1997 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

WHILE ON A TRIP TRAVELING THROUGH TENNESSEE ON A STEEP MOUNTAIN PASS IN HEAVY RAIN LATE AT NIGH THE REAR TIRE ON DRIVER'S SIDE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO KEEP VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL WHILE CROSSING THREE LANES OF HEAVY TRACTOR TRAILER TRAFFIC. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE TIRE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INNER CASING SEPARATED FROM THE OUTER CASING. THERE WAS STILL PLENTY OF TREAD ON THE TIRE WHICH DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE BLOW OUT IN ANY WAY. TWO TENNESSEE STATE POLICE OFFICERS AGREED THAT CASING SEPARATION APPEARED TO BE THE CAUSE. *AK

I HAVE A 1997 FORD F-150 WITH A 4.2 L ENGINE, WHICH JUST TURNED OVER 81,000 MILES. I HAVE FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE TO A "T", CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES, (WHICH I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR) TRYING TO MAKE IT LAST AS LONG AS POSIBLE. IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS THE TRUCK WILL BE 7 YEARS OLD AND STILL LOOKS AS GOOD AS IT DID THE DAY I DROVE IT OF THE LOT. YESTERDAY MORNING, I STARTED UP MY TRUCK AND IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS COMING APART. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT FIRING ON TWO OF THE CYLINDERS, THAT ONE OF THEM WAS ONLY FIRING AT AROUND 40%, AND THAT A VALVE WAS KNOCKING. TECHNICALLY, THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY DENIED ANY EXISTING PROBLEMS WITH THIS PATICULAR ENGINE . I READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT WERE CONSISTANT WITH MINE AND WISH THAT SOMEONE WOULD EXPLAIN WHY FORD IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAD ALL THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON SCHEDULE BY FORD DEALERSHIPS. I AM SO DISTRAUGHT ABOUT THIS THAT I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AND WILL ADVISE ALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF THE SAME.*AK

1/28/03 - HEATER CORE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. 11/29/03 - HEATER CORE FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED. FORD DIDN'T CHARGE ME FOR ANOTHER CORE BUT I DID HAVE TO PAY AGION FOR THE LABOR, $400.00. THIS PART SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER 11 MONTHS. *AK

DT: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FELT TEMPERATURE IN CABIN GO UP, PULLED OFF ROAD, OPENED HOOD TO FIND LARGE FIRE. *AK

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TWICE ON IT'S OWN. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT 20 MPH, THE DRIVER SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND STOOD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DISTANCE TRAVELED WAS ABOUT ONE CITY BLOCK. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IT WAS AT 55 MPH WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE DRIVER AGAIN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, AND THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER THEN PLACED HIS FOOT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PULL IT UP. *AK *SCC *JB

FIRESTONE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. MODEL "WILDERNESS", SIZE 23570R16, DOT-W2081PT176, TIRE MILEAGE 8,308 ON 11-07-03. CIRCUMSTANCES: WHILE ENTERING THE TOWN OF CLINTON, LA. AT 45MPH, HEARD LOUD SHARP THUD AND MY 1997 FORD, F150, IMMEDIATELY VEERED ACCROSS THE DIVIDED CENTER LANE TOWARD AN ON COMING LOGGING TRUCK. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED TO MY RIGHT AND STOPPED IN THE FRONT YARD OF HOUSE #12780. UPON EXITING VEHICLE DETERMINED THE SUBJECT LEFT REAR TIRE TRED HAD SEPERATED (ALTHOUGHT STILL ATTACHED TO TIRE) DAMAGED THE FENDER AND SCRATCHED THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE EXTENDING TO THE GAS CAP. THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN AUGUST 03. DURING A CONVERSATION WITH A FIRESTONE REP. MY TIRE DEALER WAS ADVISED THAT THIS PARTICULAR TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED DURING THE 17TH WEEK OF 1996 AND I SHOULD REPLACE MY TIRES (TAYLOR'S AUTO REPAIR, FRANKLINTON, LA.) THE TIRE WAS SENT TO FIRESTONE WITH TWO EXTIMATES OF DAMAGE. FIRESTONE'S RESPONCE WAS THERE WAS NO MATERIAL DEFECT AND THE SEPERATION WAS A RESULT OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE THEREFOR THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN MY CLAIM, OR RESPONSIBILITY. THE SUBJECT"NEW TIRE "WAS MADE BEFORE MY VEHICLE CAME OFF THE ASSEMBLEY LINE. THE TIRE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT FIRESTONE AWAITING ANY DIRECTION FROM FOR RETURN (21 DAYS FROM THEIR LETTER OF 11-20-03) I HAVE ALSO TAKEN PHOTO"S OF THE SUBJECT TIRE & DAMAGE. IS THIS AGENCY INTERESTED IN VIEWING THE TIRE? IF SO, PLEASE ADVISE MAILING ASAP. THANKYOU, RIJ. *AK

