KnownCarProblems2001 Ford E-150 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford E-150, most often about the brakes (30% of complaints). It is the 2nd most complained-about E-150 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Ford E-150 problems
Brakes
11 complaints · 30%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages.
Purchased the vehicle late 2001 and has been in 6 times for new rotors and breaks due to vibration when braking. Ford has covered it so far, and the dealership just tells me that because the van is heavy in the front that it is a common problem. I feel this is a design flaw in the vehicle. Who can afford a $600.00…
I have a 2001 e 1-50 van, I am always getting a brake to the floor issue this has caused me some scary incidents at times, I have had everything replaced that I can think of but still having this issue, I get the run around with Ford saying this is normal to me this is not normal when I have to pump my brakes at…
Electrical
7 complaints · 19%Parts named most often: wiring, horn, ignition.
2001 Ford e150 conversion van. Had to replace starter at 8,000 miles. Vibration of vehicle at braking - never fixed by dealer. Starter now clicks and does not start for 2 -4 tries before vehicle turns over - after being off for several hours.
While driving at night with headlights on, they will cut off without prior warning, leaving consumer without a vision of the road. Dealer was contacted.
Engine
6 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: engine.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford e150. The contact heard a loud knocking noise and noticed steam coming from the tailpipe once the vehicle was started. The failure was diagnosed as a risk pin in the engine. The manufacturer stated that there was no remedy for this type of engine failure. The failure mileage was 68,900.
Fuel system
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: storage.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford E-150 cargo van. The contact was refueling the vehicle when he smelled an overpowering gasoline odor. Gasoline was leaking from the top of the fuel tank. The contact was able to locate NHTSA recall campaign id number: 01v114000 (fuel system,gasoline: storage: tank assembly) but was advised…
Steering
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: linkages.
With only 43,000 miles, and 21 months old, I had to replace outer tie rod, drag link, and ball joints on our 2001 Ford E-150 van. The vehicle has only been used as a private vehicle. Maintenance has been per Ford schedule, and performed by the same Ford dealership which did the state inspection which lead to the part…
Transmission
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Transsmission failed at 50,000 mi. Repair shop stated that it was due to an electrical problem that causes the pressure in the transmission to become to high and causes fluid to be pushed back into the electrical components of the transmission causing total failure/breakage. Transmission had to be replaced.
I currently own a meticulously maintained 2001 Ford e150 van with a 4.6 liter motor. I have approx 78000 miles on vehicle, and recently started having spark plug issues. To make a long story short changing the spark plugs with aluminum heads can possibly ruin my van due to the plugs blowing out of the heads. At this…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Ford E-150 recalls
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: cruise control
Risk: As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
Fix: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and, if cracked, will replace the tank. Insulator pads will be installed on all vehicles to reduce the stress levels in the fuel tank. Owner notification began april 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: on certain vans with ambulance prep packages or other severe-duty applications involving operation at or near the gross vehicle weight with frequent twisting of the vehicle body, such as off-road, rough road or speed bump events, the 35 gallon mid-ship fuel tank could develop a crack where it contacts the frame cross member. If the fuel tank cracks, fuel leakage could occur.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Summary
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 complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehi
Questions about the 2001 Ford E-150
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford E-150?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (11 complaints); electrical (7 complaints); engine (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Ford E-150 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2009 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Ford E-150?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about E-150 model year since 2000, with 37 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.