2001 Ford Explorer engine problems

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 Mar 18, 2019 · Body, Engine · 170,000 miles · WV · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked anti-freeze and transmission fluid. There was also rust underneath the vehicle and a hole in the running boards, which almost caused them to detach. The contact claimed that the ground could be seen through the hole. The vehicle also produced thick smoke. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The contact planned to have the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 1,000 miles · AK · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The failure occurred without warning. During colder temperatures, the failure worsened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the diagnosis was not disclosed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. Updated 05/17/17*lj

Filed Jun 15, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · DE · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in an unknown manufacturer recall. The dealer performed the repair, but the failure recurred. The contact noticed smoke near the engine compartment that entered the vehicle near the dashboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The federal safety agency campaign number was unavailable. The failure mileage was not available.

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 May 5, 2014 · Engine · 26,500 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, the vehicle lunged forward without warning. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The current and failure mileage was 26,500.

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 Oct 17, 2012 · Body, Engine · WV

Cpsc#i12a0111a. 2001 ford explorer. Consumer stated that a day after she brought the car it broke down. *ln the consumer stated there was a problem with the engine, as well as a hole in gas tank, which had rusted out, the bearings needed to be replaced, the tire were dry rotted, as they kept going flat, the driver's door did not lock, the rear doors did not open from the inside, the rear driver's door did not open at all, the outside handle was broke, the rear hatch would not close, and most of the time it had to be slammed shut.

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 Oct 2, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 91,000 miles · VA

Ford explorer 2001, v8 5.0l engine. The original manufacturer spark plugs had rusted in the iron block and metal ring separated from the ceramic part when I try to remove them. A broken threaded part remained in the engine block. It happened on the first three tried. On fist two I was able to use a remover to extract the left over part, on the third one, the threader broke in the head. I had to take the car to a mechanic shop, pull both cylinder heads out and replace the rest of the spark plugs. Ports needed to have inserts installed. Defect is due to the design of the spark plug with short thread followed by a cylindrical part that accumulates moisture and rust.