FORD F-550 SD · model year

2001 FORD F-550 SD

35 NHTSA complaints, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001FORDF-550 SD carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 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-550 SD is fuel system, diesel with 7 filings, followed by tires:valve (6) and fuel system, gasoline (4). 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 7 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 177 investigation files overlapping the 2001 F-550 SD, and 8 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.

35
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

35 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL7
TIRES:VALVE6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
TIRES2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
POWER TRAIN2
STRUCTURE:BODY1
SUSPENSION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER1
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1

Recalls (7)

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

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

01V04600014/02/2001

TIRES:VALVE

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES THAT HAVE STEEL CORDS IN THE TIRE SIDEWALL. THE VALVE STEMS MAY HAVE BEEN TORN OR DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LEAK CAUSING SIDEWALL DAMAGE.

09V39900013/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

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

07V55300005/12/2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

06V28600001/08/2006

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Recent Complaints

20231127FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I was waiting at a red light and my truck started smoking and caught fire

20190109FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO STALLING AND EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF TANK AT MY COST.

Mileage: 150,000

20170418SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. APPEARS TO BE LATCHED BUT WHEN VEHICLE ENGAGES THE SLIGHTEST BUMP ON THE ROAD THE BUCKLE RELEASES. I KNOW THIS WILL NOT HOLD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN 2002, WHICH WAS JUST AN INSPECTION AT THAT TIME BUT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT PERFORMED AT THAT TIME.

Mileage: 32,895

20111102ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THIS BEING 2ND DIESEL FORD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD SAME ISSUE....LOSING POWER , BLOWING SMOKE. ON THIS 2001 , I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FILTERS, DRAINED TANK TO CLEAN ,WIRE HARNESSES,FUEL INJECTORS ONLY TO REPLACE MOTOR WITHIN A MONTH OR SO DUE TO CONTAMINATION TO SYSTEM ALSO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE NEW MOTOR WHICH I FEEL COULD OF BEEN DUE TO STRAIN ON VEHICLE....NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRUCK HAS STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.I HAVE SANK SO MUCH INTO IT I'D NEVER GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT IF SOLD.I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND ALL THE MONEY PEOPLE HAVE PUT OUT TO CORRECT THE ISSUES OCCURRING, WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO GET HOME AND IT STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *TR

20111102POWER TRAIN

THIS BEING 2ND DIESEL FORD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD SAME ISSUE....LOSING POWER , BLOWING SMOKE. ON THIS 2001 , I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FILTERS, DRAINED TANK TO CLEAN ,WIRE HARNESSES,FUEL INJECTORS ONLY TO REPLACE MOTOR WITHIN A MONTH OR SO DUE TO CONTAMINATION TO SYSTEM ALSO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE NEW MOTOR WHICH I FEEL COULD OF BEEN DUE TO STRAIN ON VEHICLE....NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRUCK HAS STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.I HAVE SANK SO MUCH INTO IT I'D NEVER GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT IF SOLD.I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND ALL THE MONEY PEOPLE HAVE PUT OUT TO CORRECT THE ISSUES OCCURRING, WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO GET HOME AND IT STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *TR

20111102FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THIS BEING 2ND DIESEL FORD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD SAME ISSUE....LOSING POWER , BLOWING SMOKE. ON THIS 2001 , I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FILTERS, DRAINED TANK TO CLEAN ,WIRE HARNESSES,FUEL INJECTORS ONLY TO REPLACE MOTOR WITHIN A MONTH OR SO DUE TO CONTAMINATION TO SYSTEM ALSO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE NEW MOTOR WHICH I FEEL COULD OF BEEN DUE TO STRAIN ON VEHICLE....NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRUCK HAS STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.I HAVE SANK SO MUCH INTO IT I'D NEVER GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT IF SOLD.I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND ALL THE MONEY PEOPLE HAVE PUT OUT TO CORRECT THE ISSUES OCCURRING, WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO GET HOME AND IT STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *TR

20110614FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-550 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PAINT INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WAS CHIPPING AND CONTAMINATING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20110614FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-550 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF PAINT DELAMINATING INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20110606FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

I HAVE A 2001 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY FLATBED TOWTRUCK, THE TRUCKS DESIGN IS A COMBINATION FROM FORD AND INTERNATIONAL, WHICH DUE TO THE FAULTY FUEL TANK DELAMINATING AND CAUSING A FINANCIAL LOSE OF NOT ONLY A DAYS WORK, BUT ALSO THE NEED OF HAVING A TWO VEHICLES WHICH WHILE IN TOW STOP TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK LOOSES POWER AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TURNS ON. COST OVER 1000.00 JUST IN WRECKER BILLS, AND NOT TO MENTION TRASHED THE INJECTORS, PUMP, AND FILTER SYSTEM AND ALL THE LINES. FORD OR INTERNATIONAL WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR A BAD FUEL TANK RECALL. TRUCK IS STILL DOWN AND SEEMS THAT I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO REPLACE ALL PARTS MENTIONED AT MY COST. *TR

