KnownCarProblems2001 Ford E-350 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford E-350, most often about the engine (33% of complaints, typically around 133,500 miles). It is 5th of 26 E-350 model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Ford E-350 problems
Engine
17 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 133,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford E-350. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact heard loud sounds coming from the engine. He pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and discovered that the third spark plug blew out of the cylinder head. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and they re-threaded the cylinder head.…
While driving vehicle started running rough/missing lost engine power. Had to have the vehicle towed home replaced the fuel filter and pump. Still had problems. Towed to the dealer who finally advised fuel tank laminate was flaking. Found 4 other complaints on this site for the same problem. Online found that this is…
Brakes
6 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc.
Premature wear of front rotors. Replaced the front rotors at 48,000 miles . Currently, at mile 66,000 miles the front rotors need to be replaced again. Dealer was notified.
I have a 2000 Ford econoline van with about 60,000 miles driven. The ABS warning lamp is on. I took it to my Ford dealer for checking. The service manager reported that the left wheel sensor was shorted out and needed to be replaced. I told him to fix it. It seems that this may be a subject for recall, since there is…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
Dt: the contact stated that the lining on the inside of the gas tank flaked off and fell into the gasoline. As a result of the flaking, the pieces of the lining flowed through the fuel system and into the injectors. The contact was driving at 65 MPH and when the flakes became engaged the injector, the vehicle…
I have a 2001 Ford E-350 van with a 7.3 litre diesel engine. We have been experiencing engine problems and upon returning the vehicle to the dealership where we purchased it, we were informed that the fuel tank interior lining has degraded and is clogging the fuel system. Estimates for the repair are in the range of…
Transmission
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle hubs.
Ford sold 2001 trucks with a known defective transmission part and failed to disclose that fact to purchasers. 2001 Ford trucks built between 7-27-00 and 3-23-01 with the 4r100 automatic may exhibit a delayed or no second gear. This is caused by a failed intermediate one-way clutch. The one-way clutch, intermediate…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: valve, tread/belt.
While driving on the interstate, the left rear tire lost pressure and disintegrated. The consumer pulled of the interstate and replaced the tire. The damaged tire was taken to a repair shop. The valve stem had cracked where it passes though the aluminum rim. Two weeks prior to this incident, the right front valve stem…
While driving less than 30 MPH; complete tread seperation on a firestone steeltex radial r4s. Front driver side on a 2001 tioga class c rv. 18,000 miles only. Spare applied. Will remove all remaining tires for safety concern.
Seat belts
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: front.
Driver's side seat belt got tangled with the seat back release, causing the seat to fall back onto the back seat. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the seat belt. Replacing the seat belt did not solve the problem.
The driver's side seat belt randomly comes unlatched. This has happened before this date and happens multiple times each time it is driven. It does not matter if the vehicle is in motion or not. It has happened sitting still in the driveway and at highway speeds. This is a trw 33012760 part.
Electrical
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: ignition.
Plugs changed in vehicle at 137,000 for first time. Six months later plug #3 ejected. One month after that another plug ejected. Both times could smell gas in the passenger compartment and fumes.
Ford e350 15 passenger van suffered passenger cabin fire...may be related to cruise control recall. The fire occurred in my 2001 van in my driveway with no key in the ignition.
Speed control
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: cruise control.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford e350 econoline. The vehicle speed control switch was not disabled and the dealer stated that the part is not available. Recall notice 05s28 was received in august 2007. The contact stated that this has extended beyond a reasonable time to repair the vehicle. The contact will request to have…
Ford e350 15 passenger van suffered passenger cabin fire...may be related to cruise control recall. The fire occurred in my 2001 van in my driveway with no key in the ignition.
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-350 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
Hvac switch failures
Summary
This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.odi was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.after a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, odi did not identify the existence of a safety defect trend.odi reviewed 1,036 complaints, claims, and field reports of failed blower motor control switches and determined that only two fires were likely to have been caused by a failing subject blower motor control switch.this represents a failure rate of
Hvac switch failures
Summary
Odi has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.each fleet operates mini buses built on a ford e350 or e450 cutaway chassis.the OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.one fleet reported a vehicle fire.no injuries were sustained.however, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.the driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea) to d
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
Rapid tire deflation
Summary
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 warranty claims, conducted vehicle dynamic testing on a subject vehicle with the failure mode replicated, interviewed owners, and examined complaint vehicles in the field.the results of the test program indicates the effect of a valve stem ejection on these vehicles is easily controlled. Further, with a population of almost 900,000 vehicles, having two to four years of exposure, odi is aware of only 3 minor crashes and is unaware of any inju
Questions about the 2001 Ford E-350
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford E-350?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (17 complaints, typically around 133,500 miles); brakes (6 complaints); fuel system (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Ford E-350 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-350?
- It is 5th of 26 E-350 model years by number of complaints, with 52 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.