1997 Ford F-150 Electrical System Problems

The contact owned a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at the residence, the contact noticed smoke coming from the driver's side from the bottom of the front tire. The vehicle then caught on fire. The fire department came to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The cause of the fire was an electrical engine component. There were no injuries and no medical attention needed. The vehicle remained at the residence and was not repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

MY INTERIOR AND BACK EXTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF RANDOMLY SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROADS. THE LIGHT IN THE BACK ABOVE THE TRUCK BED IS BOTHERSOME BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE ATTENTION OF ANOTHER DRIVER CAUSING A ACCIDENT. MY MOTHER ALSO HAS A FORD F150 THAT DOES THE SAME, HOWEVER HER TRUCK ISN'T THE SAME YEAR.

DECEMBER 3, 2020...MY HUSBAND DROVE THE TRUCK OVER TO A FRIENDS HOUSE. AFTER BEING THERE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS HIS FRIEND WALKED IN THE BUILDING WHERE HE WAS AND SAID, 'HEY MAN, YOUR TRUCK IS ON FIRE!' EVERYONE RUSHED OUTSIDE TO SEE THE TRUCK WAS IN FACT ON FIRE. THEY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO CAME AND FINISHED EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE. IT APPEARS THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEAR THE TIRE, OR BEHIND THE DASH. I DID NOT EVEN THINK TO CHECK FOR A RECALL, BUT A FRIEND TOLD ME TO CHECK BECAUSE HE WAS AWARE THERE WAS A RECALL. SURE ENOUGH, THERE IS A RECALL AND IT DESCRIBES WHAT HAPPENED TO MY TRUCK EXACTLY. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 05V017000 DATE: JAN 27, 2005 FORD RECALL NUMBER: 05528

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 68 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES STOP OPERATING, ALONG WITH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW INADVERTENTLY OPENING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE CAB NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURES PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE NEW COMPUTER WAS NOT OPERABLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

MY TRUCK WAS TURNED OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. A NEIGHBOR CAME TO TELL US AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME PUT OUT THE FIRE.

DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED (45 MPH), NO ABNORMAL NOISES OR VIBRATIONS PRESENT. LOUD BANG NOISE CAME FROM WITHIN ENGINE BAY, AND TRUCK BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND STUMBLE VERY BADLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND PRECEDED TO FLASH, PUT TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL AND ROLLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE TRUCK WAS SHUT OFF. EXCESSIVE FUEL WAS FOUND ON TOP OF THE ENGINE AT THE THIRD CYLINDER FROM THE FRONT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (4.6L V8 ENGINE). SPARK PLUG WAS SEPARATED FROM THE WIRE AND LYING ON TOP OF ENGINE. SPARK PLUG BOOT WAS MELTED AND SMOKING SUGGESTING IT WAS PREVIOUSLY BURNING. SPARK PLUG WAS %100 COVERED BY BURNT SOOTY MATERIAL. *TR

THE TRUCK WAS PARKED FOR AT LEAST 6 HOURS AND OUR NEIGHBORS COME KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR BECAUSE OUR TRUCK WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. IT MELTED UP EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD. WE GOT THE FIRE OUT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND MADE A REPORT. THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. *TR

MY GRANDSON AND I WENT INTO WALMART AND CAME OUT OF THE STORE. WALKING ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND SEEN MY 1997 FORD F150 PICKUP ON FIRE. COMPLETE STRANGERS CAME FROM ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT AND STARTED THROWING SNOW ON IT FROM A PILE 50 FT AWAY. A TOWN COP SHOWED UP AND SPRAYED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON IT THE THE FIRE COMPANY SHOWED UP AND PUT IT OUT THE REST OF THE WAY. NO ONE WAS HURT. BUT MECHANICS ARE SAYING THAT IT LOOKS LIKE A BREAK SWITCH THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT OPERATING WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE DEALER WAS CONTACT WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 12/5/12 *CN THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO ASSIST. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED AND SHUT OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

MY 1997 FORD F150 STARTED ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY EMPLOYER, FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER I PARKED THE VEHICLE FROM A 5 MILE ROUND TRIP. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND QUICKLY MOVED INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE. WHEN INSPECTING THE ENGINE AREA WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE EXACT AREA OF WHERE THE FIRE STARTED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. LUCKILY, NO ONE, INCLUDING MYSELF, WAS INJURED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN OUR HOME WHEN IT STARTED ON FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, AND IF NECESSARY, SEEK RECOURSE, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROCEED. *TT

