2001 Ford F Series
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2001 Ford F Series. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2001 Ford F Series. Newest first.
Certain pickup truck, van, and MINI van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. these units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness IS exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. owner notification began march 7, 2003. 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 southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Owner complaints
44 complaints1 involved a crash10 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine
Spark plug ejected from the engine block, as vehicle was moving on a highway. disabled, needed a tow. repair very expensive. *tr
- Engine
Spark plug blown out of head. spark plug #7 blew out 9 months ago. now plug #8 blew out. mechanic says it's due to poor design of aluminum head and insufficient threads. both times, this happened while coasting at a slow speed (< 30 mph).
- Engine
The sparkplug blew out for the second time. The first time was about 9 months ago. Running fine then about 40 mph the plug blew out
- Structure › Body
I have a 2001 ford F-150 that I purchased brand new in 2001. I have noticed that the entire frame IS rusted and I am concerned about the structural integrity of the truck. it has already had the gas tank strap recall fixed. I found several spots that look as if the frame IS deteriorating from rust.
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting
Turn signal are now sporadic. Upon investigating I found that when the tilt IS engaged and lowered the turn signals would not work. raise steering wheel back up it would work. Start to drive down the road they would turn off or not work at all or wok sometimes. Raise the steering wheel they work.…
Turn signal are now sporadic. Upon investigating I found that when the tilt IS engaged and lowered the turn signals would not work. raise steering wheel back up it would work. Start to drive down the road they would turn off or not work at all or wok sometimes. Raise the steering wheel they work. Lower it they don't. this indicates from further research on line in ford F150 forums this IS a problem with the wiring being to short and the wires get pulled out of the switch. It IS a very common occurrence in f!%) from 98 up to 2004 and are now being reported in newer models as well. this IS a severe safety hazard for drivers and passengers and drivers behind the vehicles.and should be remedied by ford at no expense to the owners.
- Fuel/propulsion system
Bought this vehicle from someone and before finding out about the fuel strap recall for this vehicle. Filled fuel tank and had a very noticeable leak of fuel from tank. When investigated, found the fuel straps were severely corroded and had caused corrosion in the seam of fuel tank, causing the fuel to leak from tank. *js
- Suspension
Two leaf springs broke on each side or both sides of the vehicle and parts fell into the roadway. *tr
- Engine
Motor ejected #3spark plug on passenger side. *tr
- Engine
The plugs blew!! this has happened repeatedly and as of now(7-2-2014) all have been replaced. im sure that will start again but this IS quite an expensive problem. my truck had 8 plugs...thank god they don't all blow at once!! *tr
- Seat belts
While driving, the seatbelt clip will release from the catch, causing the belt to retract and become ineffective while in motion. This has happened several times, and under various driving conditions. I can find no reason for this to happen exterior of the installed equipment. My vehicle had the…
While driving, the seatbelt clip will release from the catch, causing the belt to retract and become ineffective while in motion. This has happened several times, and under various driving conditions. I can find no reason for this to happen exterior of the installed equipment. My vehicle had the seatbelt retractor replaced after receiving a recall notice several years ago. This appears to not have anything to do with that recall. *tr
- Electrical system
Vehicle was not in use- parked and not on smoke and fire came from under hood the wiring melted causing the hood to melt underneath where it can not be opened. *tr contacted ford on monday june 24 waited few weeks for paper work- promptly filled it out and never heard back frome them- made…
Vehicle was not in use- parked and not on smoke and fire came from under hood the wiring melted causing the hood to melt underneath where it can not be opened. *tr contacted ford on monday june 24 waited few weeks for paper work- promptly filled it out and never heard back frome them- made several calls received a letter from legal department indicating they need the part to review we wanted ford to come to look at truck and retireve the part they are not willing and are closing the case there IS a recall on this and my family was in the truck that morning- we re lucky no one was killed
- Tires · Wheels
Two blocks from my residence, I experienced a loud 'boom', tread separation and damage to my right rear quarter panel, fender braces and my exhaust pipe. The tire in question IS a goodrich t/a km LT 285/75r/16/122/119/d m + s mud tire. this IS a load range d tire with a max of 65 psi. I use 50…
Two blocks from my residence, I experienced a loud 'boom', tread separation and damage to my right rear quarter panel, fender braces and my exhaust pipe. The tire in question IS a goodrich t/a km LT 285/75r/16/122/119/d m + s mud tire. this IS a load range d tire with a max of 65 psi. I use 50 psi. The tires were purchased in 2007/2008, and mounted on separate rims. The original equipment and the mud terrain tires were exchanged often.my truck has approximately 40K total miles. If the driving on each tire were divided evenly, each tire would only have 18K miles, at the time of the tire failure. the tires were rotated often. Inflation was checked every week. I chose not to use the road hazard warranty to replace the tire. As it happened on a newly rebuilt street.this tire has a 3 ply side wall and a 5 ply tread. This type of tread separation should not happen. I want goodrich to replace all tires, because I'm afraid to use them. Had this failure happened at highway speed, results could be worse. I have tried to reason with goodrich consumer representatives, to no avail. The tires 'were too old', based on the dot number. Sears wants to only replace 1 tire. I believe the set to be dangerous. the original 2001 tires are very serviceable. I noticed some 59 complaints on 'consumer affairs' for b. F. Goodrich off-road tires. My complaint will make 60. the ones reported to your agency numbered in the 70'S some the complaints reported serious injury with this type of tire. their link IS: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/brands/support/ . I would hope that you review the complaints, and ask b. F. Goodrich to be a responsible corporation, file a voluntary recall and replace suspect tires; at no cost to the consumer. Please inform me of the results of your investigations, along with any recommendations made to goodrich. Thank you. *Tr
