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2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission problems

36 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
36
of this car's complaints
22%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    18
  • Driveline: differential unit
    2
  • Axle assembly
    2
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    1
  • Clutch assembly
    1
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft
    1
  • Automatic transmission: torque converter
    1
  • Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission problems in other years

199720002001200220032004200520062007200820092010

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Slipping 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 8, 2019 · Transmission · 127,854 miles · MI

Transmission not working

Filed May 18, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 136,000 miles · TX

Car takes about 3 to 5 tries to start. I replaced gas pump, plugs, cables, temp sensor, still takes long to start.o/d off light started flashing, and now it has a rough gear change I believe from 2nd to 3rd

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Transmission · 186,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport trac. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving various speeds. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was manually restarted and operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a transmission malfunction. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and transferred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2017 · Transmission · 235,000 miles · GA · crash

Vehicle running in park while driver gathered boxes to place in bed of truck. Drive train engaged sending driverless vehicle down road, across intersection and into brick wall. Witness to impact ran to vehicle thinking to check on driver. Upon opening door, noted no driver and stated shifter still indicated vehicle was in park.

Filed Jun 27, 2016 · Electrical, Seats · 147,260 miles · AZ

I purchased a 2001 ford explorer sport tract I didn't get to test drive it because there were other vehical surrounding it. When I finally got to drive my truck home I noticed the transmission had a severe issue. When I turned a corner my tires rubbed badly on some other part to the trucks parts and the driver seat has a medal rod that jabs me in the back that's coming thru the fabric now my battery has leaked acid every where in the battery compartment and surrounding areas.

Filed Aug 9, 2013 · Transmission · KY

Vehicle started having a chatter under the hood. Pulled out on to the highway and the transmission started slipping and would not engage (very dangerous, was in the middle of the highway and couldn't move). Took to a mechanic and he told me the noise had something to do with the tensioners or something to that effect on the transmission. He said there was a recall for this in the past but not sure if the recall is still in effect. This dangerous problem needs to be fixed before someone gets injured or worse and ford will be liable.

Filed Jun 6, 2013 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport trac. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the transmission slipped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the servos needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 77,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Feb 28, 2013 · Transmission · 117,718 miles · CA

My ford explorer sport trac with an automatic transmission has a common problem that has plagued many explorers, sport trac's, and rangers. A youtube video explains the problem, "uploaded on dec 7, 2011 - ford used the 5r55e in many rear and 4 wheel drive applications. It is a good transmission but is susceptible to the valve body gasket "blowing out." the symptom of this in our vehicle was that the transmission missed second gear under acceleration but found a higher gear when we let off the gas pedal." this happens to me daily, and is a traffic hazard as the vehicle is unable to accelerate as it should. Ford published a tsb(technical service bulletin) on 03-22-10 acknowledging this problem. It is a dangerous occurrence in most vehicles where the valve body separator plate does not work as it should. When I took my vehicle to the dealer, they did not acknowledge the problem but wanted to charge over $4,000 for a new transmission. This is clearly a design flaw and should be addressed to all owners. Please check all complaints regarding ford's automatic transmissions, the 5r55e and help us owners get a reasonably priced correction, before accidents occur. Thank you.

Filed Nov 8, 2012 · Transmission · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer sport trac. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission exhibited a loud squeaking sound. The vehicle then became resistant to acceleration attempts and would no longer move. The contact stated that the engine continued to operate but the vehicle would not shift into driver or reverse. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or mechanic for diagnosis. The failure and current mileages were unknown.

Filed Apr 11, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 129,001 miles · CA

The rising price of gas discouraged me from using my sport trac (st) often, so it was garaged during the work week. On the weekends, I usually drove the st to run errands around town. On jan 28, 2012, I drove less than a mile when my st began losing throttle response and an unfamiliar clattering can be heard generated in the engine bay. I quickly realized that this was not normal, so I proceeded to pull over. I then took the truck to a mechanic near my location. The mechanic after extensive diagnosis determined that the timing chain tensioner had failed, along with timing chain guides which shattered into multiple pieces (photos available). The timing chain and its components are suppose to last for a lifetime of the vehicle, and hence ford provided no information or provision for its maintenance. The repair was expensive, because it required the removal of the engine which is based on the sohc design having its right camshaft driven by a timing chain located behind the engine near the firewall. A recall of the timing chain guides and tensioner should be made because of the common problem this has been for this engine design, sohc 4.0l after the removal of the engine and timing chain guide replacement, my vehicle began to experience transmission failure. The transmission registered an error on my dashboard, and after consultation with an expert, required a transmission rebuild. The cost of the engine and the transmission rebuild has been very expensive to say the least. The unpredictable nature of this failures would compromise safety during high speed operations. I hope the federal safety agency will review complaints regarding timing chain and transmission failures, which should reveal a pattern of design failures at ford. Interestingly, ford had issued a recall for the timing chain tensioners and engine removal to repair chain guides in the past.

Questions about the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission

Does the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the transmission of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 22% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Explorer Sport Trac have bad transmission?

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years with the most transmission complaints are 2001 (36 complaints), 2002 (32 complaints) and 2007 (23 complaints).

Other 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems

Body 27Acceleration 26Engine 19Suspension 16Electrical 14Airbags 11Tires 11Seats 9Brakes 8Fuel system 6Lights 6Steering 6Wheels 5Locks 4Visibility 3Seat belts 2

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