NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Ford E-250 Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Ford E-250 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 18 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Ford E-250. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2001 Ford E-250 owner complaints

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford E-250, describing incidents dated August 25, 2000 to January 25, 2017.

Most-cited components

Engine 11 complaints
Suspension 2 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Electrical System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Of the 18 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 3 a fire; across all 18 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10947861 · Filed January 26, 2017
SPARK PLUG ON CYLINDER #7 BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. 2ND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR SHOP STATES IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE THIS TIME APPROX. $3000 FOR NEW HEAD INSTALLED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THIS 5.4 TRITION ENGINE. FORD SHOULD RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM 130,000 MILES ON…
ODI #10354953 · Filed September 10, 2010
I OWN A 2001 F250 FORD WITH AN 5.4L GAS ENGINE . THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT BREAKING IGNITION COIL CAUSING SMALL FIRE . THE THREADS WERE GONE AND HEADS MUST BE REPLACED ON VEHICLE. *TR
ODI #10341442 · Filed July 5, 2010
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 30MPH ON A RURAL ROAD, THE REAR SPARE TIRE FELL OFF OF MY 2001 FORD E250 VAN. TIRE WAS SUSPENDED BELOW REAR VEHICLE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN GRANTS PASS OR SAID THE CABLE WAS CORRODED CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. HERE IN SOUTHERN OREGON WE DO NOT USE SALT ON OUR ROADS…

Read all 18 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Ford E-250 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA10-003: HVAC Switch Failures
Closed March 5, 2012
Defect Petition DP05-005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Closed January 4, 2006

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS

NHTSA #09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported October 13, 2009 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 4,500,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 09S09 · Owners notified October 27, 2009 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 09S09.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH

NHTSA #08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Cruise Control · NHTSA notice

Reported February 4, 2008 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 225,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 08S01 · Owners notified February 18, 2008 · Vehicles built September 3, 1991 – September 15, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 08S01.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH

NHTSA #07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported August 3, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 3,600,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 05S28 · Owners notified August 13, 2007 · Vehicles built April 9, 1996 – August 2, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 05S28.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION;S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 Ford E-250. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

18 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford E-250.

Engine

ODI #10947861

Incident: January 25, 2017 · Filed: January 26, 2017

SPARK PLUG ON CYLINDER #7 BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. 2ND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR SHOP STATES IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE THIS TIME APPROX. $3000 FOR NEW HEAD INSTALLED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THIS 5.4 TRITION ENGINE. FORD SHOULD RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM 130,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10354953

Fire

Incident: September 10, 2010 · Filed: September 10, 2010

I OWN A 2001 F250 FORD WITH AN 5.4L GAS ENGINE . THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT BREAKING IGNITION COIL CAUSING SMALL FIRE . THE THREADS WERE GONE AND HEADS MUST BE REPLACED ON VEHICLE. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10341442

Incident: January 10, 2010 · Filed: July 5, 2010

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 30MPH ON A RURAL ROAD, THE REAR SPARE TIRE FELL OFF OF MY 2001 FORD E250 VAN. TIRE WAS SUSPENDED BELOW REAR VEHICLE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN GRANTS PASS OR SAID THE CABLE WAS CORRODED CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. HERE IN SOUTHERN OREGON WE DO NOT USE SALT ON OUR ROADS DURING THE WINTER AND WE HAVE LESS RAINFALL THAN NORTHERN OREGON SO CORROSION FAULT IS QUESTIONABLE. THE COST TO REPLACE CABLE WAS NOT REALISTIC AND IF THEY USED A QUALITY CABLE, THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10328608

Incident: April 16, 2010 · Filed: May 3, 2010

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE #2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD AND STRIPPED OUT THE THREADS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REINSTALL THE SPARK PLUG WITHOUT HAVING MAJOR ENGINE WORK DONE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN THIS ENGINE. I HAVE SINCE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BEFORE THE HEADS WERE PUT INTO PRODUCTION. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTS APPROXIMATELY $3000.00 TO REPLACE THE HEADS. I HAVE USED AN AFTERMARKET REPAIR KIT APPROVED BY, BUT NOT USED BY FORD. REMOVED PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I AM LOSING COUNTLESS HOURS OF WORK TIME, I AM SELF-EMPLOYED, AND OVER $100.00 IN TOWING EXPENSES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10328354

Incident: April 27, 2010 · Filed: May 1, 2010

WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD E250 VORTEC V8 AT APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE. AN HOUR AND A HALF AWAY FROM HOME , IN A NOT SO GOOD AREA OF TOWN. I WAS LEFT STRANDED. 120,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10272715

Fire

Incident: June 2, 2001 · Filed: June 2, 2009

I OWN A 2001 FORD E250 VAN. THIS VAN HAS BEEN A RELIABLE VEHICLE AND MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN EASY AND PREDICTABLE. HOWEVER TODAY THE THIRD SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THOUGH IT WAS A EXHAUST LEAK AT FIRST BECAUSE OF THE SOUND. I PULLED OF THE FREEWAY AND OPENED THE ENGINE COVER. AT THIS POINT I RESTARTED THE ENGINE TO FIND THE EXHAUST LEAK. A LARGE FLAME IMMEDIATELY BEGAN BURSTING OUT OF THE OPEN SPARK PLUG HOLE. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF QUICKLY THIS SCARED ME CONSIDERABLY AS I KNOW THEIR ARE FUEL LINES THAT RUN RIGHT BY THE SPARK PLUG. I HAD IT TOWED FROM THEIR TO A SHOP. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY OF FORDS ENGINES. I EVEN FOUND CASES WERE CARS HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE AS A RESULT. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. I DO NOT EXPECT WARRANTY FROM FORD FOR A VEHICLE THIS OLD. HOWEVER THIS SEEMS TO BE A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND I WOULD THINK THAT MERITS A RECALL. I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT RIDES IN HER CAR SEAT NEXT TO ME IN THE VAN AT TIMES. THAT CAR SEAT IS LESS THAN TWO FEET FROM THE SPARK PLUG IN QUESTION. SEPARATED ONLY BY A THIN ENGINE COVER. AGAIN I AM REALLY QUITE AMAZED THAT THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN A RECALL. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10270141

Incident: May 20, 2009 · Filed: May 27, 2009

REAR SPRING SHACKLE RUST OUT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10223421

Incident: October 22, 2007 · Filed: April 5, 2008

I STARTED TO HEAR EXHAUST NOISE ON MY 2001 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY WITH A V10 ENGINE WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES. IN CHECKING, I FOUND THAT THE BOLTS THAT WERE HOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE WERE BREAKING OFF AT THE CYLINDER HEAD. 6 OUT OFF 10 CYLINDERS HAD BROKEN BOLTS AND THE OTHER 4 WERE NEAR BREAKING. THERE IS A DANGER OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE DUE TO THE HOT EXHAUST GASES. THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE DUE TO HAVING TO REMOVE THE BOLT STUDS STILL IN THE ENGINE HEAD WITHOUT DOING ANY DAMAGE . *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10222366

Crash 1 injury

Incident: March 26, 2008 · Filed: March 26, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E250. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER RECEIVED NECK INJURIES AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. RHODE ISLAND POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER T-08209-AC. NO OTHER VEHICLE OR DEALER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10188039

Incident: January 1, 2006 · Filed: April 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E-250. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH A POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOUND. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE THREAD IN THE CYLINDERS WITH AN INSERT KIT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER FAILURES SINCE THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/03/07 *TR

Other Ford E-250 model years

Check your 2001 Ford E-250 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford E-250 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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