2001 Ford Explorer Sport Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, 7% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My wife was driving on a residential road around 30 MPH when she attempted to brake. She was unable to stop the vehicle by braking. She said the truck was bucking wildly as though it was attempting to maintain it's 30 MPH speed. She put it in neutral and pulled over yet the truck continued to idle as though it were driving 30 miles per hour. She turned the vehicle off. I arrived 15 minutes later and without touching the gas pedal turned the vehicle on and it immediately rev'd as she described so I shut it off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10586289, filed 2014-05, 65,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139232, filed 2005-10, 57,867 miles“Dt: owns 2001 Ford explorer, both driver and passenger are pregnant. Had just entered interstate and was driving about 70 MPH and tried to slow down to about 65mph. Tried to tap brake but heard engine rev up and it immediately sped back up. Tapped brake again and knew something was wrong. Engaged hazard lights and tried to pull off road. Down shifted to 2nd gear,then to 1st, and slowed to about 50 MPH. Tried to engage emergency brake with no luck. Was using both brakes while traveling in the grass uphill. When it slowed to about 15-20 MPH passenger jumped from vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10121093, filed 2005-05, 80,000 miles“As of april 2008, Ford still has not shipped the parts needed for the speed control deactivation switch recall. The recall was sent out in august 2008! First, I was told that the parts would arrive in december of 2007. Then in december 2007, I was told it would be next april. Now I am told it will be june 2008.”
NHTSA complaint #10223731, filed 2008-04“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10215478, filed 2008-01Related recalls
- 07V336000Aug 3, 2007On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain…Covers: Ford Explorer Sport 2001–2002, E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
- 03V280000Aug 5, 2003On 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…Covers: Ford Explorer Sport 2001, Explorer 1999–2001, Mercury Mountaineer 1999–2001 +1 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
33 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsSeats
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsTires
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology