1996 Ford F-150 Body & Structure Problems

I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO REPLACE MY DOOR HANDLES FROM THE INSIDE OF MY TRUCK. THEY KEEP BREAKING, AND NOW I AM DRIVING A TRUCK THAT I CAN ONLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE AFTER ROLLING MY WINDOWS DOWN. I HAVE TALKED TO FORD ABOUT THIS DEFECT, WHICH I CONSIDER A HIGH SAFETY ISSUE IN AN EMERGENCY. THEY SAY THEY HAVE A BETTER DESIGN BUT WILL COST ME $250 EACH TO REPLACE. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM SO WHY ISN'T IT SOMETHING THAT FORD SHOULD REPLACE FREE? MEANWHILE.. I CAN'T AFFORD $500 FOR TWO DOOR HANDLES, PLUS LABOR, ONTOP OF THE COST OF THE ONES I HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT, AND TRIED REPLACING MYSELF. *TR

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

EACH TIME WHEN MAKING A TURN IT SOUNDS LIKE A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRAME THAT IS FALLING APART. *AK

CLEAR COAT PAINT PEELED AROUND THE WINDSHIELD, MIRRORS AND WINDOWS.

SUNVISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE HANGS DOWN LOOSELY/SWINGS FREELY, BLOCKING DRIVERS VISION.

WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN THE POWER DOOR LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTON IS DEPRESSED FOR EITHER DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE, DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENS UP, CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT TO ALMOST FALL OUT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

PILLAR MOULDING FAILED 3 TIMES.

LOUD CRACKING OR CREAKING SOUND WHENEVEER MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED - STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO VERY MINOR BUT NOW CREAKS QUITE ALOT - A TSB APPPLIES BUT FORD WILL NOT PAY ANY MONEY TOWARD THE REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE SHOP MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP DON IZZET - THE TSB STATES THAT RIVETS ON THE FRAME COME LOOSE AND MUST BE REPLACED WITH BOLTS - I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS IT IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURER. *AK