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2001 Ford E-250 problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Ford E-250 is engine and cooling, typically around 120,000 miles. It has 2.3 times the complaints of a typical E-250 model year.

Typical year2.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
18
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
21
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
12-14mpg

The worst 2001 Ford E-250 problems

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

  • Engine
    11
  • Suspension
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Electrical
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    11
  • Suspension
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 3

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

See all 3 recalls for the 2001 Ford E-250

Defect investigations

HVAC Switch FailuresOpened April 13, 2010, closed March 5, 2012

This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety defect trend.ODI reviewed 1,036 complaints, claims, and field reports of failed blower motor control switches and determined that only two fires were likely to have been caused by a failing subject blower motor control switch.This represents a failure rate of 0.2 R/100K on a population of 1,076,975 vehicles that have been in service for up to 14 years.ODI has found that when the subject switches do fail and begin to melt, they are constructed in a manner that typically prevents the failing switch from igniting and developing into an open flame.Ford Motor Company has agreed to take two actions to further reduce the likelihood an overheated blower motor switch in the subject vehicles.Ford informed ODI that it has implemented a series of design changes to the subject switch that will help prevent it from developing internal high resistance short circuits.Ford has also informed ODI that it would release a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB-11-11-21) instructing subject vehicle owners to replace the electrical connector at the same time a failed switch is replaced.In light of the low rate of failure resulting in open flame and fire spread on the subject vehicles, and Ford's actions to reduce the likelihood of a switch failure through switch design changes and a TSB, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following (ODI) numbers: 10427875, 10114393, 10257890For additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA10003

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-250 21

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

See all 21 bulletins for the 2001 Ford E-250

2001 Ford E-250 fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.2L 6‑cylRWD131814
5.4L 8‑cylRWD11-1214-1712-14

What 2001 Ford E-250 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 26, 2017 · Engine · 130,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Sep 10, 2010 · Engine · 128,000 miles · TX · fire

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.

Filed Jul 5, 2010 · Suspension · 190,000 miles · OR

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.

Filed May 3, 2010 · Engine · 150,854 miles · GA

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.

Filed May 1, 2010 · Engine · 120,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jun 2, 2009 · Engine · 137,000 miles · CA · fire

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.

Filed May 27, 2009 · Suspension · 126,000 miles · NJ

Rear spring shackle rust out.

Filed Apr 5, 2008 · Engine · 53,240 miles · IL

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 .

Filed Mar 26, 2008 · Airbags · RI · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Apr 16, 2007 · Engine · 70,000 miles · MN

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

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Questions about the 2001 Ford E-250

Is the 2001 Ford E-250 reliable?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2001 Ford E-250, 2.3 times a typical E-250 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Ford E-250?

Engine and cooling, with 11 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles. Next is suspension (2).

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford E-250 have?

3 recalls, covering vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Ford E-250 get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Ford E-250 range from 12 to 14 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13 city and 18 highway.

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