Vehicles / Ford / F-350 / 2001

2001 Ford F-350

160 federal complaints (181 component records) · 5 recall campaigns on file · 5 federal investigations · 31 service bulletins · 5 Canadian recalls
See all 24 model years of the Ford F-350 →
EPA economy
Not rated (heavy-duty)
Federal complaints
160
Recall campaigns
5
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Tires
31
Steering
28
Brakes
26
Power train
18
Engine & cooling
17
Electrical system
10
Air bags
9
Speed control
8
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 39 complaints01 years old: 18 complaints2 years old: 21 complaints3 years old: 16 complaints4 years old: 9 complaints5 years old: 6 complaints56 years old: 1 complaints7 years old: 4 complaints8 years old: 0 complaints9 years old: 2 complaints10 years old: 2 complaints1011 years old: 5 complaints12 years old: 1 complaints13 years old: 2 complaints14 years old: 1 complaints15 years old: 3 complaints1516 years old: 1 complaints17 years old: 1 complaints18 years old: 2 complaints19 years old: 1 complaints20+ years old: 5 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 140 of 160 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 2 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 10 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 8 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 13 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 6 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 2 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 0 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 2 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 5 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 3 complaints200,000+ miles: 5 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 56 of 160 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Tires

31 complaint records3 crash reports
"2001 FORD F-350 LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *KB AFTER THE BLOW OUT, THE CONSUMER CROSSED THE LEFT LANE AND STRUCK A CONCRETE DIVIDER WALL. *JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse tires parts in the directory →

Steering

28 complaint records5 crash reports
"WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS OR HIGH SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, AND CONSUMER CANNOT CONTROL VEHICLE.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →

Brakes

26 complaint records2 crash reports
"WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
DP05005
opened Sep 2005
closed Jan 2006Engine And Engine CoolingSPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE...
EA05005
opened Mar 2005
closed Aug 2006Vehicle Speed ControlENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES - led to recall 08V025000
EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A...
EA05004
opened Feb 2005
closed Jul 2005Seat BeltsFRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2001, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS USING A TEST TOOL THAT WOULD DETECT A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION VEHICLES PASSED THE INSPECTION TEST FOR...
RQ04011
opened Oct 2004
closed Feb 2005Seat BeltsFRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN (01V227), FORD RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 1.3 MILLION VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE.APPROXIMATELY 1.1 MILLION OWNERS RESPONDED BY TAKING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR...
EA02018
opened Aug 2002
closed Aug 2003TiresRAPID TIRE DEFLATION
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON CERTAIN FORD PICKUP TRUCKS AND VANS TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF A VALVE STEM EJECTION (WITH RAPID AIR LOSS) AND A SLOW LEAKING VALVE STEM ON VEHICLE HANDING.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI EVALUATED OVER 1,100 COMPLAINTS AND...

