When I have used my speed control I have had smoke come out of the top of my steering column twice. The smoke comes through the hole for my emergency light button on the top of my steering column. This happened recently for the third time. The ford dealer is charging $652.63 to replace the wire harness and the switch that controls wipers, hazard lights, blinkers, etc. The recall was replaced, and they say the two are not related. Apparently this could cause an electrical fire as would the recall part. The SUV is a ford explorer 2001 v8 xlt.
2001 Ford Explorer acceleration problems
36 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 36
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 95,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Cruise control13
- Accelerator pedal4
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Explorer acceleration problems in other years
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- This could result in an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: cables
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0l sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when the speed control is activated.
- Risk
- The throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control is disengaged. Braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began august 29, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 03V280000 · Recall details
What 2001 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1. Lying in bed only to be awoken by boom (tire blowing out) at 5:00 a.m. 2. Failure was speed control deactivation switch, also known as a "brake pressure switch...ignited setting vehicle on fire 3. Nothing done...vehicle was totaled in fire.
After researching the problem with my 2001 ford explore I discovered that there was a recall on the 2001 ford explorer with the speed control activation switch. My speed control activation switch is malfunctioning and their has been a recall in place for quite sometime and I was never notified. The recall # is 07v336000.
My ford explorer 2001 had a recall notice last year regarding cruise control. I took my vehicle into bremen ford in bremen, in to have it disconnected. I was told it would get the part in shortly. This was in november of 2007. In april I received a letter from ford stating the problem should have been fixed or will be shortly through the summer. As yet, it is going on a year and I have heard absolutely nothing about the parts or getting my truck fixed. What seems to be the problem. I heard there were not enough parts to go around. What does this safe for your company? You should not sent out a notice unless you intend to remedy the problem. How much longer am I supposed to wait?
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. While driving 75 MPH, the contact activated the cruise control. She began hearing a clicking noise and smelled something burning. He deactivated the cruise control, but the burning smell persisted. The contact did not continue to drive the vehicle. He received a safety recall notice three months ago, but the switch was never disconnected or repaired. The federal safety agency campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control) was referenced. The current and failure mileages were 80,016.
Received recall notice in august 2007 for problems with speed control on 2001 ford explorer. Called local ford dealer, was told no parts shipped from ford yet, will be december before they get them. Called in jan 08, still no parts, will be march before they get them, called march 26, 2008 was told no part shipped, will be end of may at the earliest. Ford motor company knew of the problem way before the recall notices were sent out in august 07. Ford would have spent months denying there was a problem and then more time trying to find a work around before finally admitting they had no choice but to follow gov.'t guidelines and do a recall - months if not longer before the letters were sent out. Plenty of time to know how many vehicles were effected and get the parts ordered. It will be a minimum of 1 year since the problem was noticed and letters sent before the parts actually arrive at the dealers for repair of problem. Inexcusable! And the federal safety agency should be doing more than ignoring it!
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford explorer. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The part was unavailable. She has made three attempts to have the dealer disconnect the switch, but they continued to state that they did not have the time. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 106,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 for explorer. The contact received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control in september of 2007. The parts are still not available for the recall repair. There had been no failure to date. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 195,000.
2001 ford explorer with speed control system recall. Consumer states that the dealer to fix the recall stated that they were unable to obtain the replacement parts. Dealer finally disconnected the speed control until the parts were available.
On wednesday january 2, 2008 a rollover accident occured on my wifes 2001 ford explorer. She was driving home when she set her cruise control to 60 MPH. When she hit her brakes to release the cruise control and slow down, the vehicle did not slow down and her cruise control did not release. She was able to get the vehicle slowed down to approximately 40 MPH when she came to a t in the road. She was unable to make the turn and the vehicle rolled over with her and 2 young children in the vehicle.
Questions about the 2001 Ford Explorer acceleration
Does the 2001 Ford Explorer have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the acceleration of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Explorer acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Ford Explorer acceleration?
Yes, 3 recalls: 09V399000, 07V336000, 03V280000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have the most acceleration problems?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1998 (280 complaints), 1997 (202 complaints) and 2002 (152 complaints).
Other 2001 Ford Explorer problems
Tires 62Engine 46Suspension 43Transmission 42Brakes 33Body 29Electrical 29Airbags 28Seats 24Steering 21Visibility 17Fuel system 11Seat belts 11Wheels 10Lights 9Locks 2Driver assistance 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history