2001 Ford F-150 Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Wiring › Front underhood
  12
• Wiring
  10
• Ignition
  6
• Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
  3
• Ignition › Switch
  3
• Alternator/generator/regulator
  2

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  33%
• 25k–50k
  1818%
• 50k–75k
  2121%
• 75k–100k
  2020%
• 100k–150k
  2424%
• 150k+
  1616%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway flames were suddenly present coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact indicated that prior to the fire the vehicle had not been driven or turned on for two days. The failure mileage was 89,000.

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.

All I know is I was at a neighbors for around 1 1/2 hours and we hear a loud boom. We ran out side and my truck hood was on fire, it burned everything visible on top of the motor and toward the driver firewall . It busted the driver side tire and completely burned everything visible under the hood. The dash components as far as the eye can see are not bad, unknown of internal damage.I'm not sure what caused the problem. I did go to the recall site to see if there May have been something I did find this control switch for speed recall and not sure if it applies to mine.even though it brought it up when I entered my VIN #. I did receive a recall on the gas tank straps but did not replace them they were in great shape. But I did not receive on on this. I do have pictures if you need them. Thanks

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford f-150. While operating the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed extensive red smoke and fire under the front end of the vehicle. The fire spread to another vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A fire inspection report was provided. Two vehicles had been impacted due to the fire. The insurance company had not yet inspected the vehicle. The contact was not aware or notified of a speed control system modification from January 27, 2005 and NHTSA campaign number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline) as of July 29, 2011. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 275,000.

Tl* 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.

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. …

Vehicle was driven, and parked at the place of business for approximately 40 min., when a passerby came into the place of business and reported a vehicle on fire. On investigation, it was determined that the vehicle was mine- a 2001 Ford f-150 pickup truck. The fire was in the engine compartment around the master cylinder and surrounding areas. The wheel well area was damaged; the master cyliner resevoir was absent; and the fire damage occured to the interior portion of the compartment including the firewall. The insureance company was notified, the local Ford dealer was also asked about recalls of that vehicle due to the damage, and the local consumer agency was notified. I have never been notified of any such recall, or any such possible occurence of damage to similar vehicles of thks nature. …

May 19, 2011 at around 4:20 am we were awaken by our neighbors that our truck was on fire. Our 2001 Ford f150 was on fire, an explosion had made a huge hole in the hood on the front of the driver side. The truck had last been driven the morning of May 17, 2011 and had been sitting in our driveway since then. The firemen said the fire was due to electrical wiring. We always kept up with all required maintenance. We had no idea of the problems fords were having, we now only have one vehicle to get around and the worst part is that it's a 2004 Ford f250 which could also be a recall vehicle. Our income is very tight because my mother is very sick and we are sending money for her medication and expenses, we have no way of getting another vehicle. Our Ford f250 is a diesel and diesel fuel is very high. Someone please help! Not sure what we're suppose to do or if Ford will be responsible.

Tl* - the contact called regarding the 2001 Ford f150. The contact was traveling at 60 MPH when he started to smell smoke. The contact looked out of the rearview mirror and saw sparks hitting the road. The contact pulled the vehicle over. Looked under the vehicle and saw flames. He then left the vehicle. The vehicle became engulfed in flames and was destroyed. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined the cause of the fire as electrical. The contact was unsure whether a police or fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed away. The failure mileage is approximately 160,000. There were no injuries. Ford claimed the recall had been fixed. Updated 03/19/07.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire which originated from the hood. The only part of the vehicle that was not destroyed was the bed. Ford advised the contact to send documentation and pictures of the vehicle, and stated that even though there was a recall on the year, make, and model of the vehicle, it could not be determined that the explosion was a result of the recall, not even by the VIN. The manufacturer stated that there was nothing they could do, and that the contact could take legal action if necessary. The manufacturer concluded that the cause of the fire was electrical. The failure mileage was 110,000. Ak

NHTSA investigations

Electrical complaints in other F-150 years