2001 Ford F Series 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 Series, 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
- Engine1734.0%
- Driver assistance612.0%
- Electrical612.0%
- Interior & seats48.0%
- Body & structure36.0%
- Tires & wheels24.0%
- Fuel system24.0%
- Other / unspecified24.0%
- Seat belts24.0%
- Suspension24.0%
- Airbags12.0%
- Brakes12.0%
- Exterior lighting12.0%
- Steering12.0%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK, AS VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON A HIGHWAY. DISABLED, NEEDED A TOW. REPAIR VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. SPARK PLUG #7 BLEW OUT 9 MONTHS AGO. NOW PLUG #8 BLEW OUT. MECHANIC SAYS IT'S DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF ALUMINUM HEAD AND INSUFFICIENT THREADS. BOTH TIMES, THIS HAPPENED WHILE COASTING AT A SLOW SPEED (< 30 MPH).
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2001 F 150 SUPER CREW START ON FIRE IN A PARKING LOT I LIVE IN MEXICO BUT THIS TRUCK WAS MADE IN THE USA, THE FIRE STARTED ABOUT 45 MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. *TR
I WAS WOKEN UP BY SOMEONE KNOCKING ON MY APARTMENT DOOR TO LET ME KNOW THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BY FILLING COOKING PANS WITH WATER AND DOUSING THE FLAMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FIRE DEPT ALONG WITH THE POLICE SHOWED UP AND THE FRONT PART OF THE TRUCK IS ALL BURNED UP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURN SIGNAL ARE NOW SPORADIC. UPON INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT WHEN THE TILT IS ENGAGED AND LOWERED THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT WORK. RAISE STEERING WHEEL BACK UP IT WOULD WORK. START TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THEY WOULD TURN OFF OR NOT WORK AT ALL OR WOK SOMETIMES. RAISE THE STEERING WHEEL THEY WORK. LOWER IT THEY DON'T. THIS INDICATES FROM FURTHER RESEARCH ON LINE IN FORD F150 FORUMS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING BEING TO SHORT AND THE WIRES GET PULLED OUT OF THE SWITCH. IT IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN F!%) FROM 98 UP TO 2004 AND ARE NOW BEING REPORTED IN NEWER MODELS AS WELL. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS BEHIND THE VEHICLES.AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY FORD AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS.
VEHICLE WAS NOT IN USE- PARKED AND NOT ON SMOKE AND FIRE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD THE WIRING MELTED CAUSING THE HOOD TO MELT UNDERNEATH WHERE IT CAN NOT BE OPENED. *TR CONTACTED FORD ON MONDAY JUNE 24 WAITED FEW WEEKS FOR PAPER WORK- PROMPTLY FILLED IT OUT AND NEVER HEARD BACK FROME THEM- MADE SEVERAL CALLS RECEIVED A LETTER FROM LEGAL DEPARTMENT INDICATING THEY NEED THE PART TO REVIEW WE WANTED FORD TO COME TO LOOK AT TRUCK AND RETIREVE THE PART THEY ARE NOT WILLING AND ARE CLOSING THE CASE THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND MY FAMILY WAS IN THE TRUCK THAT MORNING- WE RE LUCKY NO ONE WAS KILLED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WINDSHIELD LEAKED AND FRIED MY COMPUTER AND MY FUSE BOX. THERE WAS A LEAK ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS NOT VISIBLE AND RAN DOWN INTO MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THEREFORE IT FRIED THEM. *JB
2001 FORD F-150. A WELD IN MY DRIVERS SEAT SNAPPED AND A CABLE HAS COME THROUGH THE SEAT. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS CONSIDERED " TRIM " AND NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY STAND BY MY DEALERS DECISION. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN BE CONSIDERED TRIM AND SINCE I CAN NO LONGER SIT ALL THE WAY IN MY SEAT I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS CAN BE CONSIDERED SAFE. WHEN I ASKED WHAT I SHOULD DO UNTIL MY ARBITRATION PAPERS COME, I WAS TOLD TO EITHER NOT DRIVE MY TRUCK OR BE VERY CAREFUL. ( NO KIDDING )
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
I HAVE A 2001 FORD F-150 THAT I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2001. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE TRUCK. IT HAS ALREADY HAD THE GAS TANK STRAP RECALL FIXED. I FOUND SEVERAL SPOTS THAT LOOK AS IF THE FRAME IS DETERIORATING FROM RUST.
