Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2001 Ford F-150Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls and 1,340 owner complaints for the 2001 Ford F-150. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (263) and vehicle speed control (193). The EPA rates it 11–16 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
11–16mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
19campaigns
Latest Jul 2011
Owner complaints
1,340
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

19 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Remedy pending

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, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 29, 2011NHTSA 11V385000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,340 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2000 – Jul 2025
  1. Engine and engine cooling263
  2. Vehicle speed control193
  3. Electrical system153
  4. Fuel system, gasoline116
  5. Seats89
  6. Seat belts84
  7. Power train77
  8. Structure68
  9. Air bags68

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each F-150 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996360
19972,855
19981,418
19991,121
20001,206
20011,340
2002955
2003464
20042,036
20051,121
2006589
2007492
2008369
2009324
2010851
20112,137
20121,717
20132,796
20141,362
20151,425
20161,798
20171,148
20181,929
20191,021
2020562
20211,042
2022605
2023419
2024195
2025119
20260
Crashes reported
94
Fires reported
262
Injuries reported
90
Deaths reported
7
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

263 reports1 crash37 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2023Engine and engine coolingODI 11531582

Vehicle speed control

193 reports12 crashes122 fires
“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 manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2025Vehicle speed controlFire reportedODI 11670333

Electrical system

153 reports1 crash81 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2023Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11517817
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl cng · 5.4L 8-cyl supercharged · 5.4L 8-cyl bifuel (lpg) · 5.4L 8-cyl bifuel (cng)
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
F150 CNG
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111513$3,600541
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
111513$5,950684
F150 Dual-fuel 2WD (LPG)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111512$5,200741
F150 Dual-fuel 4WD (LPG)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111512$5,200741
F150 Dual-fuel 2WD (CNG)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
101411$5,650808
F150 Dual-fuel 4WD (CNG)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
101411$5,650808
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Ford F-150 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4355Vehicle 4350Vehicle 4178
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 F-150 questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford F-150 have?

19 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners filed 1,340 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (263), vehicle speed control (193), electrical system (153). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Ford F-150 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Ford F-150 at 11–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026