1997 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COULD BE TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND AND AROUND. THE CONSUMER POPPED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE ROD THAT ATTACHED TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND GEAR BOX DETACHED DUE TO A BOLT THAT HAD COME OFF. *NLM

ON APRIL 12, 2003 WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 FORD F 150 SUPER CAB PICKUP VIN [XXX] I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING TO INVESTIGATE I DISCOVERED THE MIDDLE LEAF OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING HAD BROKEN IN HALF AND THE FORWARD HALF WAS DANGLING IN THE AIR HELD THERE BY THE CLAMP THAT WAS INSTALLED AT THE DEALER (BONNELL MOTORS) WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK AS PART OF NHTSA RECALL 98V16000. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION I NOTICED THE MIDDLE LEAF ON THE LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING APPEARS TO HAVE SHIFTED AS IT IS NO LONGER EVEN WITH THE OTHER TWO LEAFS. I ALSO TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BROKEN MIDDLE LEAF FROM THE RIGHT SIDE AND IT APPEARS THAT A MAJOR FRACTURE EXISTED FOR SOME TIME BEFORE THIS FINALLY DECIDED TO FAIL. MY FIRST ACTION WAS TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO INFORM THEM AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT OF WHAT HAPPENED AND TO SEE IF THIS TYPE PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED AND IF SO WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE. I ADVISED THEM OF THE RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA (98V16000). HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT RECALL WAS ISSUED BY A THIRD PARTY NOT FORD AND THERE HAVEN'T BEEN COMPLAINTS RECEIVED OR RECALLS ISSUED FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BY FORD. NEXT I WAS ADVISED BY FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BONNELL MOTORS AND TALK THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THEY WOULDN'T MAKE ANY ASSURANCES FORD WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS THEY WORK ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS BETWEEN FORD AND DEALERS TO DETERMINE IF THE SITUATION WARRANTS IT. UPON MEETING WITH A SERVICE WRITER AT BONNELL MOTORS I WAS ADVISED THEY NEVER SAW THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE, IN FACT THEY HAVE NEVER HAD TO ORDER LEAF SPRINGS BEFORE. THE SERVICE WRITER ADVISED ME THAT FORD'S STATEMENT ON SPRINGS WAS IF THE VEHICLE IS OVERLOADED OR UNDER LOADED CAN RESULT IN LEAF SPRINGS BREAKING. THE SERVICE WRITER LOOKED UP HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT LEAF SPRINGS. THAT COST WOULD BE $615.00, AND IF HAD 2,000 FEWER MILES FORD WOULD HAVE PAID ALL BUT A $250.00 DEDUCTIBLE. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON 15-501 HIGHWAY ON ROUTE TO UNC HOSPITAL. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY TRUCK WENT TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL FOR NO REASON AND MY THEN 4 YR OLD AND I HAD A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED. WE WERE BOTH IN SEAT BELTS. SHE WAS BELTED IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE BACK AND I IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE UPSIDE DOWN THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! WE WERE THOUGHT TO BE DEAD AT FIRST UNTIL MY DAUGHTER STARTED CRYING. WE WERE RUSHED TO UNC HOSPITAL IN CHAPEL HILL FOR CUTS AND CONTUSIONS. AT THAT TIME, I HAD NO MAJOR PAIN, BUT NOW, I CAN HARDLY WALK SOMETIMES BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE TRUCK LANDED IN THE EMBANKMENT UPSIDE DOWN HANGING TWISTED IN MY SEAT BELT .WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE DIED BUT NOW AFTER 3 YEARS I AM IN CONSTANT LEG, HIP AND BACK PAIN THAT I KNOW WAS DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT. NOW WHAT? MY LEGS GO NUMB ALL THE TIME AND I CANNOT EVEN BEND MY BACK HALF THE TIME DUE TO THIS. *JB

