RoadVitals

2001 Ford F-150 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
137
Latest Apr 19, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 1,236 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
78
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 137 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 137, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Apr 19, 2023
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off the vehicle suddenly caught on fire and was destroyed. The fire department was called to the impoundment lot and extinguished the flames which came from the engine compartment. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the fire was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 190,000.

NHTSA ID
11517817
Incident
Apr 1, 2023
Mileage
190,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 19, 2021
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway flames were suddenly present coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact indicated that prior to the fire the vehicle had not been driven or turned on for two days. The failure mileage was 89,000.

NHTSA ID
11429763
Incident
Aug 17, 2021
Mileage
89,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 6, 2021

WE PURCHASED OUR 2001 F150 SUPERCREW USED. I AM A MECHANIC, SO THE FIRST THING I DO WHEN BUYING A USED VEHICLE IS INSPECT IT THOROUGHLY. THERE WERE A FEW MINOR ISSUES, BUT ONE STOOD OUT AS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON TO ALL 1997-2003 F-150S. SYMPTOMS - THIS ISSUE MAINLY AFFECTS THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS. THESE LIGHTS, PARTICULARLY BRAKE LIGHTS, CAN CEASE TO FUNCTION ENTIRELY, INTERMITTENTLY AND UNKNOWN TO THE DRIVER. CAUSE - THERE IS A WIRE HARNESS WHICH CONNECTS TO THE "MULTI - FUNCTION SWITCH". THIS WIRE HARNESS IS PULLED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TILTED DOWN. AS A RESULT, THE CONNECTOR OR INDIVIDUAL TERMINALS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED. THIS PROBLEM IS MOST PREVALENT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE DOWN POSITION, BUT ONCE LOOSE CAN HAPPEN AT ANY POSITION AND ANY DRIVING SITUATION. SOLUTION - REPAIR OR REPLACE WITH MOTORCRAFT PART# WPT607, AND ENSURE THE HARNESS HAS ENOUGH SLACK TO ALLOW STEERING WHEEL TILT WITHOUT TENSION ON THE HARNESS. IN OUR CASE, I REPLACED THE CONNECTOR AND PULLED THE WIRES ENOUGH TO ALLOW SLACK FOR STEERING WHEEL TILT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE, AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY F150 OWNERS. I HAVE PICTURES BUT THE FILE SIZES ARE OVER 5MB.

NHTSA ID
11406715
Incident
Apr 4, 2021
Mileage
164,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 26, 2020
Fire reported

CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD DRIVER SIDE WIRE WALL AREA.*DT CONSUMER STATED ORIGINAL COMPONENTS AND PARTS WERE MELTED AND DAMAGED.*JB

NHTSA ID
11325968
Incident
Jun 24, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed May 15, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED EXTENSIVE RED SMOKE AND FIRE UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A FIRE INSPECTION REPORT WAS PROVIDED. TWO VEHICLES HAD BEEN IMPACTED DUE TO THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD NOT YET INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OR NOTIFIED OF A SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION FROM JANUARY 27, 2005 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS OF JULY 29, 2011. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 275,000.

NHTSA ID
11207711
Incident
May 9, 2019
Mileage
275,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 8, 2017
Fire reported

THE TRUCK WAS PARKED OUT FRONT OF MY HOUSE ON THE STREET AND IT CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ID
10971424
Incident
Apr 7, 2015
Mileage
133,750 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 28, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE WHEN SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 70-80 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10778194
Incident
Aug 11, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 20, 2015
Fire reported

ALL I KNOW IS I WAS AT A NEIGHBORS FOR AROUND 1 1/2 HOURS AND WE HEAR A LOUD BOOM. WE RAN OUT SIDE AND MY TRUCK HOOD WAS ON FIRE, IT BURNED EVERYTHING VISIBLE ON TOP OF THE MOTOR AND TOWARD THE DRIVER FIREWALL . IT BUSTED THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND COMPLETELY BURNED EVERYTHING VISIBLE UNDER THE HOOD. THE DASH COMPONENTS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE ARE NOT BAD, UNKNOWN OF INTERNAL DAMAGE.I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I DID GO TO THE RECALL SITE TO SEE IF THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING I DID FIND THIS CONTROL SWITCH FOR SPEED RECALL AND NOT SURE IF IT APPLIES TO MINE.EVEN THOUGH IT BROUGHT IT UP WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN #. I DID RECEIVE A RECALL ON THE GAS TANK STRAPS BUT DID NOT REPLACE THEM THEY WERE IN GREAT SHAPE. BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE ON ON THIS. I DO HAVE PICTURES IF YOU NEED THEM. THANKS

