1997 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK FROM TO OTHER GEARS. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A CAMPAIGN ALREADY FOR THIS ISSUE, 97V171000, BUT FORD DOES NOT HAVE MY TRUCK LISTED FOR THIS RECALL. IS THERE A FORD ISSUED RECALL # AND HOW CAN I GET MY TRUCK ADDED TO THIS RECALL SO IT CAN BE ADDRESSED. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, USED. *JB

1997 F150 4.2L V6 60K MILES WATER IN CYLINDER WARPED ROD. ENGINE NO GOOD. CANT AFFORD TO SPEND 5K DOLLARS TO TRY TO REPAIR ENGINE. *NM

INTAKE GASKET WENT OUT CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO PISTON AND WHEN TRUCK WAS CRANKED UP IT BENT ROD BROKE PISTON REPAIR BILL WAS $1685.00 SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DOWN ABOUT THIS. MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM JUST LOOK UP 1997 F150 INTAKE FORUM THANKS. *JB

BLOWN GASKET- *NM

DT: THE CONTACT 'S VEHICLE HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON THE REAR BRAKE LINE. THIS HAPPENED ON 10-04-05. HE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN HE HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY. HE REPORTED HAVING NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS , SUCH AS A LIGHT COMING ON IN THE CAR. THE BRAKES WERE NOT MAKING ANY KIND OF NOISES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD. HE SMELLED BRAKE FLUID, AND IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT IS MOUNTED ON THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. THE BRAKE LINE SEEMED UNUSUALLY CORRODED. HE TAKES VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND THE CAR IS STORED PROPERLY. HE HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH VEHICLES, AND HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. ALSO, T THE GAS TANK WAS SUSPENDED BY TWO METAL STRAPS. THE REAR STRAP WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE GAS TANK WAS LAYING ON THE SKID PLATE. USUALLY, THERE WAS ABOUT ONE INCH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TANK AND SKID PLATE. HE WAS AFRAID THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A GAS LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK .*AK

THE LATCH FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT QUIT WORKING. THERE WAS NO TRAUMA OR ACCIDENTS. IT JUST QUIT LATCHING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RECALL LETTER THAT WAS RECEIVED. THE NHTSA RECALL, #05V388000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE VEHICLE SEED CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE 1997 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED ON 9-24-2005. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRE LOOKED LIKE IT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE ONLY THING LEFT OF THE TRUCK WAS THE REAR END. THE ENTIRE CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS ON THE TRUCK, EVERYTHING WAS WORKING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT USED IN THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED FOR FIVE HOURS. THE OWNER WAS GOING TO TAKE PICTURES TODAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RULED OUT ARSON. FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE TAKEN. . THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD SEND THE COMPLAINT TO THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ALSO. FORD TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD SEND THE COMPLAINT OVER TO THEIR LAW DEPARTMENT. THERE WAS ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE LEXUS NEXT TO THE TRUCK WAS DAMAGED.*AK

ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 I NOTICED THAT I HAVE CRACKS ON THE DOORS BY THE WINDOWS, WHILE RESEARCHING THIS I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TRUCK. WHEN I CALLED FORD SERVICE CENTER FOR HELP THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE DOORS (AT MY COST) AND IF A RECALL COMES OUT I WOULD GET MY MONEY BACK. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CRACKS AT "F150ONLINE.COM" AND IT SEEMS THAT FORD HAS REPLACED SOME DOORS BUT MOST (AND THEIR ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS) ARE NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF. CAN YOU HELP? *NM

DEFECTIVE ENGINE. 1997 F150 V6 4.2 L, 73000 MILES AND A ROD IS KNOCKING. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AT FORD. *JB

ENGINE FIRE NEAR CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH VEHICLE DESTROYED. *NM

DT: AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2005. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO THE HEAT. THIS WAS WHAT HAD ALERTED THE CONSUMER TO THE FIRE. WHEN THE FIRE MARSHALL INSPECTED THE FIRE HE SAID IT WAS DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL. THE FIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER'S HOME AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 05S28 ON T SEPTEMBER 23, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE CONSUMER WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

