2001 Ford E-150

Routine

Owners filed 37 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components › disc. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000
Steering2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
000
Power Train2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly2
010
Electrical System2
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Tires1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control09V399000
Filed Oct 13, 20094,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control08V051000
Filed Feb 4, 2008225,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly01V114000
Filed Apr 5, 2001151,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, ROUGH ROAD OR SPEED BUMP EVENTS, THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK COULD DEVELOP A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. IF THE FUEL TANK CRACKS, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed May 20, 2023MI

Frame/ chassis cracked at steering box mount due to rusting from the inside of the frame out. There are holes and small open areas in the 4 sided frame. There is no wheel well material protecting this area from excessive amount of salt, water, dirt and debris entering in these holes as well, there is no way to maintain, clean, protect or inspect the insides of the frame to know your steering is going to fail. I am not the only person that is having this problem. Please review. Thanks for reading. Sincerely [XXX] or [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Steering
Filed Aug 14, 2021FL

Frame corroded causing steering box to break through the frame and complete steering loss which nearly caused a head on collision and leaving van inoperable and completely without steering

Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2016168,000 milesHI

SPARG PLUG BLOWN OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE CYLINDER #4, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN IDLE

Tires
Filed Jun 21, 2014130,000 milesMN

WHILE PARKING, TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT, TIRE LOOKED TO BE PERFECT EXCEPT FOR SEPARATION OF BEAD OF TIRE. *TR

Suspension
Filed May 2, 2014171,578 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, HE HEARD A LOUD DRAGGING NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. ALSO, HE STATED THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE 30,000 MILES BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHAT HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,578.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 26, 201167,000 milesNY

EXHAUST MANAFOLD RUST BOLTS RUSTED OFF UNDER CARIGE BADLY RUSTED. *TT

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 21, 2011118,000 milesPA

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MOTOR BREAKING THE COIL PACK IN THE PROCESS AND COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE SPEWING FUEL MIXTURE FROM THE CYLINDER. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 17, 2011168,000 milesMD

I HAVE A 2001 E 1-50 VAN, I AM ALWAYS GETTING A BRAKE TO THE FLOOR ISSUE THIS HAS CAUSED ME SOME SCARY INCIDENTS AT TIMES, I HAVE HAD EVERYTHING REPLACED THAT I CAN THINK OF BUT STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE, I GET THE RUN AROUND WITH FORD SAYING THIS IS NORMAL TO ME THIS IS NOT NORMAL WHEN I HAVE TO PUMP MY BRAKES AT TIMES, BEFORE I STOP ALSO SITTING AT LIGHTS I CAN FEEL MY PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR THIS IS NOT NORMAL SOMETHING IS WRONG, SOMEWHERE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE CAUSE I TRIED TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS SEEMS A LOT ARE HERE ARE SOME STORIES ON THIS ISSUE HTTP://WWW.FORD-TRUCKS.COM/FORUMS/937993-MY-BRAKES-GO-TO-THE-FLOOR-AND-SO-DO-YOURS-I-THINK.HTML I'M TIRED OF TOSSING MONEY INTO THIS ISSUE, I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A ACCIDENT AND KILL MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE, I THINK THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I'M SURE NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 16, 201085,000 milesTN

GAS FILLER HOSE AND GAS VENT HOSE DETERIORATE ON 2001 FORD E-150 MAY CAUSE FIRE WHEN FILLING GAS TANK. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 2, 201073,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E-150 CARGO VAN. THE CONTACT WAS REFUELING THE VEHICLE WHEN HE SMELLED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR. GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,200.

Power Train
Filed Mar 10, 2010SC

2001 F-150 FORD 4.6 LITER SPIT # 3 SPARKPLUG OUT OFF CYLINDER DESTROYING COIL OVER PLUG (COP) AND STRANDING ME OVER 500 MILES FROM HOME, HAD IT TOWED BACK TO MY HOMETOWN FORD DEALER SHOP, THEY WANTED TO REPLACE HEADS AT MY EXPENSE,NO RECALLS BY FOMOCO ON THIS MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DEFECT. HELP NHTSA! *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 17, 200978,000 milesPA

