1996 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

1996 FORD F 150 AUTO TRANS W/ OVERDRIVE CRUISE & TILT, THE PROBLEM IS STEERING COLUMN FAILURE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND AGAIN NOW 11/30/2007. THE 1ST TIME AT ABOUT 78,000 MI. AND THE MILEAGE NOW IS 179,000 MI THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FAILURE STARTS AS POPPING SOUNDS ALONG WITH THE SOUNDS OF A RUSTY SCREEN DOOR SPRING THEN IT GETS WORSE TO THE POINT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HANGS AND IT TAKES BOTH HANDS TO FREE IT. (TRUST ME THIS WILL SCARE THE HECK OUT OF YOU TURNING IN A BUSY INTERSECTION) EVENTUALLY IT WILL LOCK UP COMPLETELY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. ON OCTOBER 4, 2007, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. A TREE AND SOME OF THE GRASS CAUGHT FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO RECALL NUMBER 05S28 BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,934. UPDATED 01/02/08 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. FORD STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE THAT THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. UPDATED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL FUEL TANK AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL RETURN CHECK VALVE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FUEL FROM THE REAR FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED INTO THE SECOND FUEL TANK. IN ADDITION, FUEL HAD SEEPED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK CAP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR 1990-1993 F-SERIES MODEL VEHICLES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01I008000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT NOT FOR THE 1996 MODEL YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 06/30/14 MA UPDATED 07/2/2014 *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. HE OPENED THE FUEL CAP AND GAS POURED OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT A REGULATOR OR A FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,000.

THE VEHICLE HAS 2 FUEL TANKS. WHILE DRIVING, GASOLINE FLOWS FROM ONE TANK TO THE SECOND TANK, CAUSING THE SECOND TANK TO OVERFILL. WHEN OPENING THE LID TO THE SECOND TANK, PRESSURE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE CAUSES GASOLINE TO SPEW FROM THE SPOUT ONTO OPERATOR AND ONTO THE GROUND. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. SPORADICALLY, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF ACCOMPANIED BY A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A HEAD LAMP SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO YEARS LATER. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V024000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE HIS MODEL'S BODY STYLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ,AND HE FELT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO RECALL#05V388000, SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE CONTACT HEARD THAT THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL UNLESS THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE LABOR.*AK

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE HAD TO DO WITH SOMETHING ELECTRICAL UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CONTACTS VEHICLE, BUT CONTACT STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. UPON DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE, AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE PLASTIC CLUTCH LINKAGE RETAINER HAD DETACHED AND FALLEN ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT THEN REACHED BELOW THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND WHAT HE ASSUMED WAS THE CLUTCH LINKAGE RETAINER BUT IT WAS NOT DURABLE ENOUGH TO SERVE AS A SAFE RETAINER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - THE ITEM INDICATED IS THE SELF LOCKING BUSHING WHICH FORD RELEASE AS A RETAINER TO THE CONSUMER MARKET. *NM

DENTON, TEXAS. RECENTLY PURCHASED USED 1996 FORD F 150 TRUCK, SAT IN WORK PARKING LOT UNDER A SHADE TREE FROM 7:30 AM-3:15 PM...AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES, DESTROYING THE TRUCK. I WAS NOTIFIED AT 3:20 THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE WHICH WAS NOT ABLE TO BE PUT OUT WITH HAND EXTINGUISHERS. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED, BROKE WINDOWS TO PUT OUT FIRE INSIDE THE CAB. TRUCK WAS TOTALLY BURNED OUT FROM CAB FORWARD. POLICE WERE CALLED, BUT REFUSED TO COME. FIRE MARSHALL IN DID NOT RESPOND TO CALL. MESSAGE WAS LEFT ON ANSWERING MACHINE. SHADE TREE WAS BURNED, BUT VEHICLES NEARBY WERE MOVED PRIOR TO ANY INVOLVEMENT. NO PERSONAL INJURIES OCCURRED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES DUE TO A PREVIOUS FAILURE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, WHEN A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT UNDER HOOD AREA AND SPREAD FROM THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE VEHICLE AND THE REPAIR SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALERTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION BY A MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V388000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 9/15/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED TO REFUEL, THE GAS CAP WAS REMOVED AND GASOLINE BLEW OUT OF THE FILLER PIPE. THERE WAS A RECALL #93V125000 FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH 1990-1993 FORD F-150 MODELS THAT CAUSED FUEL OVERFLOW DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE CHECK VALVE BETWEEN THE DUEL TANKS. THE CONTACT HAS CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A 15 AMP ELECTRICAL FUSE FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE FUSE BURNS OUT, HE IS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. WHEN HE PLACES THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO OPERATE OR MOVE. THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS CRASHES. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE CONTACT IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

A SMALL CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD RESULTED IN A BIG CRACK AFTER THE WEATHERS TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO FREEZING.

THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ON THE CONSUMER'S 1996 FORD F150 SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. *TS THE VEHICLE'S LEFT REAR BRAKE DRUM WAS HITTING THE PAVEMENT AND RESULTED IN PIECES OF THE PAVEMENT TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FORD F150 HAD RECENT TIRE AND RIM WORK DONE. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN WAITING TWO YEARS FOR FORD TO REPAIR THE CRUISE CONTROL ON HER VEHICLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS ISSUED IN 2005 AND THE CONTACT HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED IN MAY OF 2006. SHE CALLED FORD SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND OUT WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER KEEPS PROVIDING DIFFERENT DATES AND THE PARTS ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS RECENTLY INFORMED THAT HER LOCAL DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS, FORD PROMPTED HER TO CONSULT OTHER DEALERS; HOWEVER, NONE WERE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

I OWN A 1996 FORD F150 4X4. THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR ANY TYPE OF COMMERCIAL DUTIES THAT I'M AWARE OF AND THE VEHICLE SHOWS NO SIGNS OF ABUSE. I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2004 IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. RECENTLY I NOTICED THE LEFT REAR CORNER OF THE BED HAD DROPPED APPROXIMATELY 3/4" WHICH HAS INCREASED TO OVER AN INCH. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE REAR SPRING SUPPORT BRACKET HAD ROTTED THROUGH. THE SPRING IS PRESENTLY SUPPORTED BY THE TRUCK BED. I HAVE INSPECTED THE REMAINING REAR SPRING SUPPORTS AND THEY ARE ALL IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. APPARENTLY THE MATERIALS FORD IS USING TO MANUFACTURE THESE COMPONENTS IS NOT UP TO THE TASK AND THE COATING USED TO PROTECT THESE SUPPORTS ONLY MASKS THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT'S TO LATE CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I'VE OWNED A NUMBER OF FORD TRUCKS IN THE PAST WITH CONSIDERABLY MORE YEARS ON THEM THAN THIS VEHICLE AND I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE SPRING SUPPORTS OR ANY STRUCTURAL COMPONENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY TEN YEARS OF SERVICE AND STRUCTURAL PARTS SUCH AS THESE SHOULD NOT BE ROTTING AWAY. I OWN THREE OTHER FORD TRUCK PRODUCTS AND THEY ARE ALL SHOWING SIGNS CONSIDERABLE DETERIORATION (HEAVY RUST) ON CHASSIS COMPONENTS COATING PROCESS FORD IT USING ( LOOKS LIKE POWDER COATING) TO PROTECT THE COMPONENTS IS ACTUALLY MASKING THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT'S TO LATE. I'M HOPING THAT I CAN PURCHASE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, OTHERWISE I WILL BE FORCED TO PROCURE A USED SET FROM A AUTO RECYCLER. THESE SUPPORTS PROVIDE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION AS WELL AS MAINTAIN THE REAR AXLES ALIGNMENT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A SERVICE LIFE GREATER THAN TEN YEARS. THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY ISSUE IN THE FACT THAT THE AVERAGE DRIVER MAY NOT REALIZE THERE IS A PROBLEM UNTIL IT'S TO LATE AND THE DRIVER LOOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

1998 F-150 SITTING IN YARD - FIRE STARTED IN FRONT OF TRUCK - JUST PURCHASED IN OCT. 05. NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES ON RECALL . *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK VALVE IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE UNUSED FUEL TRANSFERRED FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER. NO SPILLAGE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE SECOND TANK WAS NOT OVERFILLED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 93V125000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED.

THE CRUISE WAS NOT WORKING IN OUR 1996 FORD PICKUP. WE HAD DROVE IT THAT NIGHT AND HAD GOTTEN HOME ABOUT 10:00 P.M. AND ABOUT 3:00A.M. WE HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. WE REPORTED IT TO FORD MOTOR CO. WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THEM, EXCEPT WE THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *TR

FUEL TANKS. FILLED REAR TANK AND OPENED FRONT TANK TO FILL IT. WHEN I TOOK CAP OFF GAS SPLASHED OUT. THE FRONT TANK WAS OVER FULL. I TALKED TO A FORD MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A VALVE IN THE RETURN LINE THAT CAUSED THE FRONT TANK TO OVER FILL FROM THE REAR TANK. HE ALSO SAID THAT FORD DID REPAIR SOME TRUCKS ,BUT WASN'T DOING IT NOW. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE SCDS ON 10-06-05. THE CONSUMER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING TO MAINE. ON 10-13-05 THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SCDS DISCONNECTED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER TOOK PICTURES OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONSUMER LIVED IN A RURAL AREA IN WHICH HE PUT OUT THE FIRE HIMSELF. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID NOT HAVE TO BE CALLED. T HE POLICE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONSUMER REPORTED SOMETHING SMELLED LIKE PLASTIC BURNING FOR THE PAST MONTH AND HALF PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC IN WEST VIRGINIA, HIS PREVIOUS RESIDENCE, AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE ORIGIN OF THE SMELL. THE CONSUMER REPORTED NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FIRE AND THEY HAD NOT CALLED THE CONSUMER BACK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD AT A TOLL FREE NUMBER AND THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT CONSUMER AFFAIRS WOULD BE CONTACTING HIM WITHIN SEVEN TO TEN DAYS. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT HEARD FROM FORD. *AK (11/17/05) RECALL CAMPAIGN # EA05005. *SC

OCT 4, 2005-DURING ANNUAL STATE SAFETY INSPECTION, THE INSPECTOR DISCOVEREWD THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THE BREAKS WERE APROXIMATELY 90 FROM THE TOP END OF EACH COIL, LEAVING THEM UNATTACHED. THE BROKEN ENDS WERE RUSTY, SO THEY HAD BEEJN IN THIS CONDITION FOR SOME TIME. THE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES.

HAVE A 1996 FORD F-150 W/CRUISE CONTROL. IT WAS PARKED IN THE YARD AND STARTED ON FIRE. VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS OUT OF STATE AT THE TIME. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AND A HALF. THE FIRE SPREAD DAMAGING TWO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES THAT WERE PARKED NEARBY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND DISTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY. AFTERWARDS HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V017000 INVOLVING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. *NM

MY CLIENT'S 1996 FORD F-150 CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY; ITS VIN IS: [XXX] -- HE REQUESTS AN INVESTIGATION OF THE SAME OR MORE INFORMATION AS TO FORDS POLICY AS TO VEHICLES DESTROYED BY FIRE BEFORE THE RECALL.*JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

MY SONS TRUCK 1996 FORD F150 CAUGHT FIRE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY IT HAD BEEN SITTING THERE A LITTLE OVER TWO HOURS. IT STARTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD. THE TRUCK IS TOTALED, MY SOFIC AND GUTTER WAS DESTROYED MY GARAGE. MY 2005 CAR-MATE TRAILER HAS HEAT DAMAGE ON THE FRONT OF IT AND DESTROYED MY NEIGHBORS FENCE AND BUSHES. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 05V388000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH . THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. *AK

ON AUG. 30TH AT 9:00 A.M. MY 1996 F150 TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. I WAS NOT IN THE TRUCK I HAD NOT DRIVEN THE TRUCK FOR TWO HRS. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND SELF IGNITED, THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. IT WAS A REALLY HOT FIRE I HAD TO CALL OUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT IT OUT. *NM

13-21 AUG TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHILE WE VISITED FAMILY IN SOUTH CAROLINA. TRUCK NOT DRIVEN. DROVE TRUCK 22 AUG TO WORK APPROX. 12.5 MILES. TRUCK WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT UNTIL 4PM WHEN I DROVE IT HOME. TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FROM 4:30 PM UNTIL THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED BETWEEN 8:30 AND 9:00 PM. I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE FIRE STARTED AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH THE TRUCK AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. BUT I BELIEVE THE HOTEST PART OF THE FIRE WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE NEAR THE TOP WHERE MOST OF THE DESTRUCTION WAS LOCATED.

FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FIRE ON MY 1996 FORD F-150 PICK-UP. THE FIRE STARTED THIS MORNING ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER I GOT TO WORK TODAY. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I AM AWARE OF WITH THE 2000 F-150'S BUT MY TRUCK IS A 1996 AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 1997 WHEN IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD. THE FORD-SMART WEB SITE SAID TO CONTACT YOU IF ANY OTHER YEARS THAN 2000 HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 FORD F150 XLT. A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS FIRST NOTICED COMING UP THROUGH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATING ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC AND SAID IT HAD BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS, AND WAS STARTING IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA05005. *AK *SC

AT ABOUT 4 A.M. ON JULY 16, 2005; MY 1996 FORD F150 STARTED TO BURN AFTER HAVING BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE CHIEF INDICATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS AWARE OF THE CRUISE SWITCH RECALL ON THE 2000-2001 FORD TRUCKS, BUT DID NOT REALIZE THAT MY TRUCK COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED BY THIS BECAUSE IT HAD THE SAME CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A DUEL GASOLINE TANK. WHEN THE BACK TANK IS SELECTED IT WILL PUMP GASOLINE TO THE ENGINE, BUT IT WILL ALSO PUMP GASOLINE INTO THE FRONT TANK AND PRESSURIZE THE GASOLINE, FORCING IT OUT OF THE FILLER NECK AND CAP. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED GASOLINE OVERFLOWS ONTO THE GROUND, AND WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE SPILLS OUT ALONG THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE CAP IS REMOVED FROM THE TANK, A LARGER AMOUNT OF GASOLINE WILL SPILL OUT, AND THE GASOLINE IS FILLED UP TO THE FILLER NECK. THE CONSUMER HAS TO WATCH THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE THAT IS IN THE BACK TANK TO ENSURE THAT THE OVERFLOW WILL NOT OCCUR. THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THAT THE CHECK VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CHECK VALVE PREVENTED THE GASOLINE FROM GOING FROM THE BACK TANK INTO THE FRONT TANK. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST FOR THE REPAIR.*AK UPDATED 01/04/06. *JB

DT: 1996, FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. THE TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS PRIOR. THE LAST TIME IT DRIVEN WAS ON SHORT TRIP TO A LOCAL GAS STATION IN WHICH THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED UP. CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED BY A PASSING DRIVER, WHO WAS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR TO ALERT THEM, THAT TRUCK PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON FIRE. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND AND THE PASSER BY TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE BEGAN ON THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR STEERING WHEEL. THE FIREMEN NOTED IT SMELLED ELECTRICAL IN NATURE, AND THAT THE HEAT FROM FIRE WAS MOST EXTENSIVE AND CONTAINED IN HEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CAB WAS BURNED EXTENSIVELY. THE BED WAS INTACT, AND NO FIRE WAS ABLE TO REACH TO THE GASOLINE TANKS. THE HEAT FROM FIRE WAS SO EXTENSIVE THAT LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE MELTED AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR. CONSUMER SPOKE TO FORD ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS , WHO PROMISED THAT SOMEONE WILL CONTACT CONSUMER THROUGH THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND SOMEONE MAY COME OUT AND LOOK INTO THE CAUSES OF THE FIRE AND DAMAGES. BUT THIS HAS YET TO HAPPEN. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. . THERE WAS ONLY 68,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *AK

DT: 1996 FORD F150 XLT PICK UP TRUCK. THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND THE SHAFT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN THE BACK SLID OUT. THE TRUCK WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A SIDE ROAD ABOUT 35 -40 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THESE VEHICLES WERE DESIGNED TO FAIL. IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1300.00. ALSO, WHILE TRYING TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE SHIFTER WAS FLOPPING AROUND AND A BOLT FELL OUT AT THE CONSUMER'S FEET. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. THE BOLT FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE THE TWO HALVES MEET. OF THE TWO BOLTS ONE FELL OUT, AND THE OTHER WAS VERY LOOSE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIX THEM WITH A RETAINING DEVICE WITH LOCK WASHERS ON BOTH BOLTS. THE THIRD PROBLEM, WAS SIMILAR TO THE FIRST PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING SOMEONE RAN A RED LIGHT AND THE TRUCK WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE WHEEL AND SHAFT DISENGAGED FROM THE REAR AXLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK UPDATED 08/02/06. *JB

