CarModelProblems.com

2001 Ford F-150 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control — runs 2.6× the fleet median for that category across the 1732 model-years tracked on this site.
1,236Complaints
19Recalls
91Crashes
248Fires
87Injured
7Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control (8.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Vehicle Speed Control complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 1732 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Vehicle Speed Control101 · 8.2%RecalledRecall 05V388000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine97 · 7.8%Investigation closedDP05005
Electrical System96 · 7.8%Investigation closedEA05005 → recall 05V388000 · EA05005 → recall 06V286000 · EA05005 → recall 07V078000 · EA05005 → recall 07V336000 · EA05005 → recall 07V347000 · EA05005 → recall 07V488000 · EA05005 → recall 08V025000
Fuel System, Gasoline92 · 7.4%RecalledRecall 11V385000 · Recall 06E056000
Engine And Engine Cooling91 · 7.4%Investigation closedDP05005
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint78 · 6.3%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT78 · 6.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL65 · 5.3%
ENGINE44 · 3.6%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL40 · 3.2%
SEAT BELTS38 · 3.1%

Percentages are the share of the 1,236 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 19 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

NHTSA campaign 11V385000 · 2011 · reported 07/29/2011

AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 08E050000 · 2008 · reported 08/11/2008

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E060000 · 2006 · reported 06/29/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E067000 · 2006 · reported 08/01/2006

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA campaign 05V388000 · 2005 · reported 09/07/2005

A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E064000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:electrical

NHTSA campaign 07E066000 · 2007 · reported 08/28/2007

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

NHTSA campaign 01V258000 · 2001 · reported 08/08/2001

LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E052000 · 2006 · reported 06/12/2006

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

NHTSA campaign 00V396000 · 2000 · reported 11/28/2000

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 01V227001 · 2001 · reported 07/16/2001

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E065000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:retractor

NHTSA campaign 00V348000 · 2000 · reported 10/30/2000

THIS COULD CAUSE SLACK IN THE SEAT BELT WHEN WORN, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 01V095000 · 2001 · reported 03/23/2001

IF THE HOSE IS DAMAGED, BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAK AND STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 01V082000 · 2001 · reported 03/12/2001

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION, OR A BURN INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WE PARKED AND PUT THE BRAKE ON AT A SLIGHT INCLINE. TRUCK ROLLED AND IT HIT ANOTHER CAR. WAS TOLD LATTER THAT I SHOULD HAVE…”NHTSA complaint 749548 — filed 08/01/2001 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“WHILE DRIVING WOULD STOP AT A SIGN AND RPMS WILL GO UP AND DOWN, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOUR TIMES…”NHTSA complaint 883314 — filed 03/16/2001 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“RPMS ARE HIGH AND VEHICLE IS CONSTANLY ACCLERATES. ON 15TH OF THIS MONTH, VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCLERATE TO POINT WHERE CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 881409 — filed 02/26/2001 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

16920114226201339332015232220177162019131420215620232102025

Frequently asked questions

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

Vehicle speed control issues are the most-reported category, cited in 101 of 1,236 NHTSA complaints (8.2%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (97), electrical system (96), fuel system, gasoline (92). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

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

1,236 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 91 involved a crash, 248 involved a fire, and 87 reported injuries. 7 deaths were reported.

Does the 2001 Ford F-150 have any recalls?

Yes — 19 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V385000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Ford F-150's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.