STEERING FAILURE: MY 1997 FORD F150 HAD A STEERING FAILURE. VIN:[XXX]. THE STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE POWER STEERING BOX. THE STEERING SHAFT CONNECTION IS ALUMINUM AND THE GEAR ON THE POWER STEERING BOX IS STEEL. THE ALUMINUM WORE AND THE STEEL, NATURALLY DID NOT. BASIC ENGINEERING FAILURE. DESCRIBED EXACTLY IN RECALL NO. 03S02 A VERY THOROUGH SEARCH SHOWED NO RECALLS OR MAINTENANCE NOTICES. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE A 1997, FORD F150 HAVE THE CONNECTION OF THE STEERING SHAFT TO THE POWER STEERING BOX CHECK IMMEDIATELY. I CANNOT IMAGINE A WORST FAILURE IN A VEHICLE. NO STEERING. *NM *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

ON NOV. 5TH I PARKED MY 1997 F150 TRUCK AT WORK AT 7:00AM. BETWEEN 10:30 AND 11:00 I GET A CALL THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS PUTTING A FIRE OUT UNDER NEATH MY TRUCKS HOOD. IT TOOK 4 HOURS AFTER THE TRUCK WAS PARKED TO START A FIRE. IF IT WASN'T FOR ME PARKING CLOSE TO A GUARDS STATION IT WOULD OF BEEN WORSE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD OF HAPPENED AFTER I PARKED IN MY GARAGE AT HOME WHICH WOULD OF PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. AFTER THIS FIRE I CALLED THE FORD HEADQUARTERS AND MADE A COMPLAINT. I ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET UNDER 1997 BRAKE MASTER CLLINDER FIRES BECAUSE THATS WHERE THE FIRE FIGHTERS SAID IT STARTED AND I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND NUMEROUS ARTICLES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE NEIGHBOR CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK......NO MONEY PAID TO CONSUMER BY INSURANC ECOMPANY.VEHICLE STILL STORED IN STAFFORD COUNTY AN DIS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS.

EMAIL FM JOEY GANSZ (AR) INQUIRING IF THERE IS ENOUGH INFORMATION & COMPLAINTS TO REQUIRE FORD TO RECALL THE ENGINE GASKET ON THE 1997 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCK. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS DUE TO A FAULTY GASKET WHICH ALLOWED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED TO ADMIT THERE WAS A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH A SERVICE BULLETIN (SB 99-20-7) WAS ISSUED. *NLM *JB

1997 FORD PICKUP DLERARM,PITTMAN ARM, TIE ROD END REPLACEMENT-FROZEN-CREAKING: LOWER BALL JOINTS WORN; WE ALREADY REPLACED BRAKES,THE PISTONS FROZE CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE ALL ROTORS AND BRAKE PAD AND PISTONS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK WHY DID THIS HAPPEN WITH ONLY 34,152 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. IS FORD USING POOR QUALITY PRODUCTS. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE THIS EXPENSE AT THIS LOW MILEAGE.

WHILE PARKED FOR 30 MINUTES VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS.*AK

GENERAL AMERI 550 AS TIRE BLEW OUT 18 AUG ON 1997 FORD F-150 REAR PASSENGER SIDE ON OPEN ROAD AT ROUGHLY 22,500 MILE. SECOND TIRE BLEW OUT YESTERDAY, 19 SEPT., ON OPEN ROAD AT ROUGHLY 23,820 MILES ON SAME TRUCK AND SAME REAR PASSENGER LOCATION. THIRD TIRE USED AS REPLACEMENT FOR BLOWN TIRE FOUND TO HAVE BULGE APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES AFTER 2D BLOWOUT. AGAIN, SAME WHEEL LOCATION ON SAME TRUCK. TIRES ARE ALL GENERAL TIRE AMERI 550 AS AND ORIGINAL TIRES ON TRUCK. TRUCK NOW HAS 23,921 TOTAL MILES. TRUCK HAD NO LOAD WHEN TIRES BLEW. *LA

