Skip to content
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2001 Ford F-150 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
2%of 1,236 total for the year
Median mileage
69,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the visibility of the 2001 Ford F-150, 2% of the 1,236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving to work this morning and around 7:00 am. It was approximately 20 degrees outside and I tried the rear defroster. The rear defroster has worked only about 20% of the time for the last few months and not at all for the last 3 weeks; so needless to say I was very surprised when it actually turned on today. 10 minutes after turning on the defrost I was driving approx 30mph through town when I heard a loud bang inside the truck. It was loud enough that I swerved and looked around to see if people were throwing ice chunks at cars or shooting bb guns. …”

NHTSA complaint #10818122, filed 2016-01, 28,780 miles

“Blend door failure, I do not have the ability to control my heat / cool settings. One day it worked and now it does not. The dealership wants $800 to fix the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10327127, filed 2010-04, 45,000 miles

“While driving home from new hampshire, suddenly there was a fire in the windshield wiper motor. I had the wipers on at a slow speed as it was misting outside. I put the fire our with snow from the roadside. As we continued home the radio went dead, the battery went to low and the lights started flicking on and off. As a result of the fire the windshield cracked, and continued all the way across from one side to the other. I luckily found an open Ford dealer that gave us a small rental and repaired the truck.”

NHTSA complaint #10010355, filed 2003-03, 45,000 miles

“2001 Ford F-150 supercrew windshield leaked with no sign of this happening. Shorted out computer, fuse box. Engine shutdown while traveling in left lane of a highway. No crash but very close to causing one. Was able to get into median. No previous accident with truck,original windshield with no cracks or blemishes. Maintained well and typically garaged.”

NHTSA complaint #10234193, filed 2008-07, 107,000 miles

“The vehicle was idling with the wipers on slow speed. Smoke began to come out of the vent between the windshield and the hood. The plastic vent burst into flames and melted. The flames were extinguished with minimal damage to the vehicle. The wipers are the only thing that doesn't operate now.”

NHTSA complaint #10207276, filed 2007-10, 102,000 miles

Related recalls

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202566%
202463%
2023287%
2022468%
202113113%
2020638%
2019363%
2018844%
2017534%
20161447%
2015976%
20141429%
20131906%
20121297%
20111477%
201019323%
200952%
2008123%
200751%
2006193%
200526824%
200486343%
2003205%
2002304%
2001252%
2000273%
1999838%
1998665%
19971485%
199641%
199581%
1994152%
199381%
199220%
199121%
199031%
198942%
198886%
198612%
1983110%

Other parts of the 2001 Ford F-150

Engine cooling
234 complaints
Vehicle speed control
180 complaints
Electrical system
137 complaints
Fuel system
132 complaints
Seats
86 complaints
Seat belts
78 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
74 complaints
Brakes
69 complaints
Air bags
66 complaints
Body and structure
65 complaints
Tires
52 complaints
Engine
44 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford F-150

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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