MY 1997 FORD F150 WITH A 4.2L V-6 ENGINE BEGAN GIVING ME PROBLEMS A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT BEGAN HAVING AN ERRATIC STARTING PROBLEM. IT THEN BEGAN TO BLOW OUT WHITE SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I CHECKED THE COOLANT SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE GAUGES, AND EVERYTHING SHOWED TO BE FINE. I DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES, BECAUSE WHITE SMOKE CONTINUED TO COME OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THEN I WENT TO START IT THE OTHER MORNING AND IT TURNED OVER THE ROD IN THE #4 CYLINDER IS BENT DUE TO COOLANT IN THE CYLINDER. I HAVE HEARD THIS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE, AND THINK THAT FORD SHOULD STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! . THE TECH THEN EXPLAINED THAT THE F-150S HAVE HAD A TREND PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES FOR YEARS; COOLANT WOULD LEAK INTO A CYLINDER CAUSING TOO MUCH COMPRESSION RESULTING IN A BENT OR BROKEN ROD. IT COST ME OVER $2000 FOR SOMETHING FORD KNEW WAS DEFECTIVE. I SENT A LETTER (ATTACHED) TO FORD AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE BASICALLY TELLING ME IT WAS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY. THIS VEHICLE WAS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL BUT, BECAUSE OF AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURER, THE ENGINE FAILED. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF STORIES LIKE MINE AT HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=224&PAGE=1&PP=15 . I FINED IT EXTREMELY UNFAIR THAT I AND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF REPLACING A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. *JB

1. DRIVING 5 MPH ALONG SMOOTH DIRT LANE 2. RUSTED BRAKE LINE RUPTURED, CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE 3. TOWED TRUCK TO MECHANIC FOR BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT, OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *JB

DT: ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 THE CALLER SAID PARKED VEHICLE AND 41/2 HOURS LATER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FIRE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. A TREE WAS DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. NOTHING ELSE WAS DAMAGED. DEALER GAVE CALLER THE MANUFACTURER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD REPORT IT AND GET BACK TO HIM. *AK

9-1-05, 8:00 AM, SHERRI ADAMS PARKED THE 1997 F-150 AT L-3 COMMUNICATIONS, GREENVILLE TX. THE TRUCK REMAINED PARKED AND LOCKED ALL DAY. AT APPROXIMATELY 5:20 PM SECURITY NOTIFIED SHERRI THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. PARTIAL FIRE DEPART REPORT BELOW. 9-6-05 INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS CAUSE OF FIRE. 9-7-05 INSURANCE ADJUSTER DETERMINED THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. 9-8-05 ADAMS CONTACTED FORD TO REPORT INCIDENT. TO DATE, HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY FORD. FIRE DEPART INCIDENT REPORT: DATE: 09-01-05 INCIDENT: 05-09-001 DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: ON THURSDAY, 09-01-05, AT 1709 HOURS, SECURITY NOTIFIED FIRE CONTROL OF A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT FOR BUILDING 180. FIRE CONTROL RESPONDED WITH FIREFIGHTER HOPSON IN #7 FOLLOWED BY LT. TURNER IN #8. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT SOUTH OF BUILDING 180 NEXT TO THE FENCE AT MCCULLOUGH BLVD., JUST EAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF AVE. D. SECURITY WAS IN PLACE AND ASSISTED. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE SCENE THERE WAS HEAVY SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD AREA OF A 1997 FORD F-150 XLT PICK-UP (TX LICENSE # 56Y YHI), BELONGING TO TIM AND SHERRI ADAMS. NEITHER OF THE OWNERS WERE PRESENT OR LOCATED BEFORE FIRE CONTROL CLEARED THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND THE LEFT SIDE GLASS WAS SHATTERED TO GAIN ACCESS. FIRE WAS PRESENT IN THE HOOD COMPARTMENT AND UNDER THE DASH ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE HANDLINE OF #7 WAS USED TO KNOCK DOWN THE FIRE AND THEN TO COOL DOWN THE AREA. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED HEAVY DAMAGE IN BOTH AREAS. THERE WAS A VEHICLE PARKED EAST OF THE TRUCK WITHIN 3 FEET BUT IT SUSTAINED NO DAMAGE. PERSONS UNKNOWN NOTIFIED GREENVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHICH RESPONDED WITH AN ENGINE COMPANY. THE FIRE WAS OUT BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS REQUIRED. FIRE CONTROL REMAINED IN THE AREA FOR COOL DOWN, UNTIL 1740 HOURS. APPROXIMATELY 70 ?? 80 GALLONS OF WATER AND A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF FOAM WAS USED IN THE EXTINGUISHES THE FIRE. *JB

