NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Ford F-350 Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Ford F-350 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 160 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-350. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2001 Ford F-350 owner complaints

Owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford F-350, describing incidents dated November 1, 2000 to December 29, 2023.

Most-cited components

Tires 31 complaints
Steering 28 complaints
Service Brakes 23 complaints
Engine 17 complaints
Power Train 17 complaints
Electrical System 10 complaints

Of the 160 complaints on file, 21 report a crash and 11 a fire; across all 160 complaints, owners report 12 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11563021 · Filed January 2, 2024
The vehicle just stated honking the horn , no key was in the ignition and no one was driving truck
ODI #11492278 · Filed November 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-350. The contact stated after having parked his vehicle after a short drive, the contact noticed a large cloud of smoke issuing from under the hood from the driver's side towards the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that he opened the hood, disconnected the…
ODI #11480883 · Filed August 23, 2022
Was driving down the rd came to stop light and I had nothing for breaks. I quickly pumped brake and got it to slowdown and made the turn. Went to pull into hospital and had no breaks even tried pumping it again and still had no breaks.

Read all 160 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Ford F-350 in 5 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 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
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
Recall Query RQ04-011: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Closed February 17, 2005
Engineering Analysis EA02-018: RAPID TIRE DEFLATION
Closed August 22, 2003

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS/TOW ASSEMBLIE

NHTSA #07E066000 · Equipment — Electrical · NHTSA notice

Reported August 28, 2007 · CEQUENT ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

Potentially affected: 175 vehicles

Owners notified September 5, 2007

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET CEQUENT TOW PACKAGES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER, GMC, OR FORD VEHICLES.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.

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/SUPPLEMENT

NHTSA #06V286000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported August 1, 2006 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,200,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 05S28 · Owners notified August 7, 2006 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Safety consequence

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer 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)

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.

FORD/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER

NHTSA #01V258000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor · NHTSA notice

Reported August 8, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,083,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 01S24 · Owners notified August 20, 2001

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES

NHTSA #01V227001 · Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported July 16, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,400,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 01S21 · Owners notified July 25, 2001 · Vehicles built April 17, 2000 – June 19, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/FUEL FILLER PIPE ELECTRICAL GROUNDING

NHTSA #01V106000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filler Pipe and Cap · NHTSA notice

Reported March 27, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 185 vehicles

Ford campaign 01S12 · Owners notified March 26, 2001 · Vehicles built January 2, 2001 – March 12, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT PROPER GROUNDING, AN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE COULD RESULT DURING FUEL FILL UP, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/AIR BAG MODULE

NHTSA #01V082000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported March 12, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 268 vehicles

Ford campaign 01S10 · Owners notified March 19, 2001 · Vehicles built February 26, 2001 – February 28, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE INFLATOR CANISTER IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD NEAR THE IGNITER.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 Ford F-350. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

160 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford F-350.

Electrical System

ODI #11563021

Incident: December 29, 2023 · Filed: January 2, 2024

The vehicle just stated honking the horn , no key was in the ignition and no one was driving truck

Engine

ODI #11492278

Incident: October 3, 2022 · Filed: November 4, 2022

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-350. The contact stated after having parked his vehicle after a short drive, the contact noticed a large cloud of smoke issuing from under the hood from the driver's side towards the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that he opened the hood, disconnected the battery, and blew the smoke out of the engine compartment with an air compressor he had on hand. The contact called a local dealer who refused to diagnose the vehicle unless the contact called the manufacturer to have the manufacturer authorize service from the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired; however, the vehicle was still drivable. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

Steering; Service Brakes; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11480883

Incident: July 18, 2022 · Filed: August 23, 2022

Was driving down the rd came to stop light and I had nothing for breaks. I quickly pumped brake and got it to slowdown and made the turn. Went to pull into hospital and had no breaks even tried pumping it again and still had no breaks.

Steering

ODI #11443341

Incident: December 9, 2021 · Filed: December 10, 2021

The bracket on the passenger side that is welded to the bottom of the front axle is rusted completely through to the point that the u-bolts that secure the leaf springs to the axle have pulled through the bracket. It appears to be a significant safety issue due to the fact the front axle is no longer secured to the vehicle.

Seat Belts

ODI #11408540

Incident: April 9, 2021 · Filed: April 17, 2021

FRONT SEAT BELT UNBUCKLES ITSELF. HAPPENS MOSTLY IN MOTION. TRUCK DOES NOT SHOW RECALLS OPEN.

Seat Belts; Seats

ODI #11390593

Incident: June 7, 2019 · Filed: January 28, 2021

SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND IS FAULTY SET FEELS LOOSE FROM CAB.

Electrical System

ODI #11349099

Incident: August 15, 2019 · Filed: August 13, 2020

WINDOWS ,WIPERS AND RADIO COME ON ABOUT A MINUTE LATTER AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11311436

Fire

Incident: February 25, 2020 · Filed: February 25, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD F-350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A COWORKER INFORMED HIM THAT THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT WAS UNABLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. STATE FARM WAS CONTACTED TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT PRIOR TO THE FIRE HE NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AS A CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS VIN WAS INCLUDED AND RECALL WAS NOT SERVICED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

Seat Belts

ODI #11092095

Incident: May 5, 2018 · Filed: May 6, 2018

DRIVER SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY BUCKLED. WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICE THAT THIS BELT SPONTANEOUSLY UNLATCHES LEAVING ME UNPROTECTED. THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER HOW I OPERATE THE BUCKLE. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION DURING ANY KIND OF DRIVING..

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11053499

Incident: November 30, 2017 · Filed: December 8, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INDEPENDENTLY FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LITHIA FORD (2833 WASHBURN WAY, KLAMATH FALLS, OR 97601, PHONE: (541) 205-4501), BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V258000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Other Ford F-350 model years

Check your 2001 Ford F-350 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-350 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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