1997 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

I OWN A 1997 FORD F150 4.2L. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN LOSING COOLANT FOR A WHILE! I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, REPLACED HOSES, REPLACED THERMOSTATS,ETC. MY TRUCK IS NOW HAVING A TICKING SOUND WHEN I START IT IN COLD WEATHER. I HAVE COME TO FIND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS TRUCKS ENGINE FOR A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS RECALL!!! I WAS INFORMED OF OTHER RECALLS LIKE LUG NUT FAILURE, CRUISE CONTROL CABLES,ETC, BUT NEVER ABOUT THE MOST EXPENSIVE, MOST VITAL PART OF THE TRUCK THE ENGINE. THE INFORMATION OF THE RECALL WAS DISCOVER AS I WAS ON THE WEB TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX THE KNOCKING SOUND. THE WEB SITE HAD OVER 350 MESSAGES OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!!! PLEASE HELP!! *JB

COMPLAINT: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, POOR DESIGN OF LOWER INTAKE PLENUM/MANIFOLD GASKET IN THE ESSEX 4.2L V-6. 1: EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE ORIGINALLY THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF IMPENDING FAILURE. THE INDICATIONS OF FAILURE ARE LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT WITH NO VISIBLE EXTERNAL LEAK, AND COOLANT IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. 2: FAILURE AND IT'S CONSEQUENCES THIS DEFECT ALLOWS COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, CAUSING A HYDRAULIC LOCKING CONDITION WHICH WILL BREAK/BEND ONE OR MORE CONNECTING RODS. THIS RENDERS THE ENGINE UNUSABLE, AND IT MUST BE PULLED, REPAIRED IF POSSIBLE (SOME ARE NOT), AND RE-INSTALLED. 3: FAILURE CORRECTION. IN MOST CASES THE ENGINE CAN BE REPAIRED BY REPLACING A CONNECTING ROD, PISTON, AND CRANKSHAFT, AND ALL THE OTHER ASSOCIATED PARTS THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH THIS LEVEL OF DISASSEMBLY. IN SOME CASES THE CONNECTING ROD WILL BREAK AND DAMAGE THE BLOCK BEYOND REPAIR. THIS HAPPENED IN MY CASE. THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS OVER $2000, NOT TO MENTION THE LABOR INVOLVED IN IT'S REPLACEMENT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW, AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING IT. HOWEVER, TO THIS DAY THEY WILL STILL NOT OFFER ANY AID, IN ANY FORM, FOR DAMAGES INCURRED DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW. *NM

'97 FORD F-150 4.2L V-6, LOWER INTAKE GASKETS FAILED, LEADING TO HYDROLOCKED ENGINE. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING. TRUCK IS NOW INOPERABLE. *NM

ON OCCASION, TRUCK WOULD HESITATE, TAKING A BIT OF TLC ON THE GAS PEDAL TO CLEAR IT UP. ONE OCCASION, IN TRAFFIC, ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A NEAR MISS, I ACCELERATED THROUGH THIS. WHITE SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT THE TAIL PIPE. HEAD GASKET FAILURE. LIMPED HOME. ENGINE HYDRO-LOCKED. DIAGNOSIS = REPLACE HEAD GASKETS ($2,100) IN THIS SAME 'WEAK' 4.2 V-6 OR REPLACE MOTOR ($2,500) WITH NEWER 4.2 V-6. REPLACEMENT WILL BE DONE TOMORROW. FORD FAULTY ENGINE / GASKETS - NOT MY FAULT. MY PROBLEM THOUGH. *JB

F150 FORD RIGHT SIDE UPPER HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *NM