I OWN A 1997 FORD F150 THIS TRUCK WAS THE MOST DEPENDABLE AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER OWNED UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2005. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ALMOST 12 HOURS WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED UP. IT APPEARED TO BE SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL FIRE.*JB

THIS IS SHORT. MY 5.4 BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD. FORD HEADS ONLY HAVE .250 IN. OF THREADED DEPTH IN HEAD NOT ENOUGH. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ON 1997 FORD F-150 HAVE CRACKS AT REAR OF WINDOW FRAME ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THESE CRACKS IN THE DOOR. *JB

1997 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE IS A V-8, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND JUST OVER 85,000 MILES. IT IS A WORK TRUCK DRIVEN DAILY, ABOUT 200 MILES PER WEEK. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH EITHER THE CRUISE CONTROL OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AT ABOUT 8:15 ON THE EVENING OF AUG. 25TH I RETURNED HOME AND PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY ABOUT SIX FEET FROM THE GARAGE DOOR. I WENT TO BED AT 10:30 P.M. MY NEIGHBOR RETURNED TO HIS HOME AT 12:05 A.M. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD AND WITNESSED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IGNITE INTO A BALL OF FLAMES. HE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND USED MY GARDEN HOSE TO WET DOWN MY GARAGE DOOR THEREBY PREVENTING MY HOUSE FROM CATCHING FIRE. I WAS FINALLY AWAKEN AROUND 12:30A.M. BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, THE INSULATION HAD MELTED FROM THE INSIDE OF MY GARAGE DOOR, THE GARAGE DOOR WINDOWS HAD CRACKED FROM THE HEAT, THE TRIM MELTED, AND THE GUTTERS ABOVE THE GARAGE WARPED. IF NOT FOR THE QUICK THINKING OF OUR NEIGHBOR WE COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES. OUR BEDROOMS ARE LOCATED TO THE REAR OF THE HOUSE AND THE GARAGE IS AT THE FRONT, BY THE TIME WE REALIZED THERE WAS A FIRE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO LATE. *JB

MY SON TOLD ME HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKE LIGHTS ON HIS TRUCK, A 1997 FORD F150. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A FUSE SINCE HE SAID THAT HE REPLACED THE BULBS. WHEN I REPLACED THE FUSE THERE WAS A ABUNDANCE OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF SMOKE WITH THE HOOD OPEN WE REPLACED THE FUSE AGAIN. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE REPLACED THE PART AND I HAVE KEPT THE OLD PART. I CAN SUPPLY THE NUMBER ON THE PART OR SEND IT ANYWHERE YOU LIKE. *NM

ABS LIGHT STARTED FLASHING 16 TIMES WITH PAUSE THEN REPEATS. NOTICED #13 FUSE WAS BLOWN. REPLACED AND LOOKED UP IMMEDIATELY TO FIND WHITE SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF HOOD. PULLED OUT FUSE TO FIND THAT IT WAS BLOWN (THANK GOODNESS). HEARD ON INTERNET FORUM THAT IT MAY BE THE CRUISE SWITCH ON MASTER CYLINDER. LOOKED THERE AND FOUND SWITCH PARTLY MELTED. DISCONNECTED SWITCH AND BATTERY, REPLACED FUSE AND HOOKED UP BATTERY, BUT NOT THE SWITCH. NO MORE BLINKING LIGHT, BUT NOW NO CRUISE CONTROL, OF COURSE. STILL HAVE YET TO CONTACT FORD ABOUT THE FAILURE.

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE THE PREVIOUS DAY APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS AND PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. YESTERDAY, AUGUST 16, 2005, AROUND 8:30 PM THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE . HE LOOKED OUTSIDE TO SEE THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE REPORTED. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. HE BELIEVED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE BECAUSE HE DID NOT SMELL ANY TYPE OF GASOLINE ODOR. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB

OWN A 1997 FORD F150 THAT CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH

DT: 1997 FORD F150. THE CONSUMER STATES ON AUGUST 10, 2005 H VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 7 HOURS BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY FILED A REPORT. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED IT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

