Overview & Reviews

A complete redesign is planned for 2002, so the 2001 Ford Explorer has undergone minor changes. The SOHC V6 is standard on all models, and the 4.0-liter OHV V6 and manual transmission are no longer available. Additional child safety-seat tether anchors have been added to the second-row seats.

• Great crash-test scores, roomy, lots of optional features.

• Harsh yet wallowy ride, potentially steep price, every other Joe has one.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 37.00

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  Excellent SUV for the bucks - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By 3 time Bronco man - July 23 - 9:30 pm

  Bought this at 10,000 miles. Now have 135,000 and still running strong. Pulls my 21 ft boat easily. Excellent mileage if you are not a lead foot. Best was 23 MPG but avg is about 19. Owned a Bronco II, then an Eddie Bauer Explorer. Very happy with this XLT as well. Problem is the newer ones do nothing for me plus a drop in gas mileage. Unfortunately cannot pull the boat forever with that many miles. Beside brakes only needed front wheel bearings. Spent so much time driving that I need a comfortable ride which this gives. This will be very hard to eventually give up.

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  Still Excellent - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By Owner - April 16 - 12:30 pm

  I still love it even though its 6 years old, and even though I now make more of a Lexus salary than Ford. Very reliable. In those 6 years its been into the shop exactly once for new brake pads. Great for hauling and towing. I easily haul a 4,500 lb. boat, plus wife and two kids and associated stuff. Great fuel economy. Much better than the newer design.

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  Great car - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By By Alex - February 19 - 8:34 am

  This car is great. I have had it for 5 years already. It looks great, it drives great but I think the cars favorite place is at the gas station.

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  Love My Explorer - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By Ford Fan - September 2 - 9:00 am

  I purchased this car under Fords Certified Used program. It looked brand new when I tested it. Driving it gave me the feeling that this was a solid, well built auto. I purchased the Limited because of all the features and options. Its a great value! In the four years Ive had it Ive only changed reasonable parts: ball joints and brakes. I had to replace the radio but with Fords extended warranty I was covered. This warranty also paid for the ball joints. Otherwise the car runs quiet with the V8 and I take it on all my long trips. Its got everything!

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  XLT is for Me - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By FordFan - July 19 - 4:16 pm

  Bought my Explorer brand new in 2001. At exactly the 5 year marker (to the day) I pushed it past 100,000 miles. Love it, Love it, Love it! Ford rebuilt the transmission after 6 months ownership and no issues thereafter. Extremely reliable and great for long drives. V6 saves lots of money over the V8 and has just as much bhp.

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  XLT - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By J Esparza - October 23 - 2:20 pm

  Over all my experience is very good so far. I love the clearance, especially on construction sites. Im finding out that the replacing the IAC because it is stuck due to carbon build up is a is a common problem. It will cause the car not to start.

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  2001 Ford Explorer Ltd. - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By Stephanie - July 31 - 3:08 pm

  I love my Explorer Ltd. but am just ready for a newer model vehicle. I test drove the 2005 Explorer Ltd. and was not very impressed. I think Ford used cheaper materials in the interior construction of the 2005 model, as my interior is much nicer in my opinion. The engines are pretty much the same and I have never (knock on wood) had a major mechanical problem or been stranded on the side of the road with my 2001. The only minor thing was a hose broke. It cost me around $70. I do however keep up on the maintenance.

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  01 Explorer XLT 4WD--my review - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By billapex - May 13 - 2:00 am

  My 01 Explorer has the Sport Package, which I think makes the truck look nice and beefy. The 4.0 liter V6 is pretty powerful, although with the towing packages 4.10 rear gears, mileage isnt spectacular. The 5-speed automatic does compensate well, though. Ive towed 5,500lb. worth of 23 enclosed trailer with a Dodge Viper inside, and it did admirably well for a V6. Interior has held up well except for a smally squeak in the center consoles CD changer area. We only had one recall, and that was for the drivers side seat mechanism. Ive been impressed with the Explorer enough to purchase it when it came off lease.

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  Never repeat buy this car - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By bethj - May 12 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1995 ford explorer xlt, never had a problem. I have had this explorer for 1 year and have had nothing but trouble. Bought it with 27000 miles on it and had it at the dealer 6 times before the warranty ran out. On one visit had the idle sensor replaced and we just had to replace it again, at our expense. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD!!!!!

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  Explorer review - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By glang - April 9 - 2:00 am

  Great Gas Milage for a SUV. 18mph on the hiway. Fun to drive in the snow. When 4wd on the fly kicks in on slippery conditions you feel it. A slight thomp. But besides that I really am happy with overall performace and comfort.