1997 FORD F150 4.2L ENGINE - THROWN ROD/ CRUISE CONTROL FIRE POSSIBILITES. *TR

MY 1997 FORD F150, 4.2L V6, HAS BEEN LOSING COOLANT SINCE ABOUT 2004. MY SON HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE ONE AFTERNOON. FINALLY I GOT IT STARTED AND DROVE 5 MILES HOME. THE NEXT AFTERNOON THE CAR STARTED QUICKLY BUT IMMEDIATELY STARTED BANGING AWAY. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE ENGINE IS DEAD - BAD ROD. NOW I FIND OUT FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE BUT FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. TRADE IN VALUE ON THE CAR IS ZERO BECAUSE ALL THE 2ND TIER DEALERS KNOW ABOUT THE ENGINE PROBLEM. I'M OUT THE COST OF A NEW ENGINE (SEEMS ONLY FAIR AFTER MY 96 WINDSTAR NEEDS NEW HEAD GASKETS BECAUSE THEY WEAR OUT AT 30K MILES) APPARENTLY IF YOU KNOW A FORD MECHANIC, HE WILL TELL YOU THE MOTOR HAS BEEN BAD SINCE THE DAY IT WAS FIRST MANUFACTURED. THIS MOTOR SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AND HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE FAULTY GASKET LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE MOTOR IT WOULDN'T HAVE. FROM READING WEB SITES I HAVE FOUND THAT FORD ISSUED A RECALL ON THE GASKET AND THEN PULLED IT. I NEVER RECEIVED A BULLETIN ON THE FAULTY GASKET. DON'T EXPECT TO OWN ANOTHER FORD, BUT SOME FINANCIAL HELP WOULD SURE SOOTHE MY FRUSTRATION IF SOMEONE WANTS THE PARTS TO USE TO ACQUIRE COMPENSATION FROM FORD I CAN KEEP THE DEAD ENGINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY, HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF TRUCK AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BLOWOUT. AS I CHANGED LANE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER I SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE PIECES OF TIRE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE PULLED OVER, I GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE, AT FIRST EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OK UNTIL I LOOKED AT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, SAW THAT THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED, BUT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, THE SIDEWALLS WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION, BUT THE TREAD HAD JUST PEALED AWAY FROM THE CENTER. *MM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 3 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND EXPLODED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM

1997-F-150 SUPER CAB WITH FACTORY INSTALLED REAR SLIDING WINDOW. THE WINDOW HAS FLOWED WATER/RAIN EVERY TIME. IT SEEMS TO BE COMING IN AROUND THE SEAL WHERE IT MEETS THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER 97 F-150 OWNERS AND THE SAME THING WAS HAPPENING TO THEIR TRUCKS. ISN'T THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE? *AK

1997 FORD F-150 4.2L V6. ENGINE FAILURE. BROKEN ROD FOLLOWING HYDRO LOCK. PROBLEM PRECEDED WITH COOLANT LEAK AND REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET. *JB

I DRIVE AN IMPORTED F150 FROM 1997 (4X4, 5.4 ENGINE). LAST WEEK MY CRUISE STOPPED WORKING. AFTER INSPECTION AND SURFING THE NET, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME A LOT OF F150 HAD (HAVE), OIL LEAK TO THE CRUISE-CONNECTOR. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO OWNS A GARAGE, INSPECTED CAREFULLY AND CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. I WROTE TO FORD.COM TO ASK FOR HELP TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. NO REACTION. I ONLY ASK FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS I NEED AND THE NECESSARY INSTRUCTIONS TO DO THE REPAIRS, NOT MORE. PERHAPS YOU CAN HELP ME TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I LOVE THAT TRUCK AND I JUST WANT TO KEEP DRIVING AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. FOR THE MOMENT I DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE (AS RECOMMENDED ON A LOT OF FORD-FORUMS).*JB

FORD F-150 V-6 4.2L MOTOR COOLANT CAUSED THE MOTOR TO THROW A ROD. *NM

A COOPER DOMINATOR SPORT A/T TIRE OF THE TYPE THAT IS CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF EA 06 -021 EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE MOUNTED ON THE REAR AXLE OF A FORD F150. THE TREAD SEPARATION LED TO A LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE ROLLOVER THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ONE MAN AND INCAPACITATING BRAIN INJURIES TO ANOTHER. THE TIRE HAD 7/32 OF TREAD AND WAS IN GOOD CONDITION BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ABUSE OR MISUSE. THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2004 AT COOPER'S FINDLAY, OHIO PLANT. *TR