ENGINE FAILURE BAD GASKETS LEAKED COLANT INTO ENGINE THREW A ROD. *NM

1997 F-150 PICKUP CAUGHT FIRE AFTER RETURNING FROM THE STORE, 10 MINUTES LATER WE HEAR A HORN BLOWING WE GO TO SEE WHAT IS WAS AND THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. IT IS AN OPEN CLAIM WITH MY INS. COMPANY RIGHT NOW. THIS HAPPENED ON 8-7-2005. *NM

MY 97 FORD 4.2L, WHICH IS PAID FOR AND HAS 60,000 MILES HAS THROWN A ROD. ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF AND HAS CHOSEN TO DO NOTHING ABOUT. I HAVE FAITHFULLY TAKEN THE TRUCK IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ALL FACTORY RECALLS. I HAVE A TRUCK THAT IS GOING TO COST ME $4,000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF FORD'S NEGLIGENT. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THEIR FAITHFUL CUSTOMERS. *JB

DRIVING ALONG 26 MILE ROAD AND INDIAN TRAIL. DASH BOARD BEGAN TO SMOKE, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, AS I EXITED VEHICLE THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I ATTEMPTED TO REACH IN TO RETRIEVE SOME PERSONAL BELONGS AND BURNED LEG (MINOR). VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A POLICY REPORT WAS FILED. *NM

I HAVE A 97 FORD 150 WITH A 4.2 V6 THAT HAS HYDRO LOCKED. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS TRUCK. I HAVE NOT YET FIXED IT I AM TRYING TO FIND A GOOD PRICE ON A NEW MOTOR. *JB

DT: THE CALLER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND ONE AND A HALF HOURS LATER IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CALLER THOUGHT A REPORT WAS FILED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CALLER HAD INSURANCE AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THE MANUFACTURER URGED THE CALLER TO CONTACT THE DEALER IF HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS BEING DONE. THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE DRIVEWAY, AND A TREE WAS DESTROYED. *AK *SC

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 1997 FORD F 150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT COMPLETELY. THE OWNER PARKED THE TRUCK AT 6 PM IN THE GARAGE AND AT 9 PM HEARD THE HORN. THE OWNER THEN WENT TO THE GARAGE TO CHECK ON THE TRUCK AND FOUND THE TRUCK BURNING. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. THE OWNER SAID THE FIRE WAS FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. CLAIMED THAT HE WAS JUST SECONDS FROM LOSING HIS HOUSE. THE OWNER HAD NOT SEEN ANYTHING IN THE TV NEWS OR NEWS PAPERS ABOUT THE ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS WITH THE SWITCH. THE OWNER HAD NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL THAT DAY OR DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING FUNNY ABOUT HOW THE TRUCK WAS DRIVING. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT, AND AN INSURANCE REPORT WERE ISSUED. PICTURES WERE TAKEN. THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN MOVED FROM THE FIRE LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTALED. LOSS AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE OWNER'S HOUSE, SEVERE SMOKE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE. THE INSURANCE TOOK CARE OF THE SMOKE DAMAGES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. ON JULY 27, 2005 THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE STARTED ON DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE CHIEF HAD NOT COME UP WITH A REPORT, BUT HE ASSUMED IT WAS ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A TOTAL OF THREE HOURS BEFORE THE FIRE BROKE OUT. . THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMAL BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *AK

NHTSA: THIS IS IN RELATION TO AN UNDER HOOD FIRE IN A 1997 FORD F150 PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. ON JULY 23, 2005 A NEIGHBOR CAME BANGING ON MY DOOR YELLING YOUR TRUCK IS ON FIRE. THERE WAS A FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHERE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER IS LOCATED. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE UNDER MY CARPORT AND HAD BEEN IDLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2.5 HOURS. I RAN TO GET MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. MY NEIGHBOR CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEN CAME OUT WITH ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER. ANOTHER NEIGHBOR GRABBED HIS EXTINGUISHER AND GAVE IT TO ME AND THAT ALSO FAILED. I GRABBED MY HOSE TO TRY TO MINIMIZE THE FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. I ONLY HAD ON SHORTS (NO SHOES). I RECEIVED SEVERAL BURNS ON THE BOTTOM OF MY FEET THE HOLE THAT WAS MELTED IN THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK CLEARLY SHOWS WHERE THE FIRE WAS LOCATED. THE DAY BEFORE THAT I HAD WENT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE MY A/C LOOKED AT. THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. ON A FORD RECALL WEB SITE IT SAYS THE FOLLOWING SIGNS COULD INDICATE THAT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR CRUISE-CONTROL SWITCH: CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY (MINE RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING); BRAKE FLUID LEAKING AROUND THE SWITCH (EXACTLY WHAT THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT); FUSES ARE BLOWN NEAR THE SWITCH, (THAT MORNING THE TRUCK WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND A MOBILE MECHANIC CAME OUT AND HE REPLACED THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH FUSE). EVERYTHING POINTS TO THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL PROBLEM FORD IS HAVING. I CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THEY WANTED TO INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION AND THEY SAID NO AND SHOWED LITTLE TO NO CONCERN. *JB

