2001 Ford E-250
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › E-250 › 2001
These records cover every 2001 Ford E-250. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 2001 Ford E-250. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in an underhood fire.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
18 complaints1 involved a crash3 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine
Spark plug on cylinder #7 blew out of the cylinder head. 2ND time this has occurred on this vehicle. Repair shop states it IS not repairable this time approx. $3000 for new head installed. This IS a known problem on this 5.4 trition engine. ford should recall to fix this problem 130,000 miles on this truck.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I own a 2001 F250 ford with an 5.4L gas engine . The rear passenger side spark plug blew out breaking ignition coil causing small fire . The threads were gone and heads must be replaced on vehicle. *Tr
- Suspension
While driving at approx 30mph on a rural road, the rear spare tire fell off of my 2001 ford E250 van. Tire was suspended below rear vehicle. The local ford dealer in grants pass or said the cable was corroded causing the tire to fall off. Here in southern oregon we do not use salt on our roads…
While driving at approx 30mph on a rural road, the rear spare tire fell off of my 2001 ford E250 van. Tire was suspended below rear vehicle. The local ford dealer in grants pass or said the cable was corroded causing the tire to fall off. Here in southern oregon we do not use salt on our roads during the winter and we have less rainfall than northern oregon so corrosion fault IS questionable. The cost to replace cable was not realistic and if they used a quality cable, this should never have happened. I was lucky I was not driving on a freeway when this happened. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving under normal conditions, the #2 spark plug blew out of the head and stripped out the threads making it impossible to reinstall the spark plug without having major engine work done. This IS the second occurrence in this engine. I have since been informed that this IS a common…
While driving under normal conditions, the #2 spark plug blew out of the head and stripped out the threads making it impossible to reinstall the spark plug without having major engine work done. This IS the second occurrence in this engine. I have since been informed that this IS a common occurrence and should have been fixed before the heads were put into production. The ford dealership wants approximately $3000.00 to replace the heads. I have used an aftermarket repair kit approved by, but not used by ford. Removed part IS available for inspection. I am losing countless hours of work time, I am self-employed, and over $100.00 in towing expenses. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
Was driving my 2001 ford E250 vortec V8 at approx. 30 mph when a spark plug blew out of the engine. An hour and a half away from home , in a not so good area of town. I was left stranded. 120,000 miles on odometer. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
I own a 2001 ford E250 van. This van has been a reliable vehicle and maintenance has been easy and predictable. However today the third spark plug on the passenger side blew out of the cylinder head. Though it was a exhaust leak at first because of the sound. I pulled of the freeway and opened the…
I own a 2001 ford E250 van. This van has been a reliable vehicle and maintenance has been easy and predictable. However today the third spark plug on the passenger side blew out of the cylinder head. Though it was a exhaust leak at first because of the sound. I pulled of the freeway and opened the engine cover. At this point I restarted the engine to find the exhaust leak. A large flame immediately began bursting out of the open spark plug hole. Although I was able to turn the engine off quickly this scared me considerably as I know their are fuel lines that run right by the spark plug. I had it towed from their to a shop. I have researched this and found that it IS a common problem with many of fords engines. I even found cases were cars had been destroyed by fire as a result. It concerns me that there has been no recall. I do not expect warranty from ford for a vehicle this old. However this seems to be a potentially life threatening problem and I would think that merits a recall. I have a three year old daughter that rides in her car seat next to me in the van at times. That car seat IS less than two feet from the spark plug in question. Separated only by a thin engine cover. Again I am really quite amazed that this has not resulted in a recall. *Tr
- Suspension › Rear
Rear spring shackle rust out. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
I started to hear exhaust noise on my 2001 ford F250 super duty with a V10 engine with only 53,000 miles. In checking, I found that the bolts that were hold the exhaust manifold to the engine were breaking off at the cylinder head. 6 out off 10 cylinders had broken bolts and the other 4 were near…
I started to hear exhaust noise on my 2001 ford F250 super duty with a V10 engine with only 53,000 miles. In checking, I found that the bolts that were hold the exhaust manifold to the engine were breaking off at the cylinder head. 6 out off 10 cylinders had broken bolts and the other 4 were near breaking. There IS a danger of fire in the engine due to the hot exhaust gases. The repair IS very expensive due to having to remove the bolt studs still in the engine head without doing any damage . *tr
- Air bags › Frontal
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford E250. while driving 45 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. the air bags failed to deploy. the driver received neck injuries and was hospitalized. the vehicle was taken in for repair. rhode island police filed report number t-08209-ac. no other vehicle or dealer information was available.
