2001 Ford F-250 SD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
288 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
74,254 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 241 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 288 complaints (10.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 45 | 15.6% |
| Steering behavior | 44 | 15.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 36 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 21 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.0% |
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 | 29 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 29 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 27 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 25 |
| Electrical System | 24 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 19 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Tires | 12 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 29; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 29; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 27; Tires:Tread/Belt: 25; Electrical System: 24; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 19; Steering: 12; Tires: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 42 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 56 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 51 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 51 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 42; 50,000 to 74,999: 56; 75,000 to 99,999: 51; 100,000 to 149,999: 51; 150,000 and above: 18
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (56). 47 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 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2005 | 41 |
| 2006 | 45 |
| 2007 | 29 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 25 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 23; 2004: 39; 2005: 41; 2006: 45; 2007: 29; 2008: 20; 2009: 16; 2010: 25; 2011: 13; 2012: 8; 2013: 9; 2014: 4; 2015: 6; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 45 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 44 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 36 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003141 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
MY TRUCK'S HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SYSTEM HAS FAILED TWICE NOW. BOTH OF THESE TIMES IT PREVENTED ME FROM DISENGAGING THE MOTOR AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS BOTH TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPAIRED MY VEHICLE BOTH TIMES AT NO COST, BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THIS CAUSES ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND KILL SOMEONE, MYSELF INCLUDED, WHO THEN WILL BE RESPONSIBLE? IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DEFECT RENDERS THE TRUCK UNSTOPPABLE. THE FIRST OCCURANCE, THE TRUCK …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005624 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FRONT WHEEL BEARING MALFUNCTION WHICH JUST ABOUT RESULTED IN A POTENTIAL CRASH IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. LUCKILY I HAD STOPPED FOR GAS. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE INDEPENDENT SHOP THAT FIXED THE PART SAID IT WAS SEALED AND WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I CALLED FORD BACK TO REPORT IT AND THEY INSIST THERE IN NO PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I HAVE 5 FRIENDS WHO HAVE EXPEREINCE THE EXACT PROBLEM IN THEIR F250 TRUCKS. I ALSO REFERRED FORD TO A WEBSITE CHAT THAT INDIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005784 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
AIR BAGS FAILED TO GO OFF DURING ROLL OVER ACCIDENT FOR FORD F250 (2001 CREW CAB 4DR)
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008326 · 2003-03-02 (March 2, 2003)
2001 FORD F-250 DIESEL PICK UP TRUCK. UNDER HARD BRAKING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FORD DEALER SAYS "THIS IS NORMAL, THEY ALL DO THAT".*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014356 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT 265/75H16 TIRES. TREAD SEPARATE FOR SIDE WALL WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH . FRONT RIGHT TIRE FAILED. TIRE HAD 17,400 MILES WEAR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 17,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014492 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
TRAILER ARM BROKE FROM DIFFERENTIAL, ALMOST CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, AFTER ARM FELL INTO STEERING STABILIZER, AND JAMMING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014763 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
NAR 02/28/2003 MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED WITH THE GEARS GOING OUT SHIFT. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 49,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016862 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
2001 YEAR MODEL FORD F250. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF A MINIVAN. THE DRIVER INDICATED THAT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND CAUSED A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND KILLED THE DRIVER OF THE MINIVAN. LATER, THE TRUCK WAS FOUND TO HAVE A FAULTY ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY KIT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016862 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V553000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
Reported: 2007-12-05 (December 5, 2007)
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2009-10-13 (October 13, 2009)
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
NHTSA campaign record ↗