2001 Ford F-150 Suspension Problems

GAS TANK FELL OUT OF VEHICLE,TEARING FILLER HOSE. TANK STRAPS AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURES RUST THRU, FAILURE. DRIVERS' SIDE REAR SHOCK DROPPED FROM VEHICLE BECAUSE METAL BRACKET IT WAS ATTACHED TO ROTTED THRU. BED RAILS COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU. FRAME HAS RUSTED THRU HOLES. COMPLETE RUST FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 90K MILES ALWAYS MAINTAINED, WASHED UNDERNEATH WEEKLY IN WINTER. VEHICLE IN MOTION WHEN PARTS FELL ON RTE 58 AND THE SHOCK ON TOWN STREET..$900 TO REPAIR GAS TANK. SHOCK INCIDENT HAPPENED TODAY 11/26/2017, GAS TANK 9/12/2016

NHTSA ID

11048496

Incident

Sep 12, 2016

Mileage

85,910 mi

THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT AS YET BUT THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE HAS SUCH EXTREME CORROSION THAT CERTIFIED MECHANICS ARE RELUCTANT TO WORK ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A FAILURE OCCURRING AT CONNECTION POINT WHERE THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION CONNECTS TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THEIR CONCERN IS A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF ANY OF THE STEERING OR SUSPENSION CONNECTION POINTS FAIL DUE TO THE SEVERELY CORRODED FRAME. THIS IS NOT SURFACE CORROSION, THE METAL IS FLAKED AND SEPARATED AND IT IS THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD JUST SPENT $4,000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BACK TO THE TAIL PIPE AND THE MECHANIC IS WARNING ME ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING COMPONENTS BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME CORROSION. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77, 000 ORIGINAL MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID

10819705

Incident

Jan 12, 2016

Mileage

77,000 mi

FRONT END BOUNCES AND IS EXTREMELY NOISY EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. MECHANICS REPLACED SWAY BAR AND THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE CORRECTION OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10638264

Incident

Sep 7, 2011

Mileage

85,000 mi

SEVERE CORROSION ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10579057

Incident

Apr 8, 2014

Mileage

119,000 mi

ITS NOT WHAT HAPPENED ITS WHAT MAY HAPPEN SOON THE RUST IS SO BAD IN THE REAR I CANT EVEN PUT A TRAILER HITCH ON AND THE REAR SHACKLES THAT HOLD THE LEAF SPRINGS ON ARE ABOUT TO BREAK OFF THERES SO MUCH RUST IM VERY CONCERNED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10473231

Incident

Aug 31, 2012

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE FUEL TANK STRAPS ON MY 2001 FORD F150 ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED. OTHER AREAS HAVE ALSO RUSTED OUT SUCH AS THE RADIATOR SUPPORTS - RADIATOR AND SHROUD DROPPED OUT AND ARE HITTING AGAINST THE ENGINE FAN. THE PICK-UP BED OF THE TRUCK IS ALSO RUSTING OUT. UPDATED 08/11/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE INSPECTED THE STRAPS, HE FOUND ONE OF THEM COMPLETELY COVERED IN RUST, BUT STILL IN TACT. ALSO, THERE WAS UNUSUAL RUSTING ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT WAS ROTTED OUT AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PICK-UP BED AND OTHER SUPPORTS HAVE MAJOR RUST. UPDATED 08/12/11 THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE SUPPORT GAVE OUT THE RADIATOR AND RADIATOR SHROUD FELL ONTO THE FAN THAT IS MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE BALL JOINTS AND STEERING WERE WEARING PREMATURELY DUE TO LACK OF GREASE FITTINGS. UPDATED 08/30/11 *TR

NHTSA ID

10411466

Incident

Jul 4, 2011

Mileage

137,805 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG. TWO DAYS LATER, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING LOWER THAN USUAL. WHEN HE INSPECTED, HE NOTICED THAT THE LEAF SPRING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE AND PIERCED THE FLOORBOARD. HE ALSO SAW THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 182,000.

