FaultScore

2001 Ford F-150 engine problems

284 of the 1,451 complaints about the 2001 Ford F-150 are about the engine — 20% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,405 miles.

F

284

Complaints

2

Crashes

54

Fires

5

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 97 34.2%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 91 32.0%
Engine 44 15.5%
Gasoline 25 8.8%
Exhaust System 7 2.5%
Radiator Assembly 3 1.1%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 3 1.1%
Emission Control 3 1.1%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 3 1.1%
Cooling System 3 1.1%

Engine & Cooling across every Ford F-150 year

1991 19 0.3%
1992 39 0.5%
1993 57 0.8%
1994 57 0.8%
1995 76 1.1%
1996 27 0.4%
1997 578 8.0%
1998 198 2.7%
1999 256 3.5%
2000 160 2.2%
2001 284 3.9%
2002 263 3.6%
2003 99 1.4%
2004 263 3.6%
2005 228 3.2%
2006 151 2.1%
2007 146 2.0%
2008 77 1.1%
2009 52 0.7%
2010 138 1.9%
2011 515 7.1%
2012 499 6.9%
2013 565 7.8%
2014 187 2.6%
2015 288 4.0%
2016 345 4.8%
2017 378 5.2%
2018 586 8.1%
2019 379 5.2%
2020 135 1.9%
2021 99 1.4%
2022 41 0.6%
2023 27 0.4%
2024 15 0.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 249,000 miles Lindon, UT Fire

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11674308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Patricksburg, IN

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11673610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Paw Paw, MI

ENGINE

n/a

NHTSA complaint #11644534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 250,000 miles Heathsville, VA Fire

FIRERELATED

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.

NHTSA complaint #11543361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Richmond, VA

ENGINE 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.

NHTSA complaint #11531582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lago Vista, TX

FIRERELATED

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

NHTSA complaint #11522210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Florence, SC Fire

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, he heard an abnormal popping noise and noticed the vehicle was engulfed in fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries or police reports. The contact was able to move the other vehicles away from the fire. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The contact mentioned she never received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 05V017000 (Vehicle speed control). Consumer stated manufacture was contacted multiple times and was told to file insurance claim. Insurance was for collision and liability only.

NHTSA complaint #11432720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Sedalia, MO Fire

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway flames were suddenly present coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact indicated that prior to the fire the vehicle had not been driven or turned on for two days. The failure mileage was 89,000.

NHTSA complaint #11429763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alamogordo, NM

ENGINE

CLUTCH FAN BELT

NHTSA complaint #11412821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Modesto, CA Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THEY DROVE THEIR VEHICLE TO THE STORE AND THEN BACK TO THEIR RESIDENCE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CONTACTS NEPHEW CAME INTO THE RESIDENCE AND STATED THEY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THEIR VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT WENT BACK OUTSIDE THEY SAW SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LIFT THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND WITH A WATER GARDEN HOSE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO ONE WAS INJURED, THERE WAS NO FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #11403903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 211,000 miles Waverly, KY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE REVVED UP AND STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS EXPOSED AND INSTALLED ADDITIONAL BOLTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

NHTSA complaint #11397503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Oxnard, CA Fire

ENGINE

CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD DRIVER SIDE WIRE WALL AREA.*DT CONSUMER STATED ORIGINAL COMPONENTS AND PARTS WERE MELTED AND DAMAGED.

NHTSA complaint #11325968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300,000 miles Grant, AL

ENGINE

I OWN A 2001 F150 SUPER CAB 44 THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ALREADY ADMITTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THEIR FAULT SOMETHING ABOUT FOR SOME REASON THEY LEFT METAL SHAVINGS BETWEEN THE HEAD OF THE MOTOR AND THE BLOCK OF THE MOTOR CAUSING IT TO LEAK OIL REALLY REALLY BAD ONTO THE STARTER AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND IT JUST POURS OIL AS FAST AS YOU CAN POUR IT IN WHICH IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO IGNITE THE OIL AND BURST INTO FLAMES WHY THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE A RECALL IS BEYOND ME THEY MADE A UPGRADED HEAD GASKET THAT THEY WILL SELL YOU AND YOU CAN FIX THEIR MISTAKE ON YOUR OWN NICKEL BUT I DON'T HAVE OVER 3000 DOLLARS TO PULL THE ENGINE AND FIX THE PROBLEM ITS A 5.4 ENGINE AND EVERY ONE I HAVE SEEN AROUND THE SAME YEAR MODEL HAS THE EXACT SAME OIL LEAK THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS NOT TO MENTION IT HAS ALREADY MESSED UP THE INTEGRITY OF MY ENGINE

NHTSA complaint #11299605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Fulshear, TX

ENGINE

SOFT ALUMINUM HEADS ALLOWING SPARKPLUG THREADS TO WALLOW OUT AND SHOOT THEM OUT HEAD LIKE A RIFLE AND BREAKING COIL MOUNT AND SINCE FUEL STILL BEING SQUIRTED IN IT IS EJECTED INTO A HOT ENGINE MANIFOLD THAT COULD IGNITE THE FUEL AIR MIXTURE AND CAUSE A FIRE. HAPPENED IN MOTION ON CITY STREET. FORD IS ADDLE IF THEY THINK THEY CAN PASS IT ON TO THE CONSUMER UNSCATHED!

NHTSA complaint #11024514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 220,000 miles Fulshear, TX

ENGINE

SOFT ALUMINUM HEADS ALLOWING SPARKPLUG THREADS TO WALLOW OUT AND SHOOT THEM OUT HEAD LIKE A RIFLE AND BREAKING COIL MOUNT AND SINCE FUEL STILL BEING SQUIRTED IN IT IS EJECTED INTO A HOT ENGINE MANIFOLD THAT COULD IGNITE THE FUEL AIR MIXTURE AND CAUSE A FIRE. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. ON FM1093 ROAD. FORD IS ADDLE IF THEY THINK THEY CAN PASS IT ON TO THE CONSUMER UNSCATHED!