- Engine and engine cooling
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford E-250. while driving 15 mph a popping sound was heard. the contact opened the hood, but was unable to locate the sound. the mechanic inspected the vehicle and noticed a spark plug was blown out of the cylinder. the mechanic repaired the thread in the cylinders…
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford E-250. while driving 15 mph a popping sound was heard. the contact opened the hood, but was unable to locate the sound. the mechanic inspected the vehicle and noticed a spark plug was blown out of the cylinder. the mechanic repaired the thread in the cylinders with an insert kit. there have been no other failures since the repair. the current mileage was 83,000, and failure mileage was 70,000. *Ak the consumer provided the repair invoice for the vehicle. Updated 08/03/07 *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
This van's motor ceased up for no reason according to the dealership. there was plenty of oil. this should not have happened for this van has 72,000. just out of warranty.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
No knowledge of anything wrong. A grinding noise started, took it to the ford dealership that day, now we need a new transmission. this van has only 70,000 miles on it. this should not have happened. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling
While driving 40 mph driver heard a loud popping noise coming from the front. suddenly the vehicle stalled. the driver was able to restart the vehicle, and drove it to a dealer for inspection. *ak ford only replaced the passenger side cylinder head which left the drivers side cylinder head at risk. *sc *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Bought vehicle in jan 2001, 2003 started having transmission problems, slipping, not going in reverse, etc. brought to jiffy lube, flushed out, seemed to work better. now june 2004, same problem. I am lead to believe this IS not an isolated case. *ak
- Tires
Tread separation, no action from the dealer or manufacturer.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Consumer purchased vehicle new on 04/30/01. while driving on a daily basis, consumer would experience nausea, burning eyes, severe headaches and stomach craps. physician diagnosed consumer with carbon monoxide poisoning. dealer diagnosed and replaced egr valve as cause of illness. consumer believes that egr valve IS leaking again, because symptoms have resurfaced. Ts
- Tires
Our trucks are very low mileage, impecably maintained, the tire pressures are regularly monitored and adjusted. the first failure occured (at 10,150 miles) with the truck loaded. the vehicle has a gvw of 8600 lbs. The truck was scaled with the load at 7760 lbs gvw well under the vehicle and tire…
Our trucks are very low mileage, impecably maintained, the tire pressures are regularly monitored and adjusted. the first failure occured (at 10,150 miles) with the truck loaded. the vehicle has a gvw of 8600 lbs. The truck was scaled with the load at 7760 lbs gvw well under the vehicle and tire weight capacites. the tread showed separation and the sidewall blew out. the second failure occurred (at 10,330 miles) with the truck empty, again the tread showed separation and the sidewall blew out.
- Electrical system › Wiring
The van failed to accelerate on the entrance ramp to the expressway. after getting up to speed the fire started full blast.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- HVAC Switch Failures
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…
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 0.2 R/100K on a population of 1,076,975 vehicles that have been in service for up to 14 years.ODI has found that when the subject switches do fail and begin to melt, they are constructed in a manner that typically prevents the failing switch from igniting and developing into an open flame.Ford Motor Company has agreed to take two actions to further reduce the likelihood an overheated blower motor switch in the subject vehicles.Ford informed ODI that it has implemented a series of design changes to the subject switch that will help prevent it from developing internal high resistance short circuits.Ford has also informed ODI that it would release a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB-11-11-21) instructing subject vehicle owners to replace the electrical connector at the same time a failed switch is replaced.In light of the low rate of failure resulting in open flame and fire spread on the subject vehicles, and Ford's actions to reduce the likelihood of a switch failure through switch design changes and a TSB, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following (ODI) numbers: 10427875, 10114393, 10257890For additional information, see the attached closing report.
- Spark 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 complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or…
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 vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it IS possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect IS very low.in view of the foregoing, it IS unlikely that nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition IS denied.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10148820This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.
- 10022675Brake booster system may exhibit a brake pedal kickback and/or grabbing condition when applying the brakes.
- 10022232Headlight adjustment needed.
- 10018941Vibration/harshness above 45 mph (72 km/h) after tire balance.
- 10018741Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p1131 and/or p1151 - 4.2L engine.
- 10017865Headlight adjustment - chassis cab incomplete vehicles.
- 10010743Intermittent clunk on 3-2 downshift during coastdown/tip-in. Oasis. To include 2005 F-150, e-series and expedition.
- 10007350Clunk from front suspension.
- 10004072A bump steer steering feeling, noted when the vehicle's front wheels/tires contact road surface irregularities.
- 637767Subject regarding early wear of the inner brake pad on the rear disc brakes.
- 637519Some vehicles equipped with 4r70w transmission (driveshaft >70 inch) may exhibit a vibration / roughness on acceleration or under load at about 50-55 mph.
- 630683Concerns with bump steer steering feeling noted when front wheels / tires contact road surface irregularities.
- 630681Concerns with dana 60 semi-float axles exhibiting a condition of axle chatter on turns.
- 630150Some vehicles without front brake dust shields may exhibit premature wear of the front wheel bearings.
- 624689Some vehicles may exhibit a fuel fill valve sealing condition.
- 622802Some vehicles equipped with 4r70w transmission (driveshaft >70 inch) may exhibit a driveline vibration / roughness on acceleration or under load at about 50 - 55 mph.
- 620986Subject regarding overview of bi-fuel CNG vehicle parameter identification data (pid), inputs and outputs as a diagnostic aid for bi-fuel vehicles.
- 620240Some 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.
- 620226Some vehicles built before feburary 15, 2001 may exhibit a constant squealing sound from the front wheels while driving. This may be caused by excessive side to side travel of the anti-rattle clip on the front brake caliper adaptor face.
- 619465Information on lube for life / greasable ball joints.
- 617963Some vehicles may exhibit early wear of the inner brake pad on the rear disc brakes, if used in mud, slush, dirt, or other severe conditions.
Every Ford E-250 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.