2001 Ford F-450 SD recalls and problems

7 recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford F-450 SD.

7
recalls
23
owner complaints
2
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Ford F-450 SD recalls

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · reported October 13, 2009 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
The risk
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
The fix
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.

Engine and engine cooling: engine, diesel

NHTSA campaign 07V553000 · reported December 5, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,176,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
The risk
In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 29, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA campaign 06V286000 · reported August 1, 2006 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,200,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
The risk
Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
The fix
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, motor

NHTSA campaign 01V258000 · reported August 8, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,083,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.
The risk
Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 01V227001 · reported July 16, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,400,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. Equipped with seat belts supplied by trw. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's outboard seat belt buckle may not fully latch. Ford crown victoria built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 mercury grand marquis built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. Lincoln town cars built at wixom assembly plant from 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. Lincoln navigators built at michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. Ford windstars built at oakville assembly plant from 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. Ford rangers built at twin cities plant from 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, and also at the edison plant from 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. Ford f-150 truck built at norfolk plant from 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; at ontario plant from 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; at kansas city plant from 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. Ford super duty f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks built at kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. Ford excursions built at kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. Ford expeditions built at michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
The risk
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.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the front outboard seat belt buckles and if the buckle fails the inspection process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began july 25, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 01V082000 · reported March 12, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 268 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The inflator canister in the driver air bag module may have an inadequate weld near the igniter.
The risk
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.
The fix
Dealers will install a driver air bag module. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Tires: valve

NHTSA campaign 01V046000 · reported February 14, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 102,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Vehicle description: trucks equipped with commercial truck tires that have steel cords in the tire sidewall. The valve stems may have been torn or damaged during assembly and could leak causing sidewall damage.
The risk
If not maintained, could result in a sidewall zipper failure. A zipper failure during inflation of a damaged tire could result in injury to someone near the tire.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the valve stems for leakage, and will replace both the valve stem and the tire if leakage is present. Owner notification began march 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 16, 2010 · Fuel system, other · 83,000 miles

VEHICLE WOULD QUIT PULLING. HAD TO PULL TO SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF. AFTER FIFTEEN OR TWENTY MINUTES, IT WOULD START AND RUN FAIRLY NORMAL FOR A FEW MILES AND THEN DO THE SAME THING OVER AGAIN. THIS WENT ON UNTIL I GOT TO MY DESTINATION WHICH WAS A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES.

Nov 9, 2010 · Fuel system, diesel · 58,400 miles

2001 FORD F450 DIESEL FUEL TANK LINER FAILED AND RESULTED IN FUEL DELIVERY WHILE TOWING. THIS CAUSED 10 MPH SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE PULLING A HORSE TRAILER. JUST SPENT $1800.00 FOR NEW TANK AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED WITH THE NEW TANK AND NOT JUST INSTALLING…

Aug 23, 2010 · Fuel system, diesel · 60,351 miles

JAN 23, 2007-THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP DUE TO MISSING WHILE DRIVING AND STALLING OUT. DIAGNOSTICS WERE DONE, CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND REPLACE CAM SHAFT SENSOR. FEB. 12, 2007 - SAME ISSUES MISSING IN ENGINE AND STALLED OUT. TAKEN TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP . CLEANED ALL CABLES AND CHARGED BATTERIES. MARCH 2, 2007…

Apr 13, 2010 · Fuel system, diesel · 90,000 miles

F450 STAKE BODY DUMP TRUCK STARTED HESITATING AT ALL SPEEDS. FOUND OUT THAT THE DIESEL FUEL GAS TANKS ARE DELAMINATING ON THE INSIDE AND CLOGGING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS REPAIR COSTS $2,400. A BIG TRUCK DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THAT IS RUNNING FINE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDENLY STARTS TO HESITATE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. FORD…

Aug 26, 2008 · Fuel system, diesel · 85,000 miles

OUR 2001 F-450 DIESEL TRUCK HAS LOST POWER. WE HAD THE FUEL FILTER CHANGED AND HAD TO HAVE THE SENDING UNIT CLEANED OUT DUE TO SEDIMENT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK FROM THE TAKE PEELING. IT IS DOING IT AGAIN AND I HEARD OF A LOT OF THESE DIESEL TRUCKS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. I…

F-450 SD model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 54312
2001 72322
2002 41400
2003 51600
2004 23311

Across all years, the 2008 F-450 SD has the most complaints (68). All Ford F-450 SD years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Ford F-450 SD have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2001 Ford F-450 SD, the most recent reported on October 13, 2009 (Vehicle speed control). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford F-450 SD?
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel system, diesel (7 complaints), followed by tires (5).
How many 2001 Ford F-450 SD complaints mention a crash or fire?
2 of 23 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 16, 2010.