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
06V286000Vehicle Speed ControlON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.Normally free
01V258000VisibilityVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS.Normally free
01V227001Seat BeltsVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW.Normally free
01V106000Fuel System, GasolineVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: F-SUPER DUTY CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS (F-350 SHORT WHEELBASE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6 3/4' PICKUP BOX AND DUAL REAR WHEELS) WERE BUILT AFTER A CHANGE WAS IMPLEMENTED TO DELETE A CLAMP, AND LATER A...Normally free
01V082000Air BagsVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE INFLATOR CANISTER IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD NEAR THE IGNITER.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2009292
2009-10-14
Other492,877On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is in operation.
2007403
2007-12-12
Engine95,484On certain vehicles equipped with a 7.3L diesel engine, the camshaft position sensor may fail, causing the engine to stall.
2005028
2005-02-14
Electrical304,417On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is in operation.
2001204
2001-08-13
Other83,005Certain passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper...
2001194
2001-07-16
Seats And Restraints78,402Certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans equipped with seat belts supplied by TRW. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's outboard seat belt buckle may not fully latch.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
18406
Feb 2005
StructureSERVICE TIPS BEFORE ARC WELDING ON THE FRAME OR BODY OF A UNIT. *TT
18376
Jan 2005
Power TrainA COLD WEATHER REVERSE ENGAGEMENT STALL. *TT
0471
Dec 2004
Electrical SystemWARNING INDICATORS-PARKING AID-REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (RSS) AND FORWARD SENSING SYSTEM (FSS)-FALSE ACTIVATION OF WARNING TONE-SERVICE TIPS. *MJ UPDATE. *TT
042411
Dec 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlMEMONTARY RETURN TO IDLE DURING AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0123. *TT
04236
Nov 2004
SuspensionVEHICLE LEAN SAG WHEN OBSERVED FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *EH
Show 26 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
18217
Oct 2004
Fuel SystemMULTIPLE VEHICLES - FUEL LEVEL INDICATION CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER AND AVIATOR. *TT
18223
Oct 2004
Service BrakesVACUUM PUMP INOPERATIVE OR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY - CLIMATE CONTROL DEFAULTS TO DEFROST. OASIS. TO ALSO INCLUDE 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, AND F650/750. *TT
031603
Aug 2004
Power TrainREAR AXLE POPPING/CHATTER NOISE - DANA 80 MODEL DUAL REAR WHEEL (DRW). *AR
16915
May 2004
Power TrainEXCESSIVE DRIVE-AWAY SHUDDER OR VIBRATION UNDER MODERATE TO HEAVY ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. *TT
17603
Mar 2004
Air BagsAIR BAG LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1871 OR B1935 FOLLOWING ECS/RCM REPLACEMENT. *TT
17554
Feb 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingOIL/DUST FILM AT CAC CONNECTIONS. *MJ
17316
Nov 2003
Fuel SystemFUEL SIGNAL TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SERVICE TIP. *TT
16518
Oct 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingACCESSORY DRIVE BELT SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA WHEN THE ENGINE FAN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED WHILE OPERATED IN HOT DUSTY CLIMATES. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2003 F450/550. *TT
03174
Sep 2003
SteeringSTEERING WHEEL FIGHT AFTER RIDING OVER BUMPS/RUTS. 2003, 2004 F450 AND F550 MODELS INCLUDED. *TT
03163
Aug 2003
Power TrainSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE DUAL REAR WHEEL (DRW) REAR AXLE MAY EXHIBIT A TACTILE POPPING OR AUDIBLE CHATTERING NOISE. THIS POPPING NOISE/FEEL RESULTS FROM THE CLUTCH PLATES AND DISCS (IN THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL CASE) STICKING AND THEN SLIPPING. *TT
03911
May 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingROUGH IDLE AND/OR HESITATION WHEN ACCLERATING ON CERTAIN SUPER DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINE. *TT
02227
Nov 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingENGINE-CYLINDER HEAD DECK LEAK-4.6 AND 5.4L ENGINES-NEW SERVICE-ONLY GASKET AND CYLINDER HEAD KITS AVAILABILITY. *MJ
16403
Nov 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingENGINE-LIGHT TICK OR RATTLE TYPE NOISE FROM ENGINE AFTER COLD START. *MJ
15932
May 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L, 4.6L AND 5.4L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A LACK OF POWER CONDITION. *TT
15687
Mar 2002
Electrical SystemCERTAIN SUPER DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LPG ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A DEAD BATTERY CONDITION AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE PARKED FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS. *TT
15742
Mar 2002
Fuel SystemINFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING A PERCEIVED POOR FUEL RANGE / ECONOMY, AND OR A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. *TT
15566
Jan 2002
Unknown Or OtherSOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A TACKY SURFACE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP). *TT
15500
Dec 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingCONCERNS WITH LOW POWER WHILE IN REVERSE. *TT
01017
Oct 2001
SteeringSUBJECT REGARDING 198196 BOLT-ON STEERING STOPS SERVICE GROUP, ALL MODELS 0307, HR0307A AND HR1000A. *SLC
15292
Oct 2001
Power TrainSOME SUPER DUTY F SERIES EQUIPPED WITH PTO CAPABLE TRANSMISSIONS MAY EXHIBIT A FAILURE TO GO T HIGH IDLE UPON PTO ENGAGEMENT. *TT
15007
Jun 2001
Power TrainSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4R100 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A REVERSE ENGAGEMENT STALL. *TT
14952
May 2001
Service BrakesSOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EARLY WEAR OF THE INNER BRAKE PAD ON THE REAR DISC BRAKES WHEN OPERATED IN MUD, SLUSH, DIRT, OR OTHER SEVERE CONDITIONS. *TT
002310
Nov 2000
Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT
0008
Oct 2000
StructureTHIS FISHER SERVICE BULLETIN PERTAINS TO THE BLOCKER BEAM ON 2001 FORD VEHICLES. *TT
00B53
Oct 2000
Power TrainVEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE VEHICLE VIBRATION, DUE TO FRONT DRIVESHAFT MAYBE ONE INCH TOO LONG. *JB
00B54
Sep 2000
Power TrainOWNER NOTIFICATION INFORMING OWNERS THAT THEIR TRANSMISSION COULD BE DAMAGED INTERNALLY AND, POTENTIALLY, COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF SECOND GEAR OR, ULTIMATELY, AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IF IT IS DRIVEN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. *JB

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Read the tire date codes and look for uneven wear.Uneven wear on this vehicle often points back to the suspension. Four different date codes tell their own story.
  2. Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
  3. Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 5 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Ford F-350 →