2001 Cobra Common Problems?

**wjfawb0** · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-03, 03:02 PM

A friend is looking at a 2001 Cobra. He asked me to see if I could learn what any common problems are with the 01 Cobra. Any 01 owners have any input or anybody know of any problems that existed? Thanks for your help.

-Jason

**SVTCobra2001** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-03, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjfawb0

A friend is looking at a 2001 Cobra. He asked me to see if I could learn what any common problems are with the 01 Cobra. Any 01 owners have any input or anybody know of any problems that existed? Thanks for your help.

-Jason

the Tranny's suck. They did make some small changes to the ones in the years after.. That is the only thing that I would really consider a issue that many have. Some have some vibrations, myself for one..

mdziedzic · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-03, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjfawb0

A friend is looking at a 2001 Cobra. He asked me to see if I could learn what any common problems are with the 01 Cobra. Any 01 owners have any input or anybody know of any problems that existed? Thanks for your help.

-Jason

I have had ZERO problems with my '01 Cobra. I LOVE IT. It's the most fun I've had with a car in a while.

There are some minor things that I would have different though.

1. The 5th gear is very high, if it had a 6 speed the 5th gear would be just right. I guess you have to get an '03 for that problem.

2. The paint chips easily. Mine is black, and I live in Las Vegas, and I can't keep small scratches and dings from happening. It's killing me!

3. The stock headlights were a little dim, I just installed xenon blue's and that really helped.

It's a great car, you'll love it.

**103** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-03, 09:46 AM

Tranny has been mentioned. Like the 99 and the 03, the 01 has the Vibe. The IRS needs a lot of work to feel good. Wheel hop is an issue (if you actually drive the car. Not an insult, you know what I mean). Anyone else chime in if I missed something.

**Traveler** · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-03, 11:33 AM

My car has been a real champ...except on the hottest days of the year, I will get some light pinging under throttle and this is a sporadic problem reported on a few 01 Cobras. There is a minor fix for it through the dealer, but I've heard that the only thing they do is tune the timing and it tends to cut a bit of power and some say they still get the noise. My fix for those hot days in the summer is to stop and pump about 2-3 gallons of unleaded 100 octane in with the 93 premium and that eliminates any audible ping.

**tfritz** · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-03, 04:49 PM

Speeding Tickets!

Other then that, no problems.

Bluehorse · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-03, 07:45 PM

I've had a 2001 for about 18 months now. The passenger window went bad a couple months ago. Other than that the car has been great.
It's quick, handles well, gets good gas milage for a car with this much power.

Matts01cobra · #8 (**permalink**) 12-10-03, 08:48 PM

Well I ordered my 01 in Jan. of 01 delivered on April 14. Before I go on I must say that others tell me my expectations were to much and that I am anal over this car. With that said upon delivery the driver tail light had water in it. The finish of the paint sucked solvent bubbles in several places. The paint was so thin in some spots you actually see through it to the primer. There were pits in all four wheels (polished). Had a coolant leak at the crossover tube. Found three different fasteners on the front of the engine were missing or never installed. The plastic that covers the cowl area would not stay in place kept popping up. In general the overall fit and finish of the car had my ass chapped. I have had the throw out bearing replaced 3 times. My car spends most of its time sitting in the garage but even if it sits for a few days there is valvetrain noise on start up. When I pulled the IRS for a gear swap I found a bad carrier bearing on driver side. Before I thought I had the vibe although I couldnt feel it I could here it. I believe this was the bad carrier bearing. Because I didnt notice it when it was new. Of course now with the 4.10's there is a vibe around 80mph. But that was expected with a gear swap and I will eventually get it out of there. I know this post sounds negative but thats what you asked for. For the record I love my car and wouldnt even consider getting rid of it. But I expected more attention to detail with it. Maybe its just me?

**103** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-10-03, 11:23 PM

Matt, you aren't the only one. And I forgot about all those little problems early on... (April 01, also) Bad paint apps, random things that just seemed to not fit (the plastic vent on the dash for the defrost pops off a lot still...). It is a bunch of little things that are pretty easy to fix, though. (Aside from the bearing, that just sucks) And as much as I HATE the 3650, if you let it warm up a little and don't beat on it too much and get a shifter (Pro 5.0!) it'll last. Good luck!

**COBRyan** · #10 (**permalink**) 12-11-03, 12:53 AM

My 2001 was the biggest hunk of **** I have ever owned. I almost gave up on ford until the 03 came out. I went through 3 motors, 2 rearends, 3 pinion bearing seals, two sets of rear taillights, and a window motor. The only thing that came good out of that car was the amount of pu$$y I got when I put the top down LOL. Also, when the rear end blew out the dealer installed 4.30 gears for free since they felt bad I had so much trouble with that car. That was all in 15,000 miles too! The poor guy who has it now has been through another 2 motors as well LMAO!

DoubleONegative · #11 (**permalink**) 12-11-03, 03:30 PM

I haven't had any probs with my 01 just a return line came off once. I do however hate the 3650 tranny.

i Turned 5400 miles on it just before i left on deployment in Aug.

Matts01cobra · #12 (**permalink**) 12-11-03, 03:55 PM

Oh yeah I forgot about that defrost vent popping up. Another bad thing was I had what was possibly the worst dealer in the world. I have had to fix everything on the car myself. Except the throwout bearing but I'm sure thats coming. You guys seem to have had bad luck with the 3650 but mine has been flawless. I always drive it easy for a little bit until it starts to warm up a bit. But I don't put to many hard launches on my car I've only had it at the track once. That was when it was bone stock 1500miles still had paper element air filter. One pass 13.66 forget the mph it was right at 100 though. I just like to drive the piss out of it. But I am installing a new ATI D1SC with 3 core sheetmetal intercooler. So when I get it done and tuned I will taking her back. Being in Ohio it will probably be a few months before the tracks open up.

**103** · #13 (**permalink**) 12-11-03, 04:32 PM

COBRyan, you had unusual problems not characteristic of most 01s. I had more tranny problems than most had, also. For the most part, the 01s were great cars. If I had it to do all over again, I would still have bought the Laser Red 01 I fell in love with at Mike Shad Ford.

motorCITY · #14 (**permalink**) 12-12-03, 01:14 AM

I had to replace the throw out bearing. I also had some tranny work done that was covered under warranty (more info here: http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=370675) Other then that, I really have had a great time with the car. I've owned mine since July 03.

wbpo · #15 (**permalink**) 12-12-03, 07:44 AM

42,000 miles and counting. The only problem I had was at about 20,000 miles I developed a hesitation sensation. Turned out to be the pinion gear had not been installed properly and was catching the side of the housing, causing the car to lurch as it was slowed by the friction. Dealer fixed it and never have had a single problem since. I do have mods and a VERY strong engine. But my Cobra was one of the last ones off the line in '01 if that matters.

**tfritz** · #16 (**permalink**) 12-12-03, 11:43 AM

Wow! Reading all these problems really makes me feel lucky.

I haven't had any probs except for the fog in tail lights and window motor. (knocks on wood).
But I do baby my car most of the time.

Oh...I'm at 57,000 miles.

myfaststang · #17 (**permalink**) 12-12-03, 03:10 PM

24,000 miles and the only problem I've had, has been the driver side window (2 window motors and new window guides), other than that, it has been a great car.

Kainsel · #18 (**permalink**) 12-12-03, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myfaststang

24,000 miles and the only problem I've had, has been the driver side window (2 window motors and new window guides), other than that, it has been a great car.

No problems with mine except the stubborn 1-2 shift on a cold tranny until it warms up. I lucked out, car was prob built on a Ford assembly line payday. Runs like a scalded cat at pedal to the metal.

mdziedzic · #19 (**permalink**) 12-13-03, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 103

Matt, you aren't the only one. And I forgot about all those little problems early on... (April 01, also) Bad paint apps, random things that just seemed to not fit (the plastic vent on the dash for the defrost pops off a lot still...). It is a bunch of little things that are pretty easy to fix, though. (Aside from the bearing, that just sucks) And as much as I HATE the 3650, if you let it warm up a little and don't beat on it too much and get a shifter (Pro 5.0!) it'll last. Good luck!

My plastis vent cover is popping up too. It's weird that you said that, I thought I was crazy! Is this a easy fix under the warranty?

**103** · #20 (**permalink**) 12-13-03, 11:44 AM

I have no idea. I just keep pushing it down until it pops back up again. Heh, once I watched it pop up while I was on the 1/4 and missed a shift. I was sooo ticked off...

mdziedzic · #21 (**permalink**) 12-13-03, 08:34 PM

I know what you mean. I pushed mine down and watched it rise too. It should've made me miss a gear too.

**Wicked02GT** · #22 (**permalink**) 12-14-03, 01:15 PM

I have had ZERO problems from the tranny. No vibes as previously stated. I am not sure, but I think the tranny are different from early to late 01, same for Gt's. The later cars have tremec 3650's which is much stronger than the t45.

Only real issue I have is with wheelhop. I have 450rwhp and have snapped a axle due to wheelhop on street tires on the street. Other than that I love it.

Now, it is still a Ford, so expect the typical fit and finish and some rattles. I work for Honda so I the rattles annoy me. But thats why you put loud exhaust on a stang.

**103** · #23 (**permalink**) 12-14-03, 02:14 PM

All 2001 Cobra were built with TR3650s. Only the 2001 GT has either a T45 or a TR3650.

**Wicked02GT** · #24 (**permalink**) 01-03-04, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 103

All 2001 Cobra were built with TR3650s. Only the 2001 GT has either a T45 or a TR3650.

Thanks, I knew the GT's had this. Just wasnt sure about the snakes.

GoBabyVroommm · #25 (**permalink**) 01-04-04, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBRyan

My 2001 was the biggest hunk of **** I have ever owned. I almost gave up on ford until the 03 came out. I went through 3 motors, 2 rearends, 3 pinion bearing seals, two sets of rear taillights, and a window motor. The only thing that came good out of that car was the amount of pu$$y I got when I put the top down LOL. Also, when the rear end blew out the dealer installed 4.30 gears for free since they felt bad I had so much trouble with that car. That was all in 15,000 miles too! The poor guy who has it now has been through another 2 motors as well LMAO!

Holy crap that is like a lemon car.