KnownCarProblems2001 Ford F-250 SD Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 288 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford F-250 SD, most often about the engine (34% of complaints, typically around 93,500 miles). It is 7th of 27 F-250 SD model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2001 Ford F-250 SD problems
Engine
99 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Within 6000 miles of tune-up from Ford dealership in salem, va. A spark plug on passenger side 3rd back came out of head of engine causing loud noises and damage to head , was taken to garage and was told by them and numerous other garages I called that it would cost 800.00 plus if was fixed on vehicle by tool from…
On sunday, august 14, 2008 I was driving my 2001 Ford f-250 with a 5.4 liter engine and I heard a loud pop which was followed by a loss of power and a noise that sounded like a large exhaust leak. When I opened the hood I noticed one of the spark plugs had blown out of the head and had broken the coil, ripped the…
Transmission
45 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, axle hubs, manual transmission.
Front drivers side wheel bearings went out and almost caused a wreck.I have spoken with many people on this subject and with a lot of research,I have found that the four wheel drive hub ass. Used in fords f seiries trucks may be defective.the hub cannot be serviced nor the bearings inside,it is a sealed unit that cost…
While driving at 30 MPH down a mountain, the consumer's vehicle suddenly lost acceleration. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who informed the consumer that transmission needed to be replaced. There was no forward, no reverse and no warning.
Wheels and tires
44 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, hub, sidewall.
The consumer noticed a vibration in the front end. Then the tire exploded the consumer lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle nearly flipped, but the consumer was able to keep the vehicle upright.
While traveling on turnpike at 75 MPH left front tire tread separated on my steeltex a/t lt265/75r16 load range e tires causing my vehicle to immediately shift to the left across 2 lanes and almost hitting center median wall, caused $2900.00 damage to my vehicle.
Electrical
39 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
While driving with my 17 month old son, my truck just quit while on the highway. No warning, no steering, no brakes, etc. Would not crank immediately, took about 5-10 minutes before it started again, meanwhile I was blocking traffic and creating a life hazard to my family and other motorists. The truck would run for…
I was driving on the highway when suddenly lost power to my truck. Fortunately I was not on a long trip with my wife and kids hauling a load. I tried to contact a dealer and was told they were unable to see me after several weeks and some calls I was able to locate one to look at my truck. After I gave my approval to…
Steering
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, linkages, hydraulic power assist, gear box.
Cam shaft position sensor has failed 2 different times on a 2001 powerstroke Ford f250. First time while driving through a parking lot. Second time on the road at highway speeds. Vehicle was difficult to stop and steer due to loss of power steering and power brakes.
2001 Ford f250 superduty upper and lower ball joint failure w/78985 miles on vehicle. One upper was worn to allow an inch of move in wheel. Ford has a problem with premature ball joint wear as I have this vehicle with the problem, had a mercury grand marquis ball joints failed with 40000 miles or less. F250 diagnosed…
Seat belts
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 126,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford f250 sd. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, he detected that the front passenger seat belt would not remain secured in the locking mechanism. When the seat belt was in use by an occupant the failure would occur. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure…
For about 7 months, my son has been driving the 2001 f250 sd under normal driving conditions. There have been many instances where the driver's side front seat belt has unlatched on its own. It has also happened to me while driving. The truck was taken back to Ford dealership on 3/7/03 under recall 01s21 seatbelt.…
Brakes
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
A rear brake line on my 2001 Ford f-250 super duty truck rusted through, causing a loss of brake fluid and braking ability. I replaced the brake line with a part from Ford, but Ford seemed uninterested in addressing this failure, which I had never heard of happening before. I still have the old part.
Hitting brake to shift out of park the pedal went to floor. Steel line coming out ABS ruptured where the flex section ends right above frame rail. Where I live, steep hills and sharp turns, this was very life threatening if occurred while driving! I'm not a happy camper!