DT: ON JUNE 22, 2005 THE CONSUMER'S FORD F 150 BEGAN SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 9 HOURS. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LOCATED ON TOP OF THE MASTER CYLINDER SHORTED OUT AND LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GETTING READY TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE SHORT MELTED THE PLASTIC RESERVIOR THAT HOLDS THE BRAKE FLUID TO THE POINT WHERE IT ALMOST BURNED THROUGH. THE OWNER REMOVED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO STOP THE BURNING. THAT CONNECTOR WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE PART COOLED OFF AND THE OWNERS TAPED UP THE CONNECTOR SO IT WOULD NOT MAKE ANY CONNECTION WITH ANY METAL PARTS. THE OWNERS STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THIS HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD TURN OFF THE LIGHT OFF AND TELL THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT ALRIGHT ON THEIR COMPUTER. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS AN OXYGEN SENSOR. THERE WAS NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT MADE. THE OWNER TOOK PICTURES OF THE PART FOR HIS RECORDS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEY GAVE HIM A FORM LETTER TO CALL THE PHONE NUMBERS ON THE LIST. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ALSO. THEY SAID THEY WOULD REVIEW THE INFORMATION, AND SENT THE OWNER A LETTER IN THE MAIL. FORD RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED. ON THE DASHBOARD THERE IS A BLINKING ABS LIGHT THAT WILL NOT SHUT OFF BECAUSE THE PART HAS BEEN REMOVED, THEREFORE THE OWNER CAN NOT GET A INSPECTION STICKER ON HIS VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS BLINKING. THE OWNER CAN NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BLINKING LIGHT BECAUSE THE COMPONENT NEEDS TO BE FIXED WITH THE CORRECT PART. *NM

1)CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO 2)1996 F-150 PARKED IN DRIVE WAY, GOT IN TRUCK AND COULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK. LOOKED UNDER HOOD, FOUND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BURNT UP. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS SEARED FROM CRUISE CONTROL BURNING UP. IF IT HAD BURNED THRU THE RESERVOIR, THE TRUCK MIGHT HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. 3)TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET, DEALER SAID I SHOULD CONTACT FORD, EMAILED FORD ABOUT FIXING TRUCK, NO RESPONSE YET

I HAVE A 1996 F-150 THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING ONSEVERAL MONTHS AGO. YESTERDAY, THE FUSE THAT SUPPLIES POWER TO THE "BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH" BLEW. I FOUND BRAKE FLUID IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR OF THE "BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH." WHY IS THIS VEHICLE NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR THIS PART? MY DEALER SYAS HE HAS A REPLACEMENT SWITCH, BUT I AM HESITANT TO BUY. THINK I'LL JUST LEAVE IT UNPLUGGED FOR NOW.

DT: THE VEHICLE HAS BUCKET SEATS THAT RECLINE. RECLINER BOLT BROKE AND THE SEAT FELL BACK. THERE IS RECALL 96E010000 BUT OWNER 'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, BUT VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE DRIVERS SEAT IS THE ONE WITH PROBLEMS. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS FINE.*AK

1996 FORD F150 HAD MADE A SHORT TRIP TO HOME DEPOT. APPROXIMATELY 1 HR. LATER I SMELLED WHAT SEEMED LIKE BURNING TAR. I LOOKED AND THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD.. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE SWITCH SMOKING PROFUSELY, A SMALL FLAME. AND EXTREMELY HOT. I UNPLUGGED IT AND THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM STOPPED.. THE SWITCH IS BURNT AND MELTED. IF I HAD NOT BEEN OUTSIDE AND FOUND THIS EVEN 5 MINUTES LATER. I WOULD NOW HAVE A BURNED TRUCK. THIS IS THE SAME SWITCH THAT FORD HAS RECALLED ON THE 2000 MODELS.AND ADMITTED TO HAVING A PROBLEM AS FAR BACK AS THE 97 MODELS. BUT NOT ON 96. I HAVE CHECKED THEIR WEB SITE AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS YEAR. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SOON.. BUT WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAD ANY MORE COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM.

THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, OWNER FOUND A BLOWN FUSE, #13 ON THE FUSE PANEL.THIS FUSE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BRAKE INTERLOCK SYSTEM. WHEN REPLACING THE FUSE IT KEPT BLOWING. OWNER UNPLIGGED THE SWITCH ON THE MASTERCYLINDER AND PUT NEW FUSE IN AGAIN. FUSE DID NOT BLOW AND TRUCK WOULD SHIFT. THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SWITCH OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM .THIS IS VERY MUCH A FIRE HAZZARD!!!!!!! STILL NOT FIXED.

DT: THE CONSUMER DROVE THE TRUCK FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AND PARKED IT AT THE HOUSE. AFTER ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE HOURS, THE NEIGHBOR CAME OVER SAYING THAT THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. *TT THE FIRE OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD. *SC *JB

DT: CALLERS TRUCK BURNED UP. NO WARNING OF ANY KIND. LOCAL DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL OR ANYTHING ON TRUCK. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT FIRE OUT. REPORT FILED WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT. TRUCK WAS TOTALED.*AK THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEVICE. *JB

DT: VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL CRASH ,AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WAS CUT OFF AND HIT THE OTHER CAR. WAS GOING ABOUT 40-45 MPH WHEN IMPACT OCCURRED. NO WARNING THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY.*AK

SMOKE IN HOUSE. OWNER INVESTIGATED PROBLEM. SAW FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD IN PICKUP. GAS TANK EXPLODED. BURNED DOWN ATTACHED GARAGE AND HOUSE, KILLING ONE PERSON AND INJURING ANOTHER.

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHEN IT WAS DAMP OR RAINING THE BRAKES LOCKED. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT HAS BECOME CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED ALL FORD TRUCKS WERE MADE THAT WAY. THERE HAVE BEEN NO CORRECTIONS TO THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK

I HAVE A 1996 FORD F-150 PICKUP TRUCK. THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE ON APRIL 20, 2005, AT A FORD REPAIR FACILITY, WHILE IT WAS THERE FOR REPAIR. THE FIRE INITIATED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. ITEMS AFFECTED BY THE FIRE INCLUDED THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND POWER BRAKE DIAPHRAGM, MELTED COVERS, HOSES AND WIRING, AND BURNED AND SCORCHED THE HOOD, PEALING A LARGE SPOT OF THE PAINT. THE TRUCK HAS JUST 77,986 MILES. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. EVEN THOUGH THIS SWITCH IS THE SAME PART, IDENTIFIED WITH THE SAME PART NUMBER BY FORD, AND THE SAME DESIGN AS THAT CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL IN MODEL YEARS 2000 ? 2001, FORD HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I LEARNED ABOUT THIS DECISION FROM A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE REPAIRS, USING SOME USED COMPONENTS, IS ABOUT $1,000. WHEN I CALLED THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CURRENT SWITCH IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. IT WOULD BE REPLACED WITH A NEW DESIGN, THE SAME AS ON THE RECALL FOR THE 2000 ? 2001 MODELS. THE NEW PART INCLUDES A SWITCH (TRANSDUCER), AS WELL AS A JUMPER CABLE CONTAINING A NEW DIODE AND PLUG. THE NEW PART SELLS FOR $24.29. IT IS FORTUNATE THAT THIS FIRE OCCURRED WHILE THE UNIT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE REPAIR FACILITY. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SERIOUS IF IT WERE INSIDE THE BUILDING, EXPOSING THE MECHANICS TO SMOKE AND FIRE. THIS TRUCK IS DRIVEN BY MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND AROUND TOWN. I HAD THE TRUCK IN FOR REPAIRS TO BE ASSURED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED COLLEGE NEXT FALL THE UNIT WOULD BE RELIABLE FOR HER. HAD THIS SWITCH CAUSED A FIRE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING WE COULD HAVE LOST HER. THAT IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE! THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE UNITS THAT HAVE THIS CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE AT RISK.*AK

1996 FORD F150 PICKUP EXPLODED INTO A BALL OF FIRE WITH IGNITION OFF. TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH CRUISE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROPPED INTO A LOW GEAR AND SLOWED QUICKLY. ALSO, INTERMITENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN FIRST STARTED.*AK