HOOD POPS UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING.SEAT BELTS ON FRONT SEATS DO NOT RETRACT FULLY WHEN UNBUCKLED, HANG ON FLOOR BETWEEN SEAT AND DOOR. UPON OPENING OF DOOR, THE LOOSE BELT LOOP FALLS PAST THE DOOR SEAL AREA AND UPON DOOR CLOSURE BECOMES LODGED BETWEEN DOOR AND JAMB. WHEN VEHICLE RE-ENTRY IS MADE BY DRIVER OR PASSENGER, AND BELT IS PUT ON, A FALSE TENSION IS ACHIEVED BY DOOR JAMB SEAL. THIS LEAVES UP TO 10 TO 14 INCHES OF LOOSE BELT THAT FEELS LIKE IT IS ACTUALLY TENSIONED AS TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANT. THIS LOOSE BELT SLACK CONTINUES AS THE BELT EXTENDS AND RETRACTS IN NORMAL, NON INERTIA LOCKED MODE. ONLY UPON HEAVY BREAKING, OR FORWARD FORCE BY OCCUPANT DOES THE BELT SLIP PAST THE LOWER DOOR JAMB SEAL AND EXTENDS THE BELTS REACH. THIS CAN CAUSE A FATALITY FOR ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR REASONS. FIRST, ON FRONTAL IMPACT, THE BELT ALLOWS THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER TO BE THRUST FORWARD AND EITHER COME INTO UNDUE CONTACT WITH THE DASH OR STEERING WHEEL. SECONDLY, THE FALSELY TENSIONED BELT ALLOWS THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER TO BE PROPELLED TOO CLOSE TO A DEPLOYING FRONT AIRBAG, CAUSING UNDUE FRONTAL CONTACT WITH AIRBAG WHICH CAN RESULT IN INCREASED INJURY OR DEATH. THIRDLY, ON PICKUP TRUCK MODELS EQUIPPED WITH KEY DEACTIVATED FRONT SEATS OCCUPIED BY CHILDREN, THE LOOSENING BELT CAN REACH THE YOUTH PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT RIGHT INTO WINDSHIELD. AND FOURTH, IN PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCK MODELS, WITH THE AIR BAG TURNED OFF BY KEY SWITCH, UNTENSIONED BELT DOES NOT RESTRAIN A BABY / CHILD CAR SEAT, LIKELY CAUSING THE SEAT TO BE RENDERED INEFFICTIVE AND POSSIBLY MORE HAZARDOUS IF IT WERE NOT USED AT ALL.HE BELT ASSEMBLIES MADE FOR FORD BY TRW. THIS CONDITION WAS EVIDENT WHEN VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN YEAR OLD , GOT PROGRESSSIVELY WORSE , FIRST INCIDENT FALL 1997. I WAS FIRST TITLED OWNER, BOUGHT DEMO. ELBOW INJURY IN 2003. I'M A FORMER MI. LIC.MASTER MECHANIC .I HAVE TESTED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN SIMILAR FORD VEHICLES ON USED CAR LOTS AND HAVE OBSERVED SAME EFFECT IN MANY FORD F-150'S. *AK

I DROVE TO WORK THAT MORNING AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I WENT TO MY TRUCK TO LEAVE WORK THAT EVENING AND WHEN I CRANKED MY VEHICLE IT MADE A LOUD POP LIKE A BACK FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND STARTED RATTLING IMMEDIATELY. I SHUT MY TRUCK OFF AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE IF I NOTICED ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY AND FOUND NOTHING OUT OF PLACE. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I HAD SUFFERED INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE AT START UP AND WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE COST WOULD BE ALMOST $4000.00. I GOT A SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO WORKED AT ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA AND WAS TOLD THAT THESE PARTICULAR ENGINES (THE 4.2L IN THE 1997 MODEL YEAR) HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GASKETS ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDER (WATER CANNOT BE COMPRESSED SO IT KICKED BACK AND BENT THE ROD) CAUSING INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM AND THAT FORD HAS SINCE CORRECTED IT IN SUBSEQUENT MODEL YEARS. IT IS APPARENT THAT FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT CHOOSES NOT TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE AFFECTED CUSTOMERS. I DID CALL FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MANUFACTURED AT THE PLANT THAT THE RECALL COVERED. I ASKED WHY THE RECALL WAS NOT BROADENED TO INCLUDE ALL 4.2L ENGINES SINCE THIS IS EVIDENTLY A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I ALSO WANTED TO KNOW IF I HAD ANY RECOURSE AT ALL AND WAS TOLD THAT I COULD HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE AND IF FORD DECIDED TO BROADEN THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL I MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND IN THE FUTURE. IF THE RECALL WOULD HAVE INCLUDED MY VEHICLE I WOULD NOT BE LODGING THIS COMPLAINT NOW. IF YOU KNOW THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS TO CORRECT IT AND KEEP YOUR CUSTOMER BASE. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY RECOURSE THAT I MAY HAVE IN TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED? ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JB

STEERING HAD TOO MUCH PLAY CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCE TIRE BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING. NAR 06/18/2003 *MR *CB

WHILE DRIVING STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE GEAR, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. RELATED RECALL 03V196000, BUT MANUFACTURER ADVISES THAT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURING DATE FALLS WITHIN THE RANGE SPECIFIED.*AK *PH *NLM

UNDERHOOD FIRE ON 1997 F-150 POSSIBLE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS SITTING WIT THE KDY OFF AND CAUGHT FIRE.*AK

BOTH FRONT DOORS ARE CRACKED AT THE LOWER REAR OF THE WINDOW OPENING. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IF THERE IS A RECALL PLANED. *NLM

THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON MY 1997 FORD F150, 98V161000, RELATING TO FRACTURED LEAF SPRING. ACCORDING TO FORD, THIS SAFETY RECALL WAS APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE IN 2001. I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE BACK OF MY TRUCK WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, AND BEGAN LOOKING AROUND. I SEE THAT THE CENTER LEAF SPRING ON THE REAR OF MY TRUCK IS BROKEN, EXACTLY THE PROBLEM THAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 98V161000 (98S18 PER FORD). I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY SHOW NO OUTSTANDING CAMPAIGNS AGAINST MY VIN. AFTER ABOUT 5 ATTEMPTS TO GET SOMEONE AT FORD TO EXPLAIN THIS RECALL TO ME, I FINALLY GOT IN TOUCH WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE NAMED TISHA. SHE INFORMED ME THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE BY LEIGH FORD, AND THAT FORD WILL NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS. 1. SAFETY CONCERN. THE LEAF SPRING IS BROKEN, AND MAY CONTACT THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSE A LEAK AS DESCRIBED. FORD DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. WAS THIS RECALL APPLIED CORRECTLY? WAS THE FRACTURE THERE TO BEGIN WITH, AND JUST OVERLOOKED? I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO EVEN DRIVE THIS UNTIL THIS IS REPAIRED. 2. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE REPAIRED CORRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

DOOR CRACKING ON BOTH FRONT DOORS, 1997 F150 PICKUP. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED, BUT WITH THE ESP WARRANTY, THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX IT...SAYS NOT COVERED. *NLM

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS CRACKED. *NLM

REAR SLIDING WINDOW LEAK, RESEALED MULTIPLE TIMES TO NO AVAIL.... LEAKS BOTH FROM WHERE FRAME ATTACHES TO BODY AND FROM CRACKS IN WINDOW FRAME ITSELF, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES AT TOP. WINDOW FRAME REQUIRES REPLACEMENT WITH NEWER MANUFACTURED UNIT (DIFFERENT DESIGN FROM NEWER MODEL YEAR). *NLM

LIGHTS STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY - HAVE TO REMOVE FUSES - BACK UP LIGHTS AND DOME LIGHT WON'T GO OUT. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF. BOTH TIE ROD ENDS HAVE FALLEN OFF (AT DIFFERENT TIMES) ENGINE IS GONE. INFERIOR GASKETS LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND DESTROYED MAIN BEARINGS. JUNE 2001 FRONT EENGINE SEAL LEAKED ANTIFREEZE ONTO GROUND. TWO LETTERS TO FORD MOTOR CO (ADDRESSED TO WILLIAM CLAY FORD) HAVE BEEN ANSWERED BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES: DUNCAN ALDERSON AND D KULLA. BOTH HAVE ADVISED THAT FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH I ADVISED THEM I KNEW OF THEIR TSB'S TO THEIR DEALERS ADVISING THAT THESE TRUCKS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH DEFECTIVE GASKETS IN THE ENGINES. I NOW HAVE A TRUCK THAT I CANNOT DRIVE AND NO ASSIST IN GETTING IT FIXED,

FORD F150 V6 TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE THREW A ROD ON THE #1 CYLINDER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR AND NOT DRIVEN HARD AT ALL. THE INTERNET IS ABUNDANT WITH COMPLAINTS OF THIS ENGINE. *NLM

ENGINE FRONT COVER GASKET LEAKED-REPLACEMENT AT 350.00 IN LINE WITH RECALL 99B29. FORD DOES NOT INCLUDE MY TRUCK IN THIS RECALL. AFTER REAIRING THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE FAILED AND IS NOW BEING REPLACED AT 3500.00 DOLLARS. FORD'S RECALL IS INADEQUATE.

