10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 150,643 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.
We purchased our 2001 F150 supercrew used. I am a mechanic, so the first thing I do when buying a used vehicle is inspect it thoroughly. There were a few minor issues, but one stood out as a major safety hazard. Upon further research, it seems to be extremely common to all 1997-2003 F-150S. Symptoms - this issue mainly affects the rear left and right brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights. These lights, particularly brake lights, can cease to function entirely, intermittently and unknown to the driver. Cause - there is a wire harness which connects to the "multi - function switch". this wire harness is pulled when the steering wheel is tilted down. As a result, the connector or individual terminals can become loose or disconnected. This problem is most prevalent with the steering wheel in the down position, but once loose can happen at any position and any driving situation. Solution - repair or replace with motorcraft part# wpt607, and ensure the harness has enough slack to allow steering wheel tilt without tension on the harness. In our case, I replaced the connector and pulled the wires enough to allow slack for steering wheel tilt. There are numerous reports of this issue online, and it is well documented by F150 owners. I have pictures but the file sizes are over 5mb.
- Hesperia, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle revved up and stalled. Additionally, while driving, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle was slow to stop. The contact stated that the throttle cable was exposed and installed additional bolts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,000.
- Waverly, KY, USA
The contact's boyfriend owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she could hear an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle, without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that one of the brake brackets had loosened and damaged the rear driver's side tire. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the brake pads were replaced however, the failure recurred soon after the repair. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic where the failure was linked to NHTSA campaign number: 01V095000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and informed her to contact the manufacturer. The contact took the vehicle to mac haik Ford (10333 katy fwy, houston, tx 77024) and was informed that the vehicle was not under recall, and provided the contact with an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Jackson, MS, USA
Brakes completely failed. No brake pedal. Cruise control release on master cylinder broke open. Luckily it was in a parking lot, not on the highway. Vehicle had no brakes whatso ever.
- Gold Canyon, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. While driving 48 mph, while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. As a result, the vehicle crashed into an 18-wheeler. The air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. A police report was filed and the contact was informed that the rear brakes appeared to have failed. The contact sustained a laceration on the left arm, neck and back pain, and a bruise on the chest. The contact denied medical attention, but later went to the hospital. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
- Krotz Springs, LA, USA
Brake switch caught on fire, burn master cylinder reservoir and wires
- Amarillo, TX, USA
Brakes lines are rusting away.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 30 mph, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact added brake fluid to the vehicle. After driving ten miles, the brake fluid leaked out. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
- Cambridge, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. While reversing, the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole when shifting the gear into drive. The vehicle accelerated to approximately 70-80 mph. The brake pedal was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a garage. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Marion, IN, USA
Intermittent failure of ABS system indicated by ABS warning light. Obd error code C1185 - ABS power relay failure. When failed, ABS system inoperable.
- Houston, TX, USA
Severe corrosion issues.
- Parkersburg, WV, USA
Truck starting pulling badly to right, loss of power, speed and smoke coming from the right front wheel. Rim, caliper were smoking, had to pour water on to wheel to keep from burning. After towed to service center was told this is a common problem with the Ford trucks that the slide pin on the caliper can seize and lock the brake in active position preventing it from releasing from the rotor causing the extreme heat and burning the brake bad and seals in the caliper. I was lucky it didn't happen at 70 mph and lock the wheelcausing me to lose control. I ve also looked at the reports on the internet and see where others have reported this in blog but now to safety commission.
- Benton, AR, USA
The brake line running front to back burst due to rust damage as I started to back out of a parking space and the brake pedal went to the floor. Upon further inspection at the service station, there was evidence of severe rusting at virtually all of the brake line attachment points and all brake lines had to be replaced. Due to rust damage.
- Westport, MA, USA
- Fort Worth, TX, USA