2001 Ford F-350 SD: loss of power steering

5 of the 158 complaints about the 2001 Ford F-350 SD describe loss of power steering.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 83,800
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Loss of power steering by model year

2020
8
2019
6
2018
6
2017
9
2016
3
2015
3
2011
2
2008
6
2006
2
2005
6
2004
4
2003
5
2002
5
2001
5
2000
4
1999
4

What owners say

Filed May 20, 2007 · Engine · 89,900 miles · OR

My cam position sensor on the diesel engine went bad for the third time. Mileage is 90,000. Last time I lost steering and brakes while pulling a trailer and was almost rear ended by cars coming onto the freeway on ramp. This time it was going down a hill and I gained speed and almost lost the truck over a corner before coming to a flat area. Im afraid to drive this truck now and its not fair considering what I paid for it. Almost every diesel owner I know has had at least one cps failure. I came to rest up against some tree limbs and have scratched paint---it could have been much worse. *tr see also 10153677. *dsy.

Filed Mar 7, 2007 · Engine · 83,800 miles · OR

My ford f-350 diesel just had the cam position sensor go out for the third time! I was heading down hill and lost power steering and partial brakes. I was towing a small trailer that had electric brakes and used those to stop us or we probably would have all died. Almost all the diesel owners I know have had these cps's go bad. How can ford get away with this? Im afraid to drive the truck again. *jb see also 10191279.

Filed Nov 17, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 135,000 miles · SC

I have a 2001 ford f-350 with the 7.3 diesel motor. I have replaced the cam sensor in it twice and there are many people on the internet upset about this. When the cam sensor fail the truck shuts down which causes loss of power steering, power brakes, and all control of the truck and there is no way to tell when it is going to fail. For has no recalls on this sensor and has had many problems with it and nothing is being done. If this problem is not fixed then its is going to kill someone if it hasn't already. I tow a 3-car hauler with this truck, it's really dangerous when the engine shut down with no warning. Sometimes the engine may be restarted and other time I had to wait 45 minutes.

Filed Oct 16, 2005 · Engine · 58,295 miles · ME

Ford power stroke diesel cam position sensor failure leading to loss of steering, brakes and control of vehicle. Sensor can fail without warning at any time and leave vehicle inoperable in travel portions of highway. I was towing 9,500 lb at that time. The trailer brakes saved the day. I had a spare cam position sensor on hand and made the repair on the side of the highway. It's the third cam position sensor on the vehicle now.

Filed Jun 7, 2005 · Fuel system · 63,187 miles · GA

Vehicle: ford type: f350 diesel 7.3l - 2001 issue: the engine stalled and would not start. Cause of this could have been related to idm module (injector module) as from the ford diagostic sheet (code p1298); the issue has not been solved by the ford dealer, being blamed on low voltage batteries. The "dead" bateries were a cause of the idm module (engine would turn but no fuel injection present). At this moment the idm module was still not replaced, and ford still blames the batteries. This is a significant risk factor due to the fact tha t it may occur on a hwy., and a heavy truck like a f350 can not be stopped instantly. Also this may cause loss of steering and power brakes.