2001 Ford F-150 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 234about this part
- Share
- 19%of 1,236 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 234 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Ford F-150, 19% of the 1,236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 36 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on the freeway when a pop and loud flapping sound was heard. I thought I had blown a tire. The truck lost a good amount of power and was shaking while continuing to make the flapping sound. After taking it in, it turns out it was a blown spark plug that shot out of the engine, damaging the block, plug, and coil. The cost was $630 to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #10402765, filed 2011-05, 92,356 miles“I own a 2001 Ford f150 with a 5-4 triton motor.had a spark plug blowout while on the freeway,it occured on number 3 cylinder and 2 more that were loose on the engine.mechanic repaired by installing an insert do to stripped out threads.also when the plug blew out it damaged the coil pack.I saved the parts that were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10322478, filed 2010-03, 85,000 miles“I own a 2001 Ford f150 pickup. I've had to change a coil (above spark plug) on this truck several times (at least 5 failures) since I've owned this truck. When a coil goes out the truck misses a lot and at times when you slow down to turn a corner the truck will die, causing me to brake to an immediate stop because the power stearing goes out. Very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10279667, filed 2009-08, 1 miles“My wife and I were driving to florida from north carolina. I have a 2001 Ford f150 5.4 triton. A loud pop, and the spark plug blew out of the head, taking the coil with it. Very expensive repair. This is a widely reported problem with this model and is an obvious manufacturer defect due to insufficient thread depth in the head.”
NHTSA complaint #10288904, filed 2009-10, 150,000 miles“The #3 cylinder spark plug blew out on my 2001 Ford F-150 lariat. My truck has the 5.4 liter engine and it has 139,000 miles. I was driving approximately 15 MPH and the spark plug blew out. There was a loud popping noise from the engine compartment. Upon investigation I found the #3 cylinder spark plug had blown out and also destroyed the coil on top of the spark plug.”
NHTSA complaint #10294521, filed 2009-12, 139,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10172885Feb 7, 2020This SKU is an Oil Dipstick. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough…
- 10026389May 16, 2008Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for…
- 10024865Apr 1, 20081999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip.
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10018741Nov 14, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p1131 and/or p1151 - 4.2l engine.
- 10014685Mar 21, 2005Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine.
- 10014666Mar 7, 2005Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 2% |
| 2020 | 11 | 1% |
| 2019 | 62 | 5% |
| 2018 | 88 | 4% |
| 2017 | 70 | 5% |
| 2016 | 30 | 1% |
| 2015 | 25 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 1% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 17 | 1% |
| 2011 | 33 | 2% |
| 2010 | 31 | 4% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 22 | 6% |
| 2007 | 41 | 8% |
| 2006 | 77 | 13% |
| 2005 | 111 | 10% |
| 2004 | 167 | 8% |
| 2003 | 69 | 16% |
| 2002 | 196 | 24% |
| 2001 | 234 | 19% |
| 2000 | 135 | 13% |
| 1999 | 219 | 21% |
| 1998 | 174 | 13% |
| 1997 | 529 | 19% |
| 1996 | 23 | 7% |
| 1995 | 71 | 11% |
| 1994 | 52 | 8% |
| 1993 | 52 | 9% |
| 1992 | 37 | 8% |
| 1991 | 17 | 6% |
| 1990 | 21 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 6% |
| 1988 | 11 | 8% |
| 1987 | 9 | 10% |
| 1986 | 9 | 15% |
| 1985 | 4 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 13% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford F-150
180 complaintsElectrical system
137 complaintsFuel system
132 complaintsSeats
86 complaintsSeat belts
78 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
74 complaintsBrakes
69 complaintsAir bags
66 complaintsBody and structure
65 complaintsTires
52 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology