1997 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

THE LEFT REAR SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE LEFT REAR SPRING WAS REPAIRED. *AK *JB AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, IN DECEMBER 2002, THE RIGHT SPRING HAD BROKEN. THE CONSUMER RESEARCHED TO SEE IF OTHER VEHICLE'S HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, NINE WERE FOUND. THE DEALER ACTED AS THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF THE RECALL # 098V16000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED HIS MONEY BACK FOR THE REPAIR OF THE LEFT SPRING. SCC

CONTACTED FORD ON NATIONAL 800 NUMBER. SUPERVISOR SAID FORD WILL NOT ADMIT OCCURRENCE OF SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF THEIR ENGINES. HOWEVER, THEY WERE QUICK TO RESPOND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ALUMINUM HEAD FOR $1,500.... SAYS IT IS NOT A FORD DEFECT. HOWEVER, I AM FINDING THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. THE LOCAL FORD SHOP SAYS THEY ROUTINELY SEE THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS ONLY COVERED IF UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE MY TRUCK IS A USED VEHICLE ... NOT COVERED. WHEN THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT, THE SUDDEN BANG AND FOLLOWING LOUD NOISE CAUSED ME TO SWERVE ON THE HIGHWAY.... FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOBODY NEXT TO ME AT THE TIME. I GOT THE IMPRESSION FROM THE NATIONAL FORD REP. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT FORCES THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.*AK

RENEE BORSTAD ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER. CONSUMER INCURRED A MAJOR EXPENSE FOR REPAIRS TO A DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD GASKET. AFTER LEARNING IN THE PROCESS OF THE REPAIRS THAT FORD HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THIS DEFECT AND ISSUED TWO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THE DEFECT, THE COMPANY HAS REFUSED REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID. *JG

WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE T FLIPPING OVER ABOUT 4 TIMES. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK *MJ

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING GEARS. VEHICLE'S VIBRATION DECREASES AND INCREASES AT ANY SPEED BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS. ALSO, VEHICLE IS USED FOR HAULING, AND ADDS PRESSURE TO TRANSMISSION, DELAYING SHIFTING TO THE NEXT GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.*AK

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRE , SIZE# P235/70R16, DOT W208, EQUIPED ON A 1997 FORD F150. RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHERE SIDEWALL MEETS TREAD, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 31985 MILES. *NLM *YD

RE: 97 FORD F- 150 PICKUP W/ 4.2L V 6 IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS ENGINE GIVES TROUBLE W/ FAILING HEAD GASKETS . MINE FAILED AT 86,560 MI. ENGINE COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO #S 3 & 6 CYLINDERS SO BOTH SIDES OF ENGINE WERE AFFECTED FORD OWES ME $1765 DOLLARS IF THEY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM PLEASE HELP! *NM

BEARINGS IN FRONT OF VEHICLE HAVE BEEN COMING APART WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AKTHE ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BOTH FAILED. THE WHEEL WAS ON THE VERGE OF FALLING OFF. *JG

THIS TRUCK SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE FORD RECALL 99B29. AFTER CONTACTING FORD. THEY REFUSE TO EXTEND THE RECALL. IT IS MY BELIEF, THAT THE RECALL WAS TOO NARROW IN SCOPE AND SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL 1997 FORD F-150 TRUCKS. MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM (LEAKING GASKET WHICH IN TURN PERMITS THE COOLANT TO LEAK ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE, THEREBY DAMAGING THE ENGINE). THE 1997 FORD F-150 WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF THE NEW MODEL DESIGN AND APPARENTLY FORD IS NOT STEPPING UP TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS. MY RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WITH THE 1997 F-150 WHEN THE TRUCK HAS REACHED 60,000-70,000 MILES AND AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE FORD DEALERS AS WELL AS CORPORATE HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM AND ARE REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS RECALL WAS NOT BROAD ENOUGH TO COVER THE MANY TRUCKS THAT HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM. HAD MY VEHICLE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK IMMEDIATELY TO MY DEALER TO HAVE THE WORK PERFORMED, THEREBY AVOIDING ANY POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK'S ENGINE. INSTEAD, I WAS NOT THE RECIPIENT OF A RECALL LETTER AND FORD TELLS ME MY TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED. IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT MY TRUCK EXPERIENCED THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WHICH THE RECALL SPECIFICALLY STATES: " 1997 FORD F-SERIES 150, EQUIPPED WITH 4.2 L ENGINE; VEHICLE MY EXPERIENCE ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AT ENGINE FRONT COVER GASKET; THEREBY CAUSING SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE IS NOT IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED". THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY TRUCK AND HOW FORD CAN NOT CLAIM LIABILITY IS UNCONSCIONABLE. I WOULD ASK THAT YOU PLEASE LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS DEFECT AND TRY TO GET THE RECALL BROADENED IN SCOPE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DT

