The 2001 F-350 with the 7.3L Power Stroke is legendary for durability, but transmission cooler failures destroy E4OD/4R100 automatics, injector issues plague high-mileage units, and under-valve-cover harness failures cause misfires and no-starts. Most problems are age-related rather than design flaws.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Leading to Catastrophic Transmission Damage
Fix: Factory cooler inside radiator fails, mixing coolant into ATF and destroying clutch packs. Requires transmission teardown/rebuild (12-16 hours) plus external cooler install (2 hours) and radiator replacement or bypass (1.5 hours). Preventive: install external cooler and bypass factory unit before failure.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Fuel Injector Failure and Stiction
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 180,000-250,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard cold starts or extended cranking, Rough idle and white smoke on startup, Loss of power under load, Cylinder contribution balance codes (P1280-P1288)
Fix: HEUI injectors stick or fail due to contamination and wear. Replacement is 8-10 hours for full set removal, test, and installation. Many shops replace all eight at once to avoid comebacks. Use quality fuel filters every 10k miles and additive to extend life.
Symptoms: Intermittent or permanent no-start, Multiple cylinder misfire codes, Injector circuit codes, Engine runs on some cylinders only
Fix: Connectors under valve covers corrode from oil contamination, losing continuity to injectors and glow plugs. Requires valve cover removal both sides (3-4 hours), harness replacement or repair, and often glow plug replacement. Check during any valve cover gasket job.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Turbo Pedestal O-Ring Oil Leak
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 140,000-200,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil leak from back of engine near turbo, Low oil level without visible drips on ground, Smoke from engine bay under load, Oil coating turbo and downpipe
Fix: O-rings on oil supply pedestal under turbo fail from heat cycles. Requires turbo removal (5-7 hours) to access and replace o-rings. Often done with turbo rebuild. Small leak can be monitored; heavy leak risks oil starvation to turbo bearings.
Estimated cost: $900-1,600
Exhaust Back Pressure (EBP) Sensor and Tube Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with EBP codes (P0470-P0473), Poor boost control or overboost, Black smoke under acceleration, Limp mode or reduced power
Fix: Sensor or stainless tube from exhaust manifold corrodes or plugs with soot. Replacement is straightforward (0.5-1 hour) but tube can break off in manifold requiring extraction. Sensor alone is quick; seized tube adds time and risk.
Estimated cost: $150-400
Glow Plug Relay (GPR) 'Click of Death'
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Rapid clicking from relay under hood, Hard starting in cold weather, Extended cranking before start, Glow plug indicator stays on
Fix: Relay contacts weld or fail, causing continuous cycling and rapid clicking. Relay replacement is 15 minutes under hood on driver side fender. Cheap part ($30-80), but failure can damage glow plugs or wiring if left unchecked. Test glow plug draw before replacing relay.
Estimated cost: $100-250
Front Hub Unit Bearing Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or humming from front wheels, Play in wheel when jacked up, ABS/4WD light intermittently, Vibration increases with speed
Fix: Vacuum-actuated front hubs and bearings wear from abuse and water intrusion. Unit bearing replacement is 2-3 hours per side with proper tools. F-350 dually rears rarely fail. Check for play during tire rotations.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Owner tips
Change fuel filters religiously every 10,000 miles—the 7.3L's HEUI system is intolerant of contamination
Install an external transmission cooler and bypass the factory internal cooler before it fails
Use quality 15W-40 diesel oil and change every 5,000 miles; check oil level weekly as these engines consume oil normally when worked hard
Inspect under-valve-cover harness connectors during any valve cover service past 120k miles
Flush coolant every 3 years with proper diesel coolant additive—cavitation pitting kills these blocks
Absolutely buy one used if maintained—the 7.3L is bulletproof when you stay ahead of injectors, coolers, and harness corrosion, easily reaching 400k+ miles with care.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: 7.3L Power Stroke diesel requires high CCA; dual battery configuration available on some models
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Every control module on the 1998-2004 Ford F-350 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Integrated within instrument cluster (transceiver ring around ignition)
🔧 Ford NGS tester (1998-2003), Ford IDS (2004)
⚠️ Standard equipment by 2000; requires programming PCM, cluster, and up to 8 transponder keys; aftermarket programming possible with professional tools by 2004
⚠️ Battery disconnect and 2-minute wait required; crash data clearable with dealer tool only; side airbags added 2001+
Audio Control Module (ACM)0.5 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Integrated with radio head unit in center dash
⚠️ Premium sound systems have external amplifier under passenger seat; some units have anti-theft code requiring dealer unlock
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · 06V286000
2006-08-01 · EA05005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.
Consequence: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · 01V227001
2001-07-16
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH.
FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01
MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01.
LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01.
LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01.
FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01.
FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01.
FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01.
FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00.
FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP · 01V106000
2001-03-27
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: F-SUPER DUTY CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS (F-350 SHORT WHEELBASE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6 3/4' PICKUP BOX AND DUAL REAR WHEELS) WERE BUILT AFTER A CHANGE WAS IMPLEMENTED TO DELETE A CLAMP, AND LATER A BRACKET THAT PROVIDED A GROUND FOR THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. THE PICKUP BOX MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY GROUNDED.
Consequence: WITHOUT PROPER GROUNDING, AN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE COULD RESULT DURING FUEL FILL UP, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER PIPE GROUND. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 01V082000
2001-03-12
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE INFLATOR CANISTER IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD NEAR THE IGNITER.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION, OR A BURN INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Performance
Horsepower
235hp
Torque
500lb-ft
Capability & size
Towing capacity
12,500lb
Payload
3,750lb
Curb weight
6,800lb
Wiper blades
Tenth generation F-Series Super Duty (1999-2004). Standard hook arm configuration.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2001 Ford F-350 7.3L V8 Power Stroke Diesel and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.