2001 Ford F-250 SD problems & reliability
288 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford F-250 SD, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
7 complaints report injuries (13 injured, 3 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 91 | 32% |
| Power Train | 45 | 16% |
| Electrical System | 39 | 14% |
| Tires | 39 | 14% |
| Steering | 21 | 7% |
| Seat Belts | 14 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 4% |
| Suspension | 10 | 3% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 | 3% |
| Engine | 8 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 75,000 miles (middle 50% between 49,113 and 110,000 miles), based on 238 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Rear passenger doors of extended cab(both) will not release to open. Causing danger in difficulty of passengers to exit the vehicle.”
Structure · filed Jun 15, 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-250 sd. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The dealer (tomball ford, 22702 tomball pkwy, tomball, tx 77375, (281) 378-3160) was contacted, but did not receive authorization…”
Engine · filed Nov 23, 2018
“Parked my truck at the post office to retrieve mail, got out and shut door, and out of the corner of my eye I saw what I thought as movement of my truck, so I turned around to see my truck starting to roll backwards , I yelled wtf, and started to chase my truck through the parking area, tried to jump in when I opened…”
Service Brakes · filed Oct 19, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ENGINE STALLING
Engineering Analysis EA06012 · opened Jun 22, 2006 · closed Dec 7, 2007 · led to recall 07V553000
- ENGINE STALLING
Preliminary Evaluation PE06011 · opened Feb 27, 2006 · closed Jun 23, 2006
- SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Defect Petition DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006 · led to recall 08V025000
- FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Engineering Analysis EA05004 · opened Feb 17, 2005 · closed Jul 6, 2005
- FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Recall Query RQ04011 · opened Oct 22, 2004 · closed Feb 17, 2005
- ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
Engineering Analysis EA04006 · opened Feb 23, 2004 · closed Feb 10, 2005
- SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES
Engineering Analysis EA01009 · opened Mar 2, 2001 · closed Aug 19, 2003
Technical service bulletins
33 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford F-250 SD. The 10 most recent:
This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment…
DOR-U2J7Y-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 13, 2020
This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment…
DOR-C2C6H-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 13, 2020
This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the…
DOR-B8H4Z-11 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 2, 2018
Ford: the restraint control module (rcm) when using vcm ii, would have an error code 35 and diagnostic trouble code (dtc) b1035, and difficulty attempting programmable module installation (pmi). Model 2001-2004 f-super…
ASI-44408 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2014
Ford trucks service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Vehicles have experienced severe steering wheel and front wheel vibrations and oscillations after traveling over a bump or dip in the road…
LP-09L02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2013
1999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip. *nj
20228 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2008
1999-2008 f250-f550 super duty 4x4 with electronic shift transfer case not engaging 4x4. *nj
20052 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2007
6.8l engines. Powertrain control module (pcm) recalibration. Sample consumer letter attached. *kb
0721 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 3, 2007
Lack of power due to low fuel pressure - fuel tank liner seperation. *kb
19728 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2007
Lack of power due to low fuel pressure, fuel tank liner seperation. *kb
19621 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2007
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2001 Ford F-250 SD has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2001 Ford F-250 SD?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 75,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.