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling
Spark plug blew out of engine causing failure. engine. *tr fire
- Fuel system, gasoline
Brought my truck in for the gas tank recall and now my tank leaks gas the are trying to say it was leaking before I brought it in so they sent me down the road with a dripping gas tank and wont replace it I had my truck at my mechanics having something else fixed 2 weeks before this and he told me about my broken strap and my tank wasn't leaking then. *Tr
- Vehicle speed control
My 2001 f 150 super crew start on fire in a parking lot I live in mexico but this truck was made in the USA, the fire started about 45 minutes after the engine was turned off. *Tr
- Unknown or other
I was driving down the highway at 70 mph when my ford F-150 blew out the #3 sparkplug resulting in having to slow way down, fuel vapor filling my cab and a very rough ride. I have taken it to my repair shop where they will attempt to retap the hole, put in a new plug and see if that works. if…
I was driving down the highway at 70 mph when my ford F-150 blew out the #3 sparkplug resulting in having to slow way down, fuel vapor filling my cab and a very rough ride. I have taken it to my repair shop where they will attempt to retap the hole, put in a new plug and see if that works. if not, they told me we are looking at having to remove the entire head. I did not realize how common this was with fords until I researched online today. I also did not realize the severity of continuing to drive it to the shop this morning as I have read that the fuel vapor could ignite while running.
- Engine and engine cooling
2001 ford F150 caught fire in the middle of the night and was completely destroyed. Vehicle had not cranked in over 24 hrs., and no keys were in the ignition. *Tr
- Vehicle speed control
I was woken up by someone knocking on my apartment door to let me know that my truck was on fire. I attempted to put the fire out by filling cooking pans with water and dousing the flames but to no avail. The fire dept along with the police showed up and the front part of the truck IS all burned up. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
On multiple occasions I have been driving and heard a loud bang and felt the motor starting to shake and loss of power to the vehicle. upon inspection, I have noticed the coil pack of my 2001 ford F-150 sitting on top of the motor. I have replaced two coil packs twice each. it IS getting costly…
On multiple occasions I have been driving and heard a loud bang and felt the motor starting to shake and loss of power to the vehicle. upon inspection, I have noticed the coil pack of my 2001 ford F-150 sitting on top of the motor. I have replaced two coil packs twice each. it IS getting costly to repair as it costs $50 per coil pack. I have retapped the holes but the problem keeps occurring. I am a divorced father of a 2 year old son. I can't afford to keep repairing the problem. *Tr
- Vehicle speed control
Truck caught fire sitting in the driveway due to cruise control switch that was on recall list. I knew nothing of the recall until the fire department told me that was what happened. *Tr
- Vehicle speed control
What good IS it to respond to a recall of a F150 cruise control when they don't have the parts and you have to make 3-4 trips to get the work done. then they say they have the part but don't do the work and your back again.....i'm a long time ford customer but this IS ridiculous ...then your agency urges motorists to respond to the recall....how about kicking those ford execs in their pockets. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
#3 spark blew out of engine head and broke spark plug coil in the process. this was an original factory installed spark plug. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling
We own a motor home, built on a ford incomplete vehicle chassis, powered by a ford V-10 triton engine. The first engine began to spit out spark plugs after reaching 75,000 miles on the odometer. This occurred on friday, january 27, 2006, about forty miles east of kingman, arizona. After spending…
We own a motor home, built on a ford incomplete vehicle chassis, powered by a ford V-10 triton engine. The first engine began to spit out spark plugs after reaching 75,000 miles on the odometer. This occurred on friday, january 27, 2006, about forty miles east of kingman, arizona. After spending money to get the problem diagnosed at a goodyear dealership in kingman, arizona, we had to order a special repair kit from baril engine rebuilding company in green bay, wisconsin, paying for the shipping both ways. A mechanic resleeved the cylinder. as I had to make a speaking engagement, we had to drive for close to 1,000 miles with wretched fumes and horrid noise. the second spark plug was spit out on friday, feburary 10, 2007. As I had another speaking engagement, which IS how I make my living, we had to drive to pensacola, florida, and thence lafayette, louisiana, before another repair kit was rented to be used by yet another mechanic. the third spark plug was spit out two weeks later, on monday, february 26, 2007, as we were driving from pensacola to lafayette. We rented the tool kit from baril engine rebuilding company once again. this original ford V-10 triton engine died on thursday, april 19, 2007, on interstate 80/94 just east of mile marker 160. Two cylinders had lost compression entirely. No one at terry ford lincoln mercury in peotone, illinois, could explain why this had happened. We had to raise $9,000 to pay for a new engine and its installation. The engine had been well maintained. the replacement engine has also been maintained well. Despite this fact, however, the engine spit out its first spark plug, just 19,000 miles and thirteen months, eight days after its installation, an incident that occurred this afternoon, wednesday, june 3, 2008, at exit 22 of the new york state thruway in selkirk, new york. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
4 months ago spark plug #3 unexpectedly "left the engine" destroyed the coil-on-plug and stripped the cyl. Head. ~2500 miles later #6 plug and coil....same thing. *tr
- Vehicle speed control
2001 ford expedition ignited into flames causing our clients mobile home and all of it contents to be lost. fire department stated that the fire originated in the vehicle. *Tr
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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.
