NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Ford F-250 SD Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Ford F-250 SD has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 287 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 F-250 SD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2001 Ford F-250 SD owner complaints

Owners have filed 287 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford F-250 SD, describing incidents dated May 20, 2001 to May 1, 2018.

Most-cited components

Engine 99 complaints
Power Train 45 complaints
Tires 41 complaints
Electrical System 39 complaints
Steering 21 complaints
Seat Belts 14 complaints

Of the 287 complaints on file, 10 report a crash and 19 a fire; across all 287 complaints, owners report 13 injuries and 3 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11220340 · Filed June 15, 2019
REAR PASSENGER DOORS OF EXTENDED CAB(BOTH) WILL NOT RELEASE TO OPEN. CAUSING DANGER IN DIFFICULTY OF PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.
ODI #11153339 · Filed November 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (TOMBALL FORD, 22702 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77375, (281) 378-3160) WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT…
ODI #11034491 · Filed October 19, 2017
PARKED MY TRUCK AT THE POST OFFICE TO RETRIEVE MAIL, GOT OUT AND SHUT DOOR, AND OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE I SAW WHAT I THOUGHT AS MOVEMENT OF MY TRUCK, SO I TURNED AROUND TO SEE MY TRUCK STARTING TO ROLL BACKWARDS , I YELLED WTF, AND STARTED TO CHASE MY TRUCK THROUGH THE PARKING AREA, TRIED TO…

Read all 287 complaints

Owner-reported

2001 Ford F-250 SD mileage at failure

238 of the 287 complaints on file for the 2001 Ford F-250 SD give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 95,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–120,000 miles	Based on 90 complaints
Power Train	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–100,000 miles	Based on 37 complaints
Tires	Median 40,000 miles	Middle half 25,000–50,000 miles	Based on 30 complaints
Electrical System	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–105,000 miles	Based on 32 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Ford F-250 SD in 8 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 EA06-012: ENGINE STALLING
Closed December 7, 2007
- Recall 07V-553
Engineering Analysis EA05-005: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed August 2, 2006
- Recall 05V-388
- Recall 06V-286
- Recall 07V-078
- Recall 07V-336
- Recall 07V-347
- Recall 07V-488
- and 1 more on the investigation page
Preliminary Evaluation PE06-011: ENGINE STALLING
Closed June 23, 2006
Defect Petition DP05-005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Closed January 4, 2006
Engineering Analysis EA05-004: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Closed July 6, 2005

3 more NHTSA investigations

Recall Query RQ04-011: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Closed February 17, 2005
Engineering Analysis EA04-006: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
Closed February 10, 2005
Engineering Analysis EA01-009: SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES
Closed August 19, 2003

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> .

REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES

NHTSA #07E106000 · Wheels — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported December 17, 2007 · FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 130,000 vehicles

Owners notified February 7, 2008

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO REPLACEMENT NATIONAL, CARQUEST WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS OR FORD.CUSTOMERS MAY 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.

CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

NHTSA #07V553000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Diesel · NHTSA notice

Reported December 5, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,176,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 07S57 · Owners notified December 29, 2007 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S57.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.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY 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 F-250 SD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

287 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford F-250 SD.

Structure

ODI #11220340

Incident: June 15, 2014 · Filed: June 15, 2019

REAR PASSENGER DOORS OF EXTENDED CAB(BOTH) WILL NOT RELEASE TO OPEN. CAUSING DANGER IN DIFFICULTY OF PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.

Steering; Engine

ODI #11153339

Incident: May 1, 2018 · Filed: November 23, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (TOMBALL FORD, 22702 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77375, (281) 378-3160) WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CONTACT TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH VOLUME OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

Power Train; Service Brakes

ODI #11034491

Incident: October 17, 2017 · Filed: October 19, 2017

PARKED MY TRUCK AT THE POST OFFICE TO RETRIEVE MAIL, GOT OUT AND SHUT DOOR, AND OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE I SAW WHAT I THOUGHT AS MOVEMENT OF MY TRUCK, SO I TURNED AROUND TO SEE MY TRUCK STARTING TO ROLL BACKWARDS , I YELLED WTF, AND STARTED TO CHASE MY TRUCK THROUGH THE PARKING AREA, TRIED TO JUMP IN WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR AND I WAS TO OLD AND FAT TO DO THAT, TRIED PUSH BACK , BUT TRUCK WAS TO HEAVY TO DO THAT, SO I WENT FOR THE PARKING BRAKE PRESSED IT HARD AND FAST AS I COULD, AND THAT WORKED MY TRUCK WAS IN PARK, AS I HAD MY KEYS IN MY HAND. THE PARK LOCK ON THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN SOME WAY ,ALLOWING TO ROLL LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL

Seat Belts

ODI #10991926

Incident: May 26, 2017 · Filed: May 27, 2017

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT COMES UNBUCKLED WITHOUT THE LATCH BEING TOUCHED WHILE DRIVING. THIS RESULTS IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION WHERE THE SEAT BELT ISN'T PROVIDING ANY SAFETY AND IT ALSO REQUIRES TWO HANDS TO RE-BUCKLE IT TAKING MY HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN MY DRIVEWAY, ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SOON AFTER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004.

Engine

ODI #10875692

Incident: June 16, 2016 · Filed: June 21, 2016

DRIVING OUT OF STATE FOR WORK AND SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MY ENGINE. AND FROM THAT RESULTS IT COST ME QUIET A BIT OF EXTRA MONEY THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO SPEND AND MISSED A DAYS TRYING TO GET THAT PROBLEM FIXED. AND IT RUIN MY FATHERS DAY WEEKEND I WANTED TO SPEND WITH MY KID.

