The most-reported Explorer Sport run is 1FMYU60E71U (2001 builds) with 9 complaints, 5× the typical run. Structure problems make up 20% of reports; 2001 is the worst model year at 3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for Explorer Sport model years 2003–2003.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Explorer Sport has 317 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Explorer Sport complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FMYU60E71U•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 1FMYU60E41U•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| 1FMYU70E21U•••••• | 2001 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1FMYU60E13U•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 1FMYU60E91U•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 1FMYU60E52U•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| 1FMYU22X9WU•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1FMYU60EX1U•••••• | 2001 | 2 | — | |
| 1FMYU70E41U•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| 1FMYU60E21U•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| 1FMYU60E31U•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| 1FMYU70EX1U•••••• | 2001 | — | 1 |
Each of the other 305 Explorer Sport runs has 6 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Explorer Sport the gap between build years is 3×: a 2001 car draws 3 complaints per run, a 1993 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| 2004 | 14 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2003 | 56 | 28 | 3 | |
| 2002 | 108 | 58 | 8 | |
| 2001 | 144 | 48 | 13 | |
| 2000 | 50 | 36 | 5 | |
| 1999 | 71 | 55 | 2 | |
| 1998 | 99 | 51 | 4 | |
| 1997 | 25 | 21 | 2 | |
| 1993 | 3 | 3 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2001 at 3 complaints per run; lightest is 1993 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 20% of everything Ford Explorer Sport owners report: Structure, 90 of 575 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 2 | 2 | |
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Seats | 4 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 15 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 8 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 17 | |
| Visibility | — | — | |
| Suspension | 2 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 1 recall campaign on the Ford Explorer Sport; the 1 below cover build years 2003 to 2003. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 2003 |
How serious were they
Of the 575 reports on the Ford Explorer Sport, 6.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Explorer Sport | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 575 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 39 (6.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 43 (7.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 54 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 4 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Explorer Sport share of that is 575 complaints over 317 runs, 0.05% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Explorer Sport VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 575 NHTSA complaints from 317 Explorer Sport runs and 1 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Explorer Sport production run has the most complaints?
1FMYU60E71U, a 2001 build, with 9 complaints. The typical Explorer Sport run has 1.8.
Which Explorer Sport years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2001 is heaviest at 3 complaints per run and 1993 lightest at 1.
How many Explorer Sport complaints involve a crash?
6.8% of 575 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 43 involved a fire.
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