I CONTACTED COURTESY FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL,SO I REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH AUSED ENGINE BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFORD A NEW ENGINE. AS A RESULT THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE ENGINE DIDN'T RUN HOT, BUT THERE WAS FLUID FOUND IN THE 1ST CYLINDER, THE CRANKSAFT WAS TWISTED, THE CONNECTING ROD WAS BROKE, AND THERE WAS A CHUNK TAKEN OUT OF THE BLOCK. ON THE SECOND ENGIN I FOUND FLUID IN THE FIRST CYINDER AND THE ENGIN WILL NOT RUN. I HAVE RECENTLY SPOKE WITH SOME MACHANICS(THAT WORK FOR FORD)AND THEY SAID THAT"ABOUT 90% OF THE 4.2 L V6 FROM 1997 HAVE BEEN RETURNED."*AK

HAD CRUISE/CONTROL SET & PUSH ACCELERATOR TO PASS AN VEHICLE WHEN MY TRUCK REACH APPROX. 75M.P.H. THE ACCLERATOR PEDEL AUTOMATICLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOORBOARD & STUCK WITH FULL TROTTLE ALL THE WAY OPEN. WHEN I TAP BRAKE PEDAL IT DID NOT TRUN OFF CRUISE. THEN PUSH THE OFF BUTTTON ON CRUISE,IT DID NOT SHUT OFF. WHEN I SHUT OFF ENGINE & GOT TRUCK FINALLY TO STOP . IHAD TO REACH DOWN & PULL UP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDEL TO UNSTICK IT. THEN I STARTED THE TRUCK UP AGAIN & EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE WORKING OKAY AGAIN.*AKY

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT APPOX. 11PM ON MAY 9TH, AT APPROX. 12:30 AM I WAS AWAKENED BY THE SOUND OF A HORN BLOWING , I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND I SEEN THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE, A NIEGHBOR LADY HAD DRIVEN BY AND NOTICED IT AND WENT HOME TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SHE SAID THAT IT WAS BURNING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY THE TIRE, THAT IS WHY I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, FOR THAT IS WHERE ALL THE MAIN ELECTRICAL FUSE BLOCKS ARE LOCATED.*AK

INSIDES OF THE RIMS ARE PEELING, ALSO SIGN OF CRACKING ARE APPEARING AROUND BASE OF RIMS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR A CHECK UP DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM TIRE ON A 1997, FORD, F150, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P235/70R16; DOT# W2081PT236. FIRESTONE NOTIFIED. *AK *YD

TREAD BELT SEPARATION FROM TIRE CASING STARTED. MECHANIC DETECTED IT BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2081PT236 TIRESIZE: P23570R16)

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *SLC

I AM SENDING IN A FULL LETTER TO EXPLAIN THE "FAILURES". IT CENTERS AROUND TSB 99B29 AND LACK OF OWNER NOTIFICATION OF A BAD FRONT COVER DESIGN THAT CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH OCCURRED IN THIS CASE. ADDITIONALLY, I HAD A TIE ROD FAILURE THAT WAS NOT ADDRESSED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT LATER BROKE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, MY CRANK SHAFT PULLEY / DAMPENER ASSEMBLY FELL OFF WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING (70 MPH). THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING DOOR LOCK / KEY STICKING.*AK CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V196000 COMPONENT: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR. THE ENGINE COVER GASKET FAILED. *TC THE SERPENTINE FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN AKWARD SHIFT, THE WIPERS OPERATED PERIODICALLY BY THEMSELVES ON HIGH SPEED, THERE WAS LITTLE HEAT COMING FROM THE VENTS THROUGH THE FLOOR. *JB

