Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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 road with five dogs, 2 hours away from home with no way of getting back. I had to find a hotel that allowed pets which was expensive and have been in said hotel starting August 25 through today, September 2. We are paid until tomorrow and I have exhausted all funds and resources. We will be without food, shelter, or teransportation. Yes the problemhas been confirmed by Santa Monica Lincoln Ford Dealership. The mechanic liason is Art Albrandt and can be reached at [redacted]. …
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. …
While my two year old daughter and I were sitting in the vehicle (vehicle was off) a passerby knocked on the window informing me that my car was on fire. I exited the vehicle and found flames coming from under hood and below the car. Come to find out there was a recall on the vehicle for a faulty speed control switch known to catch fire and even though I had recently had the car in for service at a Ford dealership, it was not addressed or taken care of before this fire. Totally negligent! We could have burned up in the car without any warning.
My 2001 Ford Expedition recently suffered a total loss engine fire -- according to the fire department's investigation, it was likely caused by a cruise control problem/malfunction that was due to faulty manufacturing by the Ford motor company. The vehicle was turned-off and parked in the parking lot at my office at eglin air force base, florida when the fire started. After the fire, I learned that there was a recall for my Ford truck because of this exact problem -- as a 20-year active duty military veteran, I was never notified by Ford about this potential hazard. I thank god that this didn't occur in my garage where the truck was always parked -- my garage sits directly below the bedroom where my two young boys sleep. My Expedition, which I bought new in 2001, was a total loss. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and exiting, the vehicle then suddenly caught fire. No one was injured and the police and fire department were called to assist. A fire report was available. The vehicle was not towed and was waiting on an investigator to further inspect the vehicle for the cause of failure. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised them of the process of filing a claim. The contact stated that six years prior to the fire, she received notification of a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) that could potentially cause a fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
On 2 February 2008, my wife put our 2001 Ford Expedition in reverse to back into a parking spot. At this moment the vehicle accelerated at an extreme rate of speed backwards. My wife attempted several times to gain control of the vehicle. The brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle glanced off one wall into a small vehicle causing minor damage, ran into another small vehicle causing major damage, crashing into a brick wall of a church, spun around, and landed on the porch of a residents home for final rest, causing damage to the residents home. Our 2001 Ford Expedition is totaled out. The airbags never deployed. There were no major injuries to individuals involved.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. The cruise control on the vehicle was inoperative. A fuse and the brake lights on the vehicle were replaced. Two weeks after the repair, and while the vehicle was parked for fifteen minutes, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire spread quickly and caused a nearby vehicle to also catch on fire. Both vehicles were destroyed. The manufacturer was notified, and she was advised that there was an open recall on the vehicle (see NHTSA campaign id number: 05V388000). They stated that they would further investigate the failure. The failure and current mileages were 175,000. Updated 01/08/10 updated 01/12/10.
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.
Tl*-the contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. While the contact was driving approximately 10 MPH the vehicle accelerated and suddenly loss control which caused the vehicle to crash into a tree. The engine revved after the crash and the wheels continued to spin. The airbags deployed during the crash. The contact and front seat passenger sustained mild injuries. A police report was filed of the incident. Currently, the vehicle was parked at the residence driveway. The contact stated before an authorized dealer performed repairs an appraiser must inspect the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 89,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: By letter dated September 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected.
Acceleration complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2001 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2001 Ford Expedition, 17% of the model year's 578 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Expedition acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-388 (vehicle speed control, Sep 7, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Expedition acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 43 fires and 16 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.