2001 Ford Explorer Sport engine and engine cooling problems
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Dec 16, 2011
“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…”
filed May 22, 2010
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for sale in california-federal emission…
CSP-08B01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 16, 2008
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Explorer Sport years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 Explorer Sport | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 Explorer Sport | 7 | 5% |
| 2000 Explorer Sport | 9 | 13% |
| 1999 Explorer Sport | 10 | 11% |
| 1998 Explorer Sport | 12 | 10% |
| 1997 Explorer Sport | 8 | 22% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.