Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 2001 Ford Ford Truck with NHTSA between 2000 and 2011.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Ford Ford Truck. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 47
9.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2001 compares with every other Ford Ford Truck
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2001 Ford Ford Truck
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
627.3%
Median failure at 53,500 miles
Tires
313.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
313.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 32,000 mi
Steering
29.1%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Electrical System
29.1%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
14.5%
Equipment & Accessories
14.5%
Median failure at 25,592 miles
Seat Belts
14.5%
Fuel & Propulsion
14.5%
Median failure at 106,500 miles
Suspension
14.5%
Median failure at 79,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.5%
Median failure at 108,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
111.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
333.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
111.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
222.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
222.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2000peak 3Dec 2011
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Ford Ford Truck
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ04011Opened 22 Oct 2004Closed 17 Feb 2005SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN (01V227), FORD RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 1.3 MILLION VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE.APPROXIMATELY 1.1 MILLION OWNERS RESPONDED BY TAKING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE BUCKLE USING A SPECIALIZED BUCKLE TEST TOOL.FORD REPORTED THAT 829,927 VEHICLES HAD BOTH BUCKLES PASS THE TOOL TEST AND ANOTHER 167,336 VEHICLES HAD ONE BUCKLE PASS.ODI AND FORD RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ALLEGING SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER PASSING THE ORIGINAL RECALL INSPECTION SERVICE.COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THAT THE BUCKLE...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Louisville, KYFire1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
I WAS IN A 2001 FORD ESCAPE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON AUGUST 20, 2005. THE TRUCK BEGAN SMOKING AND ALL OF THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL LIGHTS CAME ON. THEN THE TRUCK STARTING SHUTTING DOWN. THIS WHOLE TIME I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. ABOUT 3 WEEKS PRIOR, I COMPLAINED TO MY MOTHER ABOUT MY CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. I USED IT ON THE HIGHWAY BACK IN FORTH TO COLLEGE. WE NEVER TOOK IT IN ONLY CAUSE A TIME ISSUE. IN THE END, THE TRUCK COMPLETELY BURNED TO THE TRUNK. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY BY MYSELF, AND I HAD TO WATCH MY TRUCK BURN ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2004.
NHTSA complaint #10135771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 108,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHEN THROTTLE IS APPLIED AT FULL CAPACITY, THROTTLE PEDAL STICKS FOR UP TO THIRTY (30) SECONDS BEFORE SELF RELEASING. ENGINE RPM REACHES NEAR MAXIMUM AND VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES UNTIL VEHICLE IS PLACED IN 'NEUTRAL' AND THROTTLE SELF RELEASES. PROBLEM HAS ONLY OCCURRED WHILE ON HIGHWAY AND CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED WHILE STATIONARY OR IN 'PARK.' PROBLEM WAS DUPLICATED BY DRIVER TWO TIMES WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY ON RAMP AT APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 60MPH. PROBLEM OCCURRED TWO TIMES WITHIN FIVE (5) MINUTES.
NHTSA complaint #10439350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SPARK PLUG FOR # 3 CYLINDER BLEW OUT, DAMAGING HEAD THREADS AND IGNITION COIL. THIS SPARK PLUG WAS ORIGINAL FROM THE FORD FACTORY, NOT A REPLACEMENT. DEALER IN MY AREA QUOTED $800 TO INSTALL A HELI COIL AND NEW IGNITION COIL; BUT ADVISED THAT NEW HEADS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS THE OTHER 7 CYLINDERS COULD ALSO BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME FAILURE. DEALER ALSO INDICATED THIS WAS AN APPARENT DESIGN FLAW BY FORD, WHICH IS NOT CURRENTLY BEING ADDRESSED. NEW CYLINDER HEADS AT THE DEALER WERE QUOTED OUT AT $5,000 INSTALLED. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, A FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY FUEL BEING PUMPED OUT OF THE #3 CYLINDER AND COLLECTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10437332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesLakeland, FL
STEERING:LINKAGES
ON NOVEMBER 7TH I WAS INSPECTING MY BRAKES AND FOUND THAT ALL THE RUBBER SEALS IN THE FRONT END WERE WORN OUT OR BETTER STILL THE RUBBER WAS CRUMBLEY AND NO GREASE REMAINED. I HAVE 63,000 MILES ON THE 2001 FORD XLT RANGER. IT SEEMS THAT THIS WOULD BE A FACTORY INFERIOR PRODUCT INSTALLATION AT THE FACTORY. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE.
