2001 Ford E-150 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 52 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median E-150 year — the 2001 model ranks #10 of 43 E-150 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 17 reports (33% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other E-150 years?

E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-150 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Ford E-150 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	17	33%	▲ up
Electrical System	7	13%	▲ up
Engine	6	12%	▲ up
Steering	4	8%	▲ up
Fuel System	4	8%	— flat
Transmission	3	6%	— flat
Suspension	3	6%	▼ down
Seat Belts	2	4%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	2	4%	▼ down
Speed Control	1	2%	▼ down
Body & Structure	1	2%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	2%	— flat
Seats	1	2%	▼ down

Does the 2001 Ford E-150 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

01V114000Fuel SystemApril 5, 2001 · 151,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, ROUGH ROAD OR SPEED BUMP EVENTS, THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK COULD DEVELOP A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. IF THE FUEL TANK CRACKS, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LATE 2001 AND HAS BEEN IN 6 TIMES FOR NEW ROTORS AND BREAKS DUE TO VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. FORD HAS COVERED IT SO FAR, AND THE DEALERSHIP JUST TELLS ME THAT BECAUSE THE VAN IS HEAVY IN THE FRONT THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. WHO CAN…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 4, 2003

“I PURCHASED A USED 2001 FORD PICKUP ON 10/26/06. ON JANUARY 10,2007 IT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING PARK OVER NIGHT. I REPORTED THE FIRE TO FORD AND THEIR RESPONSE IS THAT THE DAMAGE WAS TOO SEVER TO VERIFY ANY MFG DEFECT. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE THE FOLLOWING WEEK. FORD SHOULD NOTIFY BUYER'S…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 10, 2007 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E150. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A RISK PIN IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THIS TYPE OF ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 22, 2008

“I PURCHASED A USED 2001 FORD PICKUP ON 10/26/06. ON JANUARY 10,2007 IT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING PARK OVER NIGHT. I REPORTED THE FIRE TO FORD AND THEIR RESPONSE IS THAT THE DAMAGE WAS TOO SEVER TO VERIFY ANY MFG DEFECT. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE THE FOLLOWING WEEK. FORD SHOULD NOTIFY BUYER'S…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 10, 2007 · fire

“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”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 12, 2021

2001 Ford E-150 — common questions

Is the 2001 Ford E-150 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 52 complaints put the 2001 model at #10 of 43 E-150 years. It is one of the E-150 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 E-150 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (17 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 2001 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Ford E-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Ford E-150 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-150 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-150 years to avoid are 1994, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1998, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1989, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2011. The cleanest record among E-150 years belongs to 2023.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2001 compare to other E-150 years?

What are the most common 2001 Ford E-150 problems?

Does the 2001 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2001 Ford E-150 — common questions

Is the 2001 Ford E-150 reliable?

What are the most common 2001 E-150 problems?

Does the 2001 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Is the 2001 Ford E-150 under NHTSA investigation?

Which Ford E-150 years should you avoid?

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