2001 Ford Explorer: fire, smoke or burning smell

22 of the 375 complaints about the 2001 Ford Explorer describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 22
of this car's complaints: 6%
typical mileage: 95,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2024
1
2023
2
2022
2
2021
9
2020
14
2019
2
2018
9
2017
23
2016
37
2015
9
2014
10
2013
19
2012
8
2011
7
2008
3
2007
4
2006
5
2005
4
2004
10
2003
13
2002
38
2001
22
2000
53
1999
42
1998
85
1997
42
1996
21
1995
24
1994
64
1993
37
1992
43
1991
44

What owners say

Filed Jan 19, 2021 · Steering · NV

Smoke coming from steering... Can feel a change in engine while driving, feels like a rough ride, and overdrive starts to flash.

Filed May 8, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · MO · fire

Tl* 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.

Filed Apr 24, 2015 · Engine · 188,093 miles · GA · fire

I was sitting in a restaurant drive thru when the car turned off. I turned the car back on & inched a bit forward in line. Moments after that while in drive, but not moving, I heard a loud pop. After that, I saw flames shooting towards the front windshield coming from under the hood on my side. I put the car in park, turned off the car and took the key out of the ignition and fled. The restaurant workers came to my aid and put the fire out before it spread. When I went back to say thank you, they told me that they heard a second pop before they put out the fire. I have reported this to ford headquarters. They checked my VIN and told me that the vehicle was under recall for a defect that causes fires. I took the car to a ford dealership a couple months prior to this incident and they did not tell me anything about a recall on the car. Also, the car oil was last changed 3/5/2015 and was below the mileage for another oil change, so I am so confused as to why this happened.

Filed Nov 15, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 187,000 miles · MN · fire

I was driving and I saw and smelt smoke. I immediately could tell where it was coming from because I saw the smoke coming out of the hazard light on top of my steering wheel, it then turned into a flame,it was inside of the steering wheel. I pulled off to the side of the road because fortunately I had water with me and I poured a little bit of water on the flames that were coming out of where the hazard light is. This has happened 2 times,with the final result being 2 fires. It happened a 3rd time with just smoke. I no longer have the ability to use my windshield wipers and some of my interior lights no longer work. I don't know if this has caused other problems ie...my check engine light being on as well as my cruise control working when it wants to and other times not working at all plus the buttons on the inner side of the steering wheel being hot to the touch! I'm terrified to drive my own car!

Filed May 13, 2013 · Engine · 200,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was unoccupied, it became engulfed in flames. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Aug 22, 2011 · Engine · 150,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While the vehicle was stopped, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. There was not a police or fire report filed. The dealer was not notified of the failure since the vehicle was purchased from a private seller. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, did not offer any assistance. The current and failure mileages were 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jul 11, 2011 · Electrical · 72,000 miles · OR · fire

Turn signal was turned on and smoke came billowing out of stearing collum. Smelled burnt wiring. Fire inside of collum minimal damage as I turned off signal immediately. Took to garage next day. The wireing had rubbed on collum and shorted out. Repaired. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Feb 22, 2009 · Acceleration · 150,000 miles · TX · fire

1. Lying in bed only to be awoken by boom (tire blowing out) at 5:00 a.m. 2. Failure was speed control deactivation switch, also known as a "brake pressure switch...ignited setting vehicle on fire 3. Nothing done...vehicle was totaled in fire.

Filed Jun 12, 2008 · Acceleration · 80,016 miles · WY

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving 75 MPH, the contact activated the cruise control. She began hearing a clicking noise and smelled something burning. He deactivated the cruise control, but the burning smell persisted. The contact did not continue to drive the vehicle. He received a safety recall notice three months ago, but the switch was never disconnected or repaired. The federal safety agency campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control) was referenced. The current and failure mileages were 80,016.

Filed Jun 12, 2008 · Engine · 110,000 miles · AL · fire

Wife parked explorer in garage, 20 min later heard a loud noise then noticed the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Luckily, we were able to save our home and everyone is alright. Car is completely totaled and our garage is a disaster.

Filed Jun 15, 2007 · Acceleration · 95,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The vehicle caught fire while parked. The fire was contained to the engine compartment and extinguished by the fire department. The vehicle was destroyed. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 95,000. The consumer stated he would like ford to furnish another vehicle and be reimbursed for rental cars as a result of this incident. The consumer provided pictures, 2 engineers report and 2 letters from ford regarding the incident. The consumer stated his cruise control stopped working last winter. The brake fluid was low on 2 occassions. Updated 08/01/07

Filed Mar 14, 2007 · Acceleration · 200,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* - the contact stated that while his 2001 ford explorer was parked in the driveway, the vehicle caught on fire underneath the hood. The fire damaged the entire front end of the vehicle, the electrical wiring, piping and anything that was concerning plastic melted in the vehicle. The fire dpeartment stated that this falure was common with ford explorer, that the cruise control switch would get stuck and catch on fire. Contact can provide incident report and pictures. Jrb