NHTSA complaint #10208402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,500 milesJacksonville, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
2001 EXCURTION STALLED AT 45 MPH VERY SCARY EXPERIANCE NO POWER AND BREAK WAS NOT WORKING PROPRELY.......WASTED $550 BETWEEN JEFFY LUBE CHANGING ALL FLUIDS AND FILTERS AND THE SAME AT MY LOCAL GARAGE.....PROBLEN STILL CONTINUED ...KEPT STALLING FOR NO APPARENT REASON....FUSTRATED WENT INTO THE NET AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FAMOUS "CAM POSITIONING SENSOR" INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND NOW BABY IS RUNNING FINE.....NOW THE PROBLEM IS THAT, THIS CAN HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT ANY NOTICE AND ON A HEAVY VHEICLE LIKE THIS .....IT IS A VERY SCARY PROPOSITION!!!.....I LOVE MY EXCURTION AND FORD SHOULD MAKE A SENSOR THAT IS MORE DURABLE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10193883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FORD 2001 EXPEDITION HAS RANDOM PROBLEM WITH UNCONTROLLED THROTTLE SURGE WHEN STOPPING. STARTED OUT HAPPENING ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS AND HAS DEGRADED TO ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. DEALER HAS RUN FULL DIAGNOSTICS AND ROAD TESTS BUT CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. SUSPECT BAD COMPUTER BECAUSE MANY THINGS SURGE UP AT THE SAME TIME (SPEEDOMETER, TACK, GAUGES). WITHOUT FOOT ON BRAKE, SURGE WOULD SLAM TRUCK INTO WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10144166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FORD 2001 EXPEDITION HAS RANDOM PROBLEM WITH UNCONTROLLED THROTTLE SURGE WHEN STOPPING. STARTED OUT HAPPENING ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS AND HAS DEGRADED TO ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. DEALER HAS RUN FULL DIAGNOSTICS AND ROAD TESTS BUT CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. SUSPECT BAD COMPUTER BECAUSE MANY THINGS SURGE UP AT THE SAME TIME (SPEEDOMETER, TACK, GAUGES). WITHOUT FOOT ON BRAKE, SURGE WOULD SLAM TRUCK INTO WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10144166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesWilloughby Hills, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH 2001 FORD EXPEDITION. FIRST NOTICED THAT THE HEATER FAN STAYED RUNNING AFTER IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF. THEN, DURING A STORMY WINTER, THE WIPERS, LIGHTS, RADIO, WINDOWS, AND KEYPAD ENTRANCE ALL STOPPED WORKING--SOMETIMES TOGETHER, OTHER TIMES SEPARATELY. FORCED TO PULL-OFF THE ROAD ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND TURN-OFF AND START OR RESTART THE VEHICLE UNTIL PROBLEM STOPPED. MY KEYPAD ENTRANCE AND REAR WIPER STILL AREN'T RIGHT. THESE PROBLEMS ONLY OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND DURING BAD WEATHER. FORD DEALER SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY NINETY DOLLARS FOR A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND THAT IF THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM--TOUGH!
NHTSA complaint #10140375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bessemer, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IN NOVEMBER 2004 I TOOK MY 2001 EXPEDITION INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY FOUND A HEAD GASKET DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM DEALERSHIP THE STEERING WAS GIVING RESISTANCE WHILE DRIVING. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS PROBABLY "AIR IN THE POWER STEERING LINES" AND THAT SOMETIMES HAPPENS AFTER FIXING THE PROBLEM THEY FIXED. THEY TOLD US IT WOULD "WORK ITSELF OUT". WELL, IT DIDN'T WORK ITSELF OUT, IT GOT WORSE. SO WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2005 AND THEY COULD NOT "REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM SO AFTER SOME COMPLAINING FROM US, THEY RECHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT P/S PUMP EVO ACTUATOR TO BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS STILL GIVING RESISTENCE IN THE STEERING. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND WORSE, SO IN OCTOBER 2005, WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY AGAIN SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE HANGING UP OR NOISE. NOBODY EVER SAID ANYTHING TO THEM ABOUT POPPING NOISE. WHEN I GOT THERE TO PICK THE CAR UP I WAS NOT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND IT STARTING DOING IT AGAIN, SO I PULLED BACK IN AND THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE CAR ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #10138894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bessemer, AL
STEERING
IN NOVEMBER 2004 I TOOK MY 2001 EXPEDITION INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY FOUND A HEAD GASKET DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM DEALERSHIP THE STEERING WAS GIVING RESISTANCE WHILE DRIVING. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS PROBABLY "AIR IN THE POWER STEERING LINES" AND THAT SOMETIMES HAPPENS AFTER FIXING THE PROBLEM THEY FIXED. THEY TOLD US IT WOULD "WORK ITSELF OUT". WELL, IT DIDN'T WORK ITSELF OUT, IT GOT WORSE. SO WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2005 AND THEY COULD NOT "REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM SO AFTER SOME COMPLAINING FROM US, THEY RECHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT P/S PUMP EVO ACTUATOR TO BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS STILL GIVING RESISTENCE IN THE STEERING. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND WORSE, SO IN OCTOBER 2005, WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY AGAIN SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE HANGING UP OR NOISE. NOBODY EVER SAID ANYTHING TO THEM ABOUT POPPING NOISE. WHEN I GOT THERE TO PICK THE CAR UP I WAS NOT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND IT STARTING DOING IT AGAIN, SO I PULLED BACK IN AND THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE CAR ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #10138894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYFire1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
I WAS IN A 2001 FORD ESCAPE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON AUGUST 20, 2005. THE TRUCK BEGAN SMOKING AND ALL OF THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL LIGHTS CAME ON. THEN THE TRUCK STARTING SHUTTING DOWN. THIS WHOLE TIME I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. ABOUT 3 WEEKS PRIOR, I COMPLAINED TO MY MOTHER ABOUT MY CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. I USED IT ON THE HIGHWAY BACK IN FORTH TO COLLEGE. WE NEVER TOOK IT IN ONLY CAUSE A TIME ISSUE. IN THE END, THE TRUCK COMPLETELY BURNED TO THE TRUNK. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY BY MYSELF, AND I HAD TO WATCH MY TRUCK BURN ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2004.
