Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2001 Ford ExpeditionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 609 owner complaints for the 2001 Ford Expedition. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (128) and electrical system (124). The EPA rates it 13–16 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
13–16mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Aug 2006
Owner complaints
609
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported Aug 1, 2006NHTSA 06E067000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Jun 29, 2006NHTSA 06E060000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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 CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 13, 2006NHTSA 06E056000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

609 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2000 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine and engine cooling128
  2. Electrical system124
  3. Vehicle speed control105
  4. Tires63
  5. Power train42
  6. Visibility42
  7. Seat belts37
  8. Structure25
  9. Suspension24

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Expedition model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997868
1998851
1999970
2000942
2001609
2002383
2003655
2004297
2005315
2006299
2007215
2008146
200928
201058
201171
2012118
201392
201472
2015164
2016217
2017358
2018383
2019521
2020426
2021241
2022116
202365
202479
202538
202611
Crashes reported
39
Fires reported
97
Injuries reported
63
Deaths reported
5
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

128 reports24 fires
“I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD THIS LOUD CRASH AND BANG, AND WAS JERKED FORWARD. THOUGHT THE PICK UP TRUCK BEHIND ME REAR-ENDED ME. THAT DRIVER PULLED UP ASIDE OF ME AND TOLD ME YOU JUST DROPPED YOUR DRIVESHAFT. SINCE IT WAS DARK AND MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT AN INTERSECTION I CALLED THE POLICE. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY TOLD ME WE CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO GET HERE, IT'S TO DANGEROUS, SO THEY CALLED ANOTHER TOWING COMPANY. WELL AFTER A LONG HASSLE AND THE 1ST TOW OF $150.00, I GOT MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL PHONE CALLS I FINALLY GOT IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP ON 7/8/13 AND HAD TO PAY ANOTHER TOW OF $75.00. FINALLY GOT THE CALL ON 7/10/13 WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO MY ROTTED OUT EXPEDITION, ALL 4 CONTROL ARMS WHERE RUSTED OUT, 2 OF THEM ACTUALLY BENT AND BROKE, DAMAGING MY DRIVESHAFT. COSTING ME ANOTHER $559.14 FOR THE REPAIR. THAT'S ONLY FIXING THE 2 LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THEY HAVE TO FIND THE 2 UPPER AND REPLACE THEM. WHICH WILL BE AT LEAST ANOTHER $350.00 THIS ISN'T EVEN MENTIONING THE $1,000.00 I SPENT ON THE RUSTED OUT ROTTED RADIATOR BRACKETS NOT EVEN A YEAR AGO. I WAS TOLD AND…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2013Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10524500

Electrical system

124 reports27 fires
“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 [XXX]. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than the mechanics at thew Ford Dealership No there was no warning prior to the incident. The vehicle was running just fine. ZThe vehicle caught fire en route to Los Angeles frim San Bernardino County. AAA came and towed the vehicle to a friend's house because it was very late, and towed to the dealership the following morning. I found the nearest pet…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesFire reportedODI 11761739

Vehicle speed control

105 reports12 crashes44 fires
“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 to legally hold you responsible for my loss, making FORD liable for repairing or replacing my vehicle ! This happened on Aug 29th, 2022 approx. 4pm at Wal mart property, in Ukiah, CA. 95482”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2022Power train, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11482139
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Expedition 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
Expedition 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121714$4,600635
Expedition 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600635
Expedition 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111513$4,950684
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Expedition 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    11 city · 15 hwy · $4,950/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Ford Expedition as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4223
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Expedition questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Expedition have?

10 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Ford Expedition problems?

Owners filed 609 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (128), electrical system (124), vehicle speed control (105). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Ford Expedition get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Ford Expedition at 13–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026