THE TRUCK STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WHICH WOULD COME AND GO. THESE PROBLEMS BECAME MORE SEVERE AND NUMEROUS AS TIME WENT BY. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THE WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON AND THEN THINGS LIKE THE RADIO COMING ON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND NO ONE HAD THE KEY EVEN IN. IT WOULD ALSO SHIFT INTO 4-WHEEL FOR NO REASON. THESE WOULD ONLY HAPPEN ONCE IN A WHILE. THEN ONE DAY WHEN I WENT TO GO TO WORK I OPENED THE DOOR AND EVERYTHING CAME ON JUST OPENING THE DOOR. I GOT IN AND PUT THE KEY IN AND TRIED TO START THE TRUCK BUT THERE WAS NOTHING. I THEN NOTICED THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL ITEMS BURNING AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK OUT THE KEY. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND ASK IF THEY KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEY IMMEDIATELY REPLIED THAT THESE TRUCKS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD LEAKING ON THE GEM MODULE AND FUSE BOX. WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THEY SAID THE STARTER, SOLENOID, AND FUSE HAD ALL BURNED UP. THE FUSE BOX ALSO HAD BURNED AT SEVERAL FUSE LOCATIONS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE NEW PARTS CAME THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THEY NOW HAD PLASTIC COVERS ON THEM TO HELP PREVENT MOISTURE FROM GETTING TO THEM. NOW ALL THIS STUFF BURNED UP IN MY TRUCK WHILE SITTING IN MY GARAGE AT NIGHT WITHOUT IT EVEN HAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE BURNED MY HOUSE DOWN WITH ME AND MY FAMILY IN SLEEPING. NOW IF THE DEALERSHIP KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM HOW COME THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM. IT COST ME JUST UNDER A GRAND TO FIX NOT TO MENTION MY WIFE WON'T LET ME PARK IT IN THE GARAGE ANYMORE BECAUSE SHE'S AFRAID OF A FIRE.

MANIFOLD STUDS RUSTED AWAY CAUSING EXHAUST PIPE TO SEPARATE FROM MANIFOLDS. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE, EMISSIONS PORTION OF NYS INSPECTION WAS FAILED. REPAIR IS REQUIRED TO PASS INSPECTION, AND IS ESTIMATED BY NEW COUNTRY FORD TO BE APPROXIMATELY $2200.00. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN EXCESSIVE EXPENSE AS A RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURERS POOR DESIGN AND QUALITY OF PARTS. *JB

I BOUGHT A 1997 FORD XL V-6 4X4 FROM NOLLER FORD IN TOPEKA, KS BRAND NEW . I WAS TOLD THIS V-6 ENGINE WAS THE GREATEST THING EVER INVENTED BY FORD. I NOTICED THAT ABOUT EVERY OIL CHANGE I HAD TO TOP OFF THE COOLANT. I CALLED TOPEKA FORD ABOUT THIS APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER I DROVE THE TRUCK--I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS MOTOR. I TOOK THEIR WORD. MY SON IS IN THE MILITARY AT NELLIS AFB IN LAS VEGAS NEVADA. HE DROVE MY TRUCK THERE AND CALLED ME LAST NIGHT SAYING THE MOTOR LOCKED UP.(IT HAS ABOUT 112,000 MILES ON IT) I CALLED THE LAS VEGAS FORD DEALERSHIP AND TALKED WITH FERNANDO AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FORD V-6---PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS!!!! I THEN CALLED A FORMER FORD MECHANIC AND ASKED HIM WHAT MY SON COULD DO---HE STATED THAT FORD HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE V-6 AND MOST WAS DUE TO SOME HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT) AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR ENGINES SEIZE UP DUE TO THIS. I HAVE READ SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINT AS I DO---WHY DOESN'T FORD STEP-UP? I HAVE BOUGHT QUITE A FEW FORDS BUT IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THIS WILL BE THE LAST ONE. SOME FORD OWNERS HAVE HAD FORD SEND THEM A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE GASKET ISSUE---WHY HAVEN'T I???? MY SON IS DUE TO BE DEPLOYED TO IRAQ SOON AND HE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THIS TRUCK. HE DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT, NOR DO I---FERNANDO WAS QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT FOR $4000 IT COULD BE FIXED, I ASKED HOW HE CAME UP WITH A FIGURE THAT FAST AND HE REFUSED TO ANSWER MY QUESTION----WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU???--THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE ON A REGULAR BASIS!!! *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK FELL OUT DUE TO RUSTED STRAPS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT GARAGED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE THAT THE TANK SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED OUT. UPDATED 08/01/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REPAIR FOR NHTSA RECALL # 05V388000, PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, AFTER 2 WEEKS, THERE WAS A SMELL INSIDE THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE OF SOMETHING BURNING. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SERVICE DEALER THAT ORIGINALLY PERFORMED THE WORK, WHO THEN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR PART OF THE RECALL HAD BEEN FULFILLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE VIN IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED THE NOTICE.

