VehicleVerdict

2001 Ford F-250 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 331 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.5 times the median F-250 Sd year — the 2001 model ranks #4 of 36 F-250 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 100 reports (30% of the total).

331

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

8

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

26

Fires reported

13

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other F-250 Sd years?

F-250 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted381 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 12 complaints1996: 11 complaints1997: 52 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 304 complaints2000: 277 complaints2001: 331 complaints2002: 282 complaints2003: 229 complaints2004: 345 complaints2005: 381 complaints2006: 353 complaints2007: 85 complaints2008: 175 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 48 complaints2011: 189 complaints2012: 97 complaints2013: 32 complaints2014: 37 complaints2015: 31 complaints2016: 15 complaints2017: 119 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 13 complaints2020: 4 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 76 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 19 complaints2026: 13 complaints
F-250 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-250 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Ford F-250 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine10030%
Transmission4915%
Tires & Wheels4514%
Electrical System3912%
Steering216%
Seat Belts144%
Brakes124%
Suspension124%
Speed Control113%
Fuel System72%
Airbags41%
Other41%
Body & Structure41%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Seats31%
Latches & Locks21%

Does the 2001 Ford F-250 Sd 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.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

07V553000EngineDecember 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 units

Defect

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY 2001 FORD F-250 WAS DESTROYED ON 8/11/06 AND APPROXIMATELY 75 ACRES OF RANGE LAND WAS BURNED WHEN THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTENTS VALUED AT $1800 WERE ALSO DESTROYED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 11, 2006 · fire

“WE HAVE A 2001 FORD F-250 SD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD 3-4 TRANSMISSION FAILURES SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT. THE TRANSMISSION DETERIORATES 3-4 MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. ON MONDAY, MAY 29, 2006 WE WERE IN A HAY FIELD PICKING UP HAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE WITH NO WARNING. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 29, 2006 · fire

“ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, A KUMHO ROAD VENTURE AT TIRE, SIZE LT235/85R16, DOT K2ORYD4A3508 (MANUFACTURED AT KUMHO?S BINH DUONG PLANT IN VIETNAM IN THE 35TH WEEK OF 2008) SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC TREAD SEPARATION, RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURIES TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OF THE FORD F-250 AND THE DEATH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 12, 2011 · crash

“DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. THE FIRE STARTED ON THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH (WHICH IS THE CUT OFF SWITCH FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS IT BURNED ALL THE WAY UNTIL IT GOT INTO THE HARNESS, AND CAUGHT THE RUBBER BOOT ON FIRE WHICH COVERS THE STEERING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 21, 2005 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING EAST ON BURKE HILL RD AT APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WENT ON MY PICK UP TRUCK, THEN I HIT A PINE TREE AND BROKE THE RADIATOR, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT QUARTER PANEL WAS FOLDED BACK TO THE DRIVERS DOOR AND I SAW A PIECE OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE HANGING DOWN AND COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 25, 2005 · crash

2001 Ford F-250 Sd — common questions

Is the 2001 Ford F-250 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 331 complaints put the 2001 model at #4 of 36 F-250 Sd years. It is one of the F-250 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 F-250 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (100 complaints), transmission (49 complaints), tires & wheels (45 complaints).

Does the 2001 Ford F-250 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Ford F-250 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Ford F-250 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-250 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2004, 2001, 1999, 2002, 2000, 2003, 2011, 2008, 2017, 2012, 2007, 2023, 2015, 2018, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021. The cleanest record among F-250 Sd years belongs to 1998.

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.