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2001 Ford Explorer recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

11 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2001 Ford Explorer. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Ford been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

2001 Ford Explorer recalls, newest first

October 13, 2009NHTSA 09V3990004,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control

Summary
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 sd through F-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through E-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 F53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Consequence
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E02500042,540 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting › Headlights

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Dope, Inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dope, Inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, Inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 7, 2009NHTSA 09E01200016,270 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 3, 2007NHTSA 07V3360003,600,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control

Summary
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Consequence
This could result in an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected October 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on August 13, 2007, and mailing completed by September 19, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 13, 2006NHTSA 06E05600058,640 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect design, the quick connectors may not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection may believe that the quick connector is fully attached.
Consequence
Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Remedy
Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 24, 2006NHTSA 06E04900027,176 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 23, 2006NHTSA 06E02600061,944 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 5, 2003NHTSA 03V2810001,552,880 vehicles potentially affected

Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

Summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion.
Consequence
The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. Owner notification began on August 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 5, 2003NHTSA 03V280000448,005 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control › Cables

Summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0L sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when the speed control is activated.
Consequence
The throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control is disengaged. Braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began August 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 7, 2003NHTSA 03V0940003,674 vehicles potentially affected

Structure

Summary
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, Inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Consequence
This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began March 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

October 17, 2000NHTSA 00V3130005 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment › Other › Labels

Summary
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of part 567.4, "certification." these vehicles were shipped from the assembly plant without safety certification labels.
Consequence
Incorrect tire inflation pressure could result in tire tread separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the certification labels.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 375 complaints about the 2001 Ford Explorer with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
64
Fires reported
21
Injuries reported
65
Deaths reported
6

Most complained-about components

  1. Tires42
  2. Service brakes36
  3. Tires › Tread/belt24
  4. Suspension20
  5. Vehicle speed control19

Other Ford Explorer years

Other 2001 Ford models

Most recalled 2001 vehicles

  1. 2001 Honda Civic (27 recalls)
  2. 2001 Ford F-150 (19 recalls)
  3. 2001 Honda Accord (19 recalls)
  4. 2001 Ford Windstar (16 recalls)
  5. 2001 Ford Escape (15 recalls)
All of 2001’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2001 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
11 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: vehicle speed control, exterior lighting, fuel system, gasoline, seats, structure, equipment. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2001 Ford Explorer recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Ford dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2001 Ford Explorer?
375 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.