COOPER TIRE FAILED. TIRE SIZE LT265/75R16 AND DOT # UPW8B6U456. *YH

RT TORSION BAR FAILED WHEN SETTING IN DRIVEWAY. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NHSTA NEEDS TO REOPEN AS THERE APPEAR TO BE MANY OTHER IDENTICAL FAILURES REPORTED. I WAS SUPRISED TO LEARN THAT, WHEN THE DEALER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE TORSION BAR FAILURE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ARE BEGINNING TO CRACK , MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN AWARE OF PROBLEM AND HAS A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM HOWEVER CONSUMER DOES NOT FALL UNDER RECALL. NLM

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, UPON INPSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDERS NUMBER 1 AND 3 AND THERE WAS ALSO WATER ON THEM.*JB

WHILE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY, LEFT TIE ROD BROKE OFF AND CAUSED TIRE TO TURN OUTWARDS. *AK *TT

SUDDEN, TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

WHILE PULLING INTO GARAGE AND WITHOUT WARNING, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. RAN OVER SPARE TIRE. TIRE WAS HELD UP BY A WIRE WHICH BROKE OFF AND RELEASED THE TIRE.*AK CONSUMER ADDS THE WIRE SERVED AS THE SPARE TIRE RACK ASSEMBLY AND WAS DEFECTIVE. *TT

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH FRONT END STARTED SHAKING, THERE WAS A NOISE AND VEHICLE DROPPED ON RIGHT FRONT. DEALER DETERMINED THAT RIGHT TIE ROD HAD BROKEN. ON 6 JUNE 2001 THE LEFT TIE ROD BROKE AGAIN. *AK *YH

VEHICLE STALLED RIGHT BEFORE CONSUMER STARTED TO DRIVE. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *TT

THE SEATBELT IS NOT CHILD SAFE. MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE SEATBELT AND WRAPPED IT AROUND HER NECK AND IT LOCKED UP DISABLING US FROM REMOVING THE BELT FROM HER NECK. MY HUSBAND WAS FORCED TO CUT THE BELT TO SAVE OUR DAUGHTER'S LIFE.*AK

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE BY BLOWN HEAD GASKET WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICAL. COMMON AMONG 1997 & 1998 FORD F-150S WITH THE NEW V6 4.2 ENGINES.*AK

FRONT ENGINE COVER GASKET FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK IS THIS PROBLEM COVERED UNDER RECALL TSB# 99B29 DEC. 1999 WHAT DO I DO ? I NEVER GOT A RECALL FROM FORD OR DEALER.*AK

DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RUST AND CORROSION DEVELOPED IN FUEL TANK. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED, BUT SOON FAILED WHEN TAKEN FOR TEST DRIVE. *TT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A CHRONIC BRAKE PROBLEM. THE PREVIOUS OWNER TRADED THE VEHICLE IN DUE TO BRAKES THAT WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND SUNNY KING FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR. SUNNY KING FORD SALESMAN LIED TO ME SAYING THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK BASED ON HIS STATEMENT. I SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO LEAVE THE TRUCK WITH THE ON AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BEFORE THE BRAKES WORKED SATISFACTORILY. NOW, WHILE DRIVING DOWN US HWY 280 AT ABOUT 60 MPH THE 4.2L 6 CYLINDER ENGINE, WITH ONLY 68,000 MILES ON IT, THREW THE #6 ROD, BLOWING UP THE ENGINE. SUNNY KING FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT LATER TELLS ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT HAPPENED, IT JUST DOES SOMETIMES. I REGULARLY SERVICE MY VEHICLES AND THE ENGINE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED AT A KWIK OIL CHANGE LOCATED AT 3635 MARY TAYLOR ROAD BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35235 (205-655-4788) ON 7-2-2002, 14 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE BLOWING. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS MORE THAN I'VE HAD IT, AND I'VE ONLY OWNED IT FOR 6 MONTHS. WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW SUNNY KING TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I PAID THEM AN ADDITIONAL $3,375.99 SO I WOULDN'T BE MAKING $360 PER MONTH PAYMENTS ON A JUNK VEHICLE I COULDN'T DRIVE.WHY HAS MY FORD TRUCK BEEN SUCH A PIECE OF JUNK?*AK

