VehicleVerdict

2001 Ford F-650 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 2001 Ford F-650 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

13

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other F-650 years?

F-650 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted13 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 13 complaints2002: 8 complaints2003: 2 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints2016: 4 complaints2017: 12 complaints2018: 0 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 2 complaints2026: 3 complaints
F-650 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-650 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Ford F-650 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission969%
Brakes215%
Engine18%
Speed Control18%

Does the 2001 Ford F-650 have recalls?

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

02V024000BrakesJanuary 18, 2002 · 546 units

Defect

CERTAIN MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BRAKES THAT INCLUDE THE OPTIONAL TRAILER PACKAGE FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE AIR BRAKE LINES CONNECTED TO THE TRACTOR PROTECTION VALVE ARE MISROUTED.

Consequence

A LEAK IN THE PRIMARY AIR CIRCUIT OR SECONDARY AIR CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN A REDUCTION OR LOSS OF THE TRAILER BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE AIR LINES CONNECTED TO THE TRACTOR PROTECTION VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 31, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-248-0186.

01V258000Visibility & WipersAugust 8, 2001 · 1,083,000 units

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.

00V232007BrakesSeptember 21, 2000 · 6,700 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 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 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE CONSUMER REPLACED THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER SEVEN TIMES. FRONT AXLE WAS REPLACED ONCE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE GEARS WERE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. DEALER REPLACED THE OLD TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW ONE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 11, 2002

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F650. WHILE DECELERATING AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR INSIDE DISC ROTORS SHOWED SIGNS OF METAL AGAINST METAL WEAR. HE STATED THAT THE INBOARD DISK PAD HAD ALMOST WORN COMPLETELY THROUGH THE DISK ROTOR. THIS COULD HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 18, 2007

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-650. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, EXHAUST FUMES EMITTED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 246,000. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 5, 2014

“TRUCK UNSAFE TO OPPERATE BECAUSE OF STALLING AND TRUCK WILL RUN AWAY DOWN HILL AND WILL PULL VEHICLE WHEN AT IDLE SETTING STILL.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control

2001 Ford F-650 — common questions

Is the 2001 Ford F-650 reliable?

The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2001 F-650 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (9 complaints), brakes (2 complaints), speed control (1 complaints).

Does the 2001 Ford F-650 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Ford F-650. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.