Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
On September 12, 2011, a kumho road venture at tire, size lt235/85r16, dot k2oryd4a3508 (manufactured at kumho?s binh duong plant in vietnam in the 35th week of 2008) suffered a catastrophic tread separation, resulting in severe injuries to the front seat passenger of the Ford f-250 and the death of her son, who was 32 weeks old and still in utero. A lawsuit has been filed against kumho tire co., inc. And kumho tire U.S.A., inc. In the united states district court for the district of kansas (case no. 2:13-cv-02393-jtm-tjj). During the discovery stage of the case, the passenger retained troy cottles, a renowned tire failure expert. After inspecting the subject tire, mr. …
I was driving mid day in az in my f-250 xlt crew cab truck when I noticed a slight vibration. I changed lanes and it did not go away. I started to slow down when bam the tire blew. I got over to the shoulder of the road and inspected the tire. It did not lose air at all only the tread had delaminated from it. However the tread had torn up the side of my vehicle as well as the chrome nerf bars and the wheel wells themelf. I then made the decision to drive on the tire to the next stop thatwas only 4-5 miles ahead to change the tire in the shade and well away from heavy traffic. Once in tucson I did not drive the vehicle again until the return trip home. At approximately 60 miles from tucson another vibration occured. I slowed down and exited the interstate and inspected all four tires. They appeared normal and continued on my way when the right rear tire blew 2-3 miles later. …
On 6/12/03 I experienced complete tread separation on a Firestone steeltex lt 265/75r16e tire while traveling northbound on I-75 near riverview, fl. The tire was mounted on the front left of my 2001 Ford f250. As the tread separated it damaged the truck body around the wheel well, and caused me to momentarily lose control of the vehicle. Once I brought the vehicle to a stop, I discovered that the tire was still inflated, but that the tread had completely peeled off. The tire was original with the new vehicle, and had approximately 44650 miles on it. The tire was in good condition, with considerable tread life remaining. On 6/13/03 I delivered the truck to the body shop at brandon Ford (9090 adamo dr., tampa) for repair. The estimate to repair damage to the front bumper, the left front fender, the left front door, and to blend paint onto the hood and rear door is $2353.72. …
I had another uniroyal liberator tire (265/75/16 e-rated, light truck tire) failure. Both tires failed within one thousand miles of each other and in the same exact way. I filed a complaint with NHTSA on the first tire approx. 2-months ago. Both tires at about 35 to 36,000 miles, while driving at speeds approaching 65 MPH formed a balloon on top of the tread causing an imbalance. After changing the tire, it exploded in the bed of my truck. It was obvious to me that a tread separation had occurred. One could see the smooth areas where the tread had separated from the belt carcass versus the area where the tread pulled away when it exploded. These uniroyal liberators should be recalled because of how quickly this failure occurs. Both tires had plenty of tread and were run within the proper pressure ranges (70 to 80 psi). I have sent uniroyal email complaints concerning these tires. …
As I was driving northbound on fm 730 in azle, texas, one of my lt265/75r16 (lre) Firestone steeltex a/t tires failed and almost caused me to have an accident. The tire was on the drivers side rear position. I was traveling at 45 MPH when this happened. The tread came off of the casing causing damage to my vehicle. The tire did not deflate and maintained the proper pressure. All tires were immediately removed and replaced. The owner of m&d tire in springtown, texas, checked the air pressure before the tire was removed from the vehicle. This was witnessed by myself and another customer. There were no punctures and no heavy loads have ever been placed on this vehicle. The tread was recovered and measures 9/32 nds. The mileage on the vehicle (Ford f250 p/u) at that time was 40,200. Firestone was contacted and wants me to send them the tire at my expense. …
While driving at approximately 60 MPH in my 2001 Ford f250 super duty pick up truck, the truck started to vibrate. I shifted into neutral, thinking it might be a u-joint or driveline problem and the vibration got worse. I went back into drive and it settled down somewhat. I stopped and looked over the tires, u-joints (what I could see of them, the truck is 4-wheel drive) and other suspension components. I did not notice any lumps or bumps on any of the tires. I decided to return home, a distance of about 20 miles. Approximately 3 miles form home, the truck shook violently and then there was a loud "slapping" noise. I pulled over and saw that I had separated a tread from the right rear tire. I picked up the separated tread and drove home at about 25 MPH. I changed the tire at home. The tire was inflated to 55 psi and is still holding that pressure. …
Subject of complaint: Goodyear, trail mark m&s lt235/85r16 12/1160, dot pjcr c9kv 0703. Mileage on tire at time of blowout: 37580.4; min tread depth: 3/8"; even wear; no sidewall damage prior to blowout; inflated to dealer spec (checked inflation that am). Vehicle: Ford f250 long bed, super duty truck. Tire purchased at and installed by Ford dealership. Incident: passenger rear tire blow out rendered tire into 3 independent parts: inside and outside rims and tread. Driving uphill pulling small, dual-axle alpaca trailer (empty) at 55 MPH at approximately 3 pm pdt; maintained vehicle control, pulled to side of I-80 just west of reno, nv. California highway patrol responded with roadside assistance. Replaced remaining tires with toyo commercial tires, not taking any more chances with Goodyear or Ford dealership.
I bought my Ford f250 in June 2003, I was driving 70 MPH through the desert in california with my daughter, dad, and mom when the truck jerked hard to the left; I was able to keep it on the highway by inches. After cleaning out my pants, we got out to see that the tread had come completely off and the tire was still inflated. I took it in to a Firestone dealer who said there was nothing he could do to help me. I have replaced the two front tires($400) and would like to replace the back two--I have no faith in Firestone tires after this. Will someone have to die before the idiots making these tires are held responsible.
I've had two of the tires going 65-70 MPH basically go flat and tear into pieces after only a few seconds. Both times there is hardly no identifying parts of the tire left on the rim. The last time I was hauling a 20' trailer when it went flat and tore to shreds. The first time I was driving with no trailer and I heard it go flat then the tire just tore to shreds also. These tire are only a year old. It did bend the rear quarter panel. A employee was behind me and said basically the whole tire came off the rim and went across the median of the interstate.
Hub caps are coming loose from the steel wheel rims. The plastic hub caps tabs are cracking from heat or loss of elastic plastic tension against the steel wheel rim. Driver noticed hub cap flying off in the opposite traffic flow. The fire department stated that hubcaps are coming off at highway speed with no warning. The hub caps flying off in any direction. The consumer filed a seven email complaint. The consumer sent pictures in showing the base plastic hub cap lock cracking off or missing all together. Style f81 a-1130-aa 4x2
Wheel & Tire complaints in other F-250 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2001 Ford F-250 SD?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2001 Ford F-250 SD, 15% of the model year's 288 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford F-250 SD wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death to wheels & tires 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.