Vehicle Data Hub

2001 Ford Explorer engine problems

43 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2001 Ford Explorer, which is 9% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
43 9% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
86,000 miles 19 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
1 and 8
Injuries and deaths
1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2001 Ford Explorer Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 86,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 2 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 3 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 1 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 3 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 2 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 2 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 1 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 2 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 1 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 1 complaints 200k+ miles: 1 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 86,000 miles
Based on 19 complaints that include mileage. 32% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles2
20k to 40k miles3
40k to 60k miles1
60k to 80k miles3
80k to 100k miles2
100k to 120k miles2
120k to 140k miles1
140k to 160k miles2
160k to 180k miles1
180k to 200k miles1
200k+ miles1

What the data shows

Of the 19 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 86,000 miles, and 32% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 8 fires, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

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.

Reported at 62,500 miles, December 2005 FireInjury

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.

Reported at 135,000 miles, January 2009

Other problems reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Ford models