MY WINDSHIELD LEAKED AND FRIED MY COMPUTER AND MY FUSE BOX. THERE WAS A LEAK ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS NOT VISIBLE AND RAN DOWN INTO MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THEREFORE IT FRIED THEM. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TWO BLOCKS FROM MY RESIDENCE, I EXPERIENCED A LOUD 'BOOM', TREAD SEPARATION AND DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL, FENDER BRACES AND MY EXHAUST PIPE. THE TIRE IN QUESTION IS A GOODRICH T/A KM LT 285/75R/16/122/119/D M + S MUD TIRE. THIS IS A LOAD RANGE D TIRE WITH A MAX OF 65 PSI. I USE 50 PSI. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN 2007/2008, AND MOUNTED ON SEPARATE RIMS. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE MUD TERRAIN TIRES WERE EXCHANGED OFTEN.MY TRUCK HAS APPROXIMATELY 40K TOTAL MILES. IF THE DRIVING ON EACH TIRE WERE DIVIDED EVENLY, EACH TIRE WOULD ONLY HAVE 18K MILES, AT THE TIME OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED OFTEN. INFLATION WAS CHECKED EVERY WEEK. I CHOSE NOT TO USE THE ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE TIRE. AS IT HAPPENED ON A NEWLY REBUILT STREET.THIS TIRE HAS A 3 PLY SIDE WALL AND A 5 PLY TREAD. THIS TYPE OF TREAD SEPARATION SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I WANT GOODRICH TO REPLACE ALL TIRES, BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO USE THEM. HAD THIS FAILURE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, RESULTS COULD BE WORSE. I HAVE TRIED TO REASON WITH GOODRICH CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES, TO NO AVAIL. THE TIRES 'WERE TOO OLD', BASED ON THE DOT NUMBER. SEARS WANTS TO ONLY REPLACE 1 TIRE. I BELIEVE THE SET TO BE DANGEROUS. THE ORIGINAL 2001 TIRES ARE VERY SERVICEABLE. I NOTICED SOME 59 COMPLAINTS ON 'CONSUMER AFFAIRS' FOR B. F. GOODRICH OFF-ROAD TIRES. MY COMPLAINT WILL MAKE 60. THE ONES REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY NUMBERED IN THE 70'S SOME THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED SERIOUS INJURY WITH THIS TYPE OF TIRE. THEIR LINK IS: HTTPS://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/BRANDS/SUPPORT/ . I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU REVIEW THE COMPLAINTS, AND ASK B. F. GOODRICH TO BE A RESPONSIBLE CORPORATION, FILE A VOLUNTARY RECALL AND REPLACE SUSPECT TIRES; AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. PLEASE INFORM ME OF THE RESULTS OF YOUR INVESTIGATIONS, ALONG WITH ANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO GOODRICH. THANK YOU. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE VEHICLE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND NOTICED A DAMAGE TO THE FENDER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. GENERAL GRABER P25570R60 FORD SPORT TRACK. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM SOMEONE AND BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT THE FUEL STRAP RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. FILLED FUEL TANK AND HAD A VERY NOTICEABLE LEAK OF FUEL FROM TANK. WHEN INVESTIGATED, FOUND THE FUEL STRAPS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD CAUSED CORROSION IN THE SEAM OF FUEL TANK, CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK FROM TANK. *JS
BROUGHT MY TRUCK IN FOR THE GAS TANK RECALL AND NOW MY TANK LEAKS GAS THE ARE TRYING TO SAY IT WAS LEAKING BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN SO THEY SENT ME DOWN THE ROAD WITH A DRIPPING GAS TANK AND WONT REPLACE IT I HAD MY TRUCK AT MY MECHANICS HAVING SOMETHING ELSE FIXED 2 WEEKS BEFORE THIS AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT MY BROKEN STRAP AND MY TANK WASN'T LEAKING THEN. *TR
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