A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER NUMBER 3 WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN TRAFFIC OR NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED SMOKING COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY WATER PENETRATING INTO THE ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX. THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 0470421440, AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,511 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157, 000. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 11/30/2011 *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE WAS ALERTED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. HE WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVED FROM THE LOCATION AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED HIM THAT THE FIRE WAS MOST LIKELY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 225,000.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DURING RAIN, MANAGED TO PULL OFF ROAD SAFELY. (OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES FAILED AS WELL) WIPERS NO LONGER WORK. VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL REPAIRED. FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. SEE FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 98-9-13 AND FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 . *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 FORD F-150. I HAD PARKED IT FOR A FEW WEEKS UNTIL I SOLD MY CHEVY TAHOE. WHEN I WENT TO START IT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I CHARGED THE BATTERY AND WHEN I RECONNECTED IT I WENT IN THE CAB AND COULD SMELL BURNING PLASTIC AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WERE ON, EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS IN MY HAND. I LOOKED UNDER THE DASH AND FOUND THAT THE GEM MODULE WAS SIZZLING AND SMOKING. I QUICKLY GOT OUT AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IT WOULD HAVE STARTED ON FIRE HAD I NOT NOTICED IT IN TIME. IT SURPRISED ME THAT NO FUSES WERE BLOWN. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON THING FOR ALOT OF 1997 - 2003 FORDS AND WAS WONDERING WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED. I WORKED FOR A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN MARQUETTE MI SO I KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT RECALLS AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE AN EXPENSE PUT ON THE CONSUMER. I THINK THAT WITH THE DECLINE IN SALES FOR THE AMERICAN AUTOMAKERS THEY SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THESE FAULTY MODULES. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING IT SO IM NOT SURE HOW MUCH IT WILL COST ME BUT IM EXPECTING IT TO BE BETWEEN $120- $160. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON SO WHEN I GOT HOME I STARTED TO CHECK TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND FOUND A FUSE THAT WAS BROKEN. I REPLACED THE FUSE AND THREE HOURS LATER WE SMELLED SMOKE IN OUR HOUSE AND FOUND MY SHOP WAS ON FIRE. WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AFTER THE FIRE WAS OUT FOUND THAT THE TRUCK WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *TR

FORD F150 WINDSHIELD LEAKS, LEADING TO GEM AND FUSE MODULE FAILURE. RANDOM ELECTRONICS CLICKING AND TURNING THEMSELVES ON DUE TO LEAKING WINDSHIELDS DAMAGING THESE ELECTRONIC MODULES. *TR

I AM NOW HAVING THE WATER LEAK ISSUE INTO THE GEM DUE TO FAULTY WINDSHIELD SEAL. IT IS STARTING TO CAUSE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. THE FOLLOWING IS A TSB RELEASED BY FORD: FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 VARIOUS ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING FROM WATER INTRUSION INTO THE GEM/CJB SOME 1997-2002 EXPEDITION AND 1998-2002 NAVIGATOR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FRONT OR REAR BLOWER OR EATC STAYING ON WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, RADIO STAYING ON AFTER DOORS OPENED AND KEY OUT OF IGNITION, WIPER CIRCUIT FAILURE CODES, AND MULTIPLE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WITH 'SHORT TO POWER' OR 'LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE' DTCS. THESE SYMPTOMS MOST OFTEN OCCUR AFTER A RAIN OR SNOW. THIS MAY BE DUE TO GEM/CJB WATER INTRUSION RESULTING FROM A WINDSHIELD WATER LEAK. TO SERVICE, REMOVE THE GEM AND CJB FROM THE VEHICLE, SEPARATE THEM AND INSPECT FOR WATER CONTAMINATION OR CORROSION. IF FOUND IN EITHER COMPONENT, REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS AND COMPLETELY RESEAL THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY SOUL EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES. APPARENTLY FORD IS NOT FIXING THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AT THEIR EXPENSE BUT PASSING IT TO THE CUSTOMERS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FORD ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR QUITE SOME TIME. PLEASE HELP WITH RESOLVING THIS ISSUE AS SOME PEOPLE HