Ford Explorer Sport Problems by Year
NHTSA has 731 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file for the Ford Explorer Sport, across 9 model years (1997–2005). The 2001 model year has the most complaints (188). The most reported problem area overall is structure.
Ford Explorer Sport years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Explorer Sport year: 2001. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2001 Explorer Sport: 188 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2002 Explorer Sport: 133 complaints, 3 recalls
- 1998 Explorer Sport: 121 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2005 Explorer Sport: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2004 Explorer Sport: 18 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1997 Explorer Sport: 37 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Ford Explorer Sport problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure problems | 110 | 8 | 6 |
| Power Train | 97 | 8 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 71 | 7 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 66 | 7 | 1 |
| Seats | 65 | 7 | 4 |
| Suspension | 58 | 7 | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 58 | 7 | 3 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 54 | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 53 | 7 | 1 |
| Tires | 44 | 7 | 6 |
| Air Bags | 37 | 7 | 21 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 33 | 7 | 4 |
| Steering | 26 | 6 | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 20 | 7 | 3 |
| Equipment | 19 | 6 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 18 | 7 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Wheels | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford Explorer Sport model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Explorer Sport | 5 | 0 | — | Structure | |
| 2004 Explorer Sport | 18 | 0 | — | Structure | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2003 Explorer Sport | 65 | 0 | — | Structure | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2002 Explorer Sport | 133 | 3 | — | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2001 Explorer Sport | 188 | 5 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 Explorer Sport | 71 | 1 | — | Power Train | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1999 Explorer Sport | 93 | 0 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 1998 Explorer Sport | 121 | 0 | — | Latches/locks/linkages | More complaints than other years |
| 1997 Explorer Sport | 37 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far fewer complaints than other years |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer Sport years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2001 (188) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Explorer Sport year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford Explorer Sport?
Structure, with 110 complaints across 8 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford Explorer Sport have?
5 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.