- Front 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 one or both front buckles.subsequent to the recall service…
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 problem or a condition not related to the recall inspection (non-latch related buckle damage or foreign contamination).warranty claims were highest during the 18-month period after the start of the recall (july 2001) and have been declining during the past 24 months.over the past 12 months, ford has received approximately 12 warranty claims per month out of a vehicle population of about one million.complaints counts are also decreasing.during the past seven months, odi has received only two complaints. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation IS closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
- Front 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 inspection of the buckle using a specialized buckle test tool.ford…
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).a false-latched buckle may release with minor movement or impact against the buckle housing including inadvertent release while the vehicle IS in motion.odi IS upgrading this recall query to an engineering analysis (ea05-004) to further analyze the field performance of those vehicles that ford dealers passed (one or both buckles) using ford's inspection test (997,263 vehicles).
- Tire valve stem
There is no summary currently available
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.
- 10029029Jerr-dan: anti stall feature for ford f series light duty chassis with V10 gas engine and an engine drive clutch pump. Model years unknown.
- 10026389Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for sale in california-federal emission warranty refund.
- 10013116Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. Various models including 2004 f-series.
- 10008279New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4r70w transmission - service tip.
- 10007207Customer satisfaction program 02m01 supplement #4. Certain ford 2000 through 2003 vehicles equipped with a tube-mounted egr pressure sensor - additional egr pressure sensor warranty coverage. Supplement #3. Supplement #6.
- 10004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips.
- 10002606Clear gel-like substance in the hydraulic brake master cylinder reservoir. This substance IS a silicone base lubricant used during assembly of the master cylinder.
- 10001937False failure of the vapor management valve (vmv).
- 637696Some 5.4L windsor power improved engines may exhibit a slight oil leak or weep at the cylinder head to block joint.
- 636408Some dedicated CNG vehicles may exhibit driveability conditions of hard start / no start / rough running.
- 636399Subject regarding vehicles exhibiting cold start rolling idle.
- 636344Some vehicles may exhibit wheels that seize to the hubs and are difficult to remove during service.
- 630653Some vehicles may exhibit driveability conditions and / or check engine lamp illuminated with a diagnostic trouble p0455 (gross leak detected).
- 630640Subject regarding emissions recall 02e19 regarding catalytic converter replacement.
- 630412Some vehicles may exhibit a condition of oil contamination in cooling system.
- 630354Some vehicles may run rough at cruise or momentarily after stopping, a check engine light,and p030x codes.
- 630273Some vehicles equipped with 7.3L di engine may exhibit false diagnostic trouble codes p1105, p1106 (upper and lower alternator faults).
- 630026Some vehicles may exhibit driveabilty conditions and/or check engine lamp illuminated with a diagnostic trouble code p0455 (gross leak detected).
- 625773Some vehicles may exhibit a difficult to remove wheel rim condition.
- 624688Some vehicles may exhibita coolant leak from the water pump weep hole.
- 624615Some vehicles may exhibit a miss or popping through the intake or exhaust. *Slc
- 620223Some supercrews and sport-trac vehicles equipped with the optional bed extender may exhibit broken locking pin(s). This may be caused by the holes not being completely aligned before inserting the locking pin.
- 619650Field action for vehicles built with incorrect exhaust system catalysts.
- 619335Subject regarding certain vehicles with 4.6L romeo engines exhibiting an oil leak from the cylinder head gasket area.
- 619315Some vehicles equipped with 4.6L romeo engine may exhibit an oil leak from the cylinder head gasket area.
- 618565Owner notification program parts update regarding 4r100 transmission replacement.
- 618564Owner 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.
Every Ford F Series model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.