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8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,440
Average Mileage:
71,000 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replaced with a rebuilt transmission (12 reports)
  2. replaced torque converter & valve body (2 reports)
  3. not sure (1 reports)
  4. rebuilt same transmission (1 reports)
2001 Ford F-150 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2001 Ford F-150 Owner Comments

problem #16

Mar 092015

F-150 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Everything seemed totally fine with the truck, ran great and etc. Then all of a sudden the trans just would not shift gears. It went from 1st to 2nd then it would rev fully out and maybe if it felt like clunk into third. And no, I did not have it in first or second gear, I made sure of it.

- Sean M., Phoenixville, PA, US

problem #15

Dec 172009

F-150 Supercrew 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,103 miles

I bought my truck brand new in October of 2001 with 5,523 miles on it. I was really enjoying it until December of 2004 when my transmission went out with 50,473 miles on it. It was still under warranty so the Ford dealership that I bought it from rebuilt it. Then in May of 2006 it went out again at 70,905 miles and this time the warranty was out. I notified the Ford Corp. by phone and email and let them know that this was not right and I expected them to take care of it but got a sorry, glad you let us know so we can improve on our quality. This time it cost me $2339.99 to have a brand new manufactured rebulit transmission put in it. Now here it is at 113,103 miles plus 3 months after the warranty on the last transmission expired, it's out again. If you break it down, I am averaging 37,701 miles to the transmission. I am at this point looking into the lemon laws and making contact with the Attorney General in my state.

- Chuck S., Broken Arrow, OK, US

problem #14

Mar 112009

F-150 XLT 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

Lost my transmission at 78,000 miles - 8,000 out of warranty. Replaced with new because I wanted the warranty and we do pull a trailer that is significantly under the tow weight specs of the vehicle. Unbelievable.

- John F., Burlington, CT, US

problem #13

Mar 022009

F-150 XLT 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am really pissed that Ford would put out an American made product that would fall apart at 80k driving just day to day normal stuff. We do not use it for off road or race it down the highway. I know why people are steering away from American Made Auto's. The Transmission shop said the have done several of these Ford transmissions of this year and model. They said there is just some kinda flaw that the gears just come apart!!! I drove a Honda Accord for 11 years, 240k miles and ran it like a race car back and forth to Dallas and never had one problem,. I traded it in for another Honda, I am a Chevy man myself,, wife made me get the Ford because she liked the way it looked.. lol

- Mark S., Sherman, TX, US

problem #12

Jun 022008

F-150 Crew Cab 4wd 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

Another "FORD FAILURE". Transmission that is, seems to be going around. At only 53,000 miles. Mechanic also found differential fluid leaking because of a rusty outer cover (pumpkin). Also the tube that holds the transmission fluid dipstick was full of holes and so bad they couldn't add fluid after the rebuild until the dipstick tube was replaced. Shame on Ford!

- Cathy D., Mogadore, OH, US

problem #11

Sep 122007

(reported on)

F-150 XLT 4x4 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

My family is a Ford family from WAY back. Fortunately I haven't had many problems until this vehicle. Shame really because I love the seats, handling, ride, power, roominess, etc. But I pamper the crap out of my vehicles by changing the oil almost 1000 mls BEFORE its due, cleaning the K&N filter every 20,000 mls, change the transmission fluid every 20,000 and STILL had my transmission go out. I've never pulled anything even close to a max. load in it, nor have I driven like a teen in it. My grandfather was V.P. for industrial relations at Ford and retired with 50 years there. He helped me get this truck and I think, if he were alive today to see what's becoming of Ford and their products, he'd feel let down and betrayed. The hard work they all did throughout the years building a strong company and reputation, now all starting to "swirl the bowl". Don't buy this vehicle without a new transmission in it!

- larrytx, Plano, TX, US

problem #10

Jun 242007

(reported on)

F-150 Lariat 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought my truck new in Jan. 2002. On Sept. 15, 2004 my transmission went out at 53,000 miles and it cost me $1800 to have it rebuilt. Well now at 107,000 miles on June 20, 2007 it went out again! I know the repair shop used Ford parts when they rebuilt it at 53,000 miles. I'm going to ask them if there are any aftermarket performance parts that they can use instead of Ford parts. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN!

- Steven F., Mont Belvieu, TX, US

problem #9

Mar 302007

(reported on)

F-150 XL 4.2L V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Found this used "work horse" after Katrina hit the area. Traveled over 500 miles to get it. My family has bought Fords all our lives. Never thought Ford would put such a cheap transmission in a full size truck. I bought it at 60,000 miles and after 25000 miles later (mostly highway), my transmission mechanic says I should trade it in. He says the ford transmission in this model/year truck is no good.

One morning, the truck began to move while I had the clutch fully depressed on the floor. I couldn't get it out of gear either. Had to turn off the ignition before I crashed into my backyard fence. Good thing I wasn't near the house or other vehicles!

How much can it be to fix a manual transmission; more than I thought! Can't afford another truck. I was shooting for 200K miles. Mechanic says - no way, even after he rebuilds! I'll continue to keep putting fluid in the resevoir until it dies I guess...