TWO BLOCKS FROM MY RESIDENCE, I EXPERIENCED A LOUD 'BOOM', TREAD SEPARATION AND DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL, FENDER BRACES AND MY EXHAUST PIPE. THE TIRE IN QUESTION IS A GOODRICH T/A KM LT 285/75R/16/122/119/D M + S MUD TIRE. THIS IS A LOAD RANGE D TIRE WITH A MAX OF 65 PSI. I USE 50 PSI. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN 2007/2008, AND MOUNTED ON SEPARATE RIMS. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE MUD TERRAIN TIRES WERE EXCHANGED OFTEN.MY TRUCK HAS APPROXIMATELY 40K TOTAL MILES. IF THE DRIVING ON EACH TIRE WERE DIVIDED EVENLY, EACH TIRE WOULD ONLY HAVE 18K MILES, AT THE TIME OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED OFTEN. INFLATION WAS CHECKED EVERY WEEK. I CHOSE NOT TO USE THE ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE TIRE. AS IT HAPPENED ON A NEWLY REBUILT STREET.THIS TIRE HAS A 3 PLY SIDE WALL AND A 5 PLY TREAD. THIS TYPE OF TREAD SEPARATION SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I WANT GOODRICH TO REPLACE ALL TIRES, BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO USE THEM. HAD THIS FAILURE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, RESULTS COULD BE WORSE. I HAVE TRIED TO REASON WITH GOODRICH CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES, TO NO AVAIL. THE TIRES 'WERE TOO OLD', BASED ON THE DOT NUMBER. SEARS WANTS TO ONLY REPLACE 1 TIRE. I BELIEVE THE SET TO BE DANGEROUS. THE ORIGINAL 2001 TIRES ARE VERY SERVICEABLE. I NOTICED SOME 59 COMPLAINTS ON 'CONSUMER AFFAIRS' FOR B. F. GOODRICH OFF-ROAD TIRES. MY COMPLAINT WILL MAKE 60. THE ONES REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY NUMBERED IN THE 70'S SOME THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED SERIOUS INJURY WITH THIS TYPE OF TIRE. THEIR LINK IS: HTTPS://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/BRANDS/SUPPORT/ . I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU REVIEW THE COMPLAINTS, AND ASK B. F. GOODRICH TO BE A RESPONSIBLE CORPORATION, FILE A VOLUNTARY RECALL AND REPLACE SUSPECT TIRES; AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. PLEASE INFORM ME OF THE RESULTS OF YOUR INVESTIGATIONS, ALONG WITH ANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO GOODRICH. THANK YOU. *TR
SPARK PLUGS WORKING LOOSE AND EJECTING FROM CYLINDAR HEADS DUE TO INSUFFICIANT THREADS IN POOR HEAD DESIGN. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING, THE SEATBELT CLIP WILL RELEASE FROM THE CATCH, CAUSING THE BELT TO RETRACT AND BECOME INEFFECTIVE WHILE IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AND UNDER VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. I CAN FIND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN EXTERIOR OF THE INSTALLED EQUIPMENT. MY VEHICLE HAD THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR REPLACED AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THIS APPEARS TO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT RECALL. *TR
I BELIEVE THE 2001 FORD SEAT-BELT RECALL WAS INADEQUATE AND THE LATCHES ARE CONTINUING TO BREAK INTERNALLY. I AM RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT ALL THE LATCHES BE REPLACED. MY REASONING IS AS FOLLOWS: I OWN A 2001 FORD F150. IN 2001 I TOOK IT IN FOR THE SEAT-BELT RECALL. FORD REPLACED ONE LATCH (THE DRIVERS BELT LATCH). LAST WEEK THE LATCH ON MY SON'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THE LATCH BROKE INTERNALLY. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE LATCH REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. I TOLD THEM THEIR SEAT BELT LATCHES WERE FAILING. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANIES CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON THAT THE SEAT-BELTS ARE ONLY WARRANTED FOR 5 YEARS/50,000 MILES. MY TRUCK HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. I TOLD THEM SEAT-BELTS SHOULD NEVER FAIL. HE TOLD ME SEAT-BELTS DO FAIL AND HE HAS SEEN THEM FALL APART BEFORE (THE CONVERSATION MAY HAVE BEEN RECORDED FOR QUALITY PURPOSES). FORD IS TAKING THE POSITION THAT IF ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS DIES DUE TO A SEAT BELT FAILURE THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM SINCE THEIR SEAT BELTS ARE ONLY WARRANTED FOR 5 YEARS/50,0000 MILES. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. TO DATE 40% OF THE SEAT BELT LATCHES IN MY VEHICLE HAVE FAILED (I HAVE 5 LATCHES IN MY VEHICLE 2 HAVE FAILED). FORD IS FAILING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT-BELTS AND JEOPARDIZING THE LIVES OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. FURTHERMORE THEY ARE NOT TELLING NEW CAR BUYERS THAT THEIR SEAT-BELTS ARE ONLY WARRANTED FOR 5 YEARS/50,000 MILES. NOR ARE THEY PROVIDING ANY KIND OF CONSUMER INFORMATION CONCERNING RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT/MAINTENANCE FOR THE SEAT-BELTS. IF YOU REQUIRE ANY TESTIMONY OR ASSISTANCE FROM ME CONCERNING ANY DEATHS, INJURIES OR OTHER MATTERS INVOLVING THESE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELTS I WILL BE GLAD TO ASSIST. SINCERELY ROBERT RASSI OCCUPATION: QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER BSIE INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER STATISTICAL SIX SIGMA BLACK-BELT 623-670-3122. *NM
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
TWO LEAF SPRINGS BROKE ON EACH SIDE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND PARTS FELL INTO THE ROADWAY. *TR
LEFT FRONT WHEEL SIEZED UP WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY JUST AFTER ABS LIGHT CAME ON, TRUCK PULLED TO LEFT, VEHICLE COULD HAVE ROLLED OVER KILLING US. DESTROYED TIRE AND CALLIPER AND SEAL MATERIAL CAUGHT FIRE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON PAVED HIGHWAY JUST SOUTH OF WAUKOMIS, OK, AT APPROX. 6:45AM. A PICKUP PULLING A STOCK TRAILER WAS TRAVELING SOUTH AND CROSSED OVER IN FRONT OF OUR DRIVER'S VEHICLE, AND TO AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH THIS VEHICLE, OUR DRIVER TOOK TO THE BAR DITCH AND AS A RESULT HIT A ROAD SIGN POST AND ALSO HIT A 3" STEEL POST THAT WAS SET APPROX. 3 FOOT DEEP IN CONCRETE, THE IMPACT WAS DEAD CENTER ON THE FRONT END OF OUR TRUCK'S BUMPER, AND IT TOTALED OUR VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON OUR VEHICLE. OUR DRIVER FORTUNATELY WAS NOT INJURED. MY QUESTION IS WHY DID THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY? *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT FRONT WHEEL SIEZED UP WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY JUST AFTER ABS LIGHT CAME ON, TRUCK PULLED TO LEFT, VEHICLE COULD HAVE ROLLED OVER KILLING US. DESTROYED TIRE AND CALLIPER AND SEAL MATERIAL CAUGHT FIRE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURN SIGNAL ARE NOW SPORADIC. UPON INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT WHEN THE TILT IS ENGAGED AND LOWERED THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT WORK. RAISE STEERING WHEEL BACK UP IT WOULD WORK. START TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THEY WOULD TURN OFF OR NOT WORK AT ALL OR WOK SOMETIMES. RAISE THE STEERING WHEEL THEY WORK. LOWER IT THEY DON'T. THIS INDICATES FROM FURTHER RESEARCH ON LINE IN FORD F150 FORUMS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING BEING TO SHORT AND THE WIRES GET PULLED OUT OF THE SWITCH. IT IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN F!%) FROM 98 UP TO 2004 AND ARE NOW BEING REPORTED IN NEWER MODELS AS WELL. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS BEHIND THE VEHICLES.AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY FORD AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE UPPER A ARMS AND TIRE RODS ARE WORN OUT ON MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS LESS THAN 65K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS MAKE NO SENSE FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY HIGHWAY MILES AND NO ABUSE. *NM
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 .