Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford f-250. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle crashed into a pedestrian bridge. The driver was fatally injured. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake pedal was bent and overlapped the accelerator pedal. This issue May have caused the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000. Updated 04/04/17 lj
While driving back home from shopping my brakes (anti-lock style) locked up and violently shook my vehicle all over the road I was driving on. I had limited or no control at all of this incident. Was doing about 40 MPH. Truck acted as if brakes were applied on and off 50/60 times so fast that there was nothing to do but hang on to the steering wheel. At one point I thought I was going to flip over as the truck went sideways. Steering went from side to side at first, then a constant pull to the right. I thought one of my front tires was blown out. Slowed down enough to gain some control but it took my truck over a curb and stopped on a sidewalk and some grass. When I did apply the brakes nothing happened until I was on the sidewalk and going very slow by this time. Got out and inspected my truck for damage but saw nothing. …
Dt: ABS brakes, air bags, and fuel system failed. At 4700 miles they replaced the entire brake system. Had it a mechanic shop and discovered it was the ABS. While going 55 MPH and making a left hand turn kept pushing the brakes and nothing happened causing a wreck. Kept taking vehicle to Ford, they could not find anything wrong. Upon impact, air bags also did not deploy. Also, fuel lines shut off. This happened on March 15, 2002.
Luckily I was stopped, but could just as well have been on expressway in heavy traffic!!! Brakeline ruptured, maybe rusted through in ront of left rear wheel well, pedal wentt o the floor & only had slight amount of brakes. I called Ford customer satisfaction, they were less than concerned. See on line others have had similar issue. Seems mor of a problem than they will admit.
While I was driving along a hilly, winding road the engine of my 2001 f-250 diesel 4x4 truck unexpectedly shut off. I lost steering and braking. There were no lights on the dash. There was no prior indication of any problem with the engine or electrical system. I've had the truck for 12 years at the time and never experienced any problem like this. I was very fortunate to have been able to get the truck to the road's shoulder. After the truck stopped I put the shift into park. The key was still in the run position. I simply turned it to the start position and the engine started right up. I took it immediately to the local Ford dealer who ran diagnostics on the truck. They found no indication of a problem other than one battery's voltage was slightly low, but not out of acceptable range. I replaced both batteries as they were almost 3 years old. …
The consumer stated at 27,000 miles his 2001 Ford f250 developed an engine vibration. The consumer was told there was no fix for the problem. When the consumer applied the brakes, there was a vibration. The dealer machined the front rotors and replaced the pads that were cracked. There was a rattle noise coming from under the vehicle. The exhaust shields were loose, the hose clamp on the radiator was replaced and the power door lock was replaced.
When driving in slush/snow or wet road conditions and depressed brake pedal it went to the floor. When this occurred vehicle either had no brakes or the brakes locked up. As a result, vehicle was almost involved in several accidents. Dealership serviced the truck several times, but the problem recurred.
The left rear brake line failed. The line was made of rubber. As a result, when the brakes were applied, the driver's foot went to the floor and the driver had to down shift to stop the vehicle.
I have had three incedents in which I had to use heavy braking to to avoid an something. All of these incedents where at speeds above 40 MPH. In the first incedent I had to make a heavy emergency application on the brakes. When I did this the truck pulled violently to the left almost causing me to loose control of my truck. It appeared that I did not have any control of the steering of this vehicle. Since then I have tried several times to duplicat this situation. It does not allways do it to as a severe degree. But I have got it to violently pull the truck to the left on two other occasions. I am a above average driver because I have been a deputy sheriff for about 16 years and have had alot of experience and training in driving in extreme conditions. …
The problem occurs when applying brakes which causes steering wheel to lock up, resulting in loss of steering control. This occurs at a low speed as well as at a complete stop. Dealer states that a "higher steering effort w/sitting still w/brakes applied" is normal. When ask to try it for himself, he refused. Leading me to believe it was impossible for them to use the "higher steering effort" theory. It is impossible to turn the wheel or steer when brakes are applied at a low speed or at a stop!!!
Brake complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Ford F-250, 12% of the model year's 220 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford F-250 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Ford F-250, though it has 4 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries and 1 death to brakes 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.