NHTSA complaint #11024516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 292,000 miles Fulshear, TX

ENGINE

SOFT ALUMINUM HEADS ALLOWING SPARKPLUG THREADS TO WALLOW OUT AND SHOOT THEM OUT HEAD LIKE A RIFLE AND BREAKING COIL MOUNT AND SINCE FUEL STILL BEING SQUIRTED IN IT IS EJECTED INTO A HOT ENGINE MANIFOLD THAT COULD IGNITE THE FUEL AIR MIXTURE AND CAUSE A FIRE. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET. FORD IS ADDLE IF THEY THINK THEY CAN PASS IT ON TO THE CONSUMER UNSCATHED!

NHTSA complaint #11024517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Aquedogue, NY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND THE POWER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PRESTIGIOUS MOTORS DEALER LOCATED IN RIVERHEAD, NY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE RECALL COMPONENT AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR OTHER REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 09/01/17*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10993280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 270,000 miles Lawrenceville, GA

ENGINE

EJECTED OR BLOWN SPARK PLUG WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HERD A LOUD POP AND THEN THE TRUCK STARTED DRIVING REALLY ROUGH. GOT IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED AFTER I GAVE AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT I HEARD AND EXPERIENCED.

NHTSA complaint #10979574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,200 miles Mount Horeb, WI

ENGINE

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITH A S SPEED OF 30 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND AND LOSS OF POWER, ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT EXTREMELY ROUGH. I TURNED INTO A LOT WITHIN THE NEXT 75 YARDS AND PARKED, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A IGNITION COIL AND AN INTACT SPARK PLUG FROM CYLINDER #3 SITTING ON TOP OF THE VALVE COVER.

NHTSA complaint #10967398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Papillion, NE Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE STREET, AWAY FROM THE CONTACT'S HOME, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY THE NEIGHBOR FOLLOWED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS FROM THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/ENGINE AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ...UPDATED 05/17/17

NHTSA complaint #10958838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,211 miles Coeur D Alene, ID

ENGINE

WHILE MOVING TO COEUR D ALENE, ID, FROM CALIFORNIA, A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK FOR THE SECOND TIME, CAUSING IT TO BE UN DRIVABLE, LEAVING US BROKE DOWN ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE, AND REQUIRING A VERY EXPENSIVE TOW FROM OREGON TO OUR NEW HOME IN IDAHO.

NHTSA complaint #10934468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,000 miles Reno, NV

ENGINE

BLOWN SPARK PLUG ON CYLINDER 8.

NHTSA complaint #10881797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 196,000 miles Mcneal, AZ

ENGINE

ENGINE BLEW THE SPARK PLUG OUT WHILE IDLING. COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10865288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 178,000 miles Thawville, IL

ENGINE

THE SPARK PLUG POPPED OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD.

NHTSA complaint #10789413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Bullhead City, AZ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT IDLED ROUGHLY AND MADE A POPPING NOISE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY AND HAD DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STILL WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA complaint #10788733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 263,458 miles Blaine, KY Fire

ENGINE

I HAD BEEN AT MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE FOR OVER 1 1/2 HOURS. WE HEARD A LOUD BOOM THAT SHOOK THE TRAILER WE RAN OUTSIDE AND DISCOVERED THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO THE FIRE. THE ENTIRE HOOD WAS MELTING DOWN ONTO THE MOTOR . THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS LEFT UNDER THE HOOD BY THIS TIME AND THE FIRE WAS SPREADING TO THE CAB , BUT WE FINALLY PUT IT OUT THEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME . I CALLED MY INSURANCE CO , THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE . PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANY OF THIS PERTAINS TO MY CASE . THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10778248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 286,457 miles Blaine, KY Fire

ENGINE

ALL I KNOW IS I WAS AT A NEIGHBORS FOR AROUND 1 1/2 HOURS AND WE HEAR A LOUD BOOM. WE RAN OUT SIDE AND MY TRUCK HOOD WAS ON FIRE, IT BURNED EVERYTHING VISIBLE ON TOP OF THE MOTOR AND TOWARD THE DRIVER FIREWALL . IT BUSTED THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND COMPLETELY BURNED EVERYTHING VISIBLE UNDER THE HOOD. THE DASH COMPONENTS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE ARE NOT BAD, UNKNOWN OF INTERNAL DAMAGE.I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I DID GO TO THE RECALL SITE TO SEE IF THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING I DID FIND THIS CONTROL SWITCH FOR SPEED RECALL AND NOT SURE IF IT APPLIES TO MINE.EVEN THOUGH IT BROUGHT IT UP WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN #. I DID RECEIVE A RECALL ON THE GAS TANK STRAPS BUT DID NOT REPLACE THEM THEY WERE IN GREAT SHAPE. BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE ON ON THIS. I DO HAVE PICTURES IF YOU NEED THEM. THANKS

NHTSA complaint #10766128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Mount Judea, AR Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED APPROXIMATELY 12 FEET FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE SECURITY ALARM SOUNDED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THAT SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #10732402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,014 miles NEW Orleans, LA Fire

ENGINE

I PARKED, WALKED INSIDE...MOMENTS LATER THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE..

NHTSA complaint #10712945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 164,500 miles Graysville, TN

ENGINE

SPARK PLUG HAS BLOWN OUT ON 3 DIFFERENT TIMES 1 PLUG HAS BLOWN TWICE. NO FIRE, BUT IF I HAD CONTINUES IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE, FUEL AND SPARK OUT SIDE THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10712458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Ford F-150 problems

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