Engine

ODI #10862370

Incident: March 20, 2010 · Filed: April 30, 2016

5.4 MOTOR SPARK PLUGS KEEP BLOWING OUT. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OLDER ONES AND NEWER ONES AS WELL FORD SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT WITH THE CONSUMERS

Tires

ODI #10725608

Crash 2 injuries1 death

Incident: September 12, 2011 · Filed: June 16, 2015

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 OF HER SON, WHO WAS 32 WEEKS OLD AND STILL IN UTERO. A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST KUMHO TIRE CO., INC. AND KUMHO TIRE U.S.A., INC. IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS (CASE NO. 2:13-CV-02393-JTM-TJJ). DURING THE DISCOVERY STAGE OF THE CASE, THE PASSENGER RETAINED TROY COTTLES, A RENOWNED TIRE FAILURE EXPERT. AFTER INSPECTING THE SUBJECT TIRE, MR. COTTLES FOUND THE FOLLOWING DEFECTS IN THE SUBJECT TIRE: (1) INADEQUATE BONDING BETWEEN BELTS (TRAPPED AIR/STEAM BLISTER IMPRESSIONS); (2) PREMATURE OXIDATION OF THE BELT SKIMS; (3) BELTING DEFECTS (COINCIDENTAL BELT ENDINGS, IRREGULAR BELT WIRE SPACING, GAPPED BELT SPLICES, DOG-EARED SPLICES, SNAKING, AND SPREAD CABLES); (4) CORD SHADOWS ON THE INNERLINER; (5) LOW TOP BELT WIDTH TO TREAD WIDTH RATIO; AND (6) INADEQUATE APPLICATION OF NYLON CAP PLIES. AS PART OF HIS WORK ON THE CASE, MR. COTTLES TESTED TWO EXEMPLAR KUMHO ROAD VENTURE AT TIRES OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE SUBJECT TIRE THAT WERE ALSO MANUFACTURED AT KUMHO?S VIETNAM PLANT. BOTH OF THOSE TIRES FAILED IN SIDEWALL FAILURE MODE IN APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES OR LESS UNDER PROPER LOADS, INFLATIONS, AND SPEEDS THAT WERE MONITORED DAILY. SEE ATTACHED TEST REPORTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS. THIS INFORMATION IS BEING SUBMITTED BY THE ATTORNEYS FOR THE INJURED PASSENGER, AND WITH HER PERMISSION, IN HOPES THAT THIS TIRE (AND THOSE SIMILAR TO IT) WILL BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED TO ENSURE NO ONE ELSE IS NEEDLESSLY INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THESE DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE TIRES....UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2017*CN

Steering

ODI #10725127

Incident: June 8, 2015 · Filed: June 13, 2015

WE HAD TRAVELED APROXIMATELY 450 MILES AND ON THE LAST LEG OF A TRIP IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE DRIVER NOTICED ON THE LAST 150 MILES OF THE TRIP THE STEERING WHEEL HAD CHANGED POSITION WHERE THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL NORMALLY WAS HORIZONTAL, WAS NOW 45 DEGREES OFF AND VERTICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON ARRIVAL TO DESTINATION. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE MOVED AND UNLOADED WHEN THIS WAS ATTEMPTED THE STEERING WHEEL JUST TURNED WITH NOT CONTROL OF THE WHEELS. SO WE WERE UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. AFTER AN INITIAL INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS PLACED ON A FLOOR JACK TO RAISE THE FRONT END TO LOOK FOR PROBLEMS UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER TURNING THE WHEELS MANUALLY IT WAS NOTICED THE ARM THAT COMES FROM THE STEERING BOX WAS LOOSE AT THE ELBOW. AFTER CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE SHAFT WAS SHEERED OFF AT THE STEERING BOX. WE WERE LUCK IT FAILED WHEN WE WERE NOT ON THE ROAD. IT MUST DID THE FINAL FAILURE WHEN WE DROVE INTO OUR DRIVE WAY AND PARKED. THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DISASTEROUS ACCIDENT IF THIS HAD FAILED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE MOUNTAIN ROADS WE HAD JUST DRIVEN ON OUR TRIP.

Seat Belts

ODI #10721763

Incident: October 1, 2014 · Filed: May 27, 2015

FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS, MY SON HAS BEEN DRIVING THE 2001 F250 SD UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES WHERE THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT HAS UNLATCHED ON ITS OWN. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN BACK TO FORD DEALERSHIP ON 3/7/03 UNDER RECALL 01S21 SEATBELT. "BUCKLES WERE INSPECTED, OK AS PER 01S21, NO REPAIRS NEEDED." WE WERE CHARGED $27.16 FOR THE INSPECTION. TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO DEALERSHIP TODAY (5.27.15). THEY HAVE NO ADVICE FOR US. THERE ARE MANY OPEN COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I'VE SEEN THE REPORTS OF MANY INJURIES ALREADY.

Seat Belts

ODI #10715035

Incident: January 8, 2013 · Filed: May 6, 2015

REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAS BROKEN LATCHING MECHANISM WITHIN FEMALE BUCKLE. THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SEAT BELT NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON A 14 YEAR OLD VEHICLE ? *TR

Other Ford F-250 SD model years

Check your 2001 Ford F-250 SD VIN

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

Check a Ford VIN