2001 Ford F-250: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 220 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (22% of complaints); the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 220 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Was T-Boned in the passenger side of the truck which changed my direction of travel resulting in hitting a tree head on. Neither frontal air bags deployed. The frontal impact was hard enough to push the tree 18 to 20 inches into the engine compartment bending the frame where the front bumper was attached. The accident resulted in a fatality. I'm just confused why neither air bag deployed. I have had this truck since it was new so I know it's history. There was not any warnings lights on, No air bag warning lights, No modifications were ever done to the truck. All stock. There was never any indication that the air bags were not operating normal. So Why did they malfunction?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2022
“Tailpipe is close enough to spare tire to melt tire. Tire is unusable. Later vehicles have a heat shield in place to prevent this. Ford should have recalled earlier units.”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 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,”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Location master cylinder cruise control deactivation sensor leaking brake fluid non functional brakes and cruise control.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2020
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 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”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2019
“Twice in the last 5 years I have experienced total steering loss while driving ford f-250 v10 triton pickup truck, I am fortunate to be alive, both times the connection to the steering box broke. There have been no aftermarket modifications done to this truck. Very serious issue! Truck is in the shop now following most recent failure. I fear thinking about the consequences had either of these two failures occurred at high speed”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2018
“Driving at night, tried to use cruise control (didn't come on) then overdrive "on" button started flashing, then speedometer began bouncing. Later truck would not go off when key was turned to off position. Next day a low beep was noted. Repair shop with scanner said it was an airbag warning beep. The following day the headlights came on at night although the key was to the off position and out of the truck. Subsequently all symptoms stopped and normal operation returned until a rainy day. Same symptoms. Day following that, normal operation. Mechanic states that symptoms need to be occurring to make proper diagnosis.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2018
“Front passenger seat belt will disengage with out touching the release button. I have tried using high pressure air thinking it would dislodge something. Even tried a little wd-40 to no avail. Really frustrating to hear its not on the recall list for this model year. Dealerships sure don't act like they want to fix it. Has happened numerous times.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE INFLATOR CANISTER IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD NEAR THE IGNITER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 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.
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 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.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
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.
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 220 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Ford F-250. The most complained-about area is tires (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Ford F-250 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Ford F-250 have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. 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.