2001 Ford F-250 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 288 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 288 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-250 sd. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The dealer (tomball ford, 22702 tomball pkwy, tomball, tx 77375, (281) 378-3160) was contacted, but did not receive authorization from the contact to diagnose the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the high volume oil pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.”Owner report · Steering · May 2018
“Parked my truck at the post office to retrieve mail, got out and shut door, and out of the corner of my eye I saw what I thought as movement of my truck, so I turned around to see my truck starting to roll backwards , I yelled wtf, and started to chase my truck through the parking area, tried to jump in when I opened the door and I was to old and fat to do that, tried push back , but truck was to heavy to do that, so I went for the parking brake pressed it hard and fast as I could, and that worked my truck was in park, as I had my keys in my hand. The park lock on the transmission failed in some way ,allowing to roll like it was in neutral”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2017
“The driver's side seat belt comes unbuckled without the latch being touched while driving. This results in an unsafe situation where the seat belt isn't providing any safety and it also requires two hands to re-buckle it taking my hands off the steering wheel. This happens while driving in my driveway, on city streets and highways. The problem has been happening soon after I bought the truck used on november 10, 2004.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving out of state for work and spark plug blew out of my engine. And from that results it cost me quiet a bit of extra money that I didn't have to spend and missed a days trying to get that problem fixed. And it ruin my fathers day weekend I wanted to spend with my kid.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2016
“Letter from congressman wolf on behalf of constituent re 2001 ford f250 super duty truck because of steering malfunction (attn: john czerwinski). *smd the consumer stated when the brake was applied, the steering wheel was hard to turn, even with both hands. When some of the pressure was released from the brake, the steering wheel would turn freely. The consumer was informed, the steering pump was bad. However, the steering pump was replaced five times. However, the problem continued. *jb updated 03/25/15. *jb”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2014
“I was making a sharp left turn, from a stop, when I heard a snapping noise, then I noticed my steering wheel turning freely, I just continued forward with no steering since I was kind of crossed on the middle of the road, and had cars coming at me at a high rate of speed, I was able to go over onto the side walk crossed, I stopped the truck and when I looked saw the shaft at the steering box had sheered in half. I am a retired law enforcement officer and consider this a very delicate matter, have I being traveling at a high speed this could have being a situation with very tragic results. Please do not ignore thanks *tr”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2014
“Driver seat belt comes unlatched for no apparent reason. There was a recall on these seat belts, but my VIN was not covered by the recall. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2014
“For about 7 months, my son has been driving the 2001 f250 sd under normal driving conditions. There have been many instances where the driver's side front seat belt has unlatched on its own. It has also happened to me while driving. The truck was taken back to ford dealership on 3/7/03 under recall 01s21 seatbelt. "buckles were inspected, ok as per 01s21, no repairs needed." we were charged $27.16 for the inspection. Took the truck back to dealership today (5.27.15). They have no advice for us. There are many open complaints for this problem. Please do something about this before someone gets killed. I've seen the reports of many injuries already.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2014
“Rear passenger doors of extended cab(both) will not release to open. Causing danger in difficulty of passengers to exit the vehicle.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2014
“Tire blowout with complete tread separation while traveling on interstate pulling a horse trailer. Was able to safely pull to shoulder & change tire for spare. Tread damaged truck panel, tailpipe & bent front axle of trailer. Tires were well maintained and had been checked before departure. Tires were nitto terra grappler lt 285/75r16 126/123q load range e. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 SD by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Ford F-250 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 288 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Ford F-250 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Ford F-250 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Ford F-250 SD have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.