2001 Ford F-350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
160 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 57 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 160 complaints (8.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 44 | 27.5% |
| Steering behavior | 28 | 17.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 13 |
| Tires | 13 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 10 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 14; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 13; Tires: 13; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 10; Steering: 10; Electrical System: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 14
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 103 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 31 |
| 2002 | 33 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 31; 2002: 33; 2003: 16; 2004: 24; 2005: 14; 2006: 5; 2007: 4; 2008: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 44 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 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 10002394 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004322 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE THE STEERING LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER OR MOVE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029998 · 2003-07-23 (July 23, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT IN ANY GEARS HIGHER THAN SECOND. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042182 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WENT HOT AND BLEW OIL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING A FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION STILL DOES NOT SEEM TO PERFORM CORRECTLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048242 · 2003-11-19 (November 19, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048242 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067190 · 2004-04-14 (April 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT, AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140147 · 2005-10-18 (October 18, 2005)
DT: 2001 FORD F350. HAD TOW BLOW OUTS WITH TREADS FALLING OFF PATHFINDER RADIAL ATR TIRES THAT WERE ON VEHICLE WHEN THE CONSUMER PURCHASED IT. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRES. HAD NOT CONTACTED MANUFACTURER YET. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS ONLY PROPERTY DAMAGE. WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES IT DENTED BOTH OFREAR FENDERS, BUSTED TAIL LIGHTS, AND PUT A HOLE IN FUEL TANK. M MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS 65 PSI. CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AND ROTATED THE TIRES. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 15000 MILES…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10140147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157381 · 2006-05-11 (May 11, 2006)
I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY FOR ABOUT 20 MILES AT 65 MPH (THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 70 MPH) WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE (GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT/S LT285/75R16) EXPLODED. IT RIPPED THE FUEL FILLER NECK OFF OF THE TRUCK BENT THE REAR BUMPER AND BENT THE SIDE OF MY TRUCK IN MANY PLACES. THESE TIRES HAD MORE THEN HALF TREAD LEFT ON THEM AND THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. I WASN'T PULLING A LOAD OR DRIVING TOO FAST. FUEL SPILLED OUT OF THE GAS TANK AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON IF THIS TYPE OF THINK HAPPE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10157381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11492278 · 2022-11-04 (November 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 serv…
Owner-reported narrative. 162,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11492278 at NHTSA ↗