DT: A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE HAD AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH ALLOWED WATER I TO LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE RODS, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO FAIL AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST TO FIX IT BEFORE THE PROBLEM BEGAN WA S $800. CONSUMER'S BOSS HAD PROBLEMS WITH HIS FLEET OF VEHICLES, AND NOTIFIED CONSUMER OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS A FABRICATED DEFECT OR A DESIGN FLAW. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO RECALL, BUT OWNER DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WON'T RECALL VEHICLE SINCE THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.*AK

CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH) ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 OVER HEATED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER SITTING FOR 3 HOURS IN THE PARKING LOT AT MY WORK. NO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO TRUCK. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. I WAS AWARE OF A RECALL FOR THE 2000-2001 F-150'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL, HOWEVER FORD ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 MODELS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED . IF THIS FIRE HAD NOT BEEN NOTICED BY ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS I MIGHT HAVE LOSTED THE TRUCK. THIS COSTED ME AROUND $170 WITH TOWING AND I FEEL FORD IS AWARE THEY HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING FOR SAFETY AND AT FORDS EXPENSE.

I HAVE A 97 FORD F150. THEY ARE KNOWN TO HAVE GASKET FAILURE. I AM ON MY 3RD MOTOR IN IT. THEY DONT MAKE IT 100,000 MILE. YOU JUST START THEM @ THEY WILL BLOW. *NM

DT: CONSUMER OWNED A 1997 FORD F150. IT HAD A BLOWN GASKET. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TURNED ON THERE WAS AN EXTREME KNOCKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP; THEY STATED THAT THE ROD WAS BENT. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 87,000 MILES. *AK

I HAVE A 1997 FORD F150 PICKUP. IT HAS THE 4.2L V6. I HAD 84,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR DUE TO A BENT ROD. THE ROD DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A LEAKING GASKET THAT ALLOWED COOLANT INTO THE CYCLINDER. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ATTEMPTED TO BE STARTED THE FLUID (DOES NOT COMPRESS) PREVENTED THE PISTON FROM FULL TRAVEL AND BENT THE ROD. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS AND DENIES EVERYTHING. AFTER THIS HAPPENED, I BECAME AWARE OF MANY MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

1.WELL FIRST THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 97 FORD F150 WENT OUT. THEN MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT TOO. REPLACECD BRAKE LIGHTS ,THEN FUSE WENT OUT IN INTERIOR FUSE BOX SO, TRUCK WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. REPLACED FUSE THEN IT BLEW IT AGAIN. REPLACED AGAIN TRUCK COULD NOW SHIFT INTO GEAR. I WENT HOME PARKED TRUCK THE TRUCK IN DRIVE WAY AND DID NOT MOVE IT FOR THE TRUCK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. WAS WAKEN UP ABOUT 3 IN THE MORNING BY COPS TELLING ME MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE TRUCK ENDED UP BURNT EVERYWHERE BUT THE BED TOTAL LOSS PRETTY MUCH UN DRIVABLE. BURNED A 95 CARAVAN AND PART OF A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. I KNOW HAVE I VEHICLE TO MOVE MY KIDS THAT ARE IN SCHOOL AND MYSELF AND MY WIFE WHICH ALSO NOW HAS SOME SERIOUS NERVE DAMAGE SHE HAS NIGHTMARES OF OTHER VEHICLE BURNING AND CAN HARDLY SLEEP. TRIED CONTACTING FORD BUT C.S. DEPARTMENT PUTS ME ON HOLD ALL DAY. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED ON COLD STARTS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECCURED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK

I HAD BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TRUCK, CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING, HAD SOME FUSES BLOWN UNDER HOOD THAT WERE REPAIRED, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEN MY 1997 F-150 XLT SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTS IN DRIVEWAY. HAD BEEN PARKED FOR OVER AN HOUR. PERSONS DRIVING BY ALERTED ME TO THE FIRE, WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON AND FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF HOOD NEARLY 10' IN AIR. THEN THE CAR ALARM WENT OFF AND AT SOME POINT THE DOORS UNLOCKED THEMSELVES. POLICE AND I EXTINGUISHED FIRE, BUT THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.

