VehicleVerdict

2001 Ford Econoline problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 31 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 20.7 times the median Econoline year — the 2001 model ranks #14 of 48 Econoline years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 8 reports (26% of the total).

31

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Econoline years?

See all Econoline years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Ford Econoline problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control826%
Engine723%
Tires & Wheels413%
Transmission413%
Fuel System310%
Electrical System26%
Suspension26%
Steering13%

Does the 2001 Ford Econoline have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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.

03V282000Fuel SystemAugust 5, 2003 · 64 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN CUTAWAY CHASSIS CAB WITH THE SCHOOL BUS OPTION, TWO BRACKETS AND TWO OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE MISSING IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE CRASH PERFORMANCE.

Remedy

FORD WILL SEND TECHNICIANS TO THE OWNER'S LOCATION TO INSPECT AND ADD THE BRACKETS AND OUTRIGGERS AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V304000Child SeatOctober 4, 2000 · 12 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN CREW VANS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES, WHICH ARE DESIGNATED AS TRUCKS, ARE 5 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH THREE DESIGNATED SEATING POSITIONS IN THE SECOND ROW SEATS. THEY WERE BUILT WITHOUT CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORAGE BRACKETS IN THE CENTER POSITION OF THE SECOND ROW SEAT. ALSO THE OWNER GUIDES DO NOT ADDRESS THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORAGES IN THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEAT POSITION.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORAGES AT THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEATING POSITION, AND ALSO REPLACE THE VEHICLE OWNER GUIDES WITH NEW VERSIONS PROVIDING THE REQUIRED WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS. ELEVEN VEHICLES ARE AT DEALERSHIPS AND ASSEMBLY PLANT PERSONNEL WILL REPAIR THESE UNITS AT THE AFFECTED DEALERSHIPS. ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE RETURN OF THE ONE UNIT THAT HAD BEEN SOLD. NO OTHER OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THAT THEY WOULD DISCONNECT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. HE STATED THAT HE WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 6, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD BACKFIRE NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND FOUND A SMALL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 25, 2010 · fire

NAR 02/10/2003. OHIO POLICE REPORT. TIRE BLEW OUT. VEHICLE SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. THE REAR TIRE AND RIM WAS MISSING AND THE STUDS HAD BROKE OFF. TIRE BRAND, SIZE AND DOT # UNKNOWN. *TT *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 8, 2002 · crash

THERE IS A SMALL PLATE THAT HAS 2 ALLEN HEAD BOLTS HOLDING IT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT .THIS PLATE PUTS THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE BOLTS CAME LOOSE AND THE VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE GARAGE DOOR EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN PARK AND THE DRIVER WAS STANDING OUTSIDE,NEXT TO THE VAN

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 10, 2011

BUCKING, SHAKING, LOSS OF POWER. TIRES FELT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. STALLING AND ROUGH IDLE. LINING IN THE FUEL TANK PEELS OFF AND THE MATERIAL FROM THE LINING IS CLOGGING THE FUEL PUMP. THIS AFFECTS TRUCKS, VANS FROM THE YEARS 2000 UP. THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 16, 2016

2001 Ford Econoline — common questions

Is the 2001 Ford Econoline reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 31 complaints put the 2001 model at #14 of 48 Econoline years. It is one of the Econoline years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Econoline problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints), tires & wheels (4 complaints).

Does the 2001 Ford Econoline have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Ford Econoline. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Ford Econoline under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford Econoline years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Econoline years to avoid are 1994, 1992, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993, 1998, 2000, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1988, 2001. The cleanest record among Econoline years belongs to 2026.

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.