10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,334 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2001 Ford F-150:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #35

Jun 012008

F-150

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was slowing down to stop, the engine rpms would increase, the gear engaged and the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The remedy did not repair the failure. The failure recurred at 11,000 miles and the dealer stated that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred him to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 48,000.

- Chula Vista , CA, USA

problem #34

Dec 242010

F-150 8-cyl

  • 49,000 miles
(Ford F150 XLT V-8 / 4.6 lit.) parked in parking space at wal-mart came out of store cranked up my truck put it into reverse and it would not move forward or back up. The transmission without warning completely bad needed to be replaced. Never pulled a trailer or treated hard in anyway. Bought the truck new and had it 9 years 49,000 miles. I have heard of this problem with other F-150 owners. Ford needs to own up to a defect.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #33

Feb 172007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,600 miles
There aren't any real events leading to the failure. I took my truck into the local dealership (gary crossley Ford) to have the speed control recall work done. While there I asked to have a state inspection done as well. I was told by the service advisor that the lower ball joint were somewhat loose and would need replacing - so I had them do that as well as flush the transmission as well (this truck only had 62,000 miles on it). Following that it passed inspections - all was well. Not even one month later (possibly only 3 weeks) I tried backing from my parking spot at work and heard a *thunk* from the rear end. Not sure what it was I backed up more and heard it again. Put the truck in drive and there was a rubbing noise from underneath. I parked it and called a tow rig to take it back to the dealer. Upon hearing from them the following day I was told the carrier bearing in the rear end had "exploded" and I'd need to replace most everything in the rear end. Agreed to have the work done. Got a call a day later telling me that problem was fixed, but there was another - the *thunking* was still there and was likely the transmission. Had them check and sure enough, it needed to be replaced as well. Finding out that Ford was going to "cover" part of the transmission repair made me wonder if there weren't underlying problems that I was not, as an owner, alerted to. The truck never had a problem before these, and I've been very uncomfortable with it since.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #32

Apr 112007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,296 miles
I own a 2001 Ford F150 it has 36,000 miles on it. I've taken great care of the truck, but as of last week after taking it to the dealer because of the truck not starting. I was informed the computer needed replaced and two coil packs. And quote" does have a transmission concern." After waiting 13 days to get my truck I didn't want them to do anymore and I would pick the truck up. I didn't get two blocks and there was an obvious problem with the transmission. I took it to a independent transmission repair shop and asked them to change the fluid and filter and if they saw any problems to give me a call. A few hours later they called and said they found ball bearings and debris in the transmission pan, informed me that it should be rebuilt. I informed them to go ahead rebuild and to save all parts. They first test drove the truck to see if any computer codes would show up. None did, but they did notice it dropping up and down in gears. So it was obviously a mechanical problem to them. To make a long story short they found that a needle bearing had blown up in the planetary gear set. And had informed me that it was a manufacture defect. Ford should own up to problem and pay for any and all repairs. The total rebuild cost was $1943.75 something that should never happen with a truck with only 36,000 miles on it.

- Battle Creek, MI, USA

problem #31

Feb 282007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles
2/28/07 while driving on rt 3 @ 60 mph my transmission down shifted & the O.D. off light flashed on & off continuously. I stopped & looked it up in the owners manual and found that my transmission should be serviced. Took to Ford dealer and I was told transmission needed work and that warranty plan expired 2 days earlier. Brought to trans shop was shown transmission pan full of metal from gears needed to B rebuilt @ 41000 miles and never towed or plowed, @ a cost of over $2000.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #30

Oct 022005

F-150 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
I brought this car from the dealership bill eard. This car has gave me plenty of problems with its transmission. I have took the car to the dealership but they don't want to help me with anything. So I have took the car to a mechanic and they have informed me that this car is no good. That is the reason I want to cancel the purchased of this car.

- Needville, TX, USA

problem #29

Feb 212006

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles
: the contact stated while attempting to put the vehicle in reverse it would not move backward. Additionally, when put in park the vehicle would roll. The dealer inspected the vehicle and noted the planetary gear in the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer rebuilt the transmission and corrected the problem. Updated 05/03/06.

