FORD EXPEDITION · model year

2001 FORD EXPEDITION

739 NHTSA complaints, 49 crash reports, and 10 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001FORDEXPEDITION carries 739 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 49 crashes, 103 fires, 75 injuries, and 5 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 EXPEDITION is electrical system with 83 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (71) and engine and engine cooling (63). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 10 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 2001 EXPEDITION. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

739
Complaints
49
Crashes
103
Fires
75
Injuries
5
Deaths

Total Complaints

739 filings

Crashes Reported

49 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM83
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL71
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING63
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE46
TIRES:TREAD/BELT28
TIRES24
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION23
UNKNOWN OR OTHER19
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD19
STRUCTURE16
ENGINE15
SEAT BELTS14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH12
SUSPENSION12

Recalls (10)

06E06000029/06/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA

00V39600028/11/2000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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

01X00100022/05/2001

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN

01V22700116/07/2001

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE

01V08200012/03/2001

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE INFLATOR CANISTER IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD NEAR THE IGNITER.

01V25800008/08/2001

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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, COMPL

05V38800007/09/2005

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

03V09400007/03/2003

STRUCTURE

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 EX

06E06700001/08/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIV

Recent Complaints

20260125CrashAIR BAGS

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.

20240430SERVICE BRAKES

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 after minor bump during service, have photos of passenger side still intact but clearly fragile.

20240411SEAT BELTS

Driver seatbelt- Randomly releases from buckle when driving. Happened about 3-4 times already.

20230712STRUCTURE:BODY

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 get out of the vehicle fast enough for their safety. This has not work for over a year now.

20230123FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehical burst into flames seems on passenger side under the hood...Had been parked all day. No one around or injured. Vehical is a total loss.

20220831CrashPOWER TRAIN

I gave a friend a ride to Wal mart in my 2001 Expedition to buy some power steering fluid, luckily I parked over by the automotive section. I turned it off and waited in vehicle till he returned, about 7 or 8 minutes. I started the engine, grabbed the brake and dropped it in reverse when engine revved sending us backwards completely out of control with both feet on the brakes, spinning rear wheels and I turned ignition key off as quick as possible but violently slammed into a truck semitrailer only, parked alongside Wal mart tire shop. Completely totalled out the entire rear passenger liftback, taillights, tailgate, rear hatch window, left rear luever window, left tailpipe, tow hitch package and rear bumper. With only min. coverage, I'm now w/o a vehicle after completely replacing entire front and rear suspension, steering and tires plus alignment less than 6 months prior, with 275000 miles. Thank you very much Ford Motor Co. This was NOT an issue of driver error !.. I WILL find a way

20220831CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I gave a friend a ride to Wal mart in my 2001 Expedition to buy some power steering fluid, luckily I parked over by the automotive section. I turned it off and waited in vehicle till he returned, about 7 or 8 minutes. I started the engine, grabbed the brake and dropped it in reverse when engine revved sending us backwards completely out of control with both feet on the brakes, spinning rear wheels and I turned ignition key off as quick as possible but violently slammed into a truck semitrailer only, parked alongside Wal mart tire shop. Completely totalled out the entire rear passenger liftback, taillights, tailgate, rear hatch window, left rear luever window, left tailpipe, tow hitch package and rear bumper. With only min. coverage, I'm now w/o a vehicle after completely replacing entire front and rear suspension, steering and tires plus alignment less than 6 months prior, with 275000 miles. Thank you very much Ford Motor Co. This was NOT an issue of driver error !.. I WILL find a way

20220831CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

I gave a friend a ride to Wal mart in my 2001 Expedition to buy some power steering fluid, luckily I parked over by the automotive section. I turned it off and waited in vehicle till he returned, about 7 or 8 minutes. I started the engine, grabbed the brake and dropped it in reverse when engine revved sending us backwards completely out of control with both feet on the brakes, spinning rear wheels and I turned ignition key off as quick as possible but violently slammed into a truck semitrailer only, parked alongside Wal mart tire shop. Completely totalled out the entire rear passenger liftback, taillights, tailgate, rear hatch window, left rear luever window, left tailpipe, tow hitch package and rear bumper. With only min. coverage, I'm now w/o a vehicle after completely replacing entire front and rear suspension, steering and tires plus alignment less than 6 months prior, with 275000 miles. Thank you very much Ford Motor Co. This was NOT an issue of driver error !.. I WILL find a way

20201027FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO AN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED HEAD LIGHT DUE TO A CRACKED PLUG ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE WAS IN A FAST-FOOD DRIVE THROUGH WHEN THE SMOKE AND SUBSEQUENT FLAMES WERE SEEN. DUE TO AGE OF THE VEHICLE THE TASK OF CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB WAS FARMED OUT TO LOCAL OIL CHANGE SHOP. WHILE CHANGING THE PLACING THE NEW BULB INTO THE PLUG ASSEMBLY THE THIN PLASTIC BROKE KEEPING THE BULB FROM SEATING PROPERLY. TESTED OKAY ON REASSEMBLY BUT ONCE NIGHT CAME THE LIGHT WAS ON FOR ONLY 15 MINUTES AND IGNITED THE INNER HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY AND SUBSEQUENTLY MORE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FORTUNATELY, THE FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT CAME OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS HURT HOWEVER, HAD THE FIRE OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY, IN A PARKING LOT UNATTENDED, OR IN THE HOMES GARAGE, THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE.

Mileage: 192,000

20200817FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY VEHICLE YEAR,MAKE,AND MODEL HAS MULTIPLE MANUFACTURER RECALLS PERTAINING TO MY SPECIFIC VEHICLES VIN NUMBER. I HAVE 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ASSESSED AND HAS HAD ZERO COMPONENTS REPLACED UNDER RECALLS FOR SPECIFIC COMPONENTS. EACH AND EVERY RECALLED COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH MY VEHICLES YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL PERTAINING TO MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER ARE A SAFETY RISK AT FAULT AND ANY PROBLEMS CREATE UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. MY ASSESSMENT OF MY VEHICLES SAFETY RISK IS HIGH DUE TO THE 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED WITH NEW COMPONENTS TO AVOID THESE SAFETY RISKS FROM COMPONENT FAILURE.

Mileage: 214,800

20200817SEAT BELTS

MY VEHICLE YEAR,MAKE,AND MODEL HAS MULTIPLE MANUFACTURER RECALLS PERTAINING TO MY SPECIFIC VEHICLES VIN NUMBER. I HAVE 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ASSESSED AND HAS HAD ZERO COMPONENTS REPLACED UNDER RECALLS FOR SPECIFIC COMPONENTS. EACH AND EVERY RECALLED COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH MY VEHICLES YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL PERTAINING TO MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER ARE A SAFETY RISK AT FAULT AND ANY PROBLEMS CREATE UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. MY ASSESSMENT OF MY VEHICLES SAFETY RISK IS HIGH DUE TO THE 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED WITH NEW COMPONENTS TO AVOID THESE SAFETY RISKS FROM COMPONENT FAILURE.

Mileage: 214,800

20200817VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY VEHICLE YEAR,MAKE,AND MODEL HAS MULTIPLE MANUFACTURER RECALLS PERTAINING TO MY SPECIFIC VEHICLES VIN NUMBER. I HAVE 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ASSESSED AND HAS HAD ZERO COMPONENTS REPLACED UNDER RECALLS FOR SPECIFIC COMPONENTS. EACH AND EVERY RECALLED COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH MY VEHICLES YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL PERTAINING TO MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER ARE A SAFETY RISK AT FAULT AND ANY PROBLEMS CREATE UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. MY ASSESSMENT OF MY VEHICLES SAFETY RISK IS HIGH DUE TO THE 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED WITH NEW COMPONENTS TO AVOID THESE SAFETY RISKS FROM COMPONENT FAILURE.

Mileage: 214,800

20200706ENGINE

GOING TO MICHIGAN FROM TENNESSEE, DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHAT'S MY FORD EXPEDITION TRIDENT MOTOR V8 HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND FOUND OUT ONCE AGAIN THE SPARKPLUG BLEW OUT OF THE MOTOR AGAIN WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLEE IT'S A 2001 AND I THINK YOUR COMPANY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS.

Mileage: 202,758

20200326FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN HIS APARTMENT COMPLEX, HIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD HEARD A LOUD BOOM FROM INSIDE WHICH PROMPTED HIM TO CHECK ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AS THE FIRE SPREAD TO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH, A TOTAL OF FOUR VEHICLES WERE COMPLETELY BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE MARSHALS WERE ALSO CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. ALL VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE FIRE REMAINED AT THE APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN PLACED UNDER RECALL FOR NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT WAS UNAWARE THAT THERE WAS EVER A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

20200109SERVICE BRAKES

FYI MY 2001 FORD EXPEDITION IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SOFT BRAKE PROBLEM THAT WARRANTED THEM TO ISSUE RECALL #19S54. I HAVE CHANGED THE BRAKES AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS . FORD NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE 2001 EXPEDITIONS IN THIS RECALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO STOP THIS HEAVY VEHICLE WITH A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN !

Mileage: 125,000

20190916SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD UNLATCH ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT CALLED RAMP MOTORS (4869 NESCONSET HWY, PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NY 11776, 631-473-1550) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V227001(SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20170901ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FUSES BLOWING AS SOON AS PUT IN BOX. SMOKE COMING FROM CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH

Mileage: 260,000

20170901SEAT BELTS

FUSES BLOWING AS SOON AS PUT IN BOX. SMOKE COMING FROM CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH

Mileage: 260,000

20170901VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FUSES BLOWING AS SOON AS PUT IN BOX. SMOKE COMING FROM CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH

Mileage: 260,000

20170824CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

Compare 2001FORDEXPEDITION to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 FORD EXPEDITION have?
The 2001 FORD EXPEDITION has 739 NHTSA complaints, 49 crashes, 103 fires, 75 injuries, and 5 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 FORD EXPEDITION?
Yes, the 2001 FORD EXPEDITION has 10 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 FORD EXPEDITION?
The most-complained component for the 2001 FORD EXPEDITION is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 83 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2001 FORD EXPEDITION safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.