Mileage: 290,000

20110513FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

WE OWN A LANDSCAPE CONST BUSINESS AND WE HAVE 3 FORD F550'S AND ALL 3 HAVE LEAKS IN THE GAS TANKS. THIS IS A VERY LARGE SAFETY HAZARD AND WE WOULD LIKE THIS ADDRESSED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20110513HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

WE OWN A LANDSCAPE BUSINESS IN SOUTH JERSEY. WE HAVE 3 FORD F550'S AND ALL 3 HAVE LEAKS IN THEIR GAS TANKS. IM FILING A COMPLAINT FOR EACH ONE. WE WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED, ITS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20110513FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WE OWN A LANDSCAPE BUSINESS IN SOUTH JERSEY. WE HAVE 3 FORD F550'S AND ALL 3 HAVE LEAKS IN THEIR GAS TANKS. IM FILING A COMPLAINT FOR EACH ONE. WE WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED, ITS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20110513FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WE HAVE 3 FORD F550'S THAT HAVE GAS TANK LEAKS. *TR

20110414FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A FORD F550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE THERE WAS A HIGH DEMAND FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20100823FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

JUNE 21, 2007AT SHOP FOR STATE INSPECTION ALSO ENGINE MISSING. REPLACE FUEL FILTER DURING REGULAR SERVICE DUE TO MISSING ENGINE. JUNE 17, 2008 - VEHICLE MISSING AND STALLING, DIAGNOSTICS DONE , REPLACED WIRE ASSEMBLY AND GASKET VALVE COVER, CLEANED MOTOR SEPT. 23, 2008- MISSING IN ENGINE AND STALLING, DIAGNOSTICS DONE, REPLACED CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND CARB CLEANER ADDED SEPT. 25, 2008 - MISSING AND STALLED WOULD NOT START TOWED TO SHOP. DIAGNOSTICS DONE, DRAINED FUEL TANK DISCOVERED PEELING AND SLIVERS, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, GASKETS AND WIRE ASSEMBLY, FUEL INJECTORS AND REPLACED FUEL TANK. *TR

Mileage: 80,182

20091228FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD TANK FALLING APART INSIDE - HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND READ ABOUT 100+ POSTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, NO CAUSED BY THE FUEL, BUT BY THE TANKS CHEAP DESIGN. ITS GOING TO COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX - THIS IS NOT FAIR - FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 288,000

20081113FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

20081113ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

20080909POWER TRAIN

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE, FUEL STARVATION ON MY 2001 F550 DIESEL TRUCK. I REPLACED THE FILTERS TODAY AT THE ONSET OF THE INCIDENT, BUT JUST REPLACED THEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO WITH MY MECHANIC. IT RUNS FINE ON LEVEL GROUND, BUT AT AN INCLINE IT LOSES POWER AND BARELY MAKES IT UP A HILL. I REMOVED THE TANK PUMP FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND LOOKED IN TO IT WITH A FLASHLIGHT. THE LINING OF MY TANK IS PEELING OFF. AFTER INVESTIGATING ONLINE, I FIND THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH FORD. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I RUN A SMALL BUSINESS, AND RELY ON THIS ONLY TRUCK TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY OF 7 KIDS, WIFE AND MOTHER. I HAVE PUT 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS VEHICLE IN ITS 110,000 MILE LIFETIME, AND NOW THIS. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

20080909FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE, FUEL STARVATION ON MY 2001 F550 DIESEL TRUCK. I REPLACED THE FILTERS TODAY AT THE ONSET OF THE INCIDENT, BUT JUST REPLACED THEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO WITH MY MECHANIC. IT RUNS FINE ON LEVEL GROUND, BUT AT AN INCLINE IT LOSES POWER AND BARELY MAKES IT UP A HILL. I REMOVED THE TANK PUMP FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND LOOKED IN TO IT WITH A FLASHLIGHT. THE LINING OF MY TANK IS PEELING OFF. AFTER INVESTIGATING ONLINE, I FIND THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH FORD. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I RUN A SMALL BUSINESS, AND RELY ON THIS ONLY TRUCK TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY OF 7 KIDS, WIFE AND MOTHER. I HAVE PUT 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS VEHICLE IN ITS 110,000 MILE LIFETIME, AND NOW THIS. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

Compare 2001FORDF-550 SD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 FORD F-550 SD have?
The 2001 FORD F-550 SD has 35 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 FORD F-550 SD?
Yes, the 2001 FORD F-550 SD has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS:HUB. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 FORD F-550 SD?
The most-complained component for the 2001 FORD F-550 SD is FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:VALVE and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 2001 FORD F-550 SD 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.