2001 Ford F-350 SD: complete transmission failure

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 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 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 Feb 17, 2005 · Transmission · 38,000 miles · WA

Vehicle had 38,000 miles on it when transmission went out on 2001 crewcab psd. Ford said "too bad, warranty expired now". Ended up spending $5000 on a new transmission, not from ford, but from a diesel expert who said this is common to this vehicle, and specifically this year - he also has the same vehicle and had the exact same problem. We have owned ford vehicles for over 25 years, but never again will we buy a ford because we now feel they do not stand behind their vehicles. Especially after finding out that this appears to be a pretty common problem, ford does know about it, yet refuses to do anything about it.

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · OH

(1) no events leading up to failure. (2) transmission decided that it no longer wanted to shift. I was running empty pulling nothing. I was pulling off at my exit coasting as I came up to the light. As the truck shifted down I heard a clunk. Now I get a clickingl/grind/clunk where the truck tries to shift. The truck has 79k miles on it. Most of the miles are highway miles. I occassinally pull a 6500 lb travel trailer. I took the truck to my dealer who has a diesel/heavy duty truck shop. They say I need a new transmission and that it is out of warranty.(3) new transmission was installed.

Filed Nov 30, 2004 · Transmission · 22,000 miles · KY

Transmission failure while driving down the highway, no apparant reason for failure.

Filed Feb 4, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 37,700 miles · NY

Engine failure in december of 2003 ford covered motor under warranty.transmission failure in feb of 2004. My truck has 37,700 miles on it and ford offered to pay for parts but not labor. I was told I should have bought the extended warranty, which tells me ford only stands behind their vehicles for 36,000 miles. I am very dissapointed.I have found many other ford vehicles same make, model and year with transmission failure. I do not feel I should have to pay for any of the repairs. My vehicle is is stilll under the 3 years and just over the mileage.

Filed Jul 14, 2003 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · MT

Ford f350 superduty autmatic transmission failed after only 50,000 miles. Ford knows there is a problem but won't do anything. I know of a few others.