2001 Ford F-150 recalls and problems

The 2001 Ford F-150 has 8 safety recalls and 1,236 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
8
Complaints
1,236
Crashes / fires
91 / 248
Injuries / deaths
87 / 7

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Ford F-150 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Ford F-150 recalls

Recall 11V-385: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jul 29, 2011 · 1,100,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (Gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from june 20, 1995, through august 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps which secure the tank to the vehicle.

Risk: As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak presenting a fire hazard.

Fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. Any repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 11s21

Recall 05V-388: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Sep 7, 2005 · 4,500,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.

Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.

Fix: By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. (Note: also see recalls 05v017 and 06v286)

Recall 01V-258: Visibility

Reported Aug 8, 2001 · 1,083,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Risk: Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 01V-227: Seat Belts

Reported Jul 16, 2001 · 1,400,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate occupant protection, increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

Fix: 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.

Recall 01V-095: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Mar 23, 2001 · 670 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The left front brake hose was damaged during final assembly.

Risk: If the hose is damaged, brake fluid could leak and stopping distances may be increased.

Fix: Dealers will install a new left front brake hose assembly. 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 1-800-248-0186 or 1-800-392-3673.

Recall 01V-082: Air Bags

Reported Mar 12, 2001 · 268 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The inflator canister in the driver air bag module may have an inadequate weld near the igniter.

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the driver air bag may not deploy as intended, potentially resulting in reduced occupant protection, or a burn injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 00V-396: Equipment

Reported Nov 28, 2000 · 495,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the affected expedition/navigator owner guides do not identify the locations of seating positions equipped with tether anchorages, and do not provide instructions for securing child seats to these tether anchorages. The f150 sc owner guides do not provide the procedure for securing child seats to the tether anchorages. The taurus/sable owner guides do not identify the center rear seating position as having latch compatible lower anchorages.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.

Fix: Owners will be provided with owner guide inserts revised to provide the required information, and instructions for affixing these inserts to their owner guides. Customers will also be advised that if they prefer, their dealer will affix the inserts to their owner guides.

Recall 00V-348: Seat Belts

Reported Oct 30, 2000 · 830 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: Vehicle description: regular cab pickup trucks. The driver side seat belt retractor may not fully retract the belt.

Risk: This could cause slack in the seat belt when worn, increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant, in the event of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side seat belt assembly.

2001 Ford F-150 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine and Engine Cooling238
Vehicle Speed Control180
Electrical System138
Fuel System, Gasoline128
Seats89
Seat Belts80
Power Train79
Structure67
Air Bags67
Tires53
Service Brakes, Hydraulic52
Suspension44

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 97
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 78
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control — 65
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 40
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 35
  • Structure › Body — 31
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 25
  • Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly — 23

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 95,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Ford F-150 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · at 249,000 miles · reported Jul 17, 2025
The contact owned a 1996 N/A Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the firewall located on the driver's side had caught on fire. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was not provided. The origin of the fire was not yet determined. A Police report was not filed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 249,000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · at 145,000 miles · reported Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear doors failed to open due to a fractured cable. The contact added WD-40 to the doors. The contact stated that the battery was draining while the door was opened. The contact stated that the resonator connecting the engine and muffler was rusted. The contact added putty to the area. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was…
Vehicle Speed Control · reported Jun 30, 2025
The contact owned a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that he parked the vehicle on the street in front of the residence, and ten minutes later, the contact heard the horn abruptly sounding. His son looked out the window and discovered the vehicle in flames. No warning light was illuminated. The contact called 911 about the failure. There were no injuries sustained. The police and fire departments arrived on the scene, and the firefighters extinguished the fire. The fire consumed and destroyed the entire vehicle. The origin of the fire was in the engine compartment of the driver's side.…
Vehicle Speed Control · at 283,000 miles · reported Jun 25, 2025
The contact owned a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that a bystander driving by became aware of the fire underneath the hood of the vehicle and used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. The contact stated that failure was caused by brake fluid leaking onto a faulty brake pressor sensor switch, also called a speed control deactivation switch under the hood, and caused the switch to corrode, causing the fire. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated that the Fire Department was not…
Vehicle Speed Control · reported Feb 27, 2025
The contact owned a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); The contact's husband had left the vehicle unoccupied and parked outside his workplace. The contact's husband was then contacted by his co-workers via walkie-talkie to inform him the vehicle was on fire. When the contact arrived at the scene of the fire, nine other co-workers and himself attempted to extinguish the fire with water and extinguishers however wires were burnt on the front part of the vehicle and they were unsuccessful. The Fire Department was on…

Other Ford F-150 years

Compare all Ford F-150 years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Ford F-150 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2001 Ford F-150: 11V-385 (fuel system, gasoline), 05V-388 (vehicle speed control), 01V-258 (visibility), 01V-227 (seat belts), 01V-095 (service brakes, hydraulic) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Ford F-150?

Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (238 reports), followed by vehicle speed control (180). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 95,000 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.