Problems · NHTSA complaints

2001 Ford F-150 problems

Owners filed 1,340 complaints about the 2001 Ford F-150 with NHTSA between May 2000 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is engine and engine cooling (263).

Complaints
1,340
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
94
Reported by owners
Fires
262
Reported by owners
Injuries
90
People reported injured
Deaths
7
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Tires58
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic53
  12. Engine50
  13. Suspension41
  14. Steering37

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200081
2001105
200284
2003100
2004123
2005150
200666
200770
200866
200959
201079
2011139
201237
201323
201432
201527
201623
201719
20187
201913
20208
202110
20224
20236
20242
20257

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 fires1 related recall
“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

Fuel system, gasoline

116 reports1 crash7 fires2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2024Fuel system, gasolineODI 11624022

Seats

89 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH BRACKETS OR A LATCH SYSTEM IN THE REAR SEAT IN ORDER TO SECURE A CHILD SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2012SeatsODI 10477414

Seat belts

84 reports6 crashes2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2025Seat beltsODI 11640386
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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