Problems · by component

2001 Ford Expedition vehicle speed control problems

105 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Expedition cite vehicle speed control, 17% of all 609 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
105
17% of all complaints
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
44
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the vehicle speed control

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2020Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11349753
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2020Vehicle speed controlFire reportedODI 11319386
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPEDITION. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AFTER THE FIRE, BUT THE DEALER DENIED THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2016Vehicle speed control, EngineFire reportedODI 10899130
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2016Vehicle speed controlFire reportedODI 10851987

Showing 6 of 105 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

1 recall on this component

Vehicle speed control

Free remedy

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

Vehicle speed controlReported Sep 7, 2005NHTSA 05V388000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026

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