22 of the 503 complaints about the 2001 Ford Explorer are about the steering — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 109,400 miles.
22
Complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING... CAN FEEL A CHANGE IN ENGINE WHILE DRIVING, FEELS LIKE A ROUGH RIDE, AND OVERDRIVE STARTS TO FLASH.
NHTSA complaint #11388765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A CITY STREET INTO MY COMMUNITY AND ABOUT 90 DEGREES INTO THE TURN THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND I WAS HEADED FOR THE MEDIAN. I STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES AND LOOKED DOWN AT THE DASH AND THE BATTERY PICTURE WAS RED WHICH HELPED ME TO REALIZE THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN STARTED IT UP AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE.
NHTSA complaint #10780911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
ON DRIVING MY TRUCK IT SLOWED DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP THEN MOVED BUT CONTINUED TO PUTTER AND SLOW DOWN--I GOT SCARED AND GOT IT IN MY DRIVEWAY AND CALLED AA TO TOW TO MY SERVICE MECHANIC--THE MECHANIC HAD IT FOR 2 DAYS AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT---I TOLD HIM I FELT IT WAS IN THE GEARSHIFT AUTOMATIC AS WHEN I PUT IT IN P IT LUNGES FORWARD AND I HAVE TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AGAIN--ALSO WHEN I HAVE IT IN D THE GEARSHIFT DOES NOT STAY IN THE MIDDLE, AS IT ALWAYS DID. HE SAID IT MIGHT BE WATER IN THE GAS, WHICH I SAID NO TO. I KNOW MY VEHICLE AS I HAD IT FROM DAY ONE AND IT DID NOT DRIVE LIKE THAT. IT HAS ONLY 110,000 MILES ON IT AND I TOOK GOOD CARE OF IT FOR UPKEEP AND NOW THAT I AM RETIRED AND AGE 70, MONEY TO REPAIR DOES NOT COME EASY WITH SMALL PENSION AND SOCIAL SECURITY.
NHTSA complaint #10764649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I HAVE SEVERAL MORE INVOICES 7-29-03 REPLACED DUST SEALS AND FORGOT TO PUT BRAKES BACK TOGETHER LOST WHOLE FRONT END AND BRAKING. HAD TRUCK FOR 3-4 DAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP PULLEY AND S BELT 2-3 TIMES. CRUISE CONTROL 10-16, 12/31/02 AGAIN SQUELING NOISE 02/28/03 DEFROST KILLS TRUCK AND CHIRPING STILL. 2/10/03 STEERING WHEEL SNAPED PART FALLS AROUND INSIDE,CRUISE CONTROL WAS FIXED, BEARING FAILURE IN BELT TENSIONER AGAIN. TODAY STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. COME GET THE PIECE OF !@!@#@#. I AM SICK OF TAKING THIS TRUCK IN EVERY MONTH TO FIX SOMETHING. IT IS A LEMON
NHTSA complaint #10070345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
I NOTICE THE 2001 FORD EXCURSION HAD GEAR BOX PROBLEMS. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE STEERING AND TIE RODS ON MY 2001 EXPLORER. ALSO, I HAD TO REPLACE THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE AND A FRIEND ALSO HAS AN IDOL CONTROL VALVE PROBLEM ON HIS 2001 EXPLORER. ARE THESE PROBLEMS AT LARGE. IF SO, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE FORD REIMBURSE ME FOR THESE CHARGES ON A VEHICLE THAT JUST HAS 37,600 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10037351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I NOTICE THE 2001 FORD EXCURSION HAD GEAR BOX PROBLEMS. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE STEERING AND TIE RODS ON MY 2001 EXPLORER. ALSO, I HAD TO REPLACE THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE AND A FRIEND ALSO HAS AN IDOL CONTROL VALVE PROBLEM ON HIS 2001 EXPLORER. ARE THESE PROBLEMS AT LARGE. IF SO, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE FORD REIMBURSE ME FOR THESE CHARGES ON A VEHICLE THAT JUST HAS 37,600 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10037351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ANTI THEFT DOOR WOULD SHUT DOWN WHEN EVER A FOREIGN KEY IS USED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8019235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ROLLOVER. TRUCK WAS TRAVELING ON FREEWAY AT POSTED SPEED OF 65MPH. 8AM, CLEAR DAY, NO RAIN, NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, DRIVER ALERT AND OTHERWISE NOT IMPAIRED. TIRES HAD BEEN REPLACED PER RECALL AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 8K MILES ON THEM. HIT A PIECE OF DEBRIS (MORE SOLID THEN TIRE PIECES) IN ROAD WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BLOWN OUT RIGHT, REAR TIRE (UNCLEAR IF CAUSE OF ACCIDENT OR DURING ROLLOVER). TRUCK THEN STARTED TO FISHTAIL IN THE LANE. APPLIED BRAKES (WHICH DID NOT LOCK UP - GOOD PERFORMANCE), ALSO NO SKID OCCURRED. THE ACCIDENT LOCATION WAS A FREEWAY UNDERPASS, LEFT LANE WITH A GUARDRAIL VERY CLOSE TO SHOULDER AND WAS PAVED TO THE RAIL EDGE. AS I WAS FIGHTING FOR CONTROL, THE FRONT, LEFT BUMPER HIT THE RAIL. TRUCK THEN ROLLED OVER TWICE AND DID AN ADDITIONAL 180 DEG TURN. I VERY STRONGLY FEEL THAT WITH THE EXCELLENT ROAD CONDITIONS, PROPER SAFETY OF THE GUARD RAIL, RELATIVELY LOW AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DUE TO THE IMPACT ITSELF, ETC, THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND THAT THE ROLLOVER WAS AN EXCESSIVE, DANGEROUS REACTION WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE CARGO IN THE BACK BED WAS CENTERED FORWARD AND COMBINED WITH THE ITEMS INSIDE DID NOT EXCEED 600 POUNDS + 125LB DRIVER (WELL WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS OF TRUCK). BED HAD A DEALER INSTALLED, FIBERGLASS TOPPER. I WILL GIVE THE CAR CREDIT FOR KEEPING ME SAFE DURING THE ROLLOVER. I SUBSTAINED SCRATCHES, BRUISES, A SPRAINED WRIST, AND BUMP ON THE HEAD BUT WAS HELD IN PLACE VERY SECURELY BY THE SAFETY BELT AND SEAT. GAS TANK ALSO RUPTURED, SPILLING 19 GALLONS ON ROADWAY, BUT DID NOT EXPLODE. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. I UNDERSTAND AFTER TALKING TO DEALER MANAGEMENT THAT THE SPORT TRAC MODELS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO HAVE THE ROLLOVER HISTORY OF THE ENCLOSED EXPLORERS BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY SHARE THE SAME STABILITY PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #766360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE EXPLORER SUDDENLY ROLLED OVER, INJURING ME SEVERLY. MOMENTS AFTER THE INCEDENT THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #763747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
JUST COMPLETED 20 MILE INTERSTATE DRIVE, PULLED INTO PARKING LOT AND HEARD A THUMP,STEPPED OUT TO SEE THE PROBLEM AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS COCKED AT 45 DEGREE ANGLE WHILE LEFT WAS STRAIGHT. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AND REPAIRED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM BEFOREHAND.IF ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED 5 MINUTES EARLIER, COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR FATALITY.
