NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1997–2005

Ford Explorer Sport recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 731 owner complaints for the Ford Explorer Sport, covering model years 1997 to 2005. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (188), and Structure is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Ford Explorer Sport VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

5 recall campaigns on file
731 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
9 model years with data (1997–2005)

most complaints: 2001 (188 for that model year)
top component: Structure (110 complaints)
latest recall 07V336000 (reported Aug 3, 2007)

56 complaints reporting a crash (7.7%)
52 complaints reporting a fire (7.1%)
60 complaints reporting an injury (8.2%)
6 complaints reporting a death (0.8%)

Ford Explorer Sport complaints by model year

9 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 188 of 731, or 25.7%. Next come 2002 (133) and 1998 (121). The fewest are for 2005, with 5 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Ford Explorer Sport complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Ford Explorer Sport complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury	Reporting a death
1997	37	4	5	3	1
1998	121	5	13	7	0
1999	93	6	5	7	1
2000	71	6	10	6	0
2001	188	18	11	16	3
2002	133	10	7	13	1
2003	65	4	1	4	0
2004	18	3	0	4	0
2005	5	0	0	0	0
All model years	731	56	52	60	6

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Ford Explorer Sport components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Structure is the component named most often, in 110 complaints (15.0% of all 731), followed by Power Train (97) and Engine and Engine Cooling (71).

Components named most often in Ford Explorer Sport complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in Ford Explorer Sport complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Structure	110	15.0%
Power Train	97	13.3%
Engine and Engine Cooling	71	9.7%
Electrical System	66	9.0%
Seats	65	8.9%
Suspension	58	7.9%
Vehicle Speed Control	58	7.9%
Latches/Locks/Linkages	54	7.4%
Visibility	53	7.3%
Tires	44	6.0%
Air Bags	37	5.1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	33	4.5%
Steering	26	3.6%
Unknown or Other	22	3.0%
Seat Belts	20	2.7%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Ford Explorer Sport recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Explorer Sport, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2000 to 2002. The 2001 model year appears in the most campaigns (5).

5 recall campaigns

Ford Explorer Sport recall campaigns covering each model year
2000: 1 campaign	2001: 5 campaigns	2002: 3 campaigns

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 07V336000
Reported Aug 3, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
Model years 2001–2002
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 06V114000
Reported Apr 10, 2006
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Model years 2001–2002
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, 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. The recall began on April 10, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. This is a supplement to a previous recall campaign (03V281).
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 03V281000
Reported Aug 5, 2003
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Model years 2001–2002
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 03V280000
Reported Aug 5, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Model year 2001
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign 00V394000
Reported Nov 28, 2000
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and Attachments
Model years 2000–2001
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue fractures. If the hood striker fractures, the hood could fly open while the vehicle is being driven.
Consequence:
A hood fly-up while the vehicle is being operated could result in reduced driver visibility.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the hood striker.
Filed by Ford Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Ford Explorer Sport questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Ford Explorer Sport have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Ford Explorer Sport, covering model years 1997 to 2005. The most recent, 07V336000, was reported on August 3, 2007 and is filed under “Vehicle speed control”. The 2001 model year is covered by the most campaigns (5).

Which Ford Explorer Sport model year has the most complaints?

The 2001 model year, with 188 of the 731 complaints in NHTSA’s file (25.7%). The next are 2002 (133) and 1998 (121). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Ford Explorer Sport complaint?

Structure is the component named most often: 110 complaints, or 15.0% of all 731. Power Train (97) and Engine and Engine Cooling (71) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Ford Explorer Sport?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Ford dealer.

How many Ford Explorer Sport complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 731 complaints, 56 report a crash, 52 a fire, 60 at least one injury and 6 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The Ford models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Ford VIN decoder with every Ford model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Ford F-150 1995–2027 · 158 recalls · 35,790 complaints
Ford Explorer 1995–2027 · 131 recalls · 31,089 complaints
Ford Escape 2000–2026 · 95 recalls · 27,343 complaints
Ford Fusion 2006–2020 · 46 recalls · 22,383 complaints
Ford Focus 1999–2018 · 36 recalls · 22,086 complaints
Ford Windstar 1995–2005 · 33 recalls · 14,108 complaints
Ford Edge 2004–2024 · 43 recalls · 14,009 complaints
Ford Taurus 1995–2019 · 52 recalls · 12,702 complaints

All Ford models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.