2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Review
Price: $8,990





+21
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Unique combination of cargo bed and regular SUV, strong V6, optional cargo items improve versatility.
Cons
- Can't offer the true cargo-hauling ability of a pickup, can't offer the true family utility of an SUV.
What’s new
The Sport Trac is an offshoot of the SUV. Basically, Ford has grafted a small cargo bed to the back of a heavily revised Ford Explorer.
Edmunds says
An interesting hybrid of SUV and crew-cab pickup, the Sport Trac is comfortable and functional.
For sale nearby
28 listings
- 134,675 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 4'2” bed, 4l, 6cyl
- Nelsons Automotive (8 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Rear Bench Seats
- Crew Cab
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Chantilly, VA
**ONLY 1-OWNER & CLEAN CARFAX** 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V6 4WD with 134k miles, and it is finished in Oxford White over tan interior and po...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/18 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMZU77E01UA66771
Stock: A66771
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-22-2025- $5,995good price$586 below market
- 128,000 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 4'2” bed, 4l, 6cyl
- DND Auto Group (180 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Rear Bench Seats
- Crew Cab
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Belvidere, NJ
Just in this well maintained super clean Explorer Sport Trac 4x4. It has low miles and runs and drives great. Nice truck for your next family road...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/18 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMZU77E01UB37032
Stock: B37032
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-31-2025
Vehicle overview
Just when you thought the SUV market couldn't get any bigger, along comes the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Not quite a pickup truck, not quite an SUV, the Sport Trac takes elements from both to create a whole new type of Ford vehicle.
Marketed as a truck for people with active lifestyles, the 2001 Explorer Sport Trac is based on the Explorer platform. From the C-pillar forward, the Sport Trac is a five-passenger SUV. Rearward of the C-pillar, there's a one-piece, all-composite cargo area. Made of durable sheet-molding composite, it has molded-in texture and a mar-resistant low-gloss coating. The cargo area is normally 4 feet in length, but an optional cargo keeper expands the utility of the cargo area. This U-shaped tubular device hinges on the interior sides of the cargo area and rests on the cargo floor. When flipped out over Explorer Sport Trac's tailgate, it extends the cargo area length to almost 6 feet.
There's also an optional two-piece foldable and lockable hard tonneau cover to provide protection for items contained in the cargo area. It comes with a removable divider that increases storage flexibility for the cargo area.
All Explorer Sport Trac models are equipped with Ford's proven 4.0-liter V6 engine. This single-overhead cam motor, which produces 206 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 238 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm, is linked to an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is optional. All models can tow up to 5,300 pounds.
Explorer Sport Trac shares its basic front and rear suspension geometry with the existing redesigned four-door Ford Explorer. However, Ford says the Sport Trac's bushings, spring rates, shock valving and stabilizer bars have been modified for improved ride, handling and noise/vibration/harshness performance.
All Explorer Sport Trac models come with a standard four-wheel antilock braking system. The system controls the front wheels independently and the rear wheels in tandem to improve vehicle control under heavy braking in most operating conditions. The system includes dynamic rear proportioning to help optimize stopping performance under varying vehicle load conditions.
While you can look forward to more manufacturers entering this unique niche, the Sport Trac's main competitors at this point are the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab and Dodge Dakota Quad Cab. The Nissan and Dodge vehicles are based off pickup trucks, but both are similar in that they compromise between the true truck and SUV abilities. What does this mean? If you want to haul stuff around, buy a Ford F-150 with a full-size bed. It works better. If you want to haul a family around, buy an Explorer. It works better. But if you need both, the Sport Trac compromise between pickup and sport-ute might suit you.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.02 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$225/mo for Explorer Sport Trac Base
Explorer Sport Trac Base
vs
$208/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
See Edmunds pricing data
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Ford Explorer Sport Trac Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(43%)
4(33%)
3(17%)
2(6%)
1(1%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
my sport trac 2001
4.63 out of 5 starscwood0716, 04/11/2012
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
I purchased my Sport Trac used, it had 36,000 miles when i got it. It has over a hundred thousand now. I have had it for about 6 years and I love it.I have hauled everything I needed to haul on it.I have the roll down window, I just stick lumber right through the window if it is too long for the bed.I have had very little repair over the years and it still looks and runs great. I love … the body style and it is a rugged little truck.I look forward to at least 6 more years with it.My truck is an automatic, this site did not give me the option to pick auto trans.
Transmission problems
2.75 out of 5 starsFrank Grimes, 09/17/2006
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
The SportTrac is a decent vehicle and served me well over a five year period. The truck's versatility and mix of luxury and ruggedness allowed it to handle most situations well. The windshield is prone to cracking when operating the defrosters in cold weather. There are a few sensors that have a tendency to fail. However, my biggest issue with the truck came at 95,000 miles when the … automatic transmission ceased to function. The truck was well maintained, so the failure was quite a surprise. After much research, and expense, I found that this was common among these trucks. The automatic transmission has design flaws. Beware the blinking "O/D Off" light of death.
190,000 miles later
4.13 out of 5 starsdrew, 12/31/2008
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
tTansmission took me to 168,000 miles. Vehicle brought home garage doors lumber, tvs, bicycles, well you get the picture. Son now has it at school. Not a rattle or a hitch except the lousy gas mileage. Love this thing want 400,000 out of it. Very little maintenance
This is a real Ford truck
4.38 out of 5 starsMrQuib, 04/01/2010
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4dr Crew Cab (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
Solid reliability. All the known bugs with the vehicle have been eradicated (tranny 2-3 flare, PCV vacuum hose...etc) I have a programmer for mine that reprogrammed the tranny. A little searching on the 'net will help you fix any problem, for ANY vehicle. There are a few whiners on here who have taken one problem and turned it into a complaint forum. One or two problems do not make a bad … vehicle! If you have vibrations, try checking your wheel balance! A leaking tranny is NOT a common problem, I suggest you take care of your vehicle a little better. I've had this truck for a number of years and I haul a 25' camper with it. Never had any major issues with it. Engine runs smoothly @ 100K
2001 Explorer Sport Trac Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,910 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $225/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
rear wheel drive | |
Max Towing Capacity | 5,300 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
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