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2001 Ford Expedition engine complaints

Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 137, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2001 Ford Expedition engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 28, 2013 · Engine · 103,000 miles · NH

I started my truck and there was a very loud knocking noise, my husband looked under the hood and noticed I blew a sparkplug right out of the engine head and also broke a coil.

Filed Jul 18, 2013 · Body, Engine · 134,000 miles · FL · fire

Approximately 15-20 minutes after I got home from work my 2001 ford expeditions catches on fire. We, my wife and 3 kids here a loud pressure sound go off outside. Not sure what was going on, we run to the front door and as my wife opens the doors she screams that the house is on fire. We run back inside, she calls 911 and I take kids safely through the back yard. I got back inside the house and open the garage door and find the entire one car garage filled with smoke. Luckily, neighbors grab the hose and one a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The flame reached the garage door and frame including gutters and roof tiles. Thankfully to the neighbors the entire house did not catch on firm said, the local fire department when they arrive at the scene. The loud pressure sound we heard was the driver side tire blow out. Apparently, the fire had started several minutes prior to us heading the sound. Considering the garage was filled with thick dark smoke, it may have been approximately 5-10 minutes since the fire started. It was the scariest moment our lives. Ever since our family has never been the same, any little sound we hear outside we're alerted.

Filed Jul 11, 2013 · Engine, Suspension · 127,510 miles · MA

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 expect rust but this is very dangerous, and also told ford could have coated this parts or made them stronger to avoid these serious rust problems. Luckily I only got muscle spasms in my back, shoulder, and lower neck from this. But I don"t feel safe driving this vehicle any more. This is my last ford I will ever purchase again !!!!!!!!!! Ford = found on roadside dead !!! This story is also shortened but the truth of what happened, I didn't mention the heat, the asthma attack I had, and the hassle I went through while all this occurred.

Filed Apr 26, 2013 · Engine · 207,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle made a popping noise, jerked and began to lose acceleration power while driving at an unknown speed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and a diagnostic was performed, which determined the failure to be a spark plug that separated from the thread. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 207,000 and the current mileage was 218,000.

Filed Mar 12, 2013 · Engine · 200,000 miles · WA

The spark plug blew out of the motor and it can not be put back in to the motor.

Filed Oct 16, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · TX · crash

Vehicle was havin jerkin issues and check engine light was on, took to shop and it was about to blow out the spark plug, I was lucky and caught it and got it replaced but I have done research and seen that many others haven't been and that this is an ongoing issue. My next problem was acceleration, the gas pedal accelerated and cause me to crash into another vehicle and the vehicle fled the scene, there was no major injuries but 4 kids were in the vehicle and are now scared to even ride with me. Mental stress is a major injury in my concern cause it hurts my heart to know my own children are scared that I wont protect them. My third problem is that just yesterday we parked on the side of the side of the road and the vehicle died and wont start, talked to mechanics and they say 01 fords have this problem, we now have a broke down vehicle and not too sure what the defect has caused more problems to be worse. Due to the defect now the starter solenoid is out and we are unsure if possibly even the fuel pump. Ford knows of all these complaints from other owners and has done nothing. Just in my family I have 2 others that have the same vehicle and have had the same problems, why is it that ford is not doing anything about these defects that can cause major accidents and injuries???

Filed Mar 29, 2012 · Engine · 179,000 miles · GA

After dropping off my children at daycare I stopped at the store. When I got back into my car and started it, it made a loud pop like something had came off. So I proceeded to turn the ignition on and then smoke came out of the top vents and the truck began making a loud popping noise and the engine was shaking. I was scared as hell and I thought the truck was about to blow up from the sound of it. So I calmed down and drove to the auto shop thankfully down the street. Well my spark plug had blew out the head and that's where the smoke was coming from. I had just replaced the #5 coil and plug with ford on february 23, 2012 and that was $340.61. I am barely making it financially and to read all of these problems with this truck and ford not taking responsibility of the situation is disheartening. I am a single mother of three children and live in an area with no public transportation so I am now without a vehicle and no way to get to work and support my family, now what do I do? Its amazing how this dealership can swoop you in and take your money and require you to make your payments on time but won't provide you with a safe vehicle. I now have to get a cab to pick my kids up from daycare because I can't drive my truck, not to mention when you get inside it smells like pure smoke which makes it scary to even wanna turn the thing on. Very frustrated and disappointed.