NHTSA ID
10766128
Incident
Sep 20, 2015
Mileage
286,457 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 11, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTO THEFT SENSOR ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE KEY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE EXTREME DIFFICULTY WITH TURNING THE KEY TO START THE IGNITION AND THE AUTO THEFT WARNING LAMP CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10724680
Incident
May 20, 2015
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 26, 2015
Fire reported

I PARKED, WALKED INSIDE...MOMENTS LATER THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712945
Incident
Jul 17, 2014
Mileage
200,014 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 4, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE NOR WERE ANY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE IS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE ON SATURDAY. ON WEDNESDAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ID
10652481
Incident
Oct 22, 2014
Mileage
165,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Aug 22, 2014
Fire reported

THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS WITHOUT BEING USED OR TURNED ON. THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK SUDDENLY WENT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT IT OUT. THE FIRE BURNED ONLY THE FRONT UP TO THE WINDSHIELD LEAVING THE CAB PARTIALLY MELTED AND MY DAUGHTERS CAR SEAT UNSAFE. NOW THIS MESS SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY AS I WAIT FOR INSPECTOR. AS IT FALLS APART MORE AND MORE EACH DAY AS MY FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS SMELL THE BURNT RUBBLE AND ARE REMINDED OF THAT FRIGHTENING AFTERNOON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627367
Incident
Aug 18, 2014
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2013

2001 F150 XLT 4.2 V6 ELECTRONICAL CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SHORTED OUT CAUSING MALFUNCTION TO MY LIGHTS WINDOWS AND ALARM AND MY LOCKS AS WELL WHICH IS A THEFT CONCERN AND FIRE HAZARD AS WELL. I FEEL IN MY OPINION THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL AND FIXED UNDER FORD I SPOKE WITH A TECH AT A FORD DEALERSHIP NEAREST ME AND HE TOLD ME THAT FORD HAS NOT STEPPED UP AND SAID ANYTHING. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND IS A BIG CONCERN FOR ME AND IM SURE ITS A CONCERN FOR OTHERS AS WELL. SO FORD IF YOU WANT BUSINESS AND YOU LOVE YOUR CUSTOMERS THIS WILL BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521315
Incident
May 30, 2013
Mileage
58,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND OCCUPIED, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND FILED A REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508263
Incident
Apr 11, 2013
Mileage
250,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 20, 2013

I KEEP HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH MY TRUCK EJECTING SPARK PLUGS FROM THE ENGINE WHICH IS BREAKING NOT ONLY MY SPARK PLUGS BUT MY COIL PACK AS WELL. THIS IS REDICULIOUS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS AT A LIGHT AT A DEAD STOP WHEN I HEAR A LOUD BANGING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING EXPLODED THEN MY TRUCK STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED. IT STRANDED US 45 MINUTES FROM HOME. THE SECOND TIME WAS TWO DAYS AGO ON MARCH 18 I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A DRIVE THRU AGAIN AT A DEAD STOP AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. AGAIN MY SPARK PLUG WAS EJECTED AND COIL PACK BROKEN. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN CYLINDER 1 AND WAS REPAIRED THEN ONE MONTH LATER THE NEXT TIME CYLINDER 2 EJECTED. 5 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED AND HAD NEW PLUG AND COIL PACK IT AGAIN EJECTED. IM UPSET BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE MY TRUCK. IF FORD DOESNT FIX THIS I WILLNEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD. NOW IT IS USELESS SITTING IN MY GARAGE TAKIN UP SPACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10503856
Incident
Feb 5, 2013
Mileage
327,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10496631
Incident
Jan 30, 2013
Mileage
170,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Sep 22, 2012
Fire reported

CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR AROUND 30 -45 MINUTES THEN JUST SET FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10476766
Incident
Sep 21, 2012
Mileage
163,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 4, 2012