BROKEN BOLTS TO THE STEERING BOX. NO INCIDENT INVOLVED. STEERING CONTROL BECAME LOOSE. DIAGNOSIS OF PROBLEM WAS A LOOSE STEERING BOX FROM BOLT FAILURE. ADDITIONAL FAILURES OF REMAINING BOLTS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *NM

I HAD THE 05S28 FORD RECALL PERFORMED ON MY F150 ON 9/12/05 - THEY DID NOT DISCONNECT MY CRUISE CONTROL TO WAIT FOR THE NEW HARNESS - THEY INSTALLED A BRAKE KIT - AT CHRISTMAS TIME - I WENT HOME TO MINNESOTA AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE WAY BACK - WHEN I GOT HOME I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH SOMETHING WITH THE CRUISE IN NORTHERN CLIMATES ICING UP AND IF IT DIDN'T STOP WHEN I WAS HOME IN OKLAHOMA TO CALL THEM BACK - IT DIDN'T DO IT ANYMORE SO I DIDN'T CALL BACK. ON JULY 8TH I WENT TO BROKEN ARROW AND AFTER I SHUT MY TRUCK OFF AND PARKED IT - IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. ONLY TOOK ABOUT 8 MINUTES TO BURN. EVERYTHING FROM THE CAB BACK WINDOW FORWARD IS BURNED TO A CRISP. THE FIREMAN SAID THEY WERE WRITING IT UP AS ENGINE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. EVERYTHING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS GONE - THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY MELTED AWAY - THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MELTED - THERE IS MORE MISSING AND MELTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE - SO THE FIREMAN SUSPECT IT STARTED THERE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT THAT IT MELTED SOME PALLETS OF PVC PIPE THAT WERE STACKED ABOUT 8 FEET FROM WHERE I PARKED THE TRUCK AND THEY FELL OVER ON TOP OF THE TRUCK AND ONE OF THE FIREMEN. THEY GOT HIM OUT AND HE WAS UNINJURED. I LOST MY TRUCK, THE FIREMAN GOT MY TRAILER UNHOOKED WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE, I LOST MOST OF MY TOOLS AND A LOT OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS. POLICE CAME BUT LEFT IT UP TO FIRE DEPARTMENT TO WRITE A REPORT. *JB

1997 FORD F150 4.2 MOTOR FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TO ADD COOLANT A FEW TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAK, KEPT THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3 THOUSAND MILES. THE MOTOR THREW A ROD AND ALL THE OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. I FOUND OUT ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD, AND THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

FORD LOWER INTAKE GASKET ON 1997 F150 4.2L ENGINE CAUSING COOLANT LOSS. *NM

HEAD GASKET FAILED ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 WITH 4.2 LITER (V6) ENGINE. IT LEAKED INTO CRANKCASE AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. IT IS A TOTAL LOSS OF THE ENGINE AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER ENGINE. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE. *JB

BRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM

I USED TO BE A PROUD OWNER OF A 1997 FORD F150 4.2 LITER V6. THAT WAS UNTIL TODAY WHEN MY ENGINE HYDROLOCKED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE TRUCK NOW HAS 164000 MILES ON IT, HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED AT APPROX. 110000 MILES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE V6 ENGINES, AND THAT FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING DO TO THE "HIGH" MILES. I REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH A COMPLETE NEW SHORT BOCK,AND THE RECOMMENDED BY FORD 4MM HEAD GASKETS INSTEAD OF THE 3MM THAT THEY ORIGINALLY INSTALLED. THIS ENGINE LASTED ANOTHER APPROX 20000 MILES BEFORE IT HYDROLOCKED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY FROM THE ENGINE SUPPLIER...THANKFULLY. NOW, HOWEVER THERE ISN'T ANYTHING TO DO BUT REPLACE THE ENGINE AGAIN. IT'S NOT WORTH MUCH AS A RUNNING VEHICLE DO TO IT'S AGE, BUT AS A NON-RUNNING ONE IT'S REALLY WORTHLESS. I JUST HOPE THE SOMEDAY FORD WILL BE PRESSURED INTO MAKING SOME KIND OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES AND AT THE VERY LEAST OFFER ADVICE THAT TRULY HELPS THE CONSUMER NOT JUST BAND-AIDS THE ISSUE UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE. ON A SIDE NOT I'M NOT A DISGRUNTLED FORD OWNER I CURRENTLY OWN FOUR OTHER FORD VEHICLES DATING FROM 2003 BACK TO 1986. I JUST HOPE MAYBE I CAN HELP GET SOMETHING DONE BY WRITING THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

I HAVE A FORD F150 V6 4.2 WITH A BLOWN ENGINE. I STARTED IT ONE MORNING TO A LOUD KNOCKING AND SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN A FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT FORD REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. MY TRUCK HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

I OWN A 1997 F-150 . I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FROM A PRIVATE PARTY WHEN IT HAD 52,000 MILES. THE TRUCK NOW HAS ABOUT 90K MILES. ON MAY 16 I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A RAUCOUS NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ON MAY 17TH I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO AUTO SPECIALTIES, AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THEY IDENTIFIED THE NOISE AS A BENT CONNECTING ROD. THEY DISCOVERED STEAM COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE AND BELIEVE COOLANT SEEPED INTO THE CYLINDER THROUGH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I ASKED HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THEY SAID PROBABLY OVERHEATING. YET, IN THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED IT, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS NEVER REGISTERED HIGH, NO STEAM AROSE FROM THE ENGINE AREA. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3K MILES. I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED CORRECT FLUID LEVELS. I HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH THIS TRUCK AND NEVER CARRIED ANYTHING MORE THAN A HALF-TON LOAD. I ALWAYS LET IT WARM UP AND DRIVE IT GENTLY WHILE IT IS WARMING UP. IN ADDITION, THE TRUCK SPEED CONTROL DEVICE WAS REPLACED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ON SEPT. 14, 2005. IN THEIR INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THEY UNCOVERED NO PROBLEMS WITH COOLING OR OVERHEATING. THIS IS THE FIRST FORD I HAVE OWNED, THE FIRST AMERICAN CAR. I HAVE OWNED 1 MITSUBISHI AND 2 TOYOTA PICKUPS WHICH I BOUGHT SECOND HAND. I OWNED THEM UNTIL THEY HAD OVER 125K MILES AND THEY NEEDED NO REPAIRS OTHER THAN NORMAL MAINTENANCE. I HAVE DRIVEN A PRE-OWNED INTEGRA TO OVER 140K MILES WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND A HONDA CIVIC WHICH I DROVE FROM 60K-120K WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST PROBLEM. A TRUCK WITH 90K MILES SHOULD NOT NEED A NEW ENGINE. BY JUST ABOUT ANY MAKER STANDARDS THE ENGINE SHOULD LAST OVER 200K MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH CHARLES WHO SAID FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM, SINCE THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. SHOULDN'T FORD BE CONCERNED ABOUT A LEMON, EVEN IF IT IS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM? I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE, SINCE ITS FAILURE IS PREMATURE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL AS SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER.

STARTED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY, LOUD BANG, WHITE SMOKE OUT OF TAILPIPE, AND KNOCKING IN ENGINE. MECHANIC SAYS THE ENGINE IS RUINED - BEND RODS. ONE OWNER VEHICLE WITH 55,000 MILES.

