Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 181 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.9 times the median F-350 year — the 2001 model ranks #15 of 53 F-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (36), steering (28), and brakes (28), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
181
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
5
Investigations
24
Crash-involved
14
Fires reported
12
Injuries
1
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires & Wheels | 36 | 20% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 28 | 15% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 28 | 15% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 18 | 10% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 17 | 9% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 11 | 6% | — flat |
| Airbags | 9 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 8 | 4% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 5 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Other | 4 | 2% | — flat |
| Suspension | 3 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Driver Assistance | 1 | 1% | new |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Consequence
IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
Remedy
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
Defect
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)
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: F-SUPER DUTY CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS (F-350 SHORT WHEELBASE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6 3/4' PICKUP BOX AND DUAL REAR WHEELS) WERE BUILT AFTER A CHANGE WAS IMPLEMENTED TO DELETE A CLAMP, AND LATER A BRACKET THAT PROVIDED A GROUND FOR THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. THE PICKUP BOX MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY GROUNDED.
Consequence
WITHOUT PROPER GROUNDING, AN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE COULD RESULT DURING FUEL FILL UP, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER PIPE GROUND. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 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.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE INFLATOR CANISTER IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD NEAR THE IGNITER.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION, OR A BURN INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER HIT THE GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES REPORTED. DRIVER NOTICED THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL SHEARED OFF. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY V NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK STEERING FELT JERKY AT TIMES. ABS…”
“WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A MOTORCYCLE. NO INJURIES. THE DRIVER WA ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATED THE…”
“WHILE TRAVELING DOWN ROAD, DRIVER ENTERED INTO CURVE AND HAD NO STEERING, THEREFORE LEAVING THE ROAD AND HITTING A TREE. AFTER INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A COMPLETE BREAK IN STEERING SHAFT, THUS CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.*AK”
“WITHIN 5 SECONDS OF PUTTING VEHICLE IN THE PARK GEAR AND EXITING VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN AN INCLINE AND COLLIDED WITH A SKIDDER. CONSUMER COULD NOT RECALL IF VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF OR IDLING WHEN THIS CRASH OCCURRED. MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THERFORE, COULD NOT…”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F350. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE SUSTAINED OVER $2,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 181 complaints put the 2001 model at #15 of 53 F-350 years. It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (36 complaints), steering (28 complaints), brakes (28 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Ford F-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.