ON A COLD START MY FORD F-150 BROKE A ROD DUE TO ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE. THIS IS A KNOWN FORD DEFECT IN WHICH FORD SENT OUT A TECHNICAL BULLETIN BUT WHO WILL NOT COVER THE $4,000 DOLLAR REPAIR.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE BURNED TWO YEARS AGO ON 10-16-03. SHE WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL ON 9-26-05 CONCERNING THE SCDS. SHE HAS CONTACTED FORD NUMEROUS TIMES ,AND THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED HER AT ALL. TODAY WAS THE FIFTH PHONE CALL SHE MADE TO THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT BURNED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY SAID THE FIRE DID ORIGINATE UNDER THE HOOD. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE FIRE AND THEFT INSURANCE AT THAT TIME. SHE CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND URGED HER TO CONTACT HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT E-MAILED PICTURES OF THE TRUCK TO NHTSA IN WASHINGTON, DC IN MAY 05. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN MAY-05 SOMEONE FROM NHTSA CALLED HER, AND IT WAS THEN THAT SHE E-MAILED THEM THE PICTURES. SHE REPORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. BUT HER HUSBAND STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO 9-1-03. SHE REPORTED HER HUSBAND WAS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE TRUCK OUT OF PARK. THE SAME DAY THE TRUCK BURNED.*AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE SITTING IN FRONT OF HOME. ALL WIRING IS DESTROYED AND DASHBOARD MELTED. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN RUNNING FOR AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. HAD NO FIRE INSURANCE ON VEHICLE SO TOOK A COMPLETE LOSS. LATER LEARNED THAT FORD HAD RECALLED THIS MODEL FOR CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY CLAIM NO LIABILITY FOR THE FIRE. *JB

DT: IN OCTOBER OF 2003, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THE DEALER ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SOMETHING NEAR THE CARBURETOR. *TT

VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES APPLIED.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLEW A ROD THROUGH THE OIL PAN. AS A RESULT, THE MOTOR CRATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIRS THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURERER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

HEAT SHIELDS LOOSE ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TWO CLAMPS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. I HAD THIS FIXED 2 YEARS, PREVIOUSLY. I WAS CHARGED $70.50 FOR THIS TO BE CORRECTED AGAIN. IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE QUALITY OF THE CLAMPS THAT ARE BEING USED BY FORD. *LA

VEHICLE STARTED ROUGH AND RAN POORLY. PARKED OVERNIGHT, NEXT MORNING ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND FELT LIKE IT WAS JAMMED. FINALLY GOT IT TO START, RUNNING POORLY AND WHITE SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE EXHAUST. HAD VEHICLE TAKEN TO MECHANIC, WHO FOUND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS THE PROBLEM WHEN HE FOUND THE PLUGS WERE GUNKED UP AND WHITE LIKE VANILLA PUDDING. ENGINE HAD TO BE SENT OUT AND REBUILT. *NM

BROKEN HOOD RELEASE. MANY OTHER PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR '97 & '98 F150'S. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS FOR FORD SUV'S, WHY NOT THE F150? I WAS CHARGED $173.46 FOR THIS TO BE CORRECTED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT HE HAD JUST HAD ANOTHER LATCH FAILURE PRIOR TO MY CALL TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT. *LA

CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND COULDN'T FIX THE ENGINE LIGHT. *AK

IN FALL OF 2003, HAD COOLANT LEAK AT 60,000 MILES. COOLANT WAS POORING OUT OF FRONT OF MOTOR. FORD DEALER SAID IT NEEDED NEW FRONT ENGINE GASKET. THEY SPLIT THE $500 COST WITH ME. ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER, THE TRUCK BEGAN KNOCKING LOUDLY. HAD NEW HEADERS PUT IN . . . DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NO HELP FROM FORD. VERY GOOD CARE IS GIVEN MY VEHICLES. THE TRUCK WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED ON SCHEDULE, NEVER USED OFF ROAD OR FOR TOWING. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT A TRUCK TREATED LIKE A CAR WOULD HAVE SUCH PROBLEMS.

EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND STUDS ARE CORRODEING AND WARPING. 1997 4.6 ENGINE. FORD F-150. SHOP WHERE I HAD SERVICE DONE REPORTS THAT THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SIMILAR SITUATIONS WITHIN A WEEKS TIME. COULD THERE BE A PROBLEM HERE? MANIFOLDS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO CORRODE LIKE THIS. *LA

I OWN A 1997 FORD F-150, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE TRUCK'S MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN MAINTAINED THE ENTIRE TIME SINCE I HAD IT. MY TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED NOR HAS IT EVER PULLED A TRAILER OR BEEN USED FOR HAULING. WE HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO MY TRUCK OVER THE PAST YEARS. THE TRUCK HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. IT HAS RUN POORLY, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON MANY TIMES. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO FORD FOR SERVICE, AND WE HAVE PERMITTED ALL OF THE REPAIRS THAT FORD HAS RECOMMENDED. IN APRIL, I BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN TO WOODY ANDERSON FOR SERVICE... $1100 LATER, THE TRUCK STILL FALTERED WHEN STARTING, AND CONTINUED TO RUN "ROUGH". THE SERVICE TECH AT WOODY ANDERSON TOLD ME THAT TRUCKS RUN ROUGH. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO SEARS, AND THEY SAID HER BATTERY WAS BAD, SO WE HAD IT REPLACED. THE TRUCK STILL RAN ROUGH AND DID NOT START PROPERLY. LAST FRIDAY (3 OCTOBER 2003) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN! ON SUNDAY, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY TRUCK ... AND THE ENGINE MADE A HORRIFIC SOUND. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY, AND HAD IT TOWED TO WOODY ANDERSON ON MONDAY MORNING. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAS "FALLEN APART," AND WOODY ANDERSON WANTS $4000 TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE! I FEEL THAT REPLACING THE ENGINE IS FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY. OUR RECORDS SHOW THAT WE HAVE DONE OUR PART IN KEEPING THE TRUCK'S MAINTENANCE CURRENT. IT WAS OUR EXPECTATION AND BELIEF THAT FORD WOULD DO THEIR PART AND SERVICE OUR VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE FACT THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AFTER NUMEROUS SERVICE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM(S), INDICATES TO ME THAT THE SERVICE THE TRUCK RECEIVED WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN THE ENGINE PROPERLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ENGINE'S FAILURE. WHETHER OR NOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS RELATED TO THE ENGINE'S FAILURE I DO NOT KNOW, BUT IT DOES SUPPORT THE FACT THAT PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE WERE NEVER RESOLVED. *LA

WHILE LEAVING A GAS STATION THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD CAME OUT OF IT'S SOCKET. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A SHORT TIME BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. THE CONSUMER REPAIRED THE TIE ROD. THE BALL JOINT WAS DRY AND RUSTED. THE BALL JOINT WAS WORN DUE TO NO GREASE. THERE IS NO WAY TO GREASE IT OR TO CHECK TO SEE IF IT NEEDS TO BE LUBRICATED. *AK *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FORD STATED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. HE BEGAN RECEIVING RECALL LETTERS REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS IN 2004. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH FORD CONCERNING REPAIRS AND/OR REIMBURSEMENT. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,660. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF

DT: THE REAR END IS MAKING A WHINING NOISE. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE STARTING TO SEPARATE. THE TIRES ARE BRAND NEW PUT ON MARCH 21, 2003. THE TIRES ARE AMERITRAC GENERAL, P255/70R16. THE CONSUMER CAN NOT LOCATE THE NUMBER FOR THE TIRE COMPANY. THEREFORE, HE CANNOT CONTACT THEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT HE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE REAR END. THE CONSUMER'S MECHANIC STATES THAT THE BEARINGS ON THE REAR END ARE BAD DUE TO BAD CASING; IT WILL NOT ALIGN ITSELF UP WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE WHINING STARTED. THE MECHANIC STATES IT WILL NOT GROUND IN ORDER TO MAKE IT ACTIVATE THE SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED FORD, AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN. WHEN HE CALLED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN HE WAS TOLD HE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A SERVICE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR SIX MONTHS, BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES THERE IS A MUSHY FEELING, AND THE FRONT END SHAKES AND SHIMMIES.*AK

I OWN A 1997 FORD F150 THAT IS DEVELOPING A CRACK IN THE DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT THE LOWER REAR CORNER OF THE WINDOW, APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MAY MAKE MY VEHICLE LESS SAFE IN A SIDE COLLISION. *LA

DRIVER FELL ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, VEHICLE CROSSED ONE LANE, BUMPER GOT CAUGHT ON EMBANKMENT, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER . SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER, HIS HEAD SHATTERED THE PASSENGER WINDOW. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

CONSUMER FELL ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. VEHICLE CROSSED OVER ONE LANE, BUMPER CAUGHT ON EMBANKMENT, AND ROLLED OVER STARTING WITH FRONT END. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER HIT HIS HEAD ON PASSENGER WINDOW. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

I HAVE THE SAME DOOR CRACK AROUND THE WINDOW AS MANY OTHERS. I TALKED TO THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM, B UT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS TYPE OF DEFECT. I THEN WENT TO THE FORD DEALER IN TOWN TO SEE IF FORD WAS DOING ANUTHING TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND SAVE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE DOOR. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD A REPAIR KIT THAT WAS BEING INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE BUT I AM OUT OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND WILL HAVE TO PAY BETWEEN $500 AND $700 TO REPAIR.