I NOTICED MY FORD 4.2L V-6 WAS LOSING COOLANT. BUT, THERE WAS NO LEAKS EXTERNALLY. I WENT OUT TO START IT THE OTHER MORNING, AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND FOUND INFO ON HYDROLOCKING AND BAD GASKETS. I REMOVED ALL THE SPARK PLUGS, AND CRANKED THE ENGINE. LOTS OF COOLANT CAME OUT OF CYLINDER 1. NOW, I'M LOOKING AT BEST ALL NEW GASKETS, OR POSSIBLY A NEW ENGINE IF THE TIMING COVER GASKETS WEREN'T REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. *NM

MY 1997 4.2L V6 F150 WOULD NOT START, REPLACED STARTER MOTOR, PULLED PLUGS FOUND COOLANT IN #1 CYLINDER. I'M CURRENTLY DIGGING INTO THE ENGINE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. *NM

I HAVE A 1997 F150 V-6 4.2L PICK UP TRUCK. I HAVE BEEN LOOSING ENGINE COOLANT AND MY ENGINE OIL LEAKS OUT. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS ENGINE TYPE AND TRUCK. I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS GASKET BUT THEY DID NOT SEND ME ANY INFORMATION ABOUT IT. THE RECALL ON THE GASKET EXPIRED IN 2005 ( I WAS TOLD BY FORD). I ONLY HAVE 66,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK. CAN YOU GUYS HELP ME? *NM

PERIODIC LOW COOLANT LEVELS WITH NO VISIBLE LEAKS, PROGRESSIVELY WORSE LOW OIL PRESSURE, TROUBLE STARTING, STEAM IN EXHAUST COOLANT LEAKING INTO CYLINDER CAUSED BENT ROD AND NECESSITATED ENGINE REBUILD. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE GROUND FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CABLE TO THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

(1) NO SPECIFIC EVENTS PRECEEDED FAILURE. (2) DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION BY OWNER, A LEAK WAS DISCOVERED IN A STEEL BRAKE LINE NEAR THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. CAUSE OF LEAK APPEARS TO BE RUST THROUGH. THERE IS EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE. (3) REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED YET. RUSTED BRAKE LINES WILL BE SAVED AFTER REPAIRS ARE PERFORMED. *NM

11/16/2005 ~ GO IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL AND LUBE. ATTENDANT GIVES ME DETAILS, I HAVE AIR FILTER REPLACED AND COOLANT ADDED BECAUSE IT WAS LOW. 2/23/2006 ~ GO IN FOR MY ROUTINE OIL AND LUBE. I ASK THE ATTENDANT TO LOOK AT THE COOLANT, I TELL HIM THAT IT KEEPS GETTING LOW. SURE ENOUGH HE COMES BACK AND LETS ME KNOW ITS VERY LOW, DID I WANT TO PUT COOLANT IN IT. 4/28/2006 ~ I GO TO MY 97 F-150 TO HEAD OUT TO AN INTERVIEW, SHIRT AND TIE, CUP OF COFFEE AND PAPERWORK IN HAND. PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WONT TURN OVER. IT ISN'T THE "BATTERY IS DEAD" WON'T TURN OVER, ITS A "I WANT TURN OVER BUT I CAN'T" OVER AND I CALL MY MECHANIC. HE ARRIVES AND GETS OUT HIS JUMPERS TO SEE IF IT IS A DEAD BATTERY. WE LOOK AT THE STARTER, ELECTRICAL EVERYTHING AND CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. HE SAYS TO ME, "YOU DON'T HAVE VERY LOW OR LITTLE COOLANT, PUT SOME IN THE RESEVOIR" HE ASKS ME IF I NOTICED ANYTHING ODD, ANY HESITATION THE PREVIOUS DAY, I TELL HIM NO, I LITERALLY DROVE 3 MILES TO GO TO THE MARKET AND THAT WAS IT FOR DRIVING THAT DAY. HE ASKS ME TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND WE TRY AND PUSH IT BACKWARDS TO TURN THE MOTOR OVER. IT WON'T BUDGE, AT THIS POINT HE SAYS THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING IN THE CYLINDER(S), GAS, WATER, OIL, SOMETHING AND WE'LL PULL THE PLUGS AND SEE WHAT COMES OUT. WE PULLED THE PLUGS AND COOLANT CAME POURING OUT OF CYLINDER #2. I HAVE PICTURES ETC OF THE COOLANT AND PLUGS. I FOUND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES IDENTICAL TO THIS WITHIN THE SAME TIMBERING OF MILEAGE AND EVEN THE SAME CYLINDER. HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=224 HTTP://WWW.FORD-TRUCKS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=473230 HTTP://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/FORD_ESSEX_V6_ENGINE_(CANADIAN)#4.2 MY MECHANIC IS NOW PRICING A COMPLETE GASKET KIT AND WILL NEED TO TAKE THE MOTOR APART TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE MOTOR SOUNDS AS IF IT IS OK AND WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO REMEDY THE GASKET SITUATION AND SEE IF WE CAN'T GET IT TO RUN NORMALLY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN WHILE TOWING SOMETHING BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE SPEWED COOLANT ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES. THE HEADS HAVE BEEN CHANGED ONCE; THE RESERVOIR SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE. THE EGR VALVE HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.

