2001 FORD F-250 SD Complaints

THE CONSUMER NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THEN THE TIRE EXPLODED THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE NEARLY FLIPPED, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UPRIGHT. *AK *SC *JB

1. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND IMMEDIATE LOST OF POWER WITH MY FORD F-250 WITH A 4R100 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 2. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT DUE TO THE OFF HOUR, AND I WAS ABLE TO EGRESS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE AT ANOTHER TIME OR LOCATION. FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. 3. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. THE ASSESSMENT FROM THE DEALER WAS THAT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE INTERMITEDIATE ONE WAY CLUTCH (MECHANICAL DIODE STYLE) ON SECOND GEAR WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BIND AND SEIZE. THE RECOMMENDED FIX IS EITHER A TOTAL REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION OR REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 01-13-5) WHICH ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND THE TSB FORD SWITCHED FROM THE SPRAG ONE-WAY CLUTCH ON 7/27/2000 TO THE MECHANICAL DIODE TYPE CLUTCH UP TILL 3/23/2001. FORD FOUND THAT THE MECHANICAL DIODE TYPE CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND SWITCHED BACK TO THE SPRAG TYPE CLUTCH IN MARCH OF 2001. FORD SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED TSB 01-13-5 ON JUNE 26, 2001 WHICH ADVISES REPLACEMENT OF THE MECHANICAL DIODE TYPE CLUTCH WITH THE SPRAG (THE OLD DESIGN). THIS ISSUE APPLIES TO ALL 4R100 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BUILT IN THE DATE RANGE ABOVE AND INSTALLED IN (PER THE TSB) E-SERIES, EXCURSIONS, EXPEDITIONS, F-150'S, SUPER DUTY F SERIES, F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS, AND NAVIGATORS. AT THE TIME I WAS IN THE FORD DEALERSHIP ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WAS ALSO IN THE SHOP. FORD IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND REFUSES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AS THIS FAILURE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND CAUSES SUDDEN AND INSTANT POWER LOSS THERE IS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE HURT, OR KILLED BEFORE FORD WILL STAND BEHIND THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN ? *JB *PH

1. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND IMMEDIATE LOST OF POWER. THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD F-250 WITH THE 4R100 TRANSMISSION. 2. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO EGRESS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. AT ANOTHER LOCATION OR TIME, SEVERE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE OCCURRED. 3. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. THE ASSESSMENT FROM THE DEALER WAS THAT THE INTERMEDIATE ONE WAY CLUTCH (MECHANICAL DIODE STYLE) HAD FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED REBUILDING OR REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2001 MODEL 4R100 TRANSMISSIONS AND MENTIONED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED. I FOUND FORDS TSB-01-13-5 ON THE INTERNET AND DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE SITUATION IS THAT IN JULY 2000 THROUGH MARCH 2001 FORD CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE ONE-WAY CLUTCH FROM THE SPRAG DESIGN (IN SERVICE SINCE 1989 ACCORDING TO THE DEALER) TO THE NEW MECHANICAL DIODE. BY MARCH OF 2001 FORD RECOGNIZED THAT THE NEW DESIGN WAS FAULTY AND REVERTED BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SPRAG DESIGN. THE SERVICE BULLETIN INSTRUCTS DEALERS THAT IN THE EVENT OF A FAILURE, TO REPLACE THE MECHANICAL DIODE WITH THE SPRAG DESIGN. FORD REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY DESIGN, PART, OR REPAIRS. IN FACT THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS SOMEWHAT NASTY IN MY OPINION. CLEARLY THIS IS DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING THAT IMPACTS THE DRIVE TRAIN. THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. THIS SITUATION APPLIED TO 4R100 TRANSMISSIONS INSTALLED IN 2001 E SERIES, EXCURSIONS, EXPEDITIONS, F-150'S, ALL F SERIES SUPER DUTY'S, AND NAVIGATORS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE HURT, OR POTENTIALLY KILLED BEFORE FORD WILL ISSUE A RECALL AND STAND BEHIND THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN ? LASTLY, THE PURCHASE DATE IS AN ESTIMATE, AS THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP. *JB

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN MY FORD F250 WHEN A CHEVROLET MINIVAN CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND HIT ME HEAD ON. THE VAN'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER MINE DID NOT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S OPINION ON THIS IS THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OFF, BUT THEY WILL NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY PRIOR COLLISIONS. FORD IS ALSO UNWILLING TO PROVIDE ANY WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE IN PROPER WORKING CONDITION UNLESS I COVER ALL EXPENSES INCURRED IN SUCH AN INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP OWNER EXPERIENCE PROVIDES INDICATION THAT THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE MOST CERTAINLY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THIS IS ALSO THE OPINION OF THE INVESTIGATING STATE PATROL OFFICER. *AK

AS I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON FM 730 IN AZLE, TEXAS, ONE OF MY LT265/75R16 (LRE) FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T TIRES FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR POSITION. I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE CASING CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE AND MAINTAINED THE PROPER PRESSURE. ALL TIRES WERE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED AND REPLACED. THE OWNER OF M&D TIRE IN SPRINGTOWN, TEXAS, CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE BEFORE THE TIRE WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS WITNESSED BY MYSELF AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER. THERE WERE NO PUNCTURES AND NO HEAVY LOADS HAVE EVER BEEN PLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. THE TREAD WAS RECOVERED AND MEASURES 9/32 NDS. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE (FORD F250 P/U) AT THAT TIME WAS 40,200. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND WANTS ME TO SEND THEM THE TIRE AT MY EXPENSE. M&D TIRE DID REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES. I DO HAVE THE TIRE AND TREAD AT MY HOME. I NEED TO KNOW IF I SHOULD SEND THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE AS THEY ARE REQUESTING FOR MY CLAIM WITH THEIR COMPANY? *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON TURNPIKE AT 75 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON MY STEELTEX A/T LT265/75R16 LOAD RANGE E TIRES CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY SHIFT TO THE LEFT ACROSS 2 LANES AND ALMOST HITTING CENTER MEDIAN WALL, CAUSED $2900.00 DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. *LA

I WAS HEADING OUT ON A FAMILY VACATION WITH MY 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. I WAS IN WEST VIRGINIA GOING DOWN A LONG GRADE, ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE GRADE I SAW MY ENGINE RPM FALL OFF TO IDLE SPEED ALL I HAD WAS MY BRAKES TO GET ME DOWN THE HILL. I PULLED OVER AT BOTTOM OF HILL AND CHECKED TRANSM FLUID (I HAD JUST HAD IT SERVICED A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE) IT WAS FULL AND NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF LEAKAGE. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE OFF IT WOULDNT GO IN ANY GEAR INCLUDING REV. THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS TOWED TO SAID THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME WITH THE PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION I HAD AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED (AT 3000 BUCKS) IT WAS JUST 4000 MI OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAMPER I PULL IS DESIGNED FOR A HALF TON TRUCK I PULLED IT FOR 5 YRS WITH A HALF TON CHEV WITH NO PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK SO I COULD MOVE UP TO A LARGER CAMPER. I FEEL WITH THE COMENTS MADE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND TOWING COMPANY AND MY MECH WHEN I GOT HOME THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT ONLY THE COST OF REPLACMENT BUT A REPLACMENT THAT IS NOT GOING TO GO OUT ON ME IN THE FUTURE. (THE DEALERSHIP PUT THE SAME TRANMISSION MODEL TRANSMISSION IN IT THAT THEY TOOK OUT). *AK

2001 FORD PICKUP F250 SUPER-DUTY 7.3L DIESELV8 TURBO VIN:F / TRANSMISION PART / SECOND GEAR AND CLUTCH.THIS PART BREAKS AT NO FAULT OF OWNER YET MANUFACTURER DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSABILITY FOR PART. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE PART IN ALL 2002 AND UP TRANSMISIONS BUT THE 2000 AND 2001 MODELS HAVE THE PARTS PRONE TO BREAK PREMATURE.MY SECOND GEAR BROKE AT 40,000 MILES 4,000 MILES PAST MY WARRANTY.IT COST ME $3,000 TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISION.I WOULD LIKE THIS TRANSMISION PART INVESTIGATED.*AK

DIESEL EMISSIONS GETTING INTO CABIN AT TOXIC LEVELS. WHILE CLEANING OUT THE INSIDE OF MY DECEASED FATHERS F250 SUPER DUTY DIESEL, I NOTICED A BROWN HAZE COVERING THE THE FRONT SEAT AND NOTICED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEATBELTS, THEY WERE COVERED HEAVILY WITH DIESEL SOOT. I SENT OFF TO LAB FOR ANALYSIS AND THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST TEST WERE AS FOLLOWS: DIESEL RANGE ORGANIC GC/CARBON DISTRIBUTION 508MG/L. *AK

STEERING FEELS LOOSE, WANDERS. STEERING WHEEL JUMPS BACK AND FORTH WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP. NOTICEABLE AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. MAKES VEHICLE CONTROL A PROBLEM AT TIMES. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR. HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP MORE THAN ONCE, AND THEY STATE THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK