2001 Ford F-250 SD Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  27
• Axle hubs
  4
• Automatic transmission › Torque converter
  3
• Clutch assembly
  2
• Manual transmission
  2
• Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
  2

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  25%
• 25k–50k
  924%
• 50k–75k
  1130%
• 75k–100k
  719%
• 100k–150k
  719%
• 150k+
  13%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford F-250 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The 2001 f250 I own has always stalled at any given time. Ford recalled the cam position sensor, I had already changed it just before recall then they did again. That never stopped it from stalling, it also doesn't read when you sometimes go to take off. I've changed (throttle switch) that did nothing. All of its mishaps has cased thousands of dollars in repair. Always broke down and can't make money when it's impossible to drive truck time after time. I have been in several close call accidents, when I lose powersteering and almost have crashed into cars. I figured out the fuel tank flaking off inside the tank could be the cause. The truck gets terrible fuel mileage when this happens costing a fortune in wasted diesel fumes. That have been know to cause brain cancer, also the amount of pollution from not running proper. …

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.

Parked my truck at the post office to retrieve mail, got out and shut door, and out of the corner of my eye I saw what I thought as movement of my truck, so I turned around to see my truck starting to roll backwards , I yelled wtf, and started to chase my truck through the parking area, tried to jump in when I opened the door and I was to old and fat to do that, tried push back , but truck was to heavy to do that, so I went for the parking brake pressed it hard and fast as I could, and that worked my truck was in park, as I had my keys in my hand. The park lock on the transmission failed in some way ,allowing to roll like it was in neutral

We have a 2001 Ford f-250 SD truck that has had 3-4 transmission failures since we have owned it. The transmission deteriorates 3-4 months after the warranty expires. On Monday, May 29, 2006 we were in a hay field picking up hay when the transmission exploded and caught fire with no warning.

I have a 2001 Ford f-250 ,diesel, automatic transmission. I was coming off the highway and felt like I was rear-ended, but there was no cars behind me. As I tried to increase speed after my stop, I had no power, and the transmission was slipping badly. I continued on to work and immediately called my mechanic,who referred me to a transmission specialist. I had the truck into him the next morning, and after doing his check of the transmission, he informed me that second gear and overdrive was gone and the transmission would need to be rebuilt. After disassembling the transmission ,he told me the cause was a defect in the Ford transmissions, sprage assembly and direct drum, plus other things that im not an expert at describing. …

I have a 2001 Ford f250 SD crew/4x4 and there is something wrong with the front end steering system. Today was the second time that my truck began to shimmy and shake so hard that at 55mph by the time I got the truck slowed to about 15mph I was over into the lane of the on coming traffic (luckly no one was there). The other day with my wife in the truck we turned a corner and the truck started to shimmy really hard and I lost some response control of the truck the steering became somewhat unresponsive, and I was forced to allow the truck to track into the baily post office parking lot. Something is wrong with my truck but the mechanics tell me that there is nothing wrong with it that they can find. The truck does not do this all the time, it comes and goes, sometimes it happens almost every time I drive it and then it can go weeks without happening. …

I was driving my Ford 2001 f-250 under normal operating conditions when the transmission shifted very hard shaking the entire vehicle and started making a grinding noise then it began to shift erratically. This vehicle did go out of warranty on April of 2004 but it only has 32,600 miles on it(as of 8-10-04) the two Ford dealerships in our area palm springs Ford and fiesta Ford both told us it was out of warranty and would charge us to fix the truck. Palm springs Ford couldn't start for two weeks and fiesta Ford wanted at least $2400 to fix the transmission. We were recommended to an independent repair shop that could fix it immediately for $1795 and he would guarantee his work for 36000 miles. …

I was heading out on a family vacation with my 5th wheel camper. I was in west virginia going down a long grade, about half way down the grade I saw my engine RPM fall off to idle speed all I had was my brakes to get me down the hill. I pulled over at bottom of hill and checked transm fluid (I had just had it serviced a couple weeks before) it was full and no visible signs of leakage. When I tried to drive off it wouldnt go in any gear including rev. The dealership it was towed to said they see it all the time with the particular transmission I had and it would have to be replaced (at 3000 bucks) it was just 4000 mi out of warranty. The camper I pull is designed for a half ton truck I pulled it for 5 yrs with a half ton chev with no problems. I bought this truck so I could move up to a larger camper. …

I purchased a Ford f-250 hd crew cab lariat new in 2000 (2001 model). At 52829 miles the transmission completely failed. The repair ticket states that the one-way clutch failed resulting in the disintegration of the clutch assembly. Ford installed a factory rebuilt transmission replacement for 3552.97$. At 110,000 miles the rebuilt transmission has now failed. Ford refuses to admit that there May be an inherent design flaw in the transmission and instead blames the problem on the fact that the transmission is out of warranty, or owner neglect, or anything they can come up with. An automatic transmission designed to mate to a 7.3 liter diesel engine should last more than an average of 55,000 miles. I would like NHTSA to further investigate this matter before someone is either killed or maimed by fire from a failed, locked-up, or leaking transmission.

Transmission failure; low mileage; no warning; defective equipment needs recalled; I was driving down the highway on my way to work and stopped for construction, upon accelerating my f250 would not shift past 2nd gear. I had to have the vehicles towed to the nearest dealership who told me, before looking at the truck that I needed a new transmission. With no warning signs whatsoever, bam! I have heard from several other f250 owners that their transmissions had to be replaced with low mileage as well. This seems to be a continual problem and I believe Ford knows it! The dealership must have seen enough of these failures to know immediately that the transmission is blown! What can be done to get Ford or someone to take responsibility. I believe a recall is in order or at least have Ford pay the bill instead of their customers.

Transmission complaints in other F-250 SD years