The 2001 Ford F-250 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Seat belt unlatching without release.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 Ford F-250.
SEAT BELTS
14 NHTSA complaints · 2007-03 → 2019-04
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT COMES UNBUCKLED WITHOUT THE LATCH BEING TOUCHED WHILE DRIVING”
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY”
“THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO BE INSPECTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS) BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND”
TIRES
17 NHTSA complaints · 2007-04 → 2022-04
“TIRE BLOWOUT WITH COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE PULLING A HORSE TRAILER”
“WITHOUT WARNING, OUTER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH”
“THESE TIRES ALL FAILED IN THE SAME EXACT MANNER (TREAD/TIRE SEPARATION) AND ALL WITHIN WEEKS OR MONTHS OF EACH OTHER”
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
4 NHTSA complaints · 2013-01 → 2016-08
“FUEL TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN AND FUEL TANK WAS DRAGGING”
“THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FUEL TANK PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE”
ENGINE
54 NHTSA complaints · 2007-01 → 2020-04
“WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER DESTROYING THE THREADS, COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUG”
“THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS HAD BLOWN FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD”
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
14 NHTSA complaints · 2007-06 → 2020-02
“FIRE INVESTIGATOR TOLD ME WAS FROM FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH ON FORD F250”
“FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE MASTER CYLINDER RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BEING DESTROYED AND DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND CONTENTS”
“THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER AND NOTICED THAT AN UNKNOWN PLUG RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS MELTED”
STEERING
17 NHTSA complaints · 2007-04 → 2020-04
“TWICE IN THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE EXPERIENCED TOTAL STEERING LOSS WHILE DRIVING FORD F-250 V10 TRITON PICKUP TRUCK, I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE, BOTH TIMES THE CONNECTION TO THE STEERING BOX BROKE”
“I WAS MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN, FROM A STOP, WHEN I HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE, THEN I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL TURNING FREELY,”
“AFTER TRAVELING OVER SMALL BUMPS, LIKE RAILROAD TRACKS MOST RECENTLY, AT AROUND 30MPH, ONE FRONT WHEEL STARTED BOUNCING VIOLENTLY, MAKING VEHICLE LOOSE CONTROL UNTIL TRUCK COULD BE BROUGHT TO A STOP”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
2,198 crashes 1990–2024
How the 2,198 occupant deaths break down
1,671
driver deaths
518
passenger deaths
9
not recorded by seat
2,198
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2000 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
26
complaints mentioning a crash
43
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2001 Ford F-250 reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.