Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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. …
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle shifts into four wheel drive low on its own. The vehicle has been to the dealership for repairs. The transfer case pump and gem module was replaced, neither of these repairs fixed the problem. This problem caused an accident, while traveling 40 MPH in a turn, the vehicle shifted in 4wd low and the vehicle lurched to the right. The vehicle hit a rock wall on the front passenger side. There was a police report taken at the scene and both occupants received minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for repairs.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle accelerated while depressing the brake pedal. The failure recurred several times. The contact also stated that the speedometer failed to read the correct speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the blower resistant of the air condition was burnt out. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.
Dt: the contact complained about several problems with vehicle. First, the accelerator pedal stuck. The dealer cleaned the throttle body which seemed to solve the problem. The vehicle would sometimes surge forward. She thought the surging was related to apparent transmission problems. She finally had the transmission rebuilt. Part of the cost was covered under the extended warranty. Secondly, the seat belt in the middle row did not retract correctly. The dealer could not duplicate the problem. Therefore, no repairs were made to the seat belt. Thirdly, the left rear door actuator had to be replaced because the power locks were not working. Fourthly, the rear passenger child safety lock did not work properly. Once the child safety lock was deactivated, and the door handle was raised from the inside, the child safety lock activated. …
Vehicle is a 2001 Ford Expedition xlt 4x4 purchased new in April 2001 and owned continuously by current owner, only serviced at hub Ford of colchester, ct and girard Ford of norwich ct. Failure of suspension/drivetrain components occurred while accelerating onto a highway onramp. Both rear lower control arms had corrosion that LED to complete disconnection from rear axle. With no supporting lower control arms, the rear transaxle shifted during vehicle acceleration. Shifting of transaxle then introduced excessive force on drive shave ujoint (rear transaxle ujoint) which caused complete failure and disconnection of rear driveshaft. Vehicle's 4wd system engaged, allowing vehicle to be safely guided onto the available offramp (cloverleaf highway intersection) and into safe recovery location for towing by aaa to a local Ford dealer. …
2001 Ford Expedition with less than 52,000 miles on it lunged forward at a stop sign and then would not go when accelerator pedal was pushed. Finally went as I entered the freeway with lunging and de-acceleration for about 15-20 miles. As soon as I got off the freeway the vehicle lunged forward and then locked up. I escaped being hit 2x by trying to pull over. I limped to my destination of a block and ended up having to have truck towed to a local dealership only to find my transmission had failed. Cost me $3791 for what I thought was a new transmission as quoted by the dealership; when I picked it up, it was a rebuilt transmission, not what we agreed on. Secondly, I had a service extended contract for 72 months or 100,000 miles which the dealership failed to remind me about. …
Ford Expedition 5.4l 2001 - sudden brake failure while traveling 25 MPH in parking lot. Brake lines rusted through caused sudden brake failure. Car had undercarriage cleaning frequently during winter months and there was no indication of any problems. When replacing the brake lines, owner was informed that the upper and lower rear control arms were rusted through as well and that immediate replacement was necessary to avoid the rear track arm failure which results in dropping the rear axle and complete loss of vehicle control. Vehicle was purchased new in June 2001 and maintained continuously.owner has possession of corroded control arms after repair for evidence in NHTSA investigation. NHTSA is encouraged to contact the owner of vehicle for inspection of failed parts for investigative support.. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the transmission shifted into neutral instead of overdrive. The vehicle was shut off and restarted, which momentarily fixed the problem. After 20 miles, however, the vehicle stayed in neutral and would not engage any other gear. The vehicle was towed to a private repair shop, where it was determined that the intermediate diode teeth detached, the diode mounting snap ring was fractured, the reverse clutch housing was scored, the overdrive band was metal contaminated, and the one-way clutch was fractured. The mechanic notified the contact that had been a common problem with the vehicle.
While returning from a fishing trip, my 2001 Ford Expedition with 28,000 miles on it, started not shifting out of second gear. The overdrive off light started to flash on the gear shift,and the check engine soon light came on. I shifted into 2nd and drove the remaining 50 miles at 45 MPH. I unloaded my gear and drove it down to my dealer. The next day they called me and said I needed a new transmission,cost$3630.00. Complained to Ford and was told there is nothing they could do for me. I can tell by your listed complaints I'm not the only one.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. The contact heard an unfamiliar noise while driving the vehicle. He took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The dealer made the repair, but three days later the vehicle failed to drive in reverse. The contact returned to the dealer and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 105,000 and failure mileage was 58,000.
Transmission complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Ford Expedition, 7% of the model year's 578 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Expedition transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2001 Ford Expedition, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Expedition transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.