2001 Ford F-350 SD Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 18, 2018 · 158 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other F-350 SD years
More complaints than other years 8th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford F-350 SD. That ranks 8th out of 32 F-350 SD model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (40 complaints, 25%), typically at around 79,500 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 12 fires, 9 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 8 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2001 Ford F-350 SD problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine and Engine Cooling40 · ~79,500 mi
Tires34 · ~42,934 mi
Power Train28 · ~49,781 mi
Electrical System20 · ~100,000 mi
Steering12 · ~48,089 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10 · ~45,000 mi
Seat Belts8 · ~45,000 mi
Suspension7 · ~45,302 mi
Fuel System, Diesel5 · ~90,000 mi
Unknown or Other5 · ~74,367 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling4025%79,500——
Tires3422%42,934——
Power Train2818%49,781——
Electrical System2013%100,000——
Steering128%48,089——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic106%45,000——
Seat Belts85%45,000——
Suspension74%45,302——
Fuel System, Diesel53%90,000——
Unknown or Other53%74,367——
Fuel System, Other32%68,560——
Visibility32%79,000——
Air Bags21%126,000——
Vehicle Speed Control21%30,000——
Equipment11%48,000——
Exterior Lighting11%7,500——
Fuel/propulsion System11%48,598——
Latches/locks/linkages11%49,971——
Structure11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2005, with 29 complaints
2002: 2200222003: 18182004: 212004212005: 29292006: 222006222007: 23232008: 9200892009: 10102010: 142010142011: 112012: 1201212013: 112014: 3201432015: 112016: 1201612018: 22

n = 158 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2001 Ford F-350 SD recalls (2)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 4,500,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:dieselDec 5, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V553000 · 1,176,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Engine stalling (EA06012) — opened Jun 22, 2006, closed Dec 7, 2007, led to recall 07V553000.
  • Engine stalling (PE06011) — opened Feb 27, 2006, closed Jun 23, 2006.
  • Spark plug ejection from cylinder head (DP05005) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 4, 2006.
  • Engine compartment fires (EA05005) — opened Mar 22, 2005, closed Aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V388000.
  • Front seat belt buckle assembly (EA05004) — opened Feb 17, 2005, closed Jul 6, 2005.
  • Front seat belt buckle assembly (RQ04011) — opened Oct 22, 2004, closed Feb 17, 2005.
  • Accelerator pedal sensor (etc) (EA04006) — opened Feb 23, 2004, closed Feb 10, 2005.
  • Sector shaft fractures (EA01009) — opened Mar 2, 2001, closed Aug 19, 2003.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-350 super duty. While reversing the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the fuel tank strap was fractured. O'brien ford (located at 720 mt eden rd, shelbyville, ky…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Dec 18, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11162194

The driver's seat belt will randomly come unbuckled while driving the vehicle. *tt

Seat Belts · received Apr 24, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11089951

After the fact heads up regarding potentially catastrophic power loss. At about 10 years and 100,000 miles the vehicle started blowing the #19 5amp fuse, dashboard lights go out but the dangerous consequence is a loss of power, can't clear traffic in a left turn or go up hill, have to back down…

Electrical System · received Jun 14, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10874281

Driving on a straight, rural road in heavy fog. Right tire caught the soft shoulder, vehicle went off the road and into a steep-banked creek approximately 8 ft wide. Front of truck hit hard on the opposite bank and back end of truck landed in the creek. Airbag did not deploy. Driver sustained…

Air Bags · received Jan 7, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10670848

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-350 sd. The front passenger seat belt buckle independently unlatched. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 06v286000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was…

Seat Belts · received Oct 8, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10643444

Other Ford F-350 SD years

← 2000 F-350 SD · 2002 F-350 SD →

See all Ford F-350 SD problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford F-350 SD?

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, tires, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 40 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Ford F-350 SD?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2001 Ford F-350 SD a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other F-350 SD model years, the 2001 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.