2001 Ford F-350 SD Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 8%of 158 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,089miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Ford F-350 SD, 8% of the 158 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,089 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving about 35-45 MPH on 1/23/2005, my 2001 f-350 Ford crew cab, 7.3 turbo diesel, 4-wheel drive dually pickup truck came to a sudden stop in the road with a loud explosion. I was able to return home as I was only about 1-1 1/5 miles from my house. While peering under the truck, I noticed a large gaping hole in the gear box on the front axle. It appeared that the explosion occurred inside the gear box housing, blowing a large hole in the metal casing. I contacted ricart Ford where I purchased the truck and they arranged to have the truck towed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10148268, filed 2006-01, 51,178 miles“Sector shaft failure on a 2001 Ford f-350 superduty. Shaft separated while driving through a chuck hole in a gravel/mud parking lot. Failure did not result in a crash. Sector shaft was a 36 spline, 1-1/4 diameter. I have both ends of the shaft for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #10002672, filed 2003-01, 66,000 miles“When driving at approx. 40 to 65 MPH at intermittent times when traveling over slightly uneven roads {not bumps} the steering wheel will begin to oscillate left to right with increasing frequency that will actually move the steering wheel 2-3 inches left to right, and require almost stopping the vehicle to regain control.you may be able to drive 200 miles before this will occur again.this truck only has 38,000 miles and has done this since day one. It has had front tires replaced, front shocks, numerous alignments,and tire balances from Ford dealers,all with the same result.”
NHTSA complaint #10323628, filed 2010-04, 38,000 miles“Truck drifts to side of road or pulls hard and sudden when moderate to hard braking is applied. Effect is not as apparent after alignment is performed. Approximately 7 attempts were made to repair. Tie rod pulled apart while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10000287, filed 2002-12, 7,000 miles“2001 Ford f-350 7.3 crew cab super duty purchased new . At 48000 miles bought it in for a steering wander problem and front brake pulsation. Dealer diagnosed the problem to be bad upper and lower ball joints and bad drag link. I do not tow or plow with this vehicle have had it serviced at dealerships for most of its service life don't think that the truck should have bad ball joint this young in its service life. The wander makes the truck tricky to drive in winter conditions when you have to stay in the tire tracks on snow covered roads . …”
NHTSA complaint #10016483, filed 2003-04, 45,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10148818Oct 2, 2018This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball…
- 10028404Dec 1, 2013Ford trucks service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Vehicles have experienced severe steering wheel and front wheel vibrations and oscillations after…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 7% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 16 | 14% |
| 2021 | 4 | 4% |
| 2020 | 35 | 19% |
| 2019 | 266 | 57% |
| 2018 | 102 | 50% |
| 2017 | 292 | 51% |
| 2016 | 76 | 36% |
| 2015 | 67 | 32% |
| 2014 | 2 | 29% |
| 2013 | 2 | 22% |
| 2012 | 9 | 31% |
| 2011 | 14 | 33% |
| 2010 | 17 | 34% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 25 | 25% |
| 2007 | 9 | 36% |
| 2006 | 45 | 35% |
| 2005 | 38 | 18% |
| 2004 | 6 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 12 | 8% |
| 2000 | 19 | 12% |
| 1999 | 10 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford F-350 SD
40 complaintsTires
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford F-350 SD
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