MY 1997 FORD F-150 HAS A LOUD TAPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. IT EITHER BROKE A ROD OR A PISTON. *NM

1997 FORD F150 4.2L V 6 ENGINE. WENT TO START THE TRUCK AND IT RAN VERY ROUGH. CUT IT OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY SAID IT HAD A BENT ROD AND WOULD NEED A REBUILT ENGINE AT A COST OF $5,000. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ENGINE ALL WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. NOW I'M STUCK SHOPPING AROUND FOR A BETTER DEAL ON REBUILT ENGINES THAN THE FORD DEALER PROVIDED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT AN IDLE, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE DECREASES TO ZERO FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING NOISE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

HYDRO-LOCK ON 1997 FORD F-150 WITH 4.2L V6 CAUSED BENT ROD. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FORD ON-99B29 WAS EXERCISED IN 2000 WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. *NM

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE ON 1997 FORD F150 4.2L 145K DUE TO LEAKING GASKET IN ENGINE, ALLOWING ENGINE COOLANT INTO ENGINE, CAUSING ENGINE TO FREEZE CYLINDER AND THROW A ROD THEN ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED. I NOTICES THAT ENGINE COOLANT WAS DISAPPEARING AND WHITE SMOKE OUT OF TAIL PIPE, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, THEN SOON AFTER THROUGH A ROD AND ENGINE SEIZED UP. MY CAR NOW REQUIRES A NEW ENGINE DUE TO DEFECTIVE GASKET ALLOWING ENGINE COOLANT INTO ENGINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING THEME WITH FORD ENGINES IN THIS YEAR. *JB

OWN A 1997 F150 WITH 4.2 FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. NEVER SEEN THE SMOKE COMING. HYRDOLOCKED ON ME WITH 150,000 KMS WHICH I HAVE HEARD IS KINDA LOW KMS FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. LOOKING AT GETTING A REBUILT BUT WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS. *NM

MY TRUCK WAS TAKEN IN FOR A BRAKE REPAIR THE WEEK OF MARCH 6- 10, 2006. WE GOT THE TRUCK BACK DROVE IT A 100 MILES ON THE WEEKEND WITH NO PROBLEMS. ON MONDAY, 3/13/06, I NOTICED IT MISSING AFTER 40 MILES AN HOUR. MY HUSBAND DROVE IT TO WORK THE NEXT DAY TO SEE WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK MY SON TO WORK ON THURSDAY AND IT WAS STILL MISSING. WHEN ON THE FREEWAY, I GOT IT UP TO 65/70 MPH WHEN IT JUST STARTED SLOWLY DOWN. I COULD NO LONGER GIVE IT ANY GAS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO A LARGE SHOULDER WHERE I HAD IT TOWED INTO A TRANSMISSION SHOP I TRUSTED. ON INSPECTION, THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLOODED WITH WATER AND COOLANT AS WELL AS THE ENGINE DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR. I HAD REPLACED THE RADIATOR APRIL 11, 2005. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST RADIATOR REPLACED. THIS WAS THE 4TH RADIATOR. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT INSTALLED THE RADIATOR AND WAS TOLD THAT MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. I'M WAITING FOR A CALL BACK WITH AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE AN ENGINE BREAKDOWN WHICH WOULD COST ME, TO FIND OUT WHY IT FAILED. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM IN GENERAL SINCE 1999. RANGING FROM CHANGED HEAD GASKETS, HEATER CORES, RADIATORS, ETC. IT HAS BECOME APPARENT FROM READING ON THE FIGHT BACK SITE: [HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=836&PAGE=2&PP=15] THAT THIS A COMMON UNRESOLVED ISSUE WITH THE FORD COMPANY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT THAT HAS YET TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. I COUNTED OUT 226 COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE UNDER ENGINE AND ENGINE: COOLING THROUGH E/E:C:EXSYS:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAILPIPE. I'VE ALWAYS TRUSTED THE FORD COMPANY AS MY FATHER-IN-LAW RETIRED FROM THERE. WE ALWAYS HAD GREAT SERVICE UNTIL HIS PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP CLOSED. I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT ANY ONE DEALER AS I'VE BEEN TO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE TO SERVICE MY CAR WHEN THEY CLOSED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURE RESPONSIBILITY *NM