NHTSA ID

10358086

Incident

Aug 15, 2010

Mileage

182,000 mi

THERE AREN'T ANY REAL EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (GARY CROSSLEY FORD) TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL WORK DONE. WHILE THERE I ASKED TO HAVE A STATE INSPECTION DONE AS WELL. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT WERE SOMEWHAT LOOSE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING - SO I HAD THEM DO THAT AS WELL AS FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL (THIS TRUCK ONLY HAD 62,000 MILES ON IT). FOLLOWING THAT IT PASSED INSPECTIONS - ALL WAS WELL. NOT EVEN ONE MONTH LATER (POSSIBLY ONLY 3 WEEKS) I TRIED BACKING FROM MY PARKING SPOT AT WORK AND HEARD A *THUNK* FROM THE REAR END. NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS I BACKED UP MORE AND HEARD IT AGAIN. PUT THE TRUCK IN DRIVE AND THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH. I PARKED IT AND CALLED A TOW RIG TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. UPON HEARING FROM THEM THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS TOLD THE CARRIER BEARING IN THE REAR END HAD "EXPLODED" AND I'D NEED TO REPLACE MOST EVERYTHING IN THE REAR END. AGREED TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. GOT A CALL A DAY LATER TELLING ME THAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER - THE *THUNKING* WAS STILL THERE AND WAS LIKELY THE TRANSMISSION. HAD THEM CHECK AND SURE ENOUGH, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. FINDING OUT THAT FORD WAS GOING TO "COVER" PART OF THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR MADE ME WONDER IF THERE WEREN'T UNDERLYING PROBLEMS THAT I WAS NOT, AS AN OWNER, ALERTED TO. THE TRUCK NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE THESE, AND I'VE BEEN VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10189160

Incident

Feb 17, 2007

Mileage

62,600 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, SHOCKS, SPRINGS, CALIPERS, ROTORS, PADS, AND TIRES HOWEVER; THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 05/10/06

NHTSA ID

10155223

Incident

Apr 12, 2006

Mileage

137,600 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT GOING 5 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME THE FRONT SUSPENSION DROPPED DOWN CAUSING AN ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, UPON INSPECTION THE PROBLEM WAS THE PASSENGER'S FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT HAD SNAPPED OFF. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 3/22/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10151348

Incident

Jan 31, 2006

Mileage

65,537 mi

DT: PROBLEMS BEGAN ON 5/23/05 WHILE TURNING RIGHT IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON DRY PAVEMENT. CALLER BELIEVED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIE ROD POPPED OFF THE BALL JOINT. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON IN VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT PULLING OR MAKING ANY NOISE. VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH. VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, DRIVER NOTICED THE PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT, ALL OTHER WHEELS WERE FACING FORWARD. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10123744

Incident

May 30, 2005

Mileage

107,000 mi

WHILE BACKING OUT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSED. DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10116996

Incident

Mar 28, 2005

TAKE A LOOK A MY VEHICLE HISTORY, I BABY MY TRUCK - NEVER USED OFF-ROAD. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL ITEMS THAT I FEEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY FORD. I HAD TO BUY A WARRANTY THAT COVER MOST OF THE STUFF. SOME PARTS WITH DEFECTS THAT WERE REPLACED. MOST REPLACED AT 40,000-80,000 MILES 1.) TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REPLACED 2.) REAREND REPLACED 3.) I'M ON MY THIRD SET OF ALL 4 BALL JOINTS 4.) TIE RODS, TIE ROD ENDS (REPLACED TWICE NOW) 5.) COIL 6.) HEADLIGHT HOUSING (3-4 TIMES) 7.) BRAKES, NUMEROUS THINGS WORKED ON AND REPLACED DEALERSHIP WAS NEVER ABLE TO STOP THE THUMPING NOISE THAT IS STILL THERE, SAID IT WAS NORMAL (NOT) 8.) IDLER ARM (REPLACED TWICE) 9.) SUNROOF SWITCH REPLACED TWICE, REPORTED LOUD BANG WHEN OPENING. A&B KIA SAID IT WAS NORMAL - NO, NOW IT IS COMPLETELY BROKE AND WILL BARELY OPEN AND HAVE TO FORCE CLOSED. 10.) SIDEVIEW MIRRORS VIBRATED 11.) ABS SENSOR REPLACED 12.) KEYLESS ENTRY REPLACED 13.) STEERING BEARINGS REPLACED 14.) BACK BUMPER IS RUSTING THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS I CAN REMEMBER RIGHT OFF HAND. I'VE GOT ALL RECEIPTS. I TAKE CARE OF THIS TRUCK - WASH AND WAX ONCE A WEEK BY HAND (UNLESS REALLY BAD WEATHER) THEN I JUST TAKE IT TO THE CAR WASH AUTOMATIC OR ACTUAL PEOPLE WASHING. KEEP INSIDE JUST AS NICE. IF YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT A VEHICLE FOR SAFETY/RECALL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD START WITH MINE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10114221

