Two problems related to automatic transmission column shift have been reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2001 Explorer.
After coming to a complete stop in a local neighborhood attempted to shift the vehicle into park as my wife exited the vehicle. The shift lever broke inside the steering column with the transmission in reverse. I was able to manually shift the linkage on the side of the transmission using a pair of pliers while the emergency brake was set, and my wife applied the brakes. The vehicle was then driven to the local Ford dealer, where I was informed that the entire steering column would need to be replaced at a cost of $1200. 00. This vehicle was bought new in 2001 and has only 58,000 miles. It has not been abused in any manner. There was no warning whatsoever that there was any type of a problem. Surely, this was a manufacturing defect that Ford will probably deny.
On two separate occasions vehicle inadvertently jumped out of four wheel high to four wheel low and caused loss of control. This led to a rollover accident. Vehicle at the dealer, consumer suffered injuries.