FORD F-150 · model year

2001 FORD F-150

1451 NHTSA complaints, 113 crash reports, and 19 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001FORDF-150 carries 1451 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 113 crashes, 292 fires, 110 injuries, and 8 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 F-150 is vehicle speed control with 101 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (97) and electrical system (96). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 19 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2001 F-150, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1451
Complaints
113
Crashes
292
Fires
110
Injuries
8
Deaths

Total Complaints

1451 filings

Crashes Reported

113 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL101
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE97
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM96
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE92
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING91
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT78
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL65
ENGINE44
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL40
SEAT BELTS38
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION35
UNKNOWN OR OTHER35
STRUCTURE:BODY31
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE25
TIRES24

Recalls (19)

00V34800030/10/2000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT FULLY RETRACT THE BELT.

11V38500029/07/2011

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, OR

06E06000029/06/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA

00V39600028/11/2000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE AFFECTED EXPEDITION/NAVIGATOR OWNER GUIDES DO NOT IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS OF SEATING POSITIONS EQUIPPED WITH TETHER

07E06600028/08/2007

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

01V09500023/03/2001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE WAS DAMAGED DURING FINAL ASSEMBLY.

06E06400017/07/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED

06E06500017/07/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIAT

01V22700116/07/2001

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE

06E02300013/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPME

06E05200012/06/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLEC

01V08200012/03/2001

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE INFLATOR CANISTER IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD NEAR THE IGNITER.

08E05000011/08/2008

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

01V25800008/08/2001

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPL

05V38800007/09/2005

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

06E06700001/08/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIV

Recent Complaints

20250717FireENGINE

The contact owned a 1996 N/A Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the firewall located on the driver's side had caught on fire. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was not provided. The origin of the fire was not yet determined. A Police report was not filed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 249,000.

Mileage: 249,000

20250715LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear doors failed to open due to a fractured cable. The contact added WD-40 to the doors. The contact stated that the battery was draining while the door was opened. The contact stated that the resonator connecting the engine and muffler was rusted. The contact added putty to the area. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20250715ENGINE

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear doors failed to open due to a fractured cable. The contact added WD-40 to the doors. The contact stated that the battery was draining while the door was opened. The contact stated that the resonator connecting the engine and muffler was rusted. The contact added putty to the area. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20250630FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owned a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that he parked the vehicle on the street in front of the residence, and ten minutes later, the contact heard the horn abruptly sounding. His son looked out the window and discovered the vehicle in flames. No warning light was illuminated. The contact called 911 about the failure. There were no injuries sustained. The police and fire departments arrived on the scene, and the firefighters extinguished the fire. The fire consumed and destroyed the entire vehicle. The origin of the fire was in the engine compartment of the driver's side. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was not towed and remained at the residence. The insurance company was notified of the failure; however, pending an inspection. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), which was associated with the VIN, and upon research, believed that the recall consequence was related to the fire. The man

20250625FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owned a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that a bystander driving by became aware of the fire underneath the hood of the vehicle and used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. The contact stated that failure was caused by brake fluid leaking onto a faulty brake pressor sensor switch, also called a speed control deactivation switch under the hood, and caused the switch to corrode, causing the fire. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated that the Fire Department was not notified of the fire. The vehicle remand at the residence. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 283,000.

Mileage: 283,000

20250227FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owned a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); The contact's husband had left the vehicle unoccupied and parked outside his workplace. The contact's husband was then contacted by his co-workers via walkie-talkie to inform him the vehicle was on fire. When the contact arrived at the scene of the fire, nine other co-workers and himself attempted to extinguish the fire with water and extinguishers however wires were burnt on the front part of the vehicle and they were unsuccessful. The Fire Department was on scene and extinguished the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown, but the fire department did state it had to do with something electric. The fire took place at [XXX] . The vehicle was consumed by the fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact believes the vehicle is a total loss. The vehicle was consumed by the fire. There were no injuries or property damage. A dealer was ca

20250224ENGINE

n/a

20250224SERVICE BRAKES

n/a

20250224POWER TRAIN

n/a

20250203SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V227001 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front passenger’s seat belt loosened independently, and the front driver’s side seat belt occasionally loosened independently. The local dealer informed the contact that parts for recall repairs were not on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 242,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 242,000

20241107FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle one day, there was an abnormal fuel odor outside the vehicle. The contact’s husband inspected underneath the vehicle and discovered that the fuel tank had detached from the subframe. The contact stated that prior to becoming aware of the failure, the low fuel warning light was occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

Mileage: 93,000

20240819FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated the engine compartment had caught on fire. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was provided; however, the cause for the failure was not yet determined. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries sustained. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 154,000

20231107SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side seat belt unbuckled independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V348000 (Seat Belts) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 293,000.

Mileage: 293,000

20230908FireFIRERELATED

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and shut off at the residence, the vehicle caught fire, with flames coming from underneath the hood. No injuries were sustained. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The insurance company was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V385000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,0000.

Mileage: 250,000

20230711ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. After visual inspection, the contact was able to conclude that the sound originated from the passenger’s side exhaust manifold. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was a failure with the bolts securing the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20230516FIRERELATED

2001 Ford F-150 Consumer writing to inform of a the fire that occurred while stopped in traffic. Description of incident and pictures attached.

20230419FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off the vehicle suddenly caught on fire and was destroyed. The fire department was called to the impoundment lot and extinguished the flames which came from the engine compartment. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the fire was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

20230225CrashPOWER TRAIN

The car will randomly go forward while shifted in reverse I smashed into my boat trying to back up and when foward

20220707SEAT BELTS

The seat belt quit locking in place shortly after I purchased the truck

20220613FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

The contact owned a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that he had noticed that the cruise control had stopped functioning. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked for three hours at his residence driveway with no keys in the ignition and had caught on fire. The contact stated that he had no warning. The vehicle had been engulfed in flames and the fire department had been called and extinguished the fire using water. The contact stated that a fire report was issued. The contact's insurance company declared the vehicle a complete loss. The contact related the failure to an open recall on his vehicle NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

Mileage: 230,000

Compare 2001FORDF-150 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 FORD F-150 have?
The 2001 FORD F-150 has 1451 NHTSA complaints, 113 crashes, 292 fires, 110 injuries, and 8 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 FORD F-150?
Yes, the 2001 FORD F-150 has 19 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 FORD F-150?
The most-complained component for the 2001 FORD F-150 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 101 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2001 FORD F-150 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.