The 2001 Ford F-150 has 5 recalls, the most serious being corroded fuel tank mounting straps that can fail and allow the tank to drop to the ground or cause fuel lines to separate, creating a significant fire risk.
On the brake side, the left front brake hose on certain trucks was damaged during final assembly and can leak brake fluid, extending stopping distances in a way the driver may not anticipate until it is too late. These two issues represent the most urgent mechanical concerns on the truck.
The restraint system has two separate problems. The driver airbag inflator canister may have an inadequate weld near its igniter, meaning the airbag can fail to deploy in a crash or, in some cases, cause a burn injury to the driver. Separately from the airbag, this recall only affects regular cab models: the driver-side seatbelt retractor may not pull the belt fully back in, leaving slack in the belt when worn and reducing how well it restrains the driver in a crash.
Finally, the owner's manual may not correctly identify where the child seat tether anchor points are located or explain how to attach a child seat to them. Without that guidance, a child seat may not be secured properly, increasing the risk of injury to a child passenger in a crash.