ENGINE FAILURE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A STRONG ANTI FREEZE ODOR, AND THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS NO LONGER WORKING.*AK

F-150 1997 FORD FILL LINE TO TRANSMISSION BROKE, ALLOWING LOSS OF FLUID. *AK

"LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD SIDE GASKETS FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE OIL. ISSUE IS ADDRESSED BY FORD WITH TSB ARTICLE NO. 99-20-7."

WHEN ACCELERATING TO 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING TO VIBRATE. *AK NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE SHOES HAD BEEN INSTALLED. THE TIRES WERE CHANGED. THE VIBRATION CONTINUED BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE ROTORS, BUT REPACKED THE BEARINGS. *SCC *JB *JB

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE BURNING VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE BEFORE THE HOUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK *SC *JB

BREAKS . *NM

I HAVE A FORD F150 1997 WITH BRIDGESTONE, DUELER H/T TIRES, SIZE P245/70/R16 106S, DOT ENMT CBF 1900 19905D689P2.MY HUSBAND WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK TODAY ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE UNEXPLICABLY SEPERATED WITHOUT WARNING. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS NOT HURT. THERE WAS DAMAGED CAUSED TO THE TRUCK'S WHEEL WELL AND FENDER.*AK

MY 1997 FORD F150 WITH 4.2L V-6 MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT 68,000 (ORIGINAL) MILES WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDERS. WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AT COLD START THE COOLANT IN THE CYLINDERS CAUSED PISTONS/ROD TO BREAK AND ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN LOUD KNOCKING AND POURING WHITE SMOKE OUT OF EXHAUST. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD. THE COST TO REBUILD THE MOTOR (FROM FORD) WAS $3500.00. WHEN MY MECHANIC CALLED TO ORDER THE REBUILT ENGINE FROM FORD, HE WAS TOLD THEY HAD JUST PLACED AN ORDER FOR 50 IDENTICAL ENGINES. THEY ALSO TOLD HIM THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THESE ENGINES ALL THE TIME. IT'S A SHAME THAT FORD WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM AND TRY TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE THAT I COME IN CONTACT WITH ABOUT THIS VERY UNFORTUNATE PROBLEM THAT FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT. *LA

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING REAR END SHIFTED, CAUSING THE SHIFTER TO LOOK TOWARD THE DRIVER SEAT. ALSO THE PIN THAT HELD THE REAR END WAS ROUNDED OFF.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH RIGHT SIDE TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM GEAR, BALL AND SOCKET FELL OFF, RESULTING IS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

THE TOP OF THE BACK WINDOW LEAKS, CAUSING WATER TO DRIP INTO THE CAB OF VEHICLE. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE WINDOW AND THE TRACK NEED TO BE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK

FORD F 150 SAFETY ISSUE. *BF THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED ON 08/14/03 AND DIED BY 03/01/04. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE ODOMETER STOPPED AT 69K MILES, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP, THE BRAKES WENT OUT DUE TO CALIPER PIN FALLING OUT AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER THE FLY WHEEL CONSUMED THREE STARTERS AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AGAIN. *SC *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING PASSENGER REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS AT, P25570R16. *AK

MY PASSENGER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT NEARLY TIPPING MY TRUCK OVER. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND PULL TO THE SIDE WHILE THE CARS BEHIND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TRYING TO AVOID HITTING DEBREE FROM THE TIRE. I NOTICED THAT MY TIRE HAD NOT BLOWN BUT THE ENTIRE TREAD WAS MISSING. THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK ARE THE WILDRENESS AT P255/70R16 DOTW2CO 1PX 158. IN MY OPINION ALL THESE TIRES BLOW OUT THE SAME WAY AND SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED! *AK

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILS CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE.SO IN THE MORNING WHEN YOU START YOUR CAR THE ENGINE HAS BLOWN.THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED,CAN NOT BE REBUILT.*AK