Incident

Dec 10, 2002

Mileage

35,000 mi

ALIGNMENT FACILITY INDICATED LOWER RIGHT AND LEFT BALL JOINTS WORN AT ONLY 56K MILES. TOOK TO FORD DEALER AND VERIFIED CONDITION. MOST DISAPPOINTING AND DANGEROUS. WE WOULD EXPECT BETTER QUALITY AND FORD TO RECTIFY THIS AT NO CHARGE TO CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ID

10111990

Incident

Feb 8, 2005

Mileage

56,152 mi

DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10096937

Incident

Sep 29, 2004

Mileage

38,500 mi

FRONT TIRES STARTED SHOWING EXTENSIVE WEAR AND A CLUNCK NOISE WHEN TURNING/ ACCELERATING AT 40,000 MILES. TOOK TO LOCAL TIRE STORE AND THEY SHOWED ME THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE IDLE-ARM ARE BAD AND MUST BE REPLACED. I WILL BE HAVING THEM REPLACED NEXT WEEK AND GETTING NEW TIRES AS WELL! PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE!*AK

NHTSA ID

10100890

Incident

Nov 27, 2004

Mileage

39,000 mi

I HAVE A 2001, FORD F-150, 2 X 4, 4.6L V-8, 64K MILES. NSTALLED NEW TIRES ON VEHICLE. WAS INFORMED THAT WHEEL ALIGNEMENT COULD NOT BE GUARANTEED DUE TO BAD LOWER DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER FOR SECOND 'EXPERT OPINION" WAS ADVISED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACEMENT. THIS TRUCK HAS ALL HIGHWAY MILES, NO OFF ROAD OR CONSTRUCTION TYPE HEAVY LOAD USE. ALL JOINT FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR AT THIS MILEAGE WITH THIS TYPE OF USE. MY OPINION INFERIOR DESIGN, WORKMANSHIP, OR PROCUREMENT PRACTICE BY FORD. SEEMS TO BE COMMON THREAD OCCURENCE FROM MY RESEARCH.*AK

NHTSA ID

10100422

Incident

Nov 17, 2004

Mileage

64,000 mi

CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS AFTER ONLY 70,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10094973

Incident

Sep 15, 2004

Mileage

70,000 mi

AT 28000 MILES, AFTER HAVING MY TIRES ROTATED, I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT BOTH LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT 28000 MILES!. VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD F150 XL PICKUP TRUCK, 6 CYL. AUTO. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY BE MADE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AT THEIR EXPENSE!*AK

NHTSA ID

10086476

Incident

Aug 5, 2004

Mileage

28,000 mi

WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRONT END DROPPED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10067001

Incident

Apr 6, 2004

Mileage

66,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10046135

Incident

Oct 31, 2003

Mileage

33,643 mi

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WOULD BE A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10033567

Incident

Jul 6, 2003

I HAVE OWNED MY TRUCK FOR 15 MONTHS, AND RECENTLY I HAVE A SEVERE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH. I BROUGHT INTO THE SHOP 4 TIMES, THE LAST TIME BEING TOWED IN, BECAUSE IT SHOOK SO BAD, I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND THAT DIDN'T EVEN HELP. I HAVE CALLED FORD ON MANY ATEMPTS, TO INFORM THEM OF THIS PROBLEM, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS I HAVE HAD. THEIR RESPONSE WAS, OH WELL. I JUST LEARNED TODAY, THAT THE SEVERE VIBRATION IS COMMON IN THESE TRUCKS. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. IT IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THERE IS A WEIGHT OR SOMETHING THAT CAN BE INSTALLED TO HELP THE VIBRATION. IF THIS IS TRUE, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IT IS AND HOW I CAN GET IT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10029112

Incident

Jul 23, 2003

Mileage

7,450 mi

THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10021906

WHILE DRIVING, THE SUSPENSION BOLT SNAPPED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10020345

Incident

May 21, 2003