RoadVitals

2001 Ford F-650

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.
9
Latest Mar 20, 2015
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.
3
Latest Jan 18, 2002
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.
0
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 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Ford F-650, most frequently naming the transmission, brakes and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 47 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

  • Transmission654.5%
  • Brakes218.2%
  • Driver assistance19.1%
  • Engine19.1%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%

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

3 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

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jan 18, 2002
546 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BRAKES THAT INCLUDE THE OPTIONAL TRAILER PACKAGE FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE AIR BRAKE LINES CONNECTED TO THE TRACTOR PROTECTION VALVE ARE MISROUTED.
The risk: A LEAK IN THE PRIMARY AIR CIRCUIT OR SECONDARY AIR CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN A REDUCTION OR LOSS OF THE TRAILER BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE AIR LINES CONNECTED TO THE TRACTOR PROTECTION VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 31, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-248-0186.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 02S31View on NHTSA.gov

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Aug 8, 2001
1,083,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.
The risk: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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 FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 01S24View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Sep 21, 2000
6,700 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 20, 2001. 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 FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 00S28View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Mar 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-650. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, EXHAUST FUMES EMITTED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 246,000.

NHTSA ID
10700729
Incident
Jan 5, 2014
Mileage
246,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F650. WHILE DECELERATING AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR INSIDE DISC ROTORS SHOWED SIGNS OF METAL AGAINST METAL WEAR. HE STATED THAT THE INBOARD DISK PAD HAD ALMOST WORN COMPLETELY THROUGH THE DISK ROTOR. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PISTON SEALS TO FAIL AND RELEASE ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,650.

NHTSA ID
10200687
Incident
Aug 18, 2007
Mileage
51,650 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 22, 2004

WHILE DRIVING IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT GEARS. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10055650
Incident
Jan 14, 2004
Mileage
90,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Jan 20, 2004

SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE CONSUMER REPLACED THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER SEVEN TIMES. FRONT AXLE WAS REPLACED ONCE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE GEARS WERE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. DEALER REPLACED THE OLD TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW ONE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10055428
Incident
Jun 11, 2002
Mileage
8,400 mi
Transmission
Filed May 5, 2003

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF OUR 2001 FORD F650, WE HAVE HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE THE OBVIOUS RESULT OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. NOT ONLY HAS THIS PROBLEM COST US MONEY, BUT WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS A SAFETY RISK THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED. THE CLUTCH ITSELF WILL FAIL ON THE TRUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE EXACT PROBLEM LIES IN THE CLUTCH CYLINDER, WHICH, WE HAVE REPLACED AN AMAZING FIVE TIMES. AFTER TALKING WITH DEALERS OF THIS TRUCK AND RESEARCHING OTHERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FOR COMMERCIAL USE, WE HAVE FOUND THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. NOT ONLY HAVE WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK, BUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM IS HAPPENING WITH ANOTHER 2001 F650 THAT WE PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME. DUE TO THESE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH, WE WERE FORCED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. NOT ONLY WAS THIS COSTLY, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO PREVENT US FROM CONTINUING TO REPLACE OUR CLUTCH CYLINDER AND EVENTUALLY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AGAIN. WHEN THE CLUTCH FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY, IT BECOMES DIFFICULT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE TO STEER THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD. WE ARE CONSTANTLY DELIVERING TO BUSY METROPOLITAN AREAS, AND WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK WITH THE IDEA THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY SAFE. HOWEVER, THE CLUTCH CONTINUES TO FAIL, AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, TOO, ARE DEFECTIVE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10017039
Incident
Apr 30, 2003
Mileage
136,888 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 22, 2002

TRUCK UNSAFE TO OPPERATE BECAUSE OF STALLING AND TRUCK WILL RUN AWAY DOWN HILL AND WILL PULL VEHICLE WHEN AT IDLE SETTING STILL.*AK

NHTSA ID
764578
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jul 10, 2002

HYDRAULIC CYLINDER CLUTCH PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER HAS REPLACED CYLINDER THREE TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013601
Transmission
Filed Oct 3, 2001

THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RETURN, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED.*JB

NHTSA ID
563606

Manufacturer communications

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

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

05174

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

VACUUM PUMP INOPERATIVE OR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY - CLIMATE CONTROL DEFAULTS TO DEFROST MODE. *TT

18735

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT - CHASSIS CAB INCOMPLETE VEHICLES. *TT

18217

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

MULTIPLE VEHICLES - FUEL LEVEL INDICATION CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER AND AVIATOR. *TT

18223

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

VACUUM PUMP INOPERATIVE OR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY - CLIMATE CONTROL DEFAULTS TO DEFROST. OASIS. TO ALSO INCLUDE 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, AND F650/750. *TT

17406

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LOW POWER, POOR FUEL ECONOMY, FUEL GELLING COLD, EXCESSIVE WHITE SMOKE COLD, OR HARD START. *MJ THIS OASIS UPDATES PREVIOUS OASIS DATED 12/01/03. *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 F-650 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022210
2021430
2018010
2017300
2016100
2015000
2014000
2013000
2012110
2011220
2009010
2008010
2007010
2003200
2002310
2001Viewing930
2000560
1999010

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.