RoadVitals

2001 Ford F-250 Engine Problems

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

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
34
Latest Apr 12, 2020
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.
15%
of 220 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.
9
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Ford F-250 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 34 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 engine

The 25 most recent of 34, in the owner's own words

BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Apr 12, 2020

SPARK PLUGS KEEP BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE, WHILE ACCELERATING, HAS DONE FIVE TIMES,, WHEN IT DOES VEHICLE STALLED POSSIBLY CARE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK TRYING TO TURN,

NHTSA ID
11320910
Incident
Apr 12, 2020
Mileage
333,350 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 20, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE SPONTANEOUSLY EMERGED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BATTLEFIELD FORD COMMERCIAL TRUCK CENTER (8980 MATHIS AVE, MANASSAS, VA 20110, (703) 368-3231) WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING ON AUTHORIZATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,840.

NHTSA ID
11256896
Incident
Sep 12, 2019
Mileage
144,840 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2019

2001 FORD F250. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE MOTOR. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTOR WOULD BACK FIRE AND BLOW OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE MOTOR, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BLEW IT'S LAST SPARK PLUG. *JS

NHTSA ID
11203550
Incident
Apr 26, 2019
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 15, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FIRE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN OR TOWED TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V170000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11120091
Incident
Aug 11, 2018
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG TAPS AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANIFOLD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID
11083636
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
128,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2017

5 TH EJECTED SPARK PLUG GOING DOWN ROAD AT 45 MPH

NHTSA ID
11046199
Incident
Nov 14, 2017
Mileage
137,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2017

SPARK PLUG EJECTIONS

NHTSA ID
11032550
Incident
Nov 20, 2016
Mileage
55,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 4, 2017

THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS ARE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THEY USED INFERIOR QUALITY GASKETS WHICH RESULT IN ENGINE MALFUNCTION. THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT PERTAINS TO A 2001 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY 5.4L V8. I AM AWARE THIS ISSUE BECAME PREVALENT IN 1999 FORD F-250 MODELS AND THIS ISSUE CARRIED FORWARD TO 2001. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR 1999 MODELS - $4,500 PER UNIT TO REPLACE COMPLETE ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WHERE THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT WAS MOST PREVALENT WITH CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS. FORD DID NOT RECTIFY THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS IT PERSISTED IN THEIR 2001 MODELS. A RECALL IS NECESSARY TO RECTIFY THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HTTP://WWW.AUTONEWS.COM/ARTICLE/20020401/SUB/204010753/FORD-HITS-ANOTHER-QUALITY-SNAG

NHTSA ID
11031820
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 16, 2016

I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF RUNNING A MEDICAL IN MY PERSONAL TRUCK WHEN I STARTING THE ENGINE IT POPPED AND WHEN I CHECKED IT OUT I NOTICED THE ENGINE BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG. SO WHEN I CALLED THE PARTS STORE THEY SAID THE TYPE OF MOTOR I HAVE IN MY TRUCK IS BAD FOR BLOWING THEM LIKE THAT AND TO FIX IT WOULD COST A PRETTY PENNY SO MY QUESTION IS IF YOU ALL AND FORD KNOWS THERES A PROBLEM HOW COME THEY DONT HAVE TO FIX I KNOW SO FAR IT HASNT BEEN AN SAFTEY ISSUE YET WHEN WILL IT BE OR IS IT A CONSUMER ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10865278
Incident
May 16, 2016
Mileage
148,086 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2016

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER DESTROYING THE THREADS, COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUG.

NHTSA ID
10822661
Incident
Jan 26, 2016
Mileage
151,161 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 19, 2016

SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT.WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HAD A SPARKPLUG BLOW OUT OF THE ENGINE.LIMPED THE TRUCK HOME SLOWLY WITH GAS FUMES EVERY WERE.VERY DANGEROUS. FORD WONT ADMIT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT THEY DO HAVE A FIX.YOUR DOLLARS NOT THERES.THIS IS ALSO THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME.

NHTSA ID
10820882
Incident
Jan 18, 2016
Mileage
205,036 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 28, 2014

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALONG A HILLY, WINDING ROAD THE ENGINE OF MY 2001 F-250 DIESEL 4X4 TRUCK UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT OFF. I LOST STEERING AND BRAKING. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK FOR 12 YEARS AT THE TIME AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK TO THE ROAD'S SHOULDER. AFTER THE TRUCK STOPPED I PUT THE SHIFT INTO PARK. THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE RUN POSITION. I SIMPLY TURNED IT TO THE START POSITION AND THE ENGINE STARTED RIGHT UP. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON THE TRUCK. THEY FOUND NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM OTHER THAN ONE BATTERY'S VOLTAGE WAS SLIGHTLY LOW, BUT NOT OUT OF ACCEPTABLE RANGE. I REPLACED BOTH BATTERIES AS THEY WERE ALMOST 3 YEARS OLD. SO FAR, I'VE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. *JS

NHTSA ID
10617009
Incident
May 2, 2013
Mileage
94,703 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 19, 2013

WAS DRIVING TRUCK ALL OF SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD POP THEN LOUD SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CALLED HUSBAND AND TOOK TRUCK BACK HOME (APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES). HUSBAND STARTED RESEARCHING PROBLEM AND FOUND ONLINE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD SPARK PLUGS EXPLODE AND HEARD SIMILAR SOUND, THIS CAUSED HIM TO REMOVE WIRES AND INSPECT SPARK PLUGS. ONE OF THE SPARK PLUG HAD POPPED OUT AND NOW THE THREADS CAN'T BE USED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10520763
Incident
Jun 17, 2013
Mileage
115,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2012

SPARK PLUG SPIT FROM MOTOR SMASHING COIL PACK. 5.4 LITER TRITON MOTOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES. I HAVE LOST FOUR PLUGS TO THIS ENGINEERING DISASTER. AT A COST OF ONE DEALER REPAIR, AND TIME OFF WORK TO REPAIR THE OTHER THREE. ONCE I HAD TO BE TOWED OVER FIFTY MILES. AFTER WHAT I HAVE READ, THEIR SHOULD BE A REMEDY TO THIS PROBLEM. WHY NOT! *TR

NHTSA ID
10450810
Incident
Apr 8, 2010
Mileage
105,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 21, 2012

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HEARD A LOAD BANG AND THEN A STEADY POPPING SOUND. AFTER PULLING OFF ROAD TO CHECK PROBLEM OPEN THE HOOD TO SEE THE COIL EXPLODED AND ARCHING AGAINST FUEL RAIL, AND SPARK PLUG ON THE VALVE COVER. GOT THE TRUCK HOME STARTED RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM YET FORD SAYS IT ISN'T. MY BEST EDUCATED REPAIR SOLUTION IS CAL VAN 38900 FORD 5.4L SPARK PLUG PORT REPAIR KIT AT A COST OF 250 . IT TOOK A DAY AND A HALF TO DO A COMPLETE REPAIR. SEEMS TO BE WORKING BUT FORD HAS A PROBLEM AND SHOULD DO SOMETHING FOR THE OWNERS SHOULD IT HAPPEN. THEY CANT SAY THIS IS A TORQUE ISSUE THIS ARE THE FACTORY PLUGS AND COIL. SO IF THEY TORQUE THEM WRONG AT THE FACTORY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10448784
Incident
Feb 1, 2012
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 17, 2011
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THEY WILL SEND A REPRESENTATIVE OUT WITHIN THE NEXT TWENTY DAYS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 10/05/11

NHTSA ID
10419797
Incident
Aug 8, 2011
Mileage
220,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2009
Fire reported

THE FORD F250 TRUCK (2001) WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF HEB GROCERY STORE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES WHEN WITNESSES SAW SPARKS SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE SECONDS BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED AND BEGAN TO CONSUME THE CAB BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FORD F250 CRUISE CONTROL WAS USED THE PREVIOUS TWO DAYS AND WAS HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS DURING A TRIP (~900 MILES). *TR

NHTSA ID
10288980
Incident
Oct 19, 2009
Mileage
113,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2009
Fire reported

MY FORD F-250 HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE MY SONS HOME FOR APPROX 2 HRS. WHEN A NEIGHBOR INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPT. WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH IT. THERE WAS NOTHING SALVAGEABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10272890
Incident
May 30, 2009
Engine
Filed Feb 16, 2009

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON MY 2001 FORD F250 5.4 LITER ENGINE.*TR

NHTSA ID
10258739
Incident
Feb 15, 2009
Mileage
98,012 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F250. THE ENGINE HAS A BOIL HEATER THAT WILL KEEP THE OIL HEATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO REPLACE TWO OF THEM WITHIN FIVE YEARS. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUG TO THE OIL HEATER WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BURNED THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE OF THE VEHICLE AND FRONT BUMPER CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN HIS POSSESSION AND HE REPLACED THE PART HIMSELF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03/18/08. *LJ UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10220051
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 19, 2006

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKE, AND WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS UP DUE TO MIXTURE OF ANTIFREEZE IN OIL. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. VAN HAS BEEN SERVICED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST.

NHTSA ID
10176579
Incident
Dec 15, 2006
Engine
Filed Oct 24, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNAL PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CAM SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND FEELS AS THOUGH THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. UPDATED 07/17/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10171723
Incident
Oct 7, 2006
Mileage
50,822 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 3, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST MANIFOLD INNER FENDER WELL CRACKED DUE TO SALT AND WEATHER AND THE BOLTS FRACTURED OFF. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10169871
Incident
Sep 1, 2005
Mileage
26,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 26, 2006
Fire reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE, A FIRE ERUPTED WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FRONT UNDERHOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND WIRING FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS OBSERVED TO BE COMPLETELY BURNT TO THE GROUND. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN# 06-017205. ALSO, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WOULD NOT OFFER ANY RESOLUTION WHILE THIS CASE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ID
10169341
Incident
Aug 17, 2006
Mileage
63,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 16, 2006

FAULTY ENGINEERING ON A 2001 FORD EXPEDITION. SPARK PLUGS UNDER PRESSURE JUST POP RIGHT OUT OF THE HEAD. THE FORD BARELY HIT A 100,000 MILES. FORD BOASTS THAT TUNE UPS ARE NOT NECESSARY UNTIL A 100,000 MILES. WELL ANYWAYS THE SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE HEAD AND THE END RESULT IS THAT IT WILL COST ME $2,000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ALUMINUM HEAD. AFTER TALKING WITH OTHER OWNERS AND DOING SOME INTERNET HOMEWORK WITH ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I NOTICED AT LEAST A HUNDRED OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME MODEL FORD AND THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10152886
Incident
Mar 14, 2006
Mileage
104,000 mi

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 .