I CURRENTLY OWN A METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED 2001 FORD E150 VAN WITH A 4.6 LITER MOTOR. I HAVE APPROX 78000 MILES ON VEHICLE, AND RECENTLY STARTED HAVING SPARK PLUG ISSUES. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT CHANGING THE SPARK PLUGS WITH ALUMINUM HEADS CAN POSSIBLY RUIN MY VAN DUE TO THE PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF THE HEADS. AT THIS TIME I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO BY A NEW VEHICLE DUE TO SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AND BASIC AS A SPARK PLUG. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF MOTOR IN VAN THE REPAIR IS COSTLY AND TIME CONSUMING. THE MORE RESEARCH I DO WITH THIS ISSUE I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE DESIGN FLAW. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 27, 200868,900 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E150. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A RISK PIN IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THIS TYPE OF ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,900.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 16, 200825,000 milesFL

THE OUTER COVERS OF ALL THE SEATBELTS IN THE 3RD ROW HAVE ALL FRACTURED RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO LATCH ANY OF THE SEATBELTS. . THIS SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO THE FORD ESCAPE RECALL 03V507000. WHEN THE REAR OF CASING FRACTURED, THE INNER PART OF THE SEATBELT MOVED WITHIN THE CASING RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO LATCH THE SEATBELT. ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 29, 2008KS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FORD RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. HE FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT WORKING HARD TO PROVIDE THE PARTS TO THE DEALER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 03-19-08 *BF UPDATED 03/19/08 *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jan 5, 2008MI

AQRE: FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL 05S28 FOR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 STATING THAT MY SCDS MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSE A FIRE WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. THE SCDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TO DATE ALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS DONE IS TO HAVE VARSITY FORD REMOVE THE SCDS...THEY HAVE NOT SUPPLIED THE DEALER WITH ANY NEW PARTS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ONES. THE DEALER SERVICE REP HAS TOLD ME HE HAS NO IDEA WHEN OR IF REPLACMENT PARTS WILL BE PROVIDED. *CN

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 26, 200741,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION COIL HAD TO BE REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE COIL SLOWLY BECOMES DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS BURNING OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COSTS $300 EACH TIME. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY $900 BECAUSE THE COIL WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE COIL FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AND ON LEVEL GROUND AND THE VEHICLE ALSO LOSES POWER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000. UPDATED 12/31/07 *BF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. UPDATED *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank AssemblyFire
Filed Jan 25, 2007TX

I PURCHASED A USED 2001 FORD PICKUP ON 10/26/06. ON JANUARY 10,2007 IT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING PARK OVER NIGHT. I REPORTED THE FIRE TO FORD AND THEIR RESPONSE IS THAT THE DAMAGE WAS TOO SEVER TO VERIFY ANY MFG DEFECT. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE THE FOLLOWING WEEK. FORD SHOULD NOTIFY BUYER'S SOONER! *JB

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Oct 11, 2006125,000 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HORN BEGAN HONKING WITHOUT WARNING, AND WITH NO DISCERNIBLE CAUSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED, THE INSIDE OF THE VAN WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SMOLDERING WIRES IN THE RADIO PANEL BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES, AND THE SMOLDERING WIRES WERE EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 4, 2005IN

HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE LATE 2001 WITHIN 5 MONTHS HAD TO BE TAKEN IN FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS DUE TO VIBRATION WHEN STOPPING. SINCE THEN THE VAN HAS HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED ONCE A YEAR WITH THEM BEING TURNED TWICE. BRAKE PADS ARE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED EVERY 5 TO 6 MONTHS. I HAVE CALLED FORD EACH TIME AS WELL AS THE DEALER. BOTH HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THEY HAVE WITH THESE VEHICLES. I DON'T PULL ANYTHING WITH MY VAN AND I AM NOT HARD ON THE BRAKES. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BECAUSE THE FRONT END IS HEAVY. *JB

20 of 37 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20230100Routine
20211000Routine
20168100Routine
20158100Routine
20146600Routine
201319600Routine
201212800Routine
2011231300Routine
201010900Routine
200971400Routine
2008111810Routine
2007121900Routine
2006171610Routine
200516400Routine
200433700Routine
200321610Routine
200228330Routine
2001 — this page37410Routine
200050620Routine
199983620Routine
199860510Routine
1997102640Routine
199659380Routine
199571370Routine
19941217121Fatalities reported
199371440Routine
1992644110Routine
199115110Routine
199017300Routine

Compare every E-150 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 13, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.