Problems · by component

2001 Ford Expedition power train problems

42 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Expedition cite power train, 7% of all 609 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
42
7% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“TL*THE 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2015Power trainODI 10704542
“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
“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.. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND PARTS REPLACED TO AVOID LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, ACCIDENTS, INJURY AND FATALITIES DUE TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEGLIGENCE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2013Suspension, Power train, Service brakesODI 10523454
“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. GIRARD FORD REPAIR ESTIMATES COSTS FOR ALL FOUR CORRODED CONTROL ARMS TO BE APPROXIMATELY $1500. SHATTERED PARTS OR DEBRIS ALSO CUT REAR BRAKE LINE LEADING TO LOSS OF REAR BRAKING AND ALL BRAKE FLUID LOSS - CAUSING ADDITIONAL INDIRECT REPAIR COSTS. OWNER IS RECOVERING CORRODED CONTROL ARMS AFTER REPAIR FOR EVIDENCE TO BE USED IN ANY…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2013Suspension, Power trainODI 10493303
“ACCORDING TO FORD IS THE GEM/CJB THAT FAILS BECAUSE WINDSHIELD LEAKING. ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE NOT WORKING (LOCKS, WINDOWS, ODOMETER, AND MISFIRING) TRANSMISSION NOT WORKING OK. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2009Power train, Electrical systemODI 10297263

Showing 6 of 42 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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