2001 Ford F-550 Sd Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Ford F-550 Sd, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system1337.1%
- Tires & wheels822.9%
- Electrical25.7%
- Driver assistance25.7%
- Powertrain (other)25.7%
- Transmission25.7%
- Engine25.7%
- Other / unspecified12.9%
- Body & structure12.9%
- Seat belts12.9%
- Suspension12.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO STALLING AND EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF TANK AT MY COST.
THIS BEING 2ND DIESEL FORD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD SAME ISSUE....LOSING POWER , BLOWING SMOKE. ON THIS 2001 , I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FILTERS, DRAINED TANK TO CLEAN ,WIRE HARNESSES,FUEL INJECTORS ONLY TO REPLACE MOTOR WITHIN A MONTH OR SO DUE TO CONTAMINATION TO SYSTEM ALSO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE NEW MOTOR WHICH I FEEL COULD OF BEEN DUE TO STRAIN ON VEHICLE....NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRUCK HAS STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.I HAVE SANK SO MUCH INTO IT I'D NEVER GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT IF SOLD.I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND ALL THE MONEY PEOPLE HAVE PUT OUT TO CORRECT THE ISSUES OCCURRING, WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO GET HOME AND IT STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *TR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SIX OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS LEAKED AIR. *NM *SC
CONSUMER STATES HAS HAD 3 BLOWOUTS DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIRE VALVE STEMS. VALVE STEMS ARE LEAKING CAUSING TIRES TO DEFLATE RESULTING IN THE BLOWOUTS. TS
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED 2001 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. ACCORDING TO THE HUSBAND, HE SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW FIRE. PULLED OVER TO TRY AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE GOT THE ITEMS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A WRONG FUSE IN IT, INSTALLED BY THE CONSUMER'S MECHANIC. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 13, 2005. THERE WAS NO ONE INJURED, NEITHER THE FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. CONSUMER HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DID. CONSUMER IS NOT SURE WHETHER ANYTHING IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was waiting at a red light and my truck started smoking and caught fire
FORD RECALL # 05S28, SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. HAVE A MOTORHOME UNDER THIS RECALL. HAVE BEEN TRYING SINCE SEPTEMBER TO GET IT FIXED. FORD CONTINUES TO PUT OFF AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. IT'S IS NOW IN JANUARY. TIME SPENT IN THE MOTORHOME IS NERVOUS TIME, NOT KNOWING IF FIRE WILL ERUPT AT ANY TIME. WHAT CAN BE DONE? THANKS *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS BEING 2ND DIESEL FORD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD SAME ISSUE....LOSING POWER , BLOWING SMOKE. ON THIS 2001 , I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FILTERS, DRAINED TANK TO CLEAN ,WIRE HARNESSES,FUEL INJECTORS ONLY TO REPLACE MOTOR WITHIN A MONTH OR SO DUE TO CONTAMINATION TO SYSTEM ALSO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE NEW MOTOR WHICH I FEEL COULD OF BEEN DUE TO STRAIN ON VEHICLE....NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRUCK HAS STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.I HAVE SANK SO MUCH INTO IT I'D NEVER GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT IF SOLD.I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND ALL THE MONEY PEOPLE HAVE PUT OUT TO CORRECT THE ISSUES OCCURRING, WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO GET HOME AND IT STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *TR
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE, FUEL STARVATION ON MY 2001 F550 DIESEL TRUCK. I REPLACED THE FILTERS TODAY AT THE ONSET OF THE INCIDENT, BUT JUST REPLACED THEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO WITH MY MECHANIC. IT RUNS FINE ON LEVEL GROUND, BUT AT AN INCLINE IT LOSES POWER AND BARELY MAKES IT UP A HILL. I REMOVED THE TANK PUMP FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND LOOKED IN TO IT WITH A FLASHLIGHT. THE LINING OF MY TANK IS PEELING OFF. AFTER INVESTIGATING ONLINE, I FIND THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH FORD. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I RUN A SMALL BUSINESS, AND RELY ON THIS ONLY TRUCK TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY OF 7 KIDS, WIFE AND MOTHER. I HAVE PUT 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS VEHICLE IN ITS 110,000 MILE LIFETIME, AND NOW THIS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE F53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS HAS A SEVERE VIBRATION. RV HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT HEAVY DUTY TRUCK DEALERSHIPS ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE VIBRATION.THE REAR END HAS BEEN REPLACED, 4 REAR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SHIMMED, AND TIRES BALANCE SEVERAL TIMES. VIBRATION IS STILL THERE.HANDS HAVE A TENDANCY TO TINGLE FROM THE VIBRATION AND AM AFRAID LOSS OF CONTROL IS POSSIBLE.
WHEN DRIVING UPHILL VEHICLE WAS FINE. AS DOWNGRADING STARTED, CONSUMER NOTICED TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO BACK PRESSURE FROM LOWER GEARS. VEHICLE STILL AT DEALER AT THIS TIME.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS BEING 2ND DIESEL FORD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD SAME ISSUE....LOSING POWER , BLOWING SMOKE. ON THIS 2001 , I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FILTERS, DRAINED TANK TO CLEAN ,WIRE HARNESSES,FUEL INJECTORS ONLY TO REPLACE MOTOR WITHIN A MONTH OR SO DUE TO CONTAMINATION TO SYSTEM ALSO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE NEW MOTOR WHICH I FEEL COULD OF BEEN DUE TO STRAIN ON VEHICLE....NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRUCK HAS STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.I HAVE SANK SO MUCH INTO IT I'D NEVER GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT IF SOLD.I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND ALL THE MONEY PEOPLE HAVE PUT OUT TO CORRECT THE ISSUES OCCURRING, WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO GET HOME AND IT STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *TR
VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT WITH BLOCK HEATER PLUGGED IN. BLOCK HEATER POWER CORD FAILED RESULTING IN FIRE. VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED AS WELL AS THE GARAGE. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE OWN A LANDSCAPE BUSINESS IN SOUTH JERSEY. WE HAVE 3 FORD F550'S AND ALL 3 HAVE LEAKS IN THEIR GAS TANKS. IM FILING A COMPLAINT FOR EACH ONE. WE WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED, ITS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FABRICATED ASSEMBLY THAT HOLDS 5TH WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE WEARNESS. IT IS WOREN OUT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. APPEARS TO BE LATCHED BUT WHEN VEHICLE ENGAGES THE SLIGHTEST BUMP ON THE ROAD THE BUCKLE RELEASES. I KNOW THIS WILL NOT HOLD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN 2002, WHICH WAS JUST AN INSPECTION AT THAT TIME BUT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT PERFORMED AT THAT TIME.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE F53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS HAS A SEVERE VIBRATION. RV HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT HEAVY DUTY TRUCK DEALERSHIPS ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE VIBRATION.THE REAR END HAS BEEN REPLACED, 4 REAR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SHIMMED, AND TIRES BALANCE SEVERAL TIMES. VIBRATION IS STILL THERE.HANDS HAVE A TENDANCY TO TINGLE FROM THE VIBRATION AND AM AFRAID LOSS OF CONTROL IS POSSIBLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .