RoadVitals

2001 Ford E-Series

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Apr 28, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Dec 5, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Ford E-Series, most frequently naming the brakes, steering and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 109 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes228.6%
  • Steering228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Suspension114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Dec 5, 2007
1,176,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 07S57View on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE

Mar 7, 2003
3,674 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
The 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.
SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONSView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP05005ClosedDefect Petition

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

Opened Sep 22, 2005
Closed Jan 4, 2006

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RQ02002ClosedRecall Query

TIRE VALVE STEM

Opened Jan 14, 2002
Closed Aug 19, 2002

There is no summary currently available

TIRESLed to recall 01V046000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Apr 28, 2008

DEFECTIVE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225872
Incident
Dec 20, 2007
Mileage
47,500 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 21, 2007

I HAVE A 2001 FORD EXCURSION LIMITED. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR BROKE DOWN. I TOWED IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID MY TIE RODS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. $1075.00 IN PAYMENT. FORD STATED RODS WERE NOT A DEFECT BUT DRIED OUT. REPLACED RODS AND BALL JOINTS. COULD THIS BE TRUE. OTHER FORD OWNERS HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEING A WEAR AND TEAR. I NEED HELP. PLEASE CALL ME 954 2962391.*AK

NHTSA ID
10185775
Incident
Mar 3, 2007
Mileage
67,790 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 2004

WHILE BRAKING 50 MPH BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10101367
Incident
Sep 8, 2004
Mileage
20,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 15, 2004

STEERING COUPLER CAME LOOSE FROM STREERING BOX. DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED SO NO ACCIDENT VAN NEEDED BE TOWED IN FOR REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10066235
Incident
Apr 15, 2004
Mileage
65,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 19, 2003

THE TV MOUNTED IN THE RAISED "SKY TOP" OF OUR ELK CONVERSION VAN, BROKE LOOSE AND FELL OUT OF ITS MOUNT . MY WIFE YELLED AS SHE SAW THE TV FALLING, AND I REACHED BACK OVER MY RIGHT SHOULDER TO CATCH THE TV BEFORE IT FELL TO THE FLOOR AND EXPLODED INTO THE PASSENGER AREA WITH MY WIFE AND CHILD. I FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HWY. WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT, SUSTAINING A SPRAINED SHOULDER AND SORE ELBOW. OTHER SKY TOPS ARE ALSO FAILING AT A HIGH RATE. THERE IS A NEW MOUNTING SYSTEM (FIX) BUT IT IS ONLY COVERED WITHIN THE FIRST 36,000 MI. TIME WILL CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE OLDER PLASTIC TV MOUNTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10033129
Incident
Aug 18, 2003
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 29, 2002

FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS BECAME WARPED HAD TO BE REPLACED NORMAL WEAR ON VEHICLE ROTORS CAUSED VEHICLE TA SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ABOVE 40MPH. *AK

NHTSA ID
766432
Incident
Jul 1, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 51536

STRUCTURE

For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN.

TSB-11-11-21

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FORD: THE BLOWER MOTOR ON SOME VEHICLES ARE OPERATING EITHER INCORRECTLY OR NOT OPERATING OR JUST FUNCTIONING ON ONE SPEED. *PE

07212

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE

19015

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

FUEL CONDITIONER. LOW POWER, POOR FUEL ECONOMY, FUEL GELLING IN COLD WEATHER, EXCESSIVE WHITE SMOKE ON COLD START, HARD START, OR COKING OF COMPONENTS EXPOSED TO EXHAUST. *TT

041601

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT

042421

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E-Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000
2016000
2015000
2014000
2013000
2012000
2011000
2010000
2009000
2008500
2007020
2006060
2005106040.7
2004200
2003521
2002621
2001Viewing622
2000622
1999412
1998131138.0
1997161144.7
1996000
1995101
1994211
1993301
1992010
1991000
1990100
1989100
1988000
1987100
1986000
1985000
1984000
1983000
1982000
1981000
1980020
1979010
1978020
1977010
1973100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.