ENGINE FAILURE, FORD 4.2L V6 1997 WITH 102,000 MILES. STARTED ENGINE AND LOUD CLANGING NOISE FROM FRONT OF ENGINE ALSO LARGE PLUMES OF WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD BEST SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE ENGINE. TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER. I WENT TO ON-LINE TO RESEARCH ENGINE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AND FOUND 21 PAGES OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE SYMPTOMS WERE EXACTLY THE SAME FOR EACH ONE. ONLY THE MILEAGE VARIED. SOME CLAIMED A FORD RE-CALL WAS ISSUED FOR A GASKET PROBLEM TO CORRECT COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE CAUSING INTERNAL FAILURES. I DID NOT RECEIVE THIS RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HAVE FORD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY (AND THE OTHERS) ENGINE FAILURE. IT IS VERY COSTLY. THANK YOU.*JB

I HAVE A 1997 FORD F-150 WITH A 4.2L V6 ENGINE THAT HAS FAILED WITH 82,000 MILES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE DUE TO AN ENGINEERING FLAW. IT IS ALSO MY UNDERSTANDING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT CHOOSES TO EXCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY AND LEAVE THE CONSUMER WITH THE BURDEN OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT FOR $4000 TO $5000. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE FAILURES ARE NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM BUT ARE BEING EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF FORD F-150 TRUCK OWNERS WITH THE 4.2L V6 ENGINE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF A PROBLEM IS THIS WIDE SPREAD AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO BE ACCOUNTABLE A GOVERNMENT AGENCY SHOULD STEP UP AND REPRESENT AS WELL AS PROTECT THE PEOPLE TO SOMETHING THAT AMOUNTS TO OUT AND OUT CONSUMER FRAUD. *NM

MY FORD F-150 4.2 L ENGINE THREW A ROD ON MARCH 8 2006, WITH LESS THAN 61K MILES ON THE MOTOR. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TOO WATER SEEPING INTO THE CYLINDERS FROM A DEFECTIVE GASKET . I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE PER FORD'S PRINTED MANUAL AND HAVE THE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. THE RESULT OF THE PROBLEM HAS COST ME OVER 3,000 DOLLARS FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I EXPECT FORD MOTOR CO. TO REIMBURSE ME FOR MY DAMAGES FINANCIALLY. I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE MANAGER AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID HE HAS NEVER KNOWN OF FORD TO REIMBURSE A CUSTOMER IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. THEREFORE I DECIDED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. MY TRUCK IS NOW BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE GARAGE. *NM

1997 FORD F150 4.2L V 6 ENGINE. ENGINE HYDROLOCKED. #4 CYLINDER FULL OF COOLANT BENDING CONNECTING ROD AND OTHER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. POOR GASKET DESIGN BY MANUFACTURER ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEECH INTO COMBUSTION CHAMBERS. INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET REGARDING MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE SAME TYPE FOR THE SAME ENGINE TYPE. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. $4000 REPAIR COST TO AN ENGINE THAT HAS LESS THAN 75K MILES ON IT. *JB