The rising price of gas discouraged me from using my Sport Trac (St) often, so it was garaged during the work week. On the weekends, I usually drove the St to run errands around town. On Jan 28, 2012, I drove less than a mile when my St began losing throttle response and an unfamiliar clattering can be heard generated in the engine bay. I quickly realized that this was not normal, so I proceeded to pull over. I then took the truck to a mechanic near my location. The mechanic after extensive diagnosis determined that the timing chain tensioner had failed, along with timing chain guides which shattered into multiple pieces (photos available). The timing chain and its components are suppose to last for a lifetime of the vehicle, and hence Ford provided no information or provision for its maintenance. The repair was expensive, because it required the removal of the engine which is based on the SOHC design having its right camshaft driven by a timing chain located behind the engine near the firewall. A recall of the timing chain guides and tensioner should be made because of the common problem this has been for this engine design, SOHC 4.0L after the removal of the engine and timing chain guide replacement, my vehicle began to experience transmission failure. The transmission registered an error on my dashboard, and after consultation with an expert, required a transmission rebuild. The cost of the engine and the transmission rebuild has been very expensive to say the least. The unpredictable nature of this failures would compromise safety during high speed operations. I hope NHTSA will review complaints regarding timing chain and transmission failures, which should reveal a pattern of design failures at Ford. Interestingly, Ford had issued a recall for the timing chain tensioners and engine removal to repair chain guides in the past.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

Ford 2001 Sport Trac spark plug blew out of head.

- Milford, CT, USA

I am the owner of a 2001 Explorer Sport Trac. 3 different times it has ejected the rear spark plug from the engine. I've spent a lot of money getting it reparied. Each repair has failed. Each repair shop has been very familiar with the problem. This certainly cannot be safe. Ford should do something for such a poor design of its engines.

- Tyler, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that his check engine light illuminated. A diagnostic was performed and the dealer stated that the egr sensor failed. The dealer and manufacturer stated that there were no open recalls available pertaining to his VIN; therefore, it was excluded from recall number 02M01S6. The contact is responsible for the repair costs. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Bridgeport , OH, USA

Ford Explorer Sport Trac timing belt tensioner broke at 38,000 broke again at 92,000

- Brunswick, OH, USA

Purchased the truck from backus Ford on the 15th of Feb and noticed it had a rough idle and when turing the truck right or left in the idle speed it would almost stall. It has been back to the dealer four times to solve this problem but it is still there and does the same thing.it acts like it is missing. Backus has gone thru all specs on it and cannot find the problem. I think it might be a chip or computer problem but they (the dealer) does not. Has any one else had this problem

- Liverpool, NY, USA

Vehicle experienced multiply problems. Consumer noticed that while driving vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. All tires had stress marks located in the inner side of the tires. Goodyear, Wrangler rts P255/70R16. Also, coolant was leaking from underneath the vehicle. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic could not duplicate the leak. But tires were replaced due to the stress marks.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

Consumer states a new overflow tank was installed, because the vehicle required putting 1/2 quart of antifreeze everytime the oil was changed, on one occasion the engine would not start. On 3 separate occasions, vehicle died out while driving. Then no crank no start. PCM and blown fuse replaced. However, problem still exist.

- Red Bud, IL, USA