Filed Feb 27, 2012 · Engine · 40,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford expedition. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the engine exhibited a popping noise and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed and the failure was located at the number two spark plug. The number two spark plug blew out of the cylinder head holder. The failure was not corrected. A failure was recently experienced with the number seven spark plug, which also blew out of the cylinder head holder. The manufacturer was made of the failure and denied assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 79,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2012 · Engine · 146,350 miles · NC

A sparkplug blew out of my engine and another was loose. The plug in question ruined the threads in the cylinder head, and will require $700-$1000 for the dealer to fix. A simple google search proves ford had been having a major problem with this happening for several years, yet has did nothing about it !!

Filed Feb 6, 2012 · Engine · TX

My vehicle suffered spark plug ejection. Upon pulling away from a stop light, the vehicle made a loud pop or bang and began to lose power immediately. Upon inspection, the coil-over-plug on the number 3 cylinder was broken from the bracket and a loud clanking noise came from the engine in that spot. After unsuccessfully trying to replace the coil, the spark plug came out of the socket without and force or tools. The spark plug came out with the coil. The area had to be rethreaded and repaired but was out of service for close to three months.

Filed Dec 21, 2011 · Engine · 125,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford expedition. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH there was a loud clunking noise heard from the vehicle and the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred twice before. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that there was a blown spark plug that needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2011 · Engine · 289,997 miles · LA

My husband was on his way home from work. He was going at about 70-75 MPH when the #3 spark plug blew out. It left him stranded in the middle of nowhere. It has been brought to my attention that spark plug blowouts are a common defect on my vehicle yet ford takes no responsibility for it, costing the vehicle owners a large amount of money and could cause serious accidents.

Filed Dec 8, 2011 · Engine · 215,000 miles · CA

While two hours from home bringing my son home from surgery, while getting off the freeway may vehicle made a horrible sound like a chopper motorcycle and when I spent over a $1,000.00 to tow my car home to find out the spark plug #3 blew out and stripped out so now I have no vehicle and told by ford dealership repair that it was a design flaw on the aluminum block and not under warranty and would require a helicoil but could happen to the other plugs. Plus it would cost me over $2000.00 to repair. I have seen lots of other people who have the same problem I have a 5.4 l engine and my vehicle runs strong I would of hoped ford would of stood behind this but I was wrong I will definitely consider buying a different brand like a mazda or toyota.

Filed Sep 23, 2011 · Engine · 118,471 miles · NV

#3 spark plug ejected from cylinder hole at freeway speed. Original plugs, never changed, never removed or checked from dealer delivery at new car in 2001.

Filed Sep 13, 2011 · Engine · 200,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford expedition. The contact stated that her vehicle was parked in a parking lot when the engine suddenly caught fire. The police were notified and a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised her that they would investigate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Aug 24, 2011 · Engine · 120,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2001 ford expedition. The contact stated that flames were coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A police report was also available. The dealer did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 120,000. Updated 10/18/11*lj updated 3/29/12

Filed Jul 18, 2011 · Engine · 130,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford expedition. The contact stated that five spark plugs have blown out of the engine. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was the result of the aluminum tips from the spark plugs entering the cast iron heads of the engine. The dealer also stated that the failure was common and they were the only location with the tools to perform repairs. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 165,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jul 8, 2011 · Engine · 163,579 miles · NC

A week ago I was driving my 2001 ford expedition to friends for a social visit. On the way, I drove as I normally do the speed limit as posted. At around 10:00 pm, in the middle of nowhere, I encountered the now well known and dreaded spark plug ejection. Thought I had been shot at there for a second, but soon realized what it was. It couldn't have happened at a worse time nor to a worse spark plug to reach, far left rear. I was only 75 miles from home stranded by my vehicle. I truly am a loyal ford fan and owner of several, but this is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned! I am thoroughly disgusted with this piece of you know what! After getting it towed home, I attempted a replacement of the plug only to find the plug hole was screwed up and couldn't get it in there straight. So what the heck do I do now? Ford motor company, this is a crock and you know it! Whatya gonna do now? Blow it off and do nothing, as I expect. Or are you going to repair it as you well should. These vehicles aren't cheap, but I am beginning to think they area built that way intentionally. What are you going to do ford?

