2001 Ford F-350: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 160 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Was driving down the rd came to stop light and I had nothing for breaks. I quickly pumped brake and got it to slowdown and made the turn. Went to pull into hospital and had no breaks even tried pumping it again and still had no breaks.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2022
“The bracket on the passenger side that is welded to the bottom of the front axle is rusted completely through to the point that the u-bolts that secure the leaf springs to the axle have pulled through the bracket. It appears to be a significant safety issue due to the fact the front axle is no longer secured to the vehicle.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2021
“Driver seat belt will not stay buckled. While driving, I notice that this belt spontaneously unlatches leaving me unprotected. This happens quite frequently and it doesn't seem to matter how I operate the buckle. This happens while the vehicle is in motion during any kind of driving..”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-350. While driving various speeds, the windshield wipers independently failed to function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiper motor failed and needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to lithia ford (2833 washburn way, klamath falls, or 97601, phone: (541) 205-4501), but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01v258000 (visibility). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-350. While the vehicle was stopped on any incline, the steering wheel lost power, locked up, and did not turn left or right. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who replaced the power steering pump, power steering gear box, and checked all components in the brake system. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was 63,400.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2016
“My spare tire fell out from underneath the truck while driving down the road. Upon inspection the cable that held the tire under the truck was frayed and broke.”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-350. While driving approximately 35 mph and making a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning and caused the contact to crash into another vehicle. The contact and the driver of the vehicle sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.”Owner report · Steering · May 2015
“Spark plug blew out on 12/22/14, then another one blew out when I picked up the truck on 12/29/14. Have had both fixed with inserts. *js”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel shook violently and independently moved from side to side. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who replaced the stabilizing bar however the failure was not corrected. The failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage was 79,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f350. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph the contact had a seizure and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle went off road and crash into two parked vehicles. However the air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered concussion and abrasions over his eye. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer was notified and was awaiting diagnosis. The failure and current mileage was 30,100.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: F-SUPER DUTY CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS (F-350 SHORT WHEELBASE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6 3/4' PICKUP BOX AND DUAL REAR WHEELS) WERE BUILT AFTER A CHANGE WAS IMPLEMENTED TO DELETE A CLAMP, AND LATER A BRACKET THAT PROVIDED A GROUND FOR THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. THE PICKUP BOX MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY GROUNDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER PIPE GROUND. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-350 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-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 160 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Ford F-350. The most complained-about area is tires (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Ford F-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,500 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Ford F-350 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. 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.