Model year record

2001 Ford E-150 recalls & problems

The 2001 Ford E-150 has 4 safety recalls and 37 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (17 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints37filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009

Vehicle speed control

Recall 09V3990004,500,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 controlFeb 4, 2008

Cruise control

Recall 08V051000225,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 controlAug 3, 2007

Vehicle speed control

Recall 07V3360003,600,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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, gasolineApr 5, 2001

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 01V114000151,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

E150 Econoline 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

E150 Econoline 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

E150 Club Wagon

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

E150 Econoline 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

E150 Club Wagon

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

E150 Club Wagon

13mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	17	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring; Horn	7	0	1	0	41,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine	5	0	0	0	68,900 mi
SteeringLinkages › Drag › Link › Connection; Linkages › Tie rod assembly	4	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint; Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint	3	0	0	0	43,371 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	3	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	3	0	1	0	—
Tires	2	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Webbing	2	1	0	1	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	1	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments	1	0	0	0	—
Seats	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Steering
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).
May 20, 2023
Steering
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
Aug 12, 2021
Engine
SPARG PLUG BLOWN OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE CYLINDER #4, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN IDLE
May 11, 2016 · 168,000 miles
Tires
WHILE PARKING, TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT, TIRE LOOKED TO BE PERFECT EXCEPT FOR SEPARATION OF BEAD OF TIRE. *TR
Jun 21, 2014 · 130,000 miles
Suspension
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.
Mar 17, 2014 · 171,578 miles
Engine and engine cooling
EXHAUST MANAFOLD RUST BOLTS RUSTED OFF UNDER CARIGE BADLY RUSTED. *TT
Oct 26, 2011 · 67,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
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
May 23, 2011 · 118,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
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…
Feb 1, 2011 · 168,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADClosed
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006