2001 Ford Expedition Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Expedition years
- Far more complaints than other years 6th of 33 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 578 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Expedition. That ranks 6th out of 33 Expedition model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (122 complaints, 21%), typically at around 100,000 miles. Complaints mention 38 crashes, 95 fires, 63 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 6 defect investigations involving it.
- 578owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 6NHTSA investigations
- 38complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2001 Ford Expedition problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 122 | 21% | 100,000 | “spark plug” (56%) | $4,750 |
| Electrical System problems | 118 | 20% | 85,000 | “fuse box” (9%) | $1,600 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 101 | 17% | 100,000 | “cruise control” (32%) | — |
| Tires problems | 59 | 10% | 38,949 | “rear tire” (32%) | — |
| Visibility | 41 | 7% | 78,750 | — | — |
| Power Train | 40 | 7% | 44,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 36 | 6% | 90,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 25 | 4% | 94,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 21 | 4% | 118,755 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 19 | 3% | 92,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 19 | 3% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 18 | 3% | 77,491 | — | — |
| Equipment | 16 | 3% | 55,632 | — | — |
| Engine | 15 | 3% | 193,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 13 | 2% | 58,700 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 1% | 104,375 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 1% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 8 | 1% | 62,072 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 1% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 6 | 1% | 47,600 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 1% | 71,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 1% | 176,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 0% | 214,800 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 0% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 0% | 51,000 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2001 Ford Expedition recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.
Fix: By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 06v286)
Structure
Problem: Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.
Risk: Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Seat belts:front:buckle assembly
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. Equipped with seat belts supplied by trw. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's outboard seat belt buckle may not fully latch. Ford crown victoria built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 mercury grand marquis built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. Lincoln town cars built at wixom assembly plant from 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. Lincoln navigators built at michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. Ford windstars built at oakville assembly plant from 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. Ford rangers built at twin cities plant from 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, and also at the edison plant from 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. Ford f-150 truck built at norfolk plant from 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; at ontario plant from 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; at kansas city plant from 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. Ford super duty f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks built at kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. Ford excursions built at kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. Ford expeditions built at michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate occupant protection, increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front outboard seat belt buckles and if the buckle fails the inspection process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began july 25, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The inflator canister in the driver air bag module may have an inadequate weld near the igniter.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the driver air bag may not deploy as intended, potentially resulting in reduced occupant protection, or a burn injury.
Fix: Dealers will install a driver air bag module. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Problem: Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the affected expedition/navigator owner guides do not identify the locations of seating positions equipped with tether anchorages, and do not provide instructions for securing child seats to these tether anchorages. The f150 sc owner guides do not provide the procedure for securing child seats to the tether anchorages. The taurus/sable owner guides do not identify the center rear seating position as having latch compatible lower anchorages.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Owners will be provided with owner guide inserts revised to provide the required information, and instructions for affixing these inserts to their owner guides. Customers will also be advised that if they prefer, their dealer will affix the inserts to their owner guides.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Windshield leak causes electric failures (EA05015) — opened Oct 13, 2005, closed Dec 6, 2006.
- Spark plug ejection from cylinder head (DP05005) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 4, 2006.
- Electrical system failure (PE05033) — opened Jun 15, 2005, closed Oct 13, 2005.
- Engine compartment fires (EA05005) — opened Mar 22, 2005, closed Aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V388000.
- Front seat belt buckle assembly (EA05004) — opened Feb 17, 2005, closed Jul 6, 2005.
- Front seat belt buckle assembly (RQ04011) — opened Oct 22, 2004, closed Feb 17, 2005.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
THe component was the speed control deactivation switch Manufacturer Recall Number 05S28 NHTSA Recall Number05V017000 Recall Status Recall Incomplete. It is unknown if the part is available for inspection but the vehicle is. The fire occurred while driving and left me stranded on the side of the…
Air Bags did not deploy Impact directly to drivers side of vehicle the other car was going 55 MPH caused me the driver to hit my head on the window hard. I was informed the air bags should have deployed by officer on site.
Front brake hose metal crimp completely rusted causing brake hose separation and failure. Design has rubber boot over crimp which actually retains moisture over many years. Boot may be intended to reduce stress at joint of metal to hose but actually enhanced failure mode. Drivers side came apart…
Driver seatbelt- Randomly releases from buckle when driving. Happened about 3-4 times already.
On the second row seat, passenger side door will not open using the door handle with the child safety switch in lock or unlock position. It will open from the outside handle. This is a safety concern. In case accident happen or fire in the vehicle occurs, the second and third row passengers can not…
Other Ford Expedition years
← 2000 Expedition · 2002 Expedition →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Expedition | 0 | 2 |
| 2026 Expedition | 10 | 2 |
| 2025 Expedition | 37 | 6 |
| 2024 Expedition | 77 | 7 |
| 2023 Expedition | 65 | 8 |
| 2022 Expedition | 116 | 12 |
| 2021 Expedition | 237 | 12 |
| 2020 Expedition | 425 | 18 |
| 2019 Expedition | 517 | 11 |
| 2018 Expedition | 380 | 14 |
| 2017 Expedition | 357 | 4 |
| 2016 Expedition | 217 | 3 |
| 2015 Expedition | 164 | 3 |
| 2014 Expedition | 72 | 0 |
| 2013 Expedition | 92 | 0 |
| 2012 Expedition | 118 | 3 |
| 2011 Expedition | 71 | 0 |
| 2010 Expedition | 58 | 0 |
| 2009 Expedition | 28 | 1 |
| 2008 Expedition | 146 | 3 |
| 2007 Expedition | 215 | 2 |
| 2006 Expedition | 299 | 2 |
| 2005 Expedition | 315 | 0 |
| 2004 Expedition | 297 | 0 |
| 2003 Expedition | 615 | 1 |
| 2002 Expedition | 340 | 2 |
| 2001 | 578 | 6 |
| 2000 Expedition | 890 | 7 |
| 1999 Expedition | 946 | 5 |
| 1998 Expedition | 836 | 5 |
| 1997 Expedition | 853 | 7 |
| 1996 Expedition | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 Expedition | 1 | 0 |
See all Ford Expedition problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Expedition?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, electrical system, vehicle speed control problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 122 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Ford Expedition?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2001 Ford Expedition a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Expedition model years, the 2001 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.