REAR LIGHTS, INCLUDING BRAKE, TURN SIGNALS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. THIS ISSUE CAN BE FOUND ON MANY ONLINE FORD F-150 FORUMS. THE STEERING COLUMN WIRING IS TOO SHORT, AND BREAKAGE IN THE WIRE, OR CONNECTORS CAN OCCUR WITH THE TILT STEERING MECHANISM. THE TILT STEERING MECHANISM AND SHORT WIRING HAS CAUSED THE CONNECTION TO BREAK INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN TRIM ON OUR VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I INSPECTED THE PROBLEM, AND FOUND THE CONNECTOR CAN MOVE FREELY. I FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE SINCE I AM ABLE TO LOCATE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE FROM 1997 UP TO 2001 FORD F-150S. *TR

NHTSA ID
10473685
Incident
Sep 3, 2012
Mileage
138,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 26, 2012

AS I WAS LEAVING A STOP SIGN, I ACCELERATED AND A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF IT'S HOLE AND WILL NOT GO BACK IN. THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATHS TO UNKNOWING FORD OWNERS. FORD SHOULD RECALL ASAP. *JB

NHTSA ID
10463186
Incident
Jun 26, 2012
Mileage
112,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 2, 2012
Fire reported

ON OR ABOUT 2004, COMPLAINANT PURCHASED A FORD TRUCK, F-150, SUPERCREW, 4X2, MODEL 2001. COMPLAINANT OWNS AND LIVES IN A HOUSE. SAID HOUSE HAS A GATE CARPORT. BY SEPTEMBER 20, 2011, THE ABOVE REFERENCED VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT ONE (1) WEEK IN THE GATED CARPORT OF COMPLAINANTS HOUSE. ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2011, SOMETIME BETWEEN 12:00PM AND 1:00PM THE ABOVE REFERENCE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BURN INSIDE THE CARPORT. THE FLAMES AND THE SMOKE FLOWING FROM THE VEHICLE EXPANDED INTO COMPLAINANTS HOUSE CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE STRUCTURE AND A MYRIAD OF MOVABLE OBJECTS LOCATED THEREIN. ACCORDING TO COMPLAINANTS FORENSIC EXPERT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BURN AS A RESULT OF A FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH DEACTIVATOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10450067
Incident
Sep 20, 2011
Electrical
Filed Jan 5, 2012
Fire reported

MY F150 BLOWER MOTOR UNIT JUST SHORTED OUT AND CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I AM JUST SO DISGUSTED AS I ALREADY GOT PAST BLOWING OUT SPARKPLUGS ON THIS TRUCK AS I HAD TO REMOVE THE HEAD AND RE THREAD IT SO THEY WOULD BE SAFE AND NOW THIS. HOW DOES FORD CONTINUE TO GET A AWAY WITH PRODUCING VEHICLES THAT ARE DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC? I LOVED MY TRUCK BUT WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO MOVE TO A SAFER VEHICLE NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442522
Incident
Jan 5, 2012
Mileage
192,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 29, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND COIL PLUG WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND DRIVE HARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS AND COIL PLUG REPLACED BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID
10437751
Incident
May 22, 2001
Mileage
68,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 9, 2011
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE NO ONE WAS HOME. THERE HAD BEEN NO PROBLEMS BEFORE AS FAR AS RUNNING. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. EXACT CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10434996
Incident
Oct 24, 2011
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 5, 2011
Fire reported

FOR A LONG TIME WE HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES EVEN AFTER GETTING NEW ONES,ABOUT 3 WKS BEFORE THE FIRE MY CRUISE STOPPED WORKING.ON THE DAY BEFORE THE FIRE I ROLLED MY FRONT WINDOWS DOWN AFTER I WENT BACK TO WORK,AN WHEN I GOT OFF WORK MY WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP,AN I COULD NOT GET THE GEAR OUT OF PARK,SO I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF ,AN JUST TURNED THE KEY ON,AN GOT IT TO GO INTO NEUTRAL SO I COULD START IT AN GET IT INTO DRIVE.THE NEXT MORNING I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO SEE ABOUT THE WINDOWS,AN BEFORE IT COULD BE CHECKED ,ABOUT 3:00 IN THE AFTERNOON THE ENGINE OFF,THE SHOP OWNER CAME OUT AN THE TRUCK ENGINE WAS FULLY ENGULFED. WE DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL AFTER THE FIRE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM THAT COULD RESULT IN A ENGINE FIRE. WE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10423790
Incident
Sep 2, 2011
Electrical
Filed Jul 23, 2011

AIRBAG LIGHT LITES UP ON DASHBOARD, ODOMETER DOES NOT ALWAYS LIGHT TO SEE MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10414803
Incident
May 4, 2011

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .