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2001 Ford F-550 SD: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

29 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

130,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Diesel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 29 complaints (24.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Fuel system concerns827.6%
Engine operation517.2%
Transmission and shifting310.3%

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.

Fuel System, Diesel
7
Tires:Valve
6
Fuel System, Gasoline
4
Power Train
2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
2
Tires
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Electrical System
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Fuel System, Diesel7
Tires:Valve6
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Power Train2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission2
Tires2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Electrical System1

Fuel System, Diesel: 7; Tires:Valve: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Power Train: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Tires: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 3

150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 22 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.

2001
6
2002
4
2005
2
2006
1
2007
1
2008
2
2009
1
2010
1
2011
8
2017
1
2019
1
2023
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20016
20024
20052
20061
20071
20082
20091
20101
20118
20171
20191
20231

2001: 6; 2002: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 8; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Diesel leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10109606 · 2005-01-12 (January 12, 2005)

SIX OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS LEAKED AIR. *NM *SC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109606 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10129085 · 2005-07-18 (July 18, 2005)

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED 2001 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. ACCORDING TO THE HUSBAND, HE SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW FIRE. PULLED OVER TO TRY AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE GOT THE ITEMS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A WRONG FUSE IN IT, INSTALLED BY THE CONSUMER'S MECHANIC. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 13, 2005. THERE WAS NO ONE INJURED, NEITHE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10129085 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10156195 · 2006-04-26 (April 26, 2006)

VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT WITH BLOCK HEATER PLUGGED IN. BLOCK HEATER POWER CORD FAILED RESULTING IN FIRE. VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED AS WELL AS THE GARAGE. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10156195 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10207754 · 2007-11-02 (November 2, 2007)

FORD RECALL # 05S28, SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. HAVE A MOTORHOME UNDER THIS RECALL. HAVE BEEN TRYING SINCE SEPTEMBER TO GET IT FIXED. FORD CONTINUES TO PUT OFF AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. IT'S IS NOW IN JANUARY. TIME SPENT IN THE MOTORHOME IS NERVOUS TIME, NOT KNOWING IF FIRE WILL ERUPT AT ANY TIME. WHAT CAN BE DONE? THANKS *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10207754 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10241639 · 2008-09-09 (September 9, 2008)

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE, FUEL STARVATION ON MY 2001 F550 DIESEL TRUCK. I REPLACED THE FILTERS TODAY AT THE ONSET OF THE INCIDENT, BUT JUST REPLACED THEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO WITH MY MECHANIC. IT RUNS FINE ON LEVEL GROUND, BUT AT AN INCLINE IT LOSES POWER AND BARELY MAKES IT UP A HILL. I REMOVED THE TANK PUMP FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND LOOKED IN TO IT WITH A FLASHLIGHT. THE LINING OF MY TANK IS PEELING OFF. AFTER INVESTIGATING ONLINE, I FIND THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH FORD. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I RU…

Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241639 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10248732 · 2008-11-13 (November 13, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE S…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10248732 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10297221 · 2009-12-28 (December 28, 2009)

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD TANK FALLING APART INSIDE - HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND READ ABOUT 100+ POSTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, NO CAUSED BY THE FUEL, BUT BY THE TANKS CHEAP DESIGN. ITS GOING TO COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX - THIS IS NOT FAIR - FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT!!!!! *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 288,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10297221 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10351223 · 2010-08-23 (August 23, 2010)

JUNE 21, 2007AT SHOP FOR STATE INSPECTION ALSO ENGINE MISSING. REPLACE FUEL FILTER DURING REGULAR SERVICE DUE TO MISSING ENGINE. JUNE 17, 2008 - VEHICLE MISSING AND STALLING, DIAGNOSTICS DONE , REPLACED WIRE ASSEMBLY AND GASKET VALVE COVER, CLEANED MOTOR SEPT. 23, 2008- MISSING IN ENGINE AND STALLING, DIAGNOSTICS DONE, REPLACED CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND CARB CLEANER ADDED SEPT. 25, 2008 - MISSING AND STALLED WOULD NOT START TOWED TO SHOP. DIAGNOSTICS DONE, DRAINED FUEL TANK DISCOVERED PEELING AND SLIVERS, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, GASKETS AND WIRE A…

Owner-reported narrative. 80,182 miles reported. Look up ODI 10351223 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

01V046000 · Tires:Valve

Reported: 2001-02-14 (February 14, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES THAT HAVE STEEL CORDS IN THE TIRE SIDEWALL. THE VALVE STEMS MAY HAVE BEEN TORN OR DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LEAK CAUSING SIDEWALL DAMAGE.

Consequence: IF NOT MAINTAINED, COULD RESULT IN A SIDEWALL ZIPPER FAILURE. A ZIPPER FAILURE DURING INFLATION OF A DAMAGED TIRE COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO SOMEONE NEAR THE TIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VALVE STEMS FOR LEAKAGE, AND WILL REPLACE BOTH THE VALVE STEM AND THE TIRE IF LEAKAGE IS PRESENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
01V227001 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Reported: 2001-07-16 (July 16, 2001)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
01V258000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor

Reported: 2001-08-08 (August 8, 2001)

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.

Consequence: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
06V286000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Reported: 2006-08-01 (August 1, 2006)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: 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)

NHTSA campaign record ↗
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 ↗