- Hallsville, TX, USA

problem #28

Mar 022005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,200 miles
Transmission locked up and would not move in reverse had to be towed to transmission shop total rebuild cost of $2000 shop said he sees 2 a week with this problem 2001 Ford F150 46000 miles automatic transmission.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #27

Dec 102002

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
Take a look a my vehicle history, I baby my truck - never used off-road. I have replaced several items that I feel should have been fixed by Ford. I had to buy a warranty that cover most of the stuff. Some parts with defects that were replaced. Most replaced at 40,000-80,000 miles 1.) transmission completely replaced 2.) rearend replaced 3.) I'm on my third set of all 4 ball joints 4.) tie rods, tie rod ends (replaced twice now) 5.) coil 6.) headlight housing (3-4 times) 7.) brakes, numerous things worked on and replaced dealership was never able to stop the thumping noise that is still there, said it was normal (not) 8.) idler arm (replaced twice) 9.) sunroof switch replaced twice, reported loud bang when opening. A&B Kia said it was normal - no, now it is completely broke and will barely open and have to force closed. 10.) sideview mirrors vibrated 11.) ABS sensor replaced 12.) keyless entry replaced 13.) steering bearings replaced 14.) back bumper is rusting these are just some of the things I can remember right off hand. I've got all receipts. I take care of this truck - wash and wax once a week by hand (unless really bad weather) then I just take it to the car wash automatic or actual people washing. Keep inside just as nice. If you want to check out a vehicle for safety/recall information you should start with mine.

- Cameron, WV, USA

problem #26

Jan 012005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle's automatic transmission failed. The transmission continued to break down. There was no reverse due to the low in reverse clutch being inoperative. There was slippage as well due to the reverse sun gear weld being broken.

- Ocoee, FL, USA

problem #25

Jan 242005

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,500 miles
Vehicle is 2001 F150 supercrew 4X4 purchased new in 2001. Vehicle has 81,500 miles and has never been used for towing or hauling heavy loads. Automatic transmission will not engage right away in forward gears. There is a delay of several seconds before engagement. Works alright in reverse and once vehicle starts moving. Seems to be similar to problem noted in tsb 01-11-7. brought to stateline Ford in phillipsburg, NJ to investigate. Was told that there was internal problem with transmission and that replacement is recommended. Asked if this was normal for this transmission to fail at 81,000 miles and I was told it was not. Called Ford customer relations center to explain problem and see if Ford would participate in part of cost for replacement. Was told they would not. Called dealer to see if this could be discussed with field rep and was told they couldn't.

- Hellertown, PA, USA

problem #24

Nov 282004

F-150

  • miles
While driving transmission disengaged and exploded internally. This caused damage to the third/fourth, and reverse gears. Vehicle decelerated, it would not go over 40 mph. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, who said there was nothing they could do.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #23

Jan 272004

F-150 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,877 miles
Automatic overdrive transmission failure with 65877 highway miles. Could not be rebuilt, had to buy new trans.vehicle under 3 years old and factory would only help with $700 of $3000 plus bill.

- Belmar, NJ, USA

problem #22

Sep 012004

F-150

  • miles
Ford gave no reason for complete trasmission failure. Fortunately sllipping and failure occured during transmission warm up in drive way. Complete transmission replacement at 40,000 mi at owner expense.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #21

Sep 152001

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20 miles
Automatic transmission failed while driving. Prior to this incident when changing gears transmission made a whining noise before it went into gear. This mainly occurred while reversing. A mechanic serviced vehicle several times for this issue, but no cause was found. Currently, vehicle is at the dealership for repairs. The transmission also hesitated when shifted into any gear.

- Westminster, CA, USA

problem #20

Feb 062004

(reported on)

F-150

  • miles
When gear shifter is put into reverse there is a thumping noise. When vehicle stops there is a thumping noise.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #19

Sep 212003

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission would not shift from a dead start. I would attempt to cross an intersection and the transmission would not engage. When it did it was with a violent jerk of the vehicle. The force of the jerk was similar to being in a rollercoaster. Took vehicle to local Ford dealership and the only explanation I was given was that the transmission was running hot and Ford now required an in-line cooler filter be installed on the transmission at my cost since the inline cooler filter was not original.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #18

May 012003

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles
While driving 45 mph overdrive light illuminated, transmission slipped while shifting from second gear to third gear and from third gear to fourth gear. Also, there was hesitation and rpms increased. Dealer replaced transmission with a rebuilt one.

- Patterson, CA, USA

problem #17

Aug 102003

F-150

  • 68,000 miles
Consumer states while traveling at 75 mph lost complete acceleration. Vehicle would only function in first gear. Dealer was not able to duplicate problem.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #16

Mar 242003

F-150

  • miles
While driving the transmission emitted a noise and the gears moved between first and third gear.

- Ranch Mirage, CA, USA

Read the next 15 complaints »