NHTSA complaint #762621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE POWER STEERING FAILED. DEALER DETERMINED THAT SERPENTINE BELT HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #8009824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
MY NAME IS [XXX] I AM THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE MENTIONED MY MOTHER IS THE FIRST NAME ON THE CONTRACT. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO HAVE A STEERING AND BRAKING PROBLEM FOUR TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND ONCE TO ANOTHER. I HAVE SINCE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE PROBLEMS THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS. I HAVE FOR MONTHS TRIED TO SOLVE THIS THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS . THIS WAS NOT RESOLVED AND I HAVE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE SO. I HAVE NEVER ASKED THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN TO FIX IT OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER ONE EQUIVALANT TO THIS ONE . THEY KEPT LETTING ME LEAVE THE SERVICE DEPT THINKING IT WAS FIXED ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT DAY OR A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER AFTER DRIVING IT THAT IT WAS NEVER FIXED. I HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT NEVER NEEDED TO HAPPEN AND I HAVE BEEN OUT MONEY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BECAUSE OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I NEED THIS PROBLEM INVESTIGATED AND SOLVED . YOU MAY BE MY LAST HOPE BEFORE I HAVE TO OBTAIN A LAWYER FOR THIS DEALERSHIP AND FORD..THANK YOU [XXX], [XXX] , PARROTTSVILLE, TN [XXX] [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #759285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE INABILITY TO STEER THIS VEHICLE. IT WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD . IF YOU HAPPEN TO HIT A BUMP ( LIKE A LANE REFLECTOR) IT SEEMS TO BE OUT OF CONTROL MOMENTARILY. THE VEHICLE HAS A DISTINCT SHIMMY/SHAKE. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 5 TIMES(LEAVING IT NUMEROUS DAYS/WEEKS) THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO CORRECT THIS. THEIR LAST SUGGESTION WAS TO FILE THE LEMON LAW. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT-BUT I GUESS ONLY IF FORCED TO BY SOME LAW. THE REASON I WANTED TO FILE THIS WAS TO SEE IF OTHER PERSONS WERE EXPERIENCING THESE SAME STEERING ISSUES. I HAVE NEVER FELT SO UNSAFE DRIVING A CAR BEFORE THIS ONE.
NHTSA complaint #758417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT-TRAC ALMOST FLIPPED OVER TWICE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS ABLE TO SOMEHOW RE-GAIN CONTROL. WE ARE MORE THAN LUCKY TO BE ALIVE RIGHT NOW... CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH. WE DID NOT!!!
NHTSA complaint #756430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DRIVER WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN OR ON WET PAVEMENTS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #890049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
THEYCANTGETA PARTYETTOFIXTHEPROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #741776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
WORLD FORD HAS DONE NOTHING BUT GIVE ME A RUN AROUND AND NOT FIXING MY TRUCK RIGHT!!! I HAVE NOTHING BUT AGREVATION WITH MY TRUCK AND I DONT FEEL THAT IT'S SAFE WITH DRIVING MY CHILDREN IN IT! WHEN ADVISING THE DEALERSHIP OF THE TRUCKS MAJOR COMPLICATIONS THEY ADVISE ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN 30-60 DAYS TO AVIOD THE LEMON LAW! NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #741779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
FRONT LEFT STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE, AXLE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, VEHICLE WENT LEFT AND CRASHED. FILED BY RICHARD RUMPLIK.
NHTSA complaint #883078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT STRAIGHTEN UP WHEN LETTING GO OFF STEERING, JUST LIKE NORMAL POWER STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #878454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
VIBRATION FELT THROUGH STEERING WHEEL, POWER STEERING UNIT AND FRONT END SUSPENSION EXPERIENCING VIBRATION AND NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #557393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 13 TOTAL MILES. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING FUSES ARE FINE AND THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT IS NOT WORKING FUSES ARE FINE. WHILE SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE THE TRUCK BEGINS TO STALL ALSO WHILE SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK BEGINS TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #724990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE TRVELING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL AND STRUCK A PHONE POLE. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER SHOP. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT LOSS OF CONTROL WAS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TIE ROD AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #865130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.