Speed control
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
Had driven about 165 miles parked vehicle and plugged in engine block heater. That night the vehicle caught on fire. Flames were coming from engine compartment on driver's side near the front of the vehicle. Had used the cruise control the day before the fire, and it had worked fine. The heat from the fire damaged the…
The contact owns a 2001 Ford f250 super duty. The contact stated driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate as he continued to depress the accelerator pedal. He shifted the vehicle into neutral and back into drive to get the vehicle to accelerate. The failure continued to persist intermittently.…
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 F-250 SD 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.
Engine: diesel
Risk: In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 29, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
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
Engine stalling
Summary
In a december 3, 2007 letter, ford advised NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall to replace the cam position sensor (cps) in approximately 1.2 million subject vehicles to address reports of engine stalling.a new design cps with improved performance and durability will be installed as a remedy.owner notifications will begin in december 2007. The subject vehicles are durable, full-sized, medium duty trucks commonly used for commercial purposes, rescue/emergency response, and commercial or recreational towing.cps failure is comparable to unexpectedly turning the key off since the signal it produces is vital to the electronic engine control system.cps signal loss terminates fuel injection r
Engine stalling
Summary
The cam position sensor (cps) provides a critical signal to the subject vehicle (sv) engine management system, the loss of which results in an engine stall.during pe06-011, ford stated in their response to odi that it is continuing to investigate allegations of cps related engine stall and further advised that an update will be provided upon completion of the investigation.ford data shows that 20% of the 716,000 svs are equipped with manual transmissions which are capable of back-driving the engine when a stall occurs; power assisted steering and braking are not lost during engine back-drive.ford data also indicates that back-drive occurs in automatic transmission vehicles above certain road
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
Engine compartment fires
Summary
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 vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.ford is also including the entire population of 1998 explorers.ford has informed odi that testing to determine the cause of failures in the 1998 explorers will continue after this investigation is closed.odi believes that the vehicles exhibiting the factors causing scds failure described in this report correlate well with the obs
Front seat belt buckle assembly
Summary
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 one or both front buckles.subsequent to the recall service action, odi received 15 consumer reports alleging that a passed inspection buckle subsequently failed to latch or inadvertently unlatched during use.in addition, ford has identified 543 owner and field reports alleging buckle failure subsequent to passing the inspection test.ford tested and examined over 100 warranty-returned buckles and found that 44% of the buckles had no prob
Front seat belt buckle assembly
Summary
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 inspection of the buckle using a specialized buckle test tool.ford reported that 829,927 vehicles had both buckles pass the tool test and another 167,336 vehicles had one buckle pass.odi and ford received complaints alleging seat belt buckle failure shortly after passing the original recall inspection service.complainants alleged that the buckle failed by either not latching or false-latching (partial engagement of the latch to the latch plate)
Accelerator pedal sensor (etc)
Summary
Failure counts from odi?s analysis are stated above; see the additional problem experience discussion in the summary report.ford data contained duplicative reports for 4 odi complaints and 1 crash.three crashes were allegedly due to intermittent operation of the electronic throttle control (etc) pedal, one crash occurred when an etc disabled vehicle was struck by another motorist, one report contained no detail.the injuries were minor.an issue involving fixed etc pedals was investigated also, however failure reports and populations are not shown above; see summary report for detail.although ford has used etc based throttle control systems for many years, the pap feature was new for my 2002.t
Sector shaft fractures
Summary
This ea was opened based on a response received from ford motor company to an information request (ir) submitted during sq00-018.ford stated in an internal service message that it had changed the steering gear sector shafts and pitman arms installed 1999 model year f-series super duty vehicles on march 22, 1999.ford stated that these design changes were implemented to make improvements in vehicle steering and handling, and that virtually all of the reported fractured sector shafts were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts.an engineering analysis closing report is attached.
Questions about the 2001 Ford F-250 SD
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford F-250 SD?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (99 complaints, typically around 93,500 miles); transmission (45 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); wheels and tires (44 complaints, typically around 41,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Ford F-250 SD have?
- 2 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 F-250 SD?
- It is 7th of 27 F-250 SD model years by number of complaints, with 288 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.