Filed Jul 6, 2011 · Engine · 143,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed the failure at the spark plug thread. The local mechanic reinforced the thread at location number eight but the failure continuously recurred in other locations. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 143,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2011 · Engine · 150,000 miles · AZ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while sitting idle in the residential driveway with the engine off. The fire department arrived and advised her that the fire could have originated from the engine. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted in regards to the failure. A fire report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2011 · Engine · 168,137 miles · AR

I was driving when I heard a loud pop sound. My vehicle started making this loud sucking sound and noise similar to the sound of a tractor.

Filed Feb 12, 2011 · Engine · 75,000 miles · IL

2001 ford expedition 5.4l engine with 75,000 miles. There was a slight ticking in engine on drivers side, had mechanic check, no obvious problem. While driving, loud popping noise, engine became very loud (tractor like sound) and engine failure. Had vehicle towed to mechanic. Spark plug was blown out causing damage to ignition coil. Had 3 cylinders (1,3, & 5) rethreaded, ignition coils replaced and all spark plugs replaced.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 129,570 miles · TX

I have a 2001 ford expedition with approximately 130k miles. The spark plug in cylinder 4 blew out yesterday while my wife was driving down the highway. We discovered the cylinder head threads have been blown out also. I am unable to replace the spark plug without repair to the head.

Filed Dec 16, 2010 · Engine · 141,100 miles · NY

The # 3 spark plug blew out the head while driving.

Filed Dec 1, 2010 · Engine · 184,235 miles · TX

Spark plug ejected from the engine of my 2001 ford expedition. The engine is a triton 5.4l v8.

Filed Nov 9, 2010 · Engine · 166,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford expedition. The contact stated that she was informed that the vehicle had suddenly caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire; the hood was burned and the windshield blew out as a result of the failure. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

Filed Oct 22, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 134,000 miles · IL

Ford 2001 expedition has a blown spark plug. The engine could have caught on fire while I drove the truck with the vapors pouring out of the plug spot (which flew out of the engine on to the road some where behind me). Ford knows this is an engine defect. Why are we not having a recall for this problem.

Filed Sep 23, 2010 · Engine · 130,000 miles · MO

The spark plug (passenger side, second back from front of engine) ejected from the engine head while parked. We had driven for 20 minutes, stopped at a restaurant, turned off the engine, but restarted it within about 60 seconds. The spark plug ejected immediately after the engine was restarted, within 1 second. There were no injuries, and the vehicle was not in motion at the time. My entire family was in the vehicle at the time. The sound of the ejection was sufficiently loud that it resembled a gunshot, to which an off-duty officer reacted. The coil pack was damaged beyond use, the spark plug insulator shattered. The plugs appeared to be original motorcraft plugs, although at 130k miles, they would be very old. They had sufficient carbon and wear that they could be original plugs or plugs from the first scheduled replacement (if it was done). Repairs have not yet been performed.

Filed Sep 14, 2010 · Engine · 92,521 miles · CA

While starting the vehicle I heard a loud pop from the engine... When I took the vehicle to the mechanic #8 sparkplug blew out, damaged the head and piston....looking around $1200.00 in repairs plus car rental. Sparkplugs got water in them 3 different times before they need to investigate this problem.

Filed Aug 30, 2010 · Engine · 168,000 miles · NY

Ford 2001 expedition 5.4l v8 sparkplug blows out of the cylinder head. Vapors, smoke , loud noise extreme hazard to my wife while she was on the highway. This engine should be recalled and ford should effect the repair. Many people are at danger due to this obvious design flaw.

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