESIGNED THE 2001&2002 ABS BRAKES SO THAT EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT BRAKE WILL LOCK, ASKING THAT FORD REPLACE THE BRAKE CAPILER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY SUV TO NOT AVAIL.
NHTSA complaint #759577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinson, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LOCKS AND CAUSES SUV TO PULL TO THE LEFT UNDER HEAVY BRAKING SOMETIMES, DEALER HAS REPLACED VALUE AS PER FORDS COMPUTER FIXER, THE SUV HAS 33000 MILES AND THE BRAKE STILL LOCKS SOMETIMES, THE SE3RVICE MANGER HASW STATED THAQT FORD HAS DESIGNED THE 2001&2002 ABS BRAKES SO THAT EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT BRAKE WILL LOCK, ASKING THAT FORD REPLACE THE BRAKE CAPILER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY SUV TO NOT AVAIL.
NHTSA complaint #759577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burbank, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ON SNOW COVERED ROAD AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE ABS MODULE FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RUN INTO A SNOW MOUND. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.