VehicleVerdict

2001 Ford E-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 59 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median E-350 year — the 2001 model ranks #11 of 53 E-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (32% of the total).

59

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other E-350 years?

See all E-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Ford E-350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1932%
Fuel System814%
Brakes610%
Transmission58%
Tires & Wheels58%
Seat Belts47%
Electrical System35%
Speed Control35%
Steering23%
Suspension23%
Body & Structure12%
Lighting12%

Does the 2001 Ford E-350 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD E350. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHEN HE HEARD AN LOUD EXPLOSION. THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. ONCE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT A HOLE HAD BEEN BURNED IN THE HOOD OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 22, 2010 · fire

2001 FORD F350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. HE MANAGED TO GET TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER FOUND THE FUEL FILTER OVER THE DIESEL TANK WAS CLOGGED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 28, 2010

I HAVE A 2000 FORD ECONOLINE VAN WITH ABOUT 60,000 MILES DRIVEN. THE ABS WARNING LAMP IS ON. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER FOR CHECKING. THE SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE LEFT WHEEL SENSOR WAS SHORTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I TOLD HIM TO FIX IT. IT SEEMS THAT THIS MAY BE A SUBJECT FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 10, 2006

WHILE DRIVING COULD FEEL AN STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND AT TIME OF INSPECTION FOUND OUT THAT TRANSMISSION BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND HAD TO BE READJUSTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 14, 2002

I PARKED MY F 350 DIESEL IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE FOR THE NIGHT. NEXT MORNING ,BEFORE 6 A.M., I WOKE TO THE NOISES OUTSIDE:CRACKING, POPPING, AND EXPLOSIONS. THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS COMING AROUND ALL SIDES OF THE HOOD AND AROUND THE FRONT WHEEL AREA,ALSO THROUGH THE DASH AND STEERING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 25, 2011 · fire

2001 Ford E-350 — common questions

Is the 2001 Ford E-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 59 complaints put the 2001 model at #11 of 53 E-350 years. It is one of the E-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 E-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (19 complaints), fuel system (8 complaints), brakes (6 complaints).

Does the 2001 Ford E-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Ford E-350. 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-350 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-350 years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 2005, 1999, 2006, 1998, 2004, 2000, 2002, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2001, 2008, 1993, 1992, 1989, 2013, 2021. The cleanest record among E-350 years belongs to 2027.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.