A BOLT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE, AND CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB

THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

HEATER CORE FAILURE. ALL INDICATIONS THAT THIS IS COMMON TO FORD, BUT THE DEALER DENIES IT. THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE.*JB

THE CLUTCH SEAL SHRUNK WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO RUN OUT. *JB

ENGINE FAILURE AT 73000 MILES, FOLLOWED ALL FORDS RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS TO OSHORT ON 1997 FORD F-150. THE WIRES WERE PULLING AND STRETCHING WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR CONSUMER FOR ABOUT YEAR AND A HALF. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARDS LIGHTS DID NOT WORK IN A CERTAIN POSITIONS ON THE STEERING COLUMN. BECAUSE OF THE WIRES ARE GETTING STRETCHED OUT OF THE MULTIFUNCTIONING SWITCH. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, BUT THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK

THE DOME LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYED ON.*JB

DOORS HAVE STRESS CRACKS ON UPPER FRAME,I'VE PAID TO HAVE REPAIRED ONCE,WHEN I APPROACHED DEALER THEY SAID O RECALL ON THAT PROBLEM, WOULD NOT HELP,NOW DOOR SWITCHES KEEP INTERIOR LIGHTS ON TILL IT GOES OFF ON POWER SAVER,DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN MOISTURE CONDITION/RAIN,SNOW SLEET AND SO ON. *TR

MY RIGHT SIDE WHEEL/THE LUG/NUTS ARE RUSTED OFF AND THE LUG CAP COMPLETELY MELTED OFF FROM WHERE THE EXHAUST COMES OUT FROM IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL. THE LUGS WILL NOT TIGHTEN ON THE WHEEL. I PURCHASED THE F-150 TRUCK USED AND NEVER WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL ON THE LUG/NUTS. THE OWNER BEFORE ME PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM JOHN MEGAL DEALERSHIP IN DAHLONEGA GEORGIA. *NLM

COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE- LIKELY DUE TO GASKET FAILURE - HEAT NON- FUNCTIONING AS A RESULT

THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN JOINT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES NOT TO TURN WITH THE STEERING WHEEL.*JB

BROKEN FRONT TORSION BAR (RS) ON A 1997 FORD F150 4WD. NO CRASH, NO PROPERTY DAMAGE . SAW PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION WHILE SEARCHING FOR RECALLS. ALSO SPOKE TO FORD DEALER WHO STATED THIS WAS NOT UNCOMMON.I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED SO QUICKLY.

WATER WAS FOUND IN THE OIL DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE IN AUG 2002. THE VIN WAS TRACED BACK TO BE PART OF THE TIMING CHAIN COVER RECALL. WHEN THE VEHCILE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL. WHEN FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CONTACTED, THEY DID ACKNOWLEGE THE RECALL, AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL. WE NEVER RECEIVED THE LETTER, AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED AND THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED. WE MADE THE DECISION TO PAY $800 FOR THE RECALL REPAIR (WHICH THE DEALER HAPPENED TO HAVE A KIT IN STOCK). SIX MONTHS LATER, THE ENGINE HAS APPARENTLY BLOWN ANOTHER GASEKET (SOUNDS LIKE THE MANIFOLD GASKET FROM OTHERS EXPERIENCE) AND FILLED THE #1 CYLINDER WITH WATER. OTHER INTERNAL DAMAGE IS UNKNOWN, THE ENGINE WILL BE REPLACED RATHER THAN REPAIRED AGAIN.

REFER TO TSB 99207 LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. COOLANT WILL GET INTO EITHER THE INTAKE OR EXHAUST PORTS, WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. MOST FAILURES ARE OCCURING BETWEEN 60 AND 80K MILES. JUST PAST MOST FORD WARRANTIES. THEY INSTALLED A HIGH FAILURE GASKET IN THE 1997 F150 WITH THE 4.2L V6 FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR, AND NOW PEOPLE ARE REAPING THE BENEFITS OF THE REPAIR COST TO CORRECT. IF YOU REFER TO WWW.F150ONLINE.COM AND SEE THE MESSAGE BOARDS, THE PROBLEMS ARE BEGINNING TO POUR IN AS THESE TRUCKS REACH THIS MILEAGE. FORD DID NOT NOTIFY ANY OWNERS AND SHOULD HAVE DONE SO, SO THAT THE OWNER MAY HAVE TAKEN THE APPROPRIATE AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS WITH THE DEALER.

