2001 Ford E-150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
73,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 37 complaints (10.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 29.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Electrical System:Wiring: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 3; Electrical System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2001: 4; 2002: 5; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003916 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: WATER LEAK IN THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR, ELECTRICAL SHORT, THE BRAKES/ROTORS GROOVED/PADS ARE WORN, THE PASSENGER MIDDLE SEAT WILL NOT MOVE, AND A PAINT DEFECT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NORMAL. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041292 · 2003-10-06 (October 6, 2003)
2001 FORD E150 CONVERSION VAN. HAD TO REPLACE STARTER AT 8,000 MILES. VIBRATION OF VEHICLE AT BRAKING - NEVER FIXED BY DEALER. STARTER NOW CLICKS AND DOES NOT START FOR 2 -4 TRIES BEFORE VEHICLE TURNS OVER - AFTER BEING OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025660 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
WITH ONLY 43,000 MILES, AND 21 MONTHS OLD, I HAD TO REPLACE OUTER TIE ROD, DRAG LINK, AND BALL JOINTS ON OUR 2001 FORD E-150 VAN. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN USED AS A PRIVATE VEHICLE. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PER FORD SCHEDULE, AND PERFORMED BY THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH DID THE STATE INSPECTION WHICH LEAD TO THE PART REPLACEMENTS. WHILE FORD DID CONTRIBUTE ABOUT 40% TOWARDS THE WORK, IT SEEMS SUSPENSION AND STEERING PARTS WEARING OUT SO PREMATURELY IS A DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE CONCIDERED FOR RECALL. PURSUING FURTHER WITH FORD ONLY RESU…
Owner-reported narrative. 43,371 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429105 · 2021-08-14 (August 14, 2021)
Frame corroded causing steering box to break through the frame and complete steering loss which nearly caused a head on collision and leaving van inoperable and completely without steering
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108153 · 2005-01-28 (January 28, 2005)
TRANSSMISSION FAILED AT 50,000 MI. REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE PRESSURE IN THE TRANSMISSION TO BECOME TO HIGH AND CAUSES FLUID TO BE PUSHED BACK INTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING TOTAL FAILURE/BREAKAGE. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10346897 · 2010-08-02 (August 2, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E-150 CARGO VAN. THE CONTACT WAS REFUELING THE VEHICLE WHEN HE SMELLED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR. GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10346897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10360814 · 2010-10-16 (October 16, 2010)
GAS FILLER HOSE AND GAS VENT HOSE DETERIORATE ON 2001 FORD E-150 MAY CAUSE FIRE WHEN FILLING GAS TANK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10360814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079738 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED/LOST POWER. CONSUMER DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER ON SEVEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079738 at NHTSA ↗