2001 Ford F-350 recalls and problems

The 2001 Ford F-350 has 5 safety recalls and 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
160
Crashes / fires
21 / 11
Injuries / deaths
12 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Ford F-350 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Ford F-350 recalls

Recall 06V-286: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Aug 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.

Risk: Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.

Fix: 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)

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-106: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Mar 27, 2001 · 185 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Risk: Without proper grounding, an electrostatic discharge could result during fuel fill up, potentially leading to a fire.

Fix: 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.

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.

2001 Ford F-350 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Tires31
Steering28
Service Brakes, Hydraulic24
Power Train18
Engine and Engine Cooling12
Electrical System10
Air Bags9
Seat Belts8
Vehicle Speed Control8
Wheels5
Engine5
Suspension3

Most reported parts

  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 14
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 13
  • Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System — 12
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 10
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 5
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 4
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc — 3
  • Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 72,000 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-350 complaints

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

Engine · at 162,000 miles · reported Nov 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-350. The contact stated after having parked his vehicle after a short drive, the contact noticed a large cloud of smoke issuing from under the hood from the driver's side towards the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that he opened the hood, disconnected the battery, and blew the smoke out of the engine compartment with an air compressor he had on hand. The contact called a local dealer who refused to diagnose the vehicle unless the contact called the manufacturer to have the manufacturer authorize service from the dealer. The vehicle had not been…
Service Brakes · reported Aug 23, 2022
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.
Steering · reported Dec 10, 2021
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.
Engine · at 109,000 miles · reported Feb 25, 2020
The contact owned a 2001 ford f-350. While the vehicle was parked in a parking lot without warning the vehicle caught fired. The contact stated that a coworker informed him that the flames were coming from underneath his vehicle. The contact attempted to extinguish the fire but was unable. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the flames. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. State farm was contacted towed the vehicle to a tow lot and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact mentioned that the brake fluid light was illuminated and brake fluid was added to the…
Seat Belts · at 190,000 miles · reported May 6, 2018
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..

Other Ford F-350 years

Compare all Ford F-350 years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Ford F-350 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2001 Ford F-350: 06V-286 (vehicle speed control), 01V-258 (visibility), 01V-227 (seat belts), 01V-106 (fuel system, gasoline), 01V-082 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Ford F-350?

Owners report tires problems most often (31 reports), followed by steering (28). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 72,000 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.