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CarComplaints.com Notes: How can we give the 2001 model year a "seal of pretty good" when it has some problems with a slipping transmission and a known problem with the speed activation control switch? Because it's not the 2002. That's how.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Ford Explorer seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2001 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #10

May 022019

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving, a burning odor was present and the air bag deployed without warning or an impact. There were no injuries. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact noticed flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact was not aware if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a residence and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #9

Jul 072014

Explorer

  • miles
Air bag light on since I purchased the vehicle from a private party in 2014.

- Calimesa, CA, USA

problem #8

Oct 042012

Explorer

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a tree and upon impact, all of the air bags deployed except for the front driver's side air bag. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The driver sustained neck and back injuries. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 101,000.

- Tembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #7

Mar 102012

Explorer

  • 23,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact crashed into a telephone pole and the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact sustained injuries to the jaw and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage 23,000.

- Lewiston, ME, USA

problem #6

Apr 102009

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. He stated that the air bag light remained illuminated continuously and blinks when there is no passenger in the seat. The dealer will not diagnose the failure without the contact paying a fee. The light has been illuminated for approximately 2 weeks. The dealer also stated that the warranty expired and there were no related recalls. The failure mileage was 93000 and the current mileage was 94144. Updated 05/11/09. Updated 05/12/09.

- Anthony, NM, USA

problem #5

Jul 282005

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles
In an attempt to avoid an chain reaction accident my husband, robert, veered off the road. Our 2001 Ford Explorer hit a tree, flipped over trapping him in the vehicle and the airbags failed to deploy. Thank god, he was not seriously injured, but the emotional trauma goes without saying. It is very upsetting to pay money for safety equipment only to have that equipment fail when you expect it to work.

- Groton, NY, USA

problem #4

Jul 172004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On two separate occasions I was involved in accidents that did damage to the front end of my Explorer. Both accidents were at speeds in excess of 25 miles per hour. One accident totaled the other vehicle involved. No other time did the airbags in my vehicle deploy. I don't feel this is a safe vehicle to continue driving my family in.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #3

Jul 202004

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The driver was merging from the highway onto the center lane without warning, and another vehicle crashed into the consumers vehicle. The driver lost control of the vehicle and the driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. The driver and passengers were injured.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #2

Sep 172003

Explorer

  • 47,000 miles
After starting vehicle air bag light would illuminate and remain on. Contacted the dealership, and mechanic indicated that problem could not be resolved.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #1

May 102000

Explorer

  • miles
Airbag light on May 10, 2000 with 6133 miles. Air bag light on May 23, 2000. Airbag light on June 14, 2000 with 9040 miles. Airbag light on June 19, 2000 with 9395 miles. Air bag light. Had an accident which caused extensive damages to two vehicles and air bag light on again. Three different dealerships tried to fix the problem. Not one reported this information in to the Ford system called oasis. I do not feel safe to drive this vehicle and I feel as if I am getting no where in resolving this issue otherthan E-mailing everyone and letting them know of this situation and how the dealerships avoid issues and hide the facts !

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

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