63 complaints reported

2001 Ford Explorer VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
63
Crashes
4
Fires
15
Injuries
2

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Feb 2008

RECEIVED CRUISE DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL IN AUGUST 2007. FORD WEBSITE NOTES PARTS WERE SHIPPED TO DEALERS. DEALERS HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BE THERE. CALLED FORD CORP AND WAS ADVISED THE SWITCHES WOULD NOT BE SHIPPED UNTIL AT LEAST MARCH. THAT IS AT LEAST 8 MONTHS SINCE THEY DECIDED A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN MENTIONED IN THE MEDIA AND WHY HAVE THE CONSUMERS NOT BEEN SENT 2ND LETTERS ADVISING THAT FORD IS INCOMPETENT?*CN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2007
Jan 2008 Fire

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE ATTACHED TO MY HOME. VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO DRIVEWAY AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. FORD DEALER ADMITTED TO RECALL OF DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH WAS THE ORIGINATION POINT OF FIRE. WAS ADVISED TO FILE CLAIM WITH MY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY TO SPEED UP REPAIRS AND ENSURE THAT CLAIM WAS SUBROGATION TO FORD FOR REIMBURSEMENT. VEHICLE REPAIRED, NOW FORD WILL NOT TAKE CLAIM WITHOUT PROOF OF CAUSE OF FIRE. THIS WOULD REQUIRE MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HIRE AN ENGINEER. NOT COST EFFECTIVE FOR INSURANCE COMPANY, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OVER 3 MONTHS AGO. I AM OUT MY DEDUCTIBLE AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE REPAIRS, EVEN THOUGH FORD KNOWS THIS WAS A FAULTY PART. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2007
Jan 2008

DEFECT WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS DE-ACTIVATED ON 9/13/07, AND MY DEALERSHIP REPORTS THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE REPAIR PART FROM FORD. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY - I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 4 MONTHS WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2007
Jan 2008

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. *KB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 1901
Dec 2007

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT SPEED CONTROL SWITCH RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY MORE PARTS BUT WOULD CALL AND DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL. SHE HAS YET TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER. *KB RECALL 07V336000. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 1901
Dec 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). A MONTH LATER, HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH DEACTIVATED AND THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER. ON OCTOBER 11, 2007, THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD REMAIN UNAVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2007
Nov 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. RECEIVED 12/12/07. 64200 UPDATED 12/12/07

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2007
Nov 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DEALERS TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). BOTH DEALERS FAILED TO PROVIDE HIM WITH THE OPTION TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH DEACTIVATED. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2007. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2007
Oct 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2007
Oct 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. AS OF OCTOBER 22, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2007
Oct 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 07V336000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND OFFERED TO DISCONNECT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT STATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME HE HAD TO WAIT. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SOMETIME IN 2008. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2007
Sep 2007 Fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WEEK, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BURNED THE HOUSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A DOCUMENT THAT STATED THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE FIRE INCIDENT REPORT AND PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/11/07 *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2007
Sep 2007

RECALL: SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH POSES RISK OF UNDERHOOD FIRE DEALER SAYS HE WON'T HAVE THE PART UNTIL DECEMBER. WHAT DO I DO NOW? *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2007
Aug 2007

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD CONCERNING THE SPEED CONTROL. I CALLED BOB BENNET FORD ABOUT THE FIX. THEY SAID THEY HAD THE PARTS AND COULD FIX IT ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASES. I DROVE 30 MILES ONLY TO FIND OUT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD GET THEM. I DROVE HOME AND CALLED BEN SATCHER FORD. THEY SAID THEY HAD THE PARTS AND WOULD BE ABLE TO INSTALL THE FIX IN ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES. I DROVE TO SATCHER FORD (45 MILES). WHEN I GOT THERE DONALD REED SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THEY WERE OUT OF THE PARTS AND HAD BEEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. HE AT LEAST DISCONNECTED THE WIRES TO THE SPEED CONTROL. HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN MORE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF FORD DOES A RECALL THEY SHOULD HAVE THE PARTS ON HAND TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEY CAUSED IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WHY AM I NOW JUST GETTING THE NOTICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONNECT FORD WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY CLAIMED THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2007
Jul 2007 Fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. ON JULY 9, 2007, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WITH NO PASSENGERS AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUSED THE FIRE. UPDATED 08/16/07. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2007
Jun 2007 Fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE FORD TO FURNISH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND BE REIMBURSED FOR RENTAL CARS AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PICTURES, 2 ENGINEERS REPORT AND 2 LETTERS FROM FORD REGARDING THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING LAST WINTER. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW ON 2 OCCASSIONS. UPDATED 08/01/07 *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2007
May 2007

I HAVE A '01 FORD EXPLORER INVOLVED IN A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL ISSUED IN AUG-07, AS OF TODAY 5-DEC-07) MY LOCAL DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE PARTS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO EXPECT THEM UNTIL 1ST QUARTER. UNSATISFACTORY AND UNACCEPTABLE. IS FORD DELAYING SO THE EXPENSE DOES NOT HIT THEM THIS YEAR? THEY COULD SHOW A BETTER PROFIT FOR 2007 IF SO. SOUNDS LIKE MANIPULATING THE BOOKS TO ME, AT THE EXPENSE OF CONSUMER SAFETY. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2007
May 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. EVEN THOUGH THE REPAIR PARTS WILL BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL LATE OCTOBER, SHE STATED THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOTICE DOES NOT STATE THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MUST BE DISENGAGED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,381. UPDATED 01/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2007
Apr 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). SHE STATED THAT THE CLOSEST DEALER WAS 75 MILES AWAY AND THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. SHE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE THE SWITCH DISCONNECTED DUE TO THE INCONVENIENCE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2007
Mar 2007 Fire

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS 2001 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING, PIPING AND ANYTHING THAT WAS CONCERNING PLASTIC MELTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DPEARTMENT STATED THAT THIS FALURE WAS COMMON WITH FORD EXPLORER, THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WOULD GET STUCK AND CATCH ON FIRE. CONTACT CAN PROVIDE INCIDENT REPORT AND PICTURES. JRB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2007
Feb 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2007
Dec 2006 Fire

FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2006
Feb 2006 Fire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN A GARAGE; THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE POLICE WERE ALSO ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND MOST LIKELY IGNITED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V388000, REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2005
Oct 2005

2001 EXPLORER SPORT CUT OFF FOUR TIMES AFTER I STARTED IT. AFTER GETTING IT TO START, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ANY FASTER THAN 20 MPH, THEN IT WOULD SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP (IN TRAFFIC!). THE ACCELERATOR WAS EXTREMELY RESISTANT TO THE TOUCH. I TOOK IT TO CAPITAL FORD IN RALEIGH, NC AND INFORMED THEM I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE (DETERMINED THIS FROM RESEARCH). I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. FOUR DAYS WENT BY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO CAPITAL FORD TO BE TOLD IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. I INFORMED THEM THIS WAS AN ON-GOING ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL AND THE 2001 EXPLORER SPORT HAD BEEN RECALLED TO HAVE THIS PART FIXED. THE STAFF AT CAPITAL FORD SAID FORD HAD NOT ANNOUNCED A RECALL AND THAT THE INFORMATION I GATHERED WAS JUST A "SITE'S" OPINION. I NEED TO KNOW IF, IN FACT, THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED AND IF I HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST FORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED/REPLACED AT THEIR COST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. IT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING DEALING WITH CAPITAL FORD ON THIS ISSUE. I'VE SPENT $689.70 ONLY TO BE TOLD I'LL NOW HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $100 (+) TO FIX WHAT I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR TO REPAIR IN THE FIRST PLACE. *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2005
Jul 2005 Fire

2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT TEN HOURS. *NM THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2005

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2001 Ford Explorer has 63 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL complaints on file. 4 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.