ON JULY 11,2005 JASON WENT TO WORK AND PARKED HIS 1997 FORD F-150 PICKUP IN THE PARKING LOT OF HIS JOB ROLLED UP ALL THE WINDOWS AND LOCKED THE DOORS AND TOOK THE KEY.AT APROMENTLY 9.00AM HE WENT OUT FOR HIS BREAK TO FIND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT HIS TRUCK ITS A TOTAL LOSS.THE ONLY THING LEFT IS THE CAB OF THE TRUCK.

DT THIS SATURDAY JULY 9TH, MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UP UNDER THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE SETTING IN THE YARD. IT HAD BEEN SETTING THERE FOR ABOUT A HOUR. HAVE CONTACTED FORD THEY ARE HAVING A CONSUMER CONTACT ME. THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THAT WHERE MOST OF THE DAMAGE IS. MELTED EVERYTHING UP UNDER THE HOOD WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT BEFORE IT GOT TO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. *NM

1997 FORD TRUCK F250

MY 1997 F-150 CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN IN 18 HOURS. MY TWELVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND A NEIGHBOR PUT THE FIRE OUT. IN SPEAKING WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY HAVE A RECALL ON CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES BUT UNTIL TODAY IT DID NOT GO BACK TO MY YEAR MODEL. DUE TO A TELEVISION BROADCAST ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2005 FORD HAS NOW INCLUDED VEHICLES UP TO 1995 HOWEVER WHEN I SPOKE WITH THEM TODAY THEY ADVISED IT ONLY INCLUDES VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AT PARTICULAR PLANTS WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER STATED "MORE THAN LIKELY THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH". MY FAMILY AND I WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHERE THE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIAL AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF LIFE AS MY CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS ARE LOCATED ABOVE THE GARAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FORD EXTEND THIS RECALL TO EVERY VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF THE PLANT IT WAS MANUFACTURED AND AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF MY COSTS HOWEVER FORD IS DENYING ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD OFFER TO HELP MAKE THIS COMPANY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR MANUFACTURING PRACTICES WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *NM

DT: A 1997 FORD F150 PICKUP. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED 3 TO 4 HOURS WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS AT WORK WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE ENGULFED TWO OTHER VEHICLE AS WELL. FIRE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS STILL UNCERTAIN. *AK

1) NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. ORIGINAL OWNER, WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH 98,000 MILES. 2) ENGINE SIEZED DURING START (4.2 LITER WITH APPARENT HISTORY OF MANIFOLD GASKET FLAW LEADING TO FAILURE) 3) VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED DUE TO HIGH COST OF ENGINE REBUILD OR REPLACEMENT

4.2 L ENGINE BUSTING RODS.

DT: ON JULY 2 2005 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE THROTTLE CABLE BROKE. THE OWNER WAS COMING DOWN A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WASN'T BEING PUSHED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS SPEEDING ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE, WHILE GOING 50-55 MPH. AFTER ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE TRUCK TOOK ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE TO COME A STOP. THE VEHICLE FINALLY HIT AN OAK TREE AND STOPPED AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE OWNER'S WIFE WAS INJURED WITH UPPER NECK AND BACK. INJURIES. THE OWNER''S DAUGHTER WAS BRUISED ON THE FACE. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES. THERE WAS NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR STICKING BEFORE. FORD REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS ABOUT THIS. THE OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE OWNER HAS TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND THROTTLE CABLE. INSURANCE WILL PAY FOR REPAIRS TO THE BODY. ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE CRASH, THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THAT WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE REPAIR. AT THIS TIME OWNER IS WAITING FOR THE REPAIR WORK TO BE COMPLETED. OWNER STATED THAT DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING. *JB