- Matt G., New Orleans, LA, US

problem #8

Mar 102007

(reported on)

F-150 XLT Supercrew 5.4 L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,700 miles

I have babied this truck so much and I have it exactly the way I wanted it. I had no problems until Friday when I had to be somewhere for an interview and the truck popped and then would shift or go faster than 20 mph. I had just entered the freeway around noon so imagine how mad everybody was at me. I was so mad and then everybody yelling, honking and shooting the rod at me didn't help. I made it to my husband's office and we had it towed to the dealership. Right away they started talking about a new transmission $2800. I called Cottman and I am waiting on their evaluation. So frustrating. I am repairing it and trading it in for a foreign vehicle. I have tried to support American cars but they are not making a good product.

- Olivia M., Houston, TX, US

problem #7

Mar 162007

(reported on)

F-150 XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

After purchasing the extended service plan/warranty I thought I was covered. I am so pissed to find I'm not!!!!!

$2600 to replace my transmission at 5 y. o and less than 90,000 miles!!! My car isn't even paid off yet. I'd trade it in to ford to screw them with their own problem but I don' want to own another POS Ford. This sucks!

- Katryna A., Sacramento, CA, US

problem #6

Jun 072006

(reported on)

F-150

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This has really made me upset a truck I bought with 50,000 miles now has 70,000 and still paying for transmission has gone out I refuse to buy another ford product this happens too often ford has a great body look on their vehicles but under the hood parts sux an engine and transmission should give you more service than this and they know what their life is that's why it dies when the warranty is up. FORD YOU CAN'T KEEP CUSTOMERS THIS WAY STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT.

- Ruby R., Carlton, GA, US

problem #5

Feb 062007

(reported on)

F-150 XLT 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

FORD HAS TO DO SOMTHING ABOUT ITS KNOWN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DATING BACK TO THE LATE 80'S, EVERY WHERE YOU LOOK ON THE NET U CAN READ ABOUT THEIR ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTERS, WEAK AND CHEAPLY MADE PARTS TO MAKE UP FOR THE FUEL SAVINGS, FRANKLY IM FED UP, THEY KNOW THERES A PROBLEM... WE KNOW THERES A PROBLEM, BUT YET NO RECALL?????, I BOUGHT A 2001, F-150 4x4, 41,00 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO RIDE THE RPMS AND SHIFT HARD INTO SECOND GEAR, THEN START TO 'SLAM' INTO SECOND, TURNS OUT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD PREMATURELY WORE OUT LEADING TO THE BURNING OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION... TOTALLY.!! I CALLED FORD, THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTERS, AND WOULDNT BUDGE ON A REBATE OR A DISCOUNT ON THE TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A SAFTEY PROBLEM THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH THE PROBLEM, WORDS RIGHT OUT OF THEIR MOUTHS WERE AS FOLLOWS..."WE ARE AWARE THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF TRUCKS AND CARS WITH YOUR SAME PROBLEM, BUT IF ITS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT.... COST TO CUSTOMER..."

- Brian A., Ft Mac, Alberta, Canada

problem #4

Jan 062007

(reported on)

F-150 XLT Supercrew 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,010 miles

Transmission failed with only 47010 miles. Had it serviced at 30K miles as was recommended. Managed to make it home, but I will have it towed to the shop on Monday. No warning. After the grinding, hesitation, barking the tires, and more grinding, the engine light came on and the O/D light started blinking. Really sucks on a vehicle that is babied all the time and never rode hard. Guess I know now why Ford has dropped to number 3!

- Jerry S., Murfreesboro, TN, US

problem #3

Dec 202006

(reported on)

F-150 Lariat 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

Lost Transmission at 51000 miles. The service rep at the Ford dealer said the "plenium" broke. I had the option of $2700 for a new transmission with 3 year 36,000 mile warranty or $2300 to rebuild the current one with a 12,000 mile warranty. For the $400 I chose to go with the 36,000 mile warranty. The problem started a while back, but only became apparent today when it went out. When shifting from reverse to drive, I had to pause in neutral for a couple breaths or else the transmission would not engage right away and then would lurch into gear. Anyway, today I got into the truck and it just spun instead of going anywhere. Had to have it towed to the dealer to be checked out. The sad part is that the truck is still within the mileage range of the extended warranty but the time portion (5 years) ran out in April.

- Greg A., Irvine, CA, US

problem #2

Sep 282006

(reported on)

F-150 XLT

  • 43,000 miles

Transmission gave out at 43,000 miles. Couldn't use truck for a week - had to rent a vehicle

- Neil D., Jessup, MD, US

problem #1

Jun 302003

(reported on)

F-150

  • 47,000 miles

Doesn't shift from 2nd to 1st, "lunges" at 45-50 mph. Only 47,000 miles and it already needs a trans rebuild. The Ford dealer wanted about $ 1800 to fix it, but an independent shop said they could rebuild it totally for $ 950. Its there now. This shop said they have done quite a few 01 and 02 with the same trouble. Ford used a new kind of part that didn't last and they have to replace several parts with the old style to make it all work.

- Donald H., Ramona, OK, US

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