Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Ford Expedition submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Front brake hose metal crimp completely rusted causing brake hose separation and failure. Design has rubber boot over crimp which actually retains moisture over many years. Boot may be intended to reduce stress at joint of metal to hose but actually enhanced failure mode. Drivers side came apart after minor bump during service, have photos of passenger side still intact but clearly fragile.
FYI MY 2001 FORD EXPEDITION IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SOFT BRAKE PROBLEM THAT WARRANTED THEM TO ISSUE RECALL #19S54. I HAVE CHANGED THE BRAKES AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS . FORD NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE 2001 EXPEDITIONS IN THIS RECALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO STOP THIS HEAVY VEHICLE WITH A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN !
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE ACQUIRING THIS VEHICLE. THE BRAKES ARE VERY SOFT, THEY WILL PUMP UP BUT WHEN A QUICKER SLOW DOWN OR STOP IS NEEDED AN INDIVIDUAL DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO REMEMBER THAT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES OR CRASHES AS OF THIS DATE. MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ON MECHANIC'S ADVICE HOWEVER THIS DID NOT IMPROVE THIS ISSUE. AS WELL THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO NEED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WEAR OUT QUICKLY. ALSO PLEASE NOTE THAT EACH TIME IT RAINS THERE IS WATER COMING IN FROM SOMEWHERE ON THE TOP DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND POST. IT DRIPS FROM THAT HAND GRIP DOWN TO LIGHT SWITCH AND INTO VENT ON DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SMELL WHICH CAUSES CONCERN OF A VEHICLE FIRE POSSIBILITY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
I HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON WITH RUST, I FORGOT ABOUT MY BRAKES LINES BURSTING AND HAVING NO BRAKES AFTER HAVING THE FRONT BRAKES REPAIRED. THEY BURST DUE TO RUST!!!!!! *TR
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
PARKED VEHICLE AT STORE AND TURNED IT OFF GOT OUT AND WENT INSIDE. THEN SOMEONE CAME INSIDE AND SAID THAT A BLACK SUV WAS ON FIRE. RETURNED TO CAR AND HURRIED AND OPENED THE HOOD. HAD A DRINK IN THE TRUCK SO GOT IT AND THREW IT ON THE FIRE GOT IT PUT OUT AND LOOKED IT HAD STARTED AT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS BACKING UP THE VEHICLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL SIMPLY FELL OFF. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS REATTACHED BY A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING, RESULTING IN A SERIOUS CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,208. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/06/08. *JB
AFTER RAIN OR HEAVY FOG WE EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES ON OUR 01 EXPEDITION INCL. HORN NOT WORKING NORMAL,FRONT & REAR WIPERS NOT WORKING OR COMING ON BY THEMSELVES,DOOR LOCKS LOCKING/UNLOCKING WHILE DRIVING, INTERIOR & EXTERIOR LIGHTS NOT WORKING,ALARM SYSTEM GOING OFF WHILE SUV WAS BEING DRIVEN,FAN BLOWER ON AFTER SUV WAS TURNED OFF, RADIO WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, ETC. THE LATEST OCCURRED 1/16/08 AFTER HEAVY RAINS THE PRIOR NIGHT. SUV WOULDN'T START IN THE MORNING AND HAD TO BE JUMPED. IT WAS DRIVEN THAT DAY WITH ONLY ISSUE BEING INTERIOR LIGHTS COMING ON THEMSELVES. ON 1/17/08 SUV WOULDN'T TURN OVER AND AGAIN WAS JUMPED. THERE WAS CLICKING NOISE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM KELSEY HAYES BLACK BOX. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK SUV TO DEALERSHIP AND ASKED FOR TECH TO WITNESS ISSUE. TECH CONFIRMED NOISE COMING FROM THE K-H ABS MODULE, SAID PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY DUE TO WINDSHIELD LEAK INTO FUSE BOX & GEM MODULE WHICH WAS SENDING CURRENT TO ABS MODULE AND ALSO CAUSING INTERIOR LIGHTS TO TURN ON/OFF BY THEMSELVES. ON 1/18/08 DEALERSHIP SAID TECH DID PRESSURE TEST ON WINDSHIELD AND IT LEAKED AND NEEDED TO BE RESEALED. FUSE BOX AND GEM MODULE WOULD ALSO NEED REPLACED. SINCE PROBLEMS WERE CAUSED BY WATER LEAK FORD EXT.WARRANTY WON'T COVER REPAIRS. I SPOKE TO SRV MGR,WHO SAID HE WOULD CALL ZONE MGR.AND GET BACK TO ME. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS (CRC) TO DOCUMENT ISSUES. CALLED DEALERSHIP ON 1/21/08 AND SRV. MGR. SAID ZONE MGR. SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO RESOLVE SITUATION AND WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. DUE TO ONGOING ELECTRIC ISSUES WITH SUV WE FEAR OTHER SAFETY FEATURES MAY MALFUNCTION COMPROMISING OUR SAFETY. FORD ISSUED SSM 15773 ON 4/05/02 TO DEALERSHIPS ADDRESSING UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES AFTER RAIN OR SNOW RESULTING FROM A WINDSHIELD WATER LEAK. THE SSM INCLUDED ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN THAT SITUATION. OUR VEHICLE WAS BACK TO DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES AFTER RELEASE OF SSM FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND SSM WORK WAS NEVER DONE. *TR
SINCE PURCHASE I HAVE TRAVELED 80000 MILES AND HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS 3 TIMES AND THE PADS 4 TIMES ON THE FRONT. THE MOST CURRENT TIME THE VEHICLE SHAKES SO BAD WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE THAT I HAVE TO ALTER MY DRIVING WHILE STOPPING TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH OTHER VEHICLES. I HAVE PURCHASED THE HIGH HEAT ROTORS AND CERAMIC PADS TO HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE PARTS ON THE VEHICLE AND IT STILL EATS THEM UP TOO OFTEN. *JB
SINCE I GOT THE TRUCK THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN FAILING, ALSO THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND ALMOST HAD US KILLED. THE BACK DOOR LOCKS BY ITSELF AND CAN'T BE OPENED. AIR COMES IN FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND IT ALSO LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE VERY WASTED, ALSO I WAS LIED ABOUT THE INTEREST RATE. I WAS TOLD THAT MY INTEREST WOULD BE 6.78% AND IN THE CONTRACT IT APPEARS AS 12.15%.*JB
THE BRAKE PEDAL SEPARATED FROM ITS LINKAGE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN NEEDED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IMPACT A CURB. POLICE INSPECTOR INDICATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.*AK
WHILE DRIVING HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES AND CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . *AK
WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. *AK
THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL. *JB
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STOP ACCELERATING BUT THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER COASTED THE VEHICLE HOME. BURNING SMELL WAS CAUSED BY THE ASBESTOS FROM THE BACK BRAKES.*AK
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHEN SHE SUDDENLY HAD NO BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND FAILED TO RESPOND. SHE THEN BEGAN TO PUMP THEM WILDLY AND GOT SOME BRAKING ACTION. (THIS IS IN AN NEW FORD EXPEDITION WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ) SHE DROVE IN FIRST GEAR TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. A RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAD ALREADY WORN OUT-APPARENTLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BECOME LOOSE FROM THE AXLE. AS IT CAME LOOSE, THE BRAKE SHOE AND PISTON MECHANISM OF THE BRAKE CEASED TO FUNCTION. SHE WAS LUCKY THAT SHE HIT NO ONE ELSE AND THAT THE WHEEL DID NOT COME OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP. SHE WAS FORTUNATE SHE WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID SHE WAS LUCKY TO GET IN BEFORE THE WHEEL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. I AM APPALLED TO THINK THAT AN SUV THAT HAS ONLY HAD SOFT ON- ROAD USE AND NEVER USED OFF -ROAD COULD HAVE A WHEEL BEARING GO OUT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. BECAUSE OF THE HIGH PROFILE NATURE OF THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR FLIPPING IS EVEN GREATER WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM THAN POORLY CONSTRUCTED TIRES. I AM VERY ANGRY THAT SUCH A PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHEN IT IS NOT EVEN TWO YEARS OLD.
CONSUMER STATES AT 15MPH THE SPARE TIRE LOCATED UNDER THE VEHICLE FELL ONTO THE GROUND AND COULD HAVE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*JBTHE TIRE CARRIER WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES. TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE FRONT SENSOR WIGGLES AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR DUE TO IT BEING FROZEN ON THE HUB. ALL WERE REPLACED. *JG
WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR YIELD CAR RESITED BRAKING, AND VEHICLE STARTED TREMBLING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. VEHICLE TOOK 3-5 MINUTES BEFORE STARTING.*AK
WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, SURGED FORWARD 2-3 FEET. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, AND MECHANIC PLACED VEHICLE ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. NO CODES APPEARED FOR SURGING PROBLEM. MECHANIC DID REPLACE AIR BY PASS VALVE, AND HAD REPROGRAMED PCM. *AK
2ND TIME SERVICE ALARM COMES ON FOLLOWED BY TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. REQUIRED ENGINE TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED BEFORE BRAKES WOULD FUNCTION. VERY VERY LUCKY THAT I HAD SPACE TO ACT AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IN LANE. *AK
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE AT INTERSECTION, SLOW SPEED, AND BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR. VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME. *AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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