TIRE BLEW (THE TIRE TYPE IS GENERAL AMERI*550AS). PH

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE WATER PUMP AS STATED IN RECALL 00 V 094 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

CRACK IN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SHEET METAL AT THE LOWER REAR OF THE BELT MOLDING.SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 996754 BULLETIN SEQUENCE NUMBER: 845 DATE OF BULLETIN: 9908 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: SB608461

CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH BURNT. *AK

WITH NO PREVIOUS INDICATIONS THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG, UPON STARTING ENGINE HEARD LOUD CLACKING SOUND, SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO MECHANIC. WHO SAID IT WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM THAT COULD ONLY BE FIXED BY FORD DEALERSHIP OR A MACHINE SHOP. IT WAS A HOLIDAY SO WE TOOK IT TO A MACHINE SHOP WHO VERIFIED HIS PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER WITH THE SAME MODEL ENGINE BEFORE THAT A ROD WAS BENT WHICH CRACKED THE PISTON, CAUSED FROM A "DEFECT IN FORD'S INTAKE HEAD GASKET", WHICH LEAKED WATER INTO THE ENGINE. HE ALSO STATED ONE MORE CRANK OR RUN A LITTLE LONGER THE PISTON WOULD HAVE SHATTERED AND GONE THROUGH THE CRANK SHAFT WHICH COULD HAVE ENDANGERED ANYONE IN IT'S RANGE (HWY, ETC.). THE ENGINE IS NOW BEING REPAIRED AND WHEN FORD WAS CONTACTED THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE GASKET AND ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE MACHINE SHOP HAS A "SERVICE NOTIFICATION" THAT THE GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL NOT LEAK. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF FORD HAD SENT NOTICE TO OWNER'S. I FEEL FORD SHOULD OWN UP TO THEIR DEFECTIVE PART AND PAY FOR COSTS OWNER'S LIKE MYSELF HAVE ENCOUNTERED. I HAVE A NOTICE OF RECALL FOR A DIFFERENT GASKET LEAKING COOLANT WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP, #99B29.

I LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 EXTENDED CAB PICK UP TRUCK. THE STEERING ROD HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. I QUESTIONED THE FORD DEALER WHO MADE THE REPAIRS AS TO HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. SINCE THEN I WITNESSED ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE ENCOUNTER THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. DUE TO LARGE AMOUNT OF EXPLORERS, EXPEDITIONS AND F150'S ON THE ROAD TODAY, THIS WAS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. FORTUNATELY IN BOTH CASES WE WERE TRAVELING AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND NEVER HAD WORK DONE ON THE STEERING PREVIOUS TO THIS PROBLEM. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED, VEHICLE PULLED TO RIGHT AND BRAKES STARTING SQUEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE EQUIPMENT THAT HOLDS THE BRAKE CALIPERS BREAKING, WHICH LEFT THE CALIPER NOT MOUNTED. TS

VEHICLE HAD COOLANT LEAK INTO CYLINDER #3 CAUSING RINGS TO COLLAPSE AND LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN CYLINDER. THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE A REBUILD ON THE ENGINE THAT HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. *LA

THE VEHICLES REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WITHIN TWO DAYS OF EACH OTHER. *NLM *SCC *NLM

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BACK WINDOW FELL OUTWARD WITHOUT WARNING ALL IN ONE PIECE. TS REAR WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT

THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW TWICE AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK. THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED FOR SOME 1997 F150'S BUT NOT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. *NLM *NLM

DOOR CRACKS ON RIGHT AND LEFT DOORS 2" UP FROM BOTTOM OF WINDOW. RUST ON BOTTOM OF RIGHT AND LEFT DOORS

THE VEHICLE HAS STRESS FRACTURES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 2-3 INCHES ABOVE THE WINDOW BASE. *NLM

ON THE 1997 FORD F-150 BOTH THE DRIVER DOOR AND PASSENGER DOOR ARE COMMING APART, AND I HAVE SEEN THIS ON OTHER FORD F150'S OF THE SAME YEAR, ITS WERE THE DOOR MEETS THE WINDOW FRAME,. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THE REAR WINDOW GLASS IS LEAKING WATER INTO CABIN OF VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WITH THE ASSEMBLY OF THE GLASS. DEALER NEEDS A SPECIAL FORD PART DUE TO GLASS ASSEMBLY BEING PART OF VEHICLE'S FRAME. TS REAR WINDSHIELD REPLACED. *TT

THE STEERING SHAFT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX.

1997 FORD F150. *******DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02*******770803. *AK *JB

WHEN USING THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER THE WHOLE LIGHTER GOT TOO HOT AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE DASH. IT BURNED THROUGH PLASTIC AND WIRE BURNED IN HALF. VERY DANGEROUS. THIS COULD HAVE BURNED UP THE WHOLE DASH. BURNED MY WIFE'S HAND AFTER IT WENT THROUGH THE HOLDER. *AK