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2001 Ford E-150 problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Ford E-150 is brakes. It has 3.1 times the complaints of a typical E-150 model year.

Typical year3.1x the typical complaints
Year score
32/100
Owner complaints
37
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
14
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
13-16mpg

The worst 2001 Ford E-150 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    11
  • Electrical
    7
  • Engine
    6
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Steering
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    11
  • Electrical
    7
  • Engine
    6
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Steering
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Seats
    1

Recalls 4

Vehicle speed controlReported October 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed control: cruise controlReported February 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.
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.

Recall number 08V051000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported August 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This could result in an underhood fire.
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.

Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported April 5, 2001 · 151,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: on certain vans with ambulance prep packages or other severe-duty applications involving operation at or near the gross vehicle weight with frequent twisting of the vehicle body, such as off-road, rough road or speed bump events, the 35 gallon mid-ship fuel tank could develop a crack where it contacts the frame cross member. If the fuel tank cracks, fuel leakage could occur.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and, if cracked, will replace the tank. Insulator pads will be installed on all vehicles to reduce the stress levels in the fuel tank. Owner notification began april 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.

Recall number 01V114000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2001 Ford E-150

Defect investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.

DP05005

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Ford E-150 14

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 14 bulletins for the 2001 Ford E-150

2001 Ford E-150 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cylRWD13-1418-1915-16
5.4L 8‑cylRWD12-1316-1813-15
4.2L 6‑cylRWD131814

What 2001 Ford E-150 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 20, 2023 · Steering · MI

Frame/ chassis cracked at steering box mount due to rusting from the inside of the frame out. There are holes and small open areas in the 4 sided frame. There is no wheel well material protecting this area from excessive amount of salt, water, dirt and debris entering in these holes as well, there is no way to maintain, clean, protect or inspect the insides of the frame to know your steering is going to fail. I am not the only person that is having this problem. Please review. Thanks for reading. Sincerely [XXX] or [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Aug 14, 2021 · Steering · FL

Frame corroded causing steering box to break through the frame and complete steering loss which nearly caused a head on collision and leaving van inoperable and completely without steering

Filed Jun 6, 2016 · Engine · 168,000 miles · HI

Sparg plug blown out of passenger side cylinder #4, vehicle was stationary in idle

Filed Jun 21, 2014 · Tires · 130,000 miles · MN

While parking, tire suddenly went flat, tire looked to be perfect except for separation of bead of tire.

Filed May 2, 2014 · Suspension · 171,578 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford e-150. The contact stated that while reversing, he heard a loud dragging noise. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the tie rod was fractured. Also, he stated that he had replaced the entire front end of the vehicle 30,000 miles before the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose what had caused the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 171,578.

Filed Oct 26, 2011 · Engine · 67,000 miles · NY

Exhaust manafold rust bolts rusted off under carige badly rusted.

Filed Jun 21, 2011 · Engine · 118,000 miles · PA

Spark plug blew out of motor breaking the coil pack in the process and could have caught fire spewing fuel mixture from the cylinder.

Filed Mar 17, 2011 · Brakes · 168,000 miles · MD

I have a 2001 e 1-50 van, I am always getting a brake to the floor issue this has caused me some scary incidents at times, I have had everything replaced that I can think of but still having this issue, I get the run around with ford saying this is normal to me this is not normal when I have to pump my brakes at times, before I stop also sitting at lights I can feel my pedal goes to the floor this is not normal something is wrong, somewhere other people have had this issue cause I tried to see if anyone else is having this seems a lot are here are some stories on this issue http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/937993-my-brakes-go-to-the-floor-and-so-do-yours-I-think.html I'm tired of tossing money into this issue, I don't want to get into a accident and kill myself or someone else, I think this problem needs to be addressed. I'm sure not the only one having this issue.

Filed Oct 16, 2010 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · TN

Gas filler hose and gas vent hose deteriorate on 2001 ford e-150 may cause fire when filling gas tank.

Filed Aug 2, 2010 · Fuel system · 73,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford e-150 cargo van. The contact was refueling the vehicle when he smelled an overpowering gasoline odor. Gasoline was leaking from the top of the fuel tank. The contact was able to locate the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 01v114000 (fuel system,gasoline: storage: tank assembly) but was advised by the dealer that his VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 73,000 and the current mileage was 73,200.

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Compare the 2001 Ford E-150

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Questions about the 2001 Ford E-150

Is the 2001 Ford E-150 reliable?

Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 2001 Ford E-150, 3.1 times a typical E-150 model year.

What is the 2001 Ford E-150 year score?

The 2001 Ford E-150 scores 32 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford E-150: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Ford E-150?

Brakes, with 11 complaints. Next is electrical (7).

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford E-150 have?

4 recalls, covering vehicle speed control and fuel system, gasoline.

What year does the Ford E-150 have bad brakes?

The Ford E-150 model years with the most brakes complaints are 1994 (26 complaints), 1995 (20 complaints) and 1997 (18 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Ford E-150 get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Ford E-150 range from 13 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 13-14 city and 18-19 highway.

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