DEALER HAD TO REPLACE ALL SIX FUEL INJECTORS BECAUSE OF RUST AND CORROSION IN FUEL TANK.*AKCONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UPO FROM THE DEATLER AND IT IS STILL NOT GIVING THE BEST PERFORMANCE. *JG

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAD TWISTED, NOT ALLOWING SEAT BELT TO RETRACT ALL THE WAY TO THE HOUSING. HAD CONTACTED DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEATBELT BOLT THAT HOLDS SEAT BELT TO THE VEHICLE IS BADLY CORRODED. CONSUMER FEELS ITS A DESIGN PROBLEM.*AK

MY 1997 FORD F-150 4.2 L 6 CYLINDER MYSTERIOUSLY THROUGH A ROD AT 80K MILES RESULTING IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM PLAGUING MANY FORD CUSTOMERS, YET FORD HAS PROVIDED NO RELIEF. AN EXPENSIVE $4000 REPAIR! *JB

VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN 2/01 AND HAD APPROX ONE WEEK WHEN IT STALLED EVERYTIME IT DECELERATED. DEALERSHIP (E-Z WAY AUTO SALES) TOOK VEHICLE BACK AND REPLACED PCM AT NO CHARGE TO US. IN 01/02 IT STARTED HESITATING AS IF IT WERE SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. DOES NOT DO ALL THE TIME-JUST UNEXPECTEDLY.HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHED (80$-01/31/01). STILL SPUTTERING--REPLACED FUEL FILTER AND AIR FILTER OVER THE COURSE OF 2 MONTHS--PROBLEM WAS NOT MAJOR AND DID NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME-JUST WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECTED IT. THEN IN MARCH IT JUST STALLED WHILE MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING IT AND DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACKSEAT AT 60MPH! TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT RECEIVE A DIAGNOSTIC CODE-FINALLY AFTER TWO WEEKS OF DRIVING IT TO SEE IF THEY COULD MAKE IT SPUTTER OR STALL IT HAPPENED AND THEY RECEIVE A CODE FOR A EGR VALVE WHICH WAS FUEL RELATED--DID NOT FIX, COST 105$--TOOK BACK TO THEM AND THEY KEPT AN ADDITIONAL 2 WEEKS AND SAID THEY GAVE UP--COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER(TRI-COUNTY FORD 05/02) AND THEY HAD 3 DAYS BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. REPLACED PFE SENSOR (192$-P0401) WHICH I AM TOLD IS THE ONE WHICH CONTROLS THE VALVE THAT WAS REPLACED. DID NOT FIX-RETURNED TO FORD DEALER(05/02) AND THEY HAD A FEW MORE DAYS AND RECEIVED ANOTHER CODE(P0605) AND WAS TOLD MY PCM NEEDED REPLACING. WHEN I TOLD THE TECH IT WAS JUST DONE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A JUNKED PART. E-Z WAY WILL NOT FIX. THEY SAID THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND IT WAS UP TO FORD. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE PART, HAVE ALREADY BEEN THAT ROUTE. SAID IF IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT A CERTIFIED FORD DEALER THE WHOLE TIME MAYBE THEY COULD HELP AND ALL PARTS HAVE 12MTH WARRANTY. E-Z WAY OFFERED 200$ TOWARD THE PART BUT ONLY IF WE TAKE IT TO THE PLACE THAT ORIGINALLY REPLACED THE PART(WHICH HAPPENS TO BE OPERATED BY THE OWNER OF E-Z WAYS BROTHER). BUT NO ONE WILL GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX OUR PROBLEM. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO US WITHOUT 2 MAJOR SAFETY RECALLS BEING REPAIRED.*AK

CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME AND HEARD SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE A FLAT TIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL TO SHOULDER TO CHECK. WHILE DOING THIS TIRE CAME OFF TRUCK AND CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN THE STREET. HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO STOP, BUT AFTER TIRE WAS OFF. HE WAS NOT INJURED. *AK

