2001 Ford F-150 Fuel System Problems

Which parts fail

• Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
  17
• Storage › Tank assembly
  8
• Storage › Auxillary tank
  5
• Delivery › Fuel pump
  1
• Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
  1
• Fuel injection system › Injectors
  1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  33%
• 25k–50k
  11%
• 50k–75k
  76%
• 75k–100k
  1816%
• 100k–150k
  4238%
• 150k+
  4137%

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 upon entering the vehicle one day, there was an abnormal fuel odor outside the vehicle. The contact's husband inspected underneath the vehicle and discovered that the fuel tank had detached from the subframe. The contact stated that prior to becoming aware of the failure, the low fuel warning light was occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

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.

While driving on the freeway, I heard a loud pop from the engine compartment followed by the engine running roughly and accompanied by popping sounds. Within 10 seconds, the smell of gasoline was noticed. I pulled off at the next exit, approximately 30 seconds later, and came to a stop. As I came to a stop, flames erupted from the hood and the entire engine compartment was engulfed in flames. A fire truck arrived within a few minutes and extinguished the fire, but not before the fire had burned through the firewall into the passenger compartment. The vehicle was a total loss. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that the #8 cylinder spark plug had ejected from the cylinder (the initial pop sound) with such force that it ruptured the rubber fuel line immediately above it and aft of the stainless fuel injector bar. …

Attempting to park vehicle in parking stall with foot on brake stopping the vehicle. The vehicle, for no apparent reason, abruptly accelerated forward striknig the vehicle on the other side of the parking stall. The resulting crash caused damage to the front of the 2011 GMC sport utility vehicle and to the front of the 2001 Ford f-150. This is the second time an incident similar to this has occurred. The first time was in August 2011. The first time the vehicle demonstrated a similar phenomena occurred when the owner was parking the vehicle in a parking stall. The vehicle was stopped in the parking stall, the driver's foot on the brake and the vehicle abruptly accelerated, for no apparent reason, over a concrete parking block. The vehicle continued into the street as the driver continued to apply the brake, attempting to stop the Ford f-150. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford f-150. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to decelerate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and the failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician noticed a chunk of ice in the carburetor. The ice was removed and the vehicle was able to be driven normally. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH he was told by a passerby that there was a fire underneath the vehicle. He drove to a fire station and the entire cab was consumed with flames. The fire department extinguished the fire, inspected the vehicle and stated that the fire was caused by the fuel tank. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they no longer had the records for his vehicle and could offer no assistance. The current and failure mileages were 155,000. Updated 06/16/11 updated 08/08/11 updated 08/29/11

Gas tank fell out of vehicle,tearing filler hose. Tank straps and supporting structures rust thru, failure. Drivers' side rear shock dropped from vehicle because metal bracket it was attached to rotted thru. Bed rails completely rusted thru. Frame has rusted thru holes. Complete rust failure. Vehicle has only 90K miles always maintained, washed underneath weekly in winter. Vehicle in motion when parts fell on rte 58 and the shock on town street..$900 to repair gas tank. Shock incident happened today 11/26/2017, gas tank 9/12/2016

Replacement of corroded gas tank assembly required following safety inspection in 2012. I subsequently learned of a recall [NHTSA campaign number 11V385000. Ford recall number 11s21]. I cannot determine if my vehicle (bought used) had the recall repairs performed on it. The subsequent repairs to the fuel system cost $1472.84. If I was sold this used vehicle, I want to have the dealership that sold me the truck compensate me for the repairs.

When filling my gas tank a week ago, I noticed a strong fuel smell. I looked under my truck and saw fuel dripping from the seem of the gas tank. Now that I've lost half the fuel it no longer smells or leaks. Im certain this was a direct cause of salt chemicals used in ice removal, here in northern mn. The straps and frame cross member bars holding the cargo bed in place have also disappeared from rust corrosion.

I was driving northbound on I-95 when the driver of an adjacent vehicle alerted me that there was fire shooting out from the area of the fuel filler door. I immediately pulled over onto the highway median and jumped out. The truck was engulfed in flames, and the cab was on fire. I burned myself on the melting steering wheel and was singed by melting plastic.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Fuel System complaints in other F-150 years