Engine
4.0L 6-cyl
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Seats
15 complaint records1 crash report
"WHEN I WAS DRIVING ALONG, MY SEAT RECLINED. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IT RECLINE TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION FOR SAFE DRIVING. *NLM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seats parts in the directory →
Electrical system
14 complaint records
"@ 50,000 MILES RADIATOR WENT OUT AND WE REPLACED W/ NEW RADIATOR/ HEADS IN THE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED / ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS / RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN / DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER FAILURE . *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Speed control
11 complaint records5 fire reports
"ON ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE & CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. BY THE FIRE INVESTIGATORS IT WAS CONFIRMED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, FAULTY DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse speed control parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05005 opened Sep 2005 | closed Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE... |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019420 2019-08-21 | Other | 5,327 | Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. |
| 2009292 2009-10-14 | Other | 492,877 | On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is in operation. |
| 2007258 2007-08-07 | Electrical | 165,447 | On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears to be different than that of Recall 2005028 (05S28). |
| 2006079 2006-04-18 | Seats And Restraints | 366 | On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac vehicles, the upper bolt on the driver's high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame could fracture. |
| 2003189 2003-08-11 | Other | 28,596 | On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Tract vehicles, the speed control cable strand cover could impact the conduit end fitting during speed control engagement. |
| 2003190 2003-08-11 | Seats And Restraints | 56,363 | On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac vehicles, the upper bolt on the driver's high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame could fracture. |
| 2001003 2001-01-12 | Powertrain | 5,281 | On certain vehicles, the Powertrain Control Module may allow the vehicle to exceed the design intent top speed. At these extreme speeds. the vehicle may be capable of exceeding the speed rating of the tires. |
| 2000078 2000-03-21 | Electrical | 18,576 | On certain vehicles, the generic electronic module (GEM) may experience a condition referred to as "lock-up" in which the GEM controlled functions (front windshield wipers, interior lights, 4X4 system etc.) could not be turned ON or, in... |
| 1999133 1999-06-30 | Structure | 40,771 | On certain vehicles, the secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position. If this occurs and the primary hood latch is either not engaged or is released, a hood fly-up may occur. |
| 1999102 1999-05-26 | Brakes | 1,057 | On certain vehicles, the right front brake line attachment to the ABS hydraulic control unit (HCU) may separate from the HCU. This may be due to an incorrect seat angle on the flare nut that is part of the brake line assembly. |
| 1999061 1999-04-15 | Engine | 35,668 | On certain vehicles, the speed control cable may interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the speed control. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSP-08B01 May 2008 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 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 WARRANTY REFUND. *PE | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 02138 Nov 2003 | Power Train | LOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT), SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS WITH POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0732, P0733, P1762 SET ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/1/2001. *TT | |
| 16021 Jul 2002 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURES) IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. *TT | |
| 15859 May 2002 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURE). *TT | |
| 15887 May 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO). *TT | |
| 15910 May 2002 | Service Brakes | CONCERNS WITH BRAKE VIBRATION, ROUGHNESS AND / OR GRINDING NOISE, AND EXCESSIVE BRAKE ROTOR CORROSION. *TT | |
| 0282 Apr 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS. *TT | |
| 0245 Mar 2002 | Electrical System | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT | |
| 0232 Feb 2002 | Unknown Or Other | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0300 (RANDOM MISFIRE) OR P0301. *TT | |
| 15040 Jan 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES INCLUDING 1997 THROUGH 1999 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A START-UP NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *TT | |
| 15567 Jan 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE APRIL 23, 2001 MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START/LONG CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR MORE. *TT | |
| 15496 Dec 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE APRIL 23, 2001 MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START/LONG CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR MORE DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION. *TT | |
| 15406 Nov 2001 | Visibility | CONCERNS WITH REAR WIPERS THAT DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAN THE BACK GLASS. *TT | |
| 15422 Nov 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START/LONG CRANK CONDITION AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR MORE. *TT | |
| 01205 Oct 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT | |
| 15217 Sep 2001 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION ON SERVICE PARTS FOR HARD START CONDITION. *TT | |
| 15006 Jun 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4.0L SOHC ENGINES MAY MAKE A START-UP NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *TT | |
| 0186 Apr 2001 | Power Train | ON SOME VEHICLES, INCLUDING SPORT AND SPORT TRAC, THE FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM THE VENT TUBE. *TT | |
| 01110 Jan 2001 | Service Brakes | AIR BAG LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES B1994 AND / OR B1998 STORED IN MEMORY. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Run every power seat adjustment and check the seat frame.Motors that stall and seats that rock on their tracks are this vehicle's seat complaints.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Test the throttle response and the cruise control on an open road.A surge, a hang in engine speed after lifting off, or cruise that will not set or cancel cleanly are the speed-control complaints on this vehicle.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Explorer Sport →