DRIVERS SIDE TIE-ROD FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND PUNCTURED THE WHEEL (RIM) CAUSING INSTANT DEFLATION OF TIRE PRESSURE. LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES AND FRONT LEFT WHEEL WAS JAMBED WITH THE TIE ROD CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. FORD INSTALLS ZERKLESS TIE RODS (SUPPOSE TO HAVE LIFETIME LUBRICATION?), THE RUBBER BOOT IS NOT TIGHT FIITTING ALLOWING MOISTURE TO FIND ITS WAY INSIDE. IT APPEARS THAT THE TIE ROD WAS CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A MAJOR COMPLAINT AMONG F-150 OWNERS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT COULD BECOME DEADLY IF INCIDENT OCCURES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP ON FLASHING AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACE DUE TO BAD BATTERY. SHOULDN'T NOT HAVE TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER EVERYTIME THE BATTERY HAVE TO BE REPLACE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING A PASSING MOTORIST INFORMED DRIVER THAT TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT VISIBLE, ALTHOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OPERATING PROPLERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

FRAME SHEARED AT REAR OF CORRECTLLY AND PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED CLASS 3 HITCH. THE FRAME ALSO BENT BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRING CONNECTIONS. THE FRAME AT THE LEFT LEAF SPRING CONNECTION IS CRACKED. THERE WAS NO OVER LOADING OF THE TONGUE NOR SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO SHOCK LOAD THE FRAME. FORD IS CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALL INVOLVED PARTIES HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY THING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THEY SITE THAT THE AFTER MARKET HITCH "COULD BE TO BLAME" ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT SAY THAT THE HITCH WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. A 4 YEAR OLD 70,000 MILE TRUCK SHOULD NOT FAIL TOWING A TRAILER THAT IS LESS THAN HALF OF THE TOWING CAPACITY FOR ITS RATING, REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY EXPIRATION. NO ONE WAS INJURED BECAUSE IT WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A JACK KNIFE AND/ OR ROLLOVER OF THE TRUCK AND TRAILER. THE TOWING CAPACITY OF THE TRUCK IS 6600 LBS AND THE TONGUE WEIGHT MAX IS 500 LB. OUR TRAILER IS A 10 FOOT 2 HORSE TRAILER WEIGHING 2900 LBS EMPTY AND TONGUE WEIGHT OF 250 LOADED.

WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, LEFT OUTER TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.*JG *AK

WHILE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BEING REPAIRED, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT INSIDE LINER WAS SEPARATING. MECHANIC CLAIMED THIS WAS CAUSED BY TIRE BEING TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST, HEAT WAS DESTROYING TIRE.*AK *SLC

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AFTER VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE, THE FIRE STARTS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHERE THE MUFFLER IS. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*JB *MJ

FRONT HOUSING SEAL FOR ENGINE , LOCATED BEHIND MOTOR PUMP, IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ANTI-FREEZE COULD CONTAMINATE OIL SUPPLY, AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A SEVERE KNOCK WHEN STARTED ONE MORNING. THE PROBLEM WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE AT THE MAIN CRANKSHAFT, SEVERE WEAR AT VALVE ASSEMBLY, AND CORROSION THROUGHOUT COOLING CHAMBERS. FORD DID A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKET THE YEAR BEFORE, CHANGING HEAD GASKET, HOSES, & COOLANT. THE TRUCK IS USES BY HOUSE WIFE DRIVING THE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. EVEN THOUGH OTHERS HAVE REPORTED OF SAME ENGINE FAILURE ON 4.2L, FORD DENIES ANY PROBLEM. 5 MONTHS LATER WHILE THE TRUCK WHILE THE TRUCK WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE, MELTING THE PLASTIC MASTER CYLINDER, FUELING THE FLAMES TO MELT ALL CIRCUITIES AND PLASTIC. THE ABS LAMP HAD LIT EARLIER IN THE WEEK, ADDED BRAKE FLUID TO RESERVOIR, AND THE LAMP WENT OUT. INDEPENDENT FIRE INVESTIGATOR SAYS EVIDENCE POINTS TO A DEFECT IN THE ABS/MASTER CYLINDER WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TS *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***762417

STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. *AK *YD

1997 FORD F150, HEATER/DEFROST DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY ALL THE TIME, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT BLOWS COLD AIR. IN BAD WEATHER VISABILTY IS GREATLY REDUCED.