NHTSA complaint #10135771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Martinsville, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BOUGHT A 2001 FORD EXPLORER 6 WEEKS AGO FROM A FORD DEALER. NOW I AM HAVING A NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I AM TOLD IT NEEDS TIMING CHAIN WORK DONE. THERE IS A TSB 02-8-1 OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. APPROX. $800. I DON'T FEEL CUSTOMERS WHO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON CARS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR PROBLEMS THAT ARE EVIDENTLY OCCURING TO A LOT OF THEIR CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10122268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bessemer, AL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. TOOK TOOLONG LEWIS FORD IN HOOVER, ALABAMA, AND THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #10116871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesPort Charlotte, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
I HAVE A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. BOTH RADIO AND TELEVISION REPORTED ABOUT THE GAS PEDAL STICKING FOR A RECALL. WHEN I CALLED FORD TO REPORT IT, THEY SAID MY VIN # WAS NOT A RECALL. WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO SAY WHAT VIN # HAS A WORKING OR DEFECTIVE ITEM. THE DEFECTIVE PART COULD HAVE BEEN SHIPPED ANYWHERE. MY GAS PEDAL DOES STICK AND I AM UPSET TO THINK THAT NOONE CARES. I HAVE A 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING. SHE ALSO NOTICES THE PROBLEM. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A SCHOOL ZONE BECAUSE WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL IT WON'T MOVE...IT STICKS, SO YOU HAVE TO PRESS IT WITH MORE FORCE WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO GO FASTER. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM SOMEONE ON THIS SUBJECT. THANK-YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10108189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesNorman, OK
SUSPENSION
WHEN I START MY CAR THERE IS A TICKING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE ITS COMING FROM AROUND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. IT TICKS UP UNTIL ABOUT 10-15 MPH AND WHEN I STOP I CAN HEAR IT. WHEN I TAKE OFF AGAIN IT STARTS TO TICK UNTIL I PASS THE 10-15 MPH MARK
NHTSA complaint #10104247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Russellville, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE VEHICLES WIRING HARNESS RUBBED AGAINST THE AIR CONDITIONING UNDER THE HOOD WHICH CAUSED NUMEROUS SHORTS IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD TRITAN V80 TRUCK. *NLM *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10017218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesRichardson, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MY 2001 FORD LIGHTNING SHOT A SPARK PLUG OUT OF ITS MOTOR. THE TRUCK IS 100% STOCK AND HAS NEVER BEEN TOUCHED. I JUST TURNED THE KEY AND IT POPPED OUT, STRIPPING THE MOTOR HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10005746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,592 milesOnalaska, TX
EQUIPMENT
SPARK PLUGS COMING OUT OF HEADS ON MY 2001 FORD F150 LIGHTNING
NHTSA complaint #10005709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DE Ridder, LA
TIRES
GRABBER AW; TIRE SIZE P27560R17; TIRE HAS VIBRATIONS AND WAS TAKEN TO A BALANCE MECHANIC. TIRE CANNOT BE REBALANCED, QUESTIONED IF ONE OF THE LAYERS WERE OUT OF TREAD. *AK THE VIBRATION HAPPENED AT 65 MPH AND CANNOT BE BALANCED OUT. THE MECHANIC SAY IT MAY BE TREAD SEPARATION. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8017063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colo Springs, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE CHEMICAL.
NHTSA complaint #749098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Audubon, PA
TIRES
TIRES DID NOT FAIL, BUT VIBRATE AT A RESONANT SPEED ON HIGHWAY. THIS SPEED VARIES WITH LOADING OF VEHICLE. THE HIGHER THE LOADING, THE HIGHER THE SPEED AT WHICH THEY VIBRATE. MY FEAR IS THAT THEY ARE DELAMINATING AND I COULD HAVE A FUTURE PROBLEM. IT IS THE 16" RIM, SO THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE HEARD OF THREE OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THEY BOUGHT A NEW SET OF TIRES (ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE) AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE SITUATION, BUT CHOOSES TO STAY OUT OF IT IN LIGHT OF RECENT BAD PRESS. *AK (TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75R16 )
NHTSA complaint #740442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucker, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
UPON STARTING ENGINE TO WARM UP A MAJOR KNOCKING NOISE CAME FROM LIFTER/VALVE AREA AND ENGINE STARTED TO LOOSE POWER/ I STOPPED ENGINE CONTACTED DEALER SVC DEPT. AND HAD TRUCK TOWED TO WADE FORD BUFORD GA.
NHTSA complaint #738557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
TIRES
TIRES ROTATING ON RIM. TIRES MOVED 90 DEGREES ON RIM CAUSING TIRES TO BECOME UNBALANCED( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )
NHTSA complaint #727255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.