2001 Ford F-350 SD transmission problems

Filed Oct 26, 2009 · Transmission · 138,000 miles · CO

I was driving my 2001 ford f350 to work. Just as I turned off the highway my truck lurched and the rear wheels began to skid. I put my truck into neutral and the rear wheels began to roll again. I coasted to a stop on the shoulder of the road. I tested the brakes and they where fine. I tried reverse and forward and everything seemed fine. I was close to work and the road shoulder was very narrow so I decided to see if I could get to work. The truck started out fine. However when it shifted to 3rd gear it lurched again and the rear wheels began to skid. I manually shifted back to second gear and the truck resumed normal operation for that gear. After talking to a number of transmission mechanics the consensus was clear. The 'mechanical diode' on the direct drum was seized. This problem is well documented. It is common on 2001 fords trucks with the 4r100 transmission. These are the only ford trucks with this 'mechanical diode'. After approximately 6 months of production ford switched back to using a roller sprag just as it had used in all automatic truck transmissions before and after. If this catastrophic transmission failure had occurred moments before or at any point the next day (snow rain mix) the result would have been total loss of control of the vehicle. I have had a transmission shop remove the defective part. They replaced it with the a redesigned ford part that replaces the 'mechanical diode' with a roller sprag.

Filed Mar 3, 2008 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford f350 super duty. During the summer months when the temperature is 75 degrees and above, the vehicle leaks transmission fluid. While under warranty, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and they added dye to the fluid. They stated that the pump seal was leaking. During the winter months, there was hardly any leakage. The contact stated that the overflow hose was not large enough for the fluid to run through it, and that it was a design defect. The vehicle currently has two transmission coolers. The current mileage was 125,000 and failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2008 · Transmission · 34,244 miles · AK

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford f350 super duty. The clutch pedal failed to engage when it was depressed. The contact had to apply tremendous force to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. As a last resort, he had to cut the vehicle completely off to prevent it from dramatically jerking forward. The dealer replaced the master slave cylinder assemblies. There had been no further occurrences. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer, but they did not assist because there was no recall. Speed was not a relevant factor with his failures. The failure mileage was 34,244 and current mileage was 39,960. Updated 03-19-08 *bf updated 03/19/08

Filed May 9, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 30,000 miles · OK

I have several complaints with my truck....all of which were potential safety risk. First was the transmission failure mine and my dad's ,both failed at similar times at identical trucks. -after ford gave us the run around we took the trucks to a repair shop and had transmissions fixed.....note that the failure of the coast clutch in transmissions prevented the trucks from engine breaking. This was particularly serious when towing, which was what this truck was made for. My dad found out the transmission failed on his way down a mountain pass in colorado pulling a 11,000 pound fifth wheel. The next complaint was regarding the cam position sensor, which failed faster than can replaced. The next complaint was about the brake system. I have dealt with dealerships time and time again to try to resolve the problem, and they couldn't do it, so I fixed it myself! The problem was a severe pull to the left when applying brakes, that progressed to a severe pull and shimmy. .again, ford couldn't fix it, I did. All of these were trend items. I highly recommend researching www.dieselstop.com and brians truck shop. Either one of these sources can accurately reflect the failures in these parts on these trucks----the reason ford didn't get many complaints-----they cant/wont fix it until someone died. *ak!

Filed Oct 9, 2006 · Transmission · 174,499 miles · WA

The floor-mounted manual shift lever (ford part number f81a-7k387-aa) broke off as the truck was being manuvered through a parking lot. Fortunately this didn't occur as the vehicle was being driven onto the expressway onramp. When it broke, contol of the vehicle was lost. Examining the shift level, at its base two bolts mount it to a flange coming out of the transmission, the level sheared at the top bolt, coming completely unattached to the transmission flange, making shifting the transmission impossible.

Filed Aug 26, 2005 · Transmission · 29,947 miles · WA

2001 f-350 super duty crew cab, the screws that hold the transmission shifter cable plate to the steering column shift tube, backed out of their holes. As the company mechanic I experienced the same problem previously on a different truck. I repaired the problem the same way, lowering the steering column, installing longer bolts with thread lock compound on the threads, added a nyloc nut on the end of the bolt.

Filed Aug 26, 2005 · Transmission · 49,562 miles · WA

2001 f-350 super crew, the screws that connect the column shifter tube to the plate that the shifter cable connects to, backed out of their holes. This action caused an improper reading, and selection of transmission gear. The vehicle was put into park, and did not make it past reverse. The truck was equipped with an aftermarket back up alarm, which alerted the driver, and avoided a dangerous situation. The vehicle was brought to me (the company mechanic) for repair. I dropped the steering column, threaded longer bolts in the factory holes with loctite, tightened bolts then added a nyloc nut on the back side.

Filed Jul 25, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · 92,700 miles · NY

Dt: the vehicle is a 2001 ford f350 super duty sld. The transmission failed. The consumer had been experiencing problems for about a month and gradually it became worse. The transmission was the only know problem with the vehicle. When the consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, they told him that it has slipping between and gear. The transmission was not fixed at that time. Now it will not go into reverse and it is leaking oil.

Filed Jul 9, 2005 · Transmission · 33,078 miles · CO

My 2001 ford f350 required a new transmision. The viecle had only 33,340 miles and was 3 years 3 months new

Filed Jul 7, 2005 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · WI

Dt: consumer states 2001 ford f350 has a transmission problem. The transmission will not shift into overdrive and became stuck between third and fourth gear when going between 60-65 MPH. While driving the RPM's also revved and the vehicle started not to shift into second gear. The dealer replaced the sensor. The problem just started last weekend. Consumer has heard about a recall for transmissions in f350 1999 and 2000, but that information was not available in the federal safety agency database.