Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford F-250 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford f-250 SD. When the gear shifter is used, it causes the accelerator pedal fuse to blow. Smoke appeared out of the steering column. The contact believes that the failure was due to burned wires and all of the issues were connected to the steering column electrical system. He believes that the wires were burned in the steering column. The tow package burned and the right turn signal and brake lights no longer work. All of the doors appeared to be short and do not close or open properly. In addition, the overdrive failed on the steering column. When the contact presses the button, nothing happens. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not under warranty and does not have any safety recalls that apply to the VIN. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The failure mileage was 142,000.
Vehicle was parked for 75 minutes and a passerby noticed smoke and alerted consumer, who saw flames from left front wheel well. Fire was extinguished quickly by consumer. Damage limited to area within approximately 12 inches of brake master cylinder. Electrical connector burned off on master cylinder. Consumer stated that cruise control stopped working several months prior to the fire. #13 fuse found operating.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford f250 SD. The contact stated the vehicle was parked when it caught on fire. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire, advising that the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction. A fire report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the fire who advised that they would notify him within 15 days. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Tl* the contact owns 2001 Ford f-250. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked it caught fire and the flames were coming from under the hood. The police and the fire department were notified and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 59,075.
My 2001 Ford f-250 was destroyed on 8/11/06 and approximately 75 acres of range Land was burned when the truck caught on fire. Contents valued at $1800 were also destroyed. No one was injured. The fire started in the engine compartment when the engine was off and the key was not in the ignition.
Truck had been parked in my driveway approximately 30 minutes when I heard a noise looked out and front of truck was engulfed in flames. No prior warning was given or noticed. Called 911, fire department arrived and extinguish the flames. Truck was totaled.
2001 Ford f250 crew cab spontaniously caught on fire while parked in the driveway. It was a total loss ,and serverly damaged the house and driveway. Fire crews stated the house was 2 minutes from igniting when they foamed it.
On November 20th I came hoome home from shopping around 8:30 pm ,paprked in driveway ,turned truck off went inside tool care of dogs went out t truck to get packages.came in went to bed around 10:00 pm. My husband came home from work at 1:30 am parked in driveway sdidnt notice anything . Sunday moring November 21st went to start truck(8:55 am) to warm up before going top get the paper , and when I opened my door to the truck it smelt and was black , the dash melted I called the police and they called the fire company the fire was out .I made a police report and the fire marshal made a report ,which he concluded the fire started in the four wheel drive swich . Later that week the insurance man came looked at truck and said it would probably be a total loss,which I just received a letter from Ford, they can not help me deal with the insurance co.it would cost about 12,000. …
While out of town I had just exited the interstate when I heard a loud pop.my truck, a Ford f250 with a 5.4 ltr triton v8 started running terrible and making a god awful noise.I managed to make it to a nearby parking lot.I opened the hood to find an ignition coil pack and sparkplug laying on top of the engine.I was able to reinstall the sparkplug and replaced the coil pack due (coil pack attachment ear had broken off when plug was ejected from engine.).approximately 2 weeks later my wife and kids were on their way to a local park.they had just turned off a major street when they heard a loud pop,they described as sounding like a gunshot. The same thing happened and to date I'm suprised that a fire has not occured or no serious injuries have occured. This is very danagerous the spark plug is actually ejected like a missle.
I shut off my truck and several components stay on, then I turned the key on and off again and they went off a few days later the same thing but the wipers did not work since I am an auto technician I looked into it at a Ford dealer and found that Ford has had this many times and it has been investigated by the safety board and I am not sure where it went from there all I know is that if I loss my wipers on the highway in rain it would not be safe. I know in Canada they made them call them back and fix the leaks that caused the wiper failure/gem module failure to fix it at Ford would be 600.00 dollars which requires replacing the gem module and it is recommended to change the fuse panel also and to fix the leak there was a bulletin to silicone the seams which is a temporary repair.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of…
Electrical complaints in other F-250 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Ford F-250 SD?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Ford F-250 SD, 14% of the model year's 288 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford F-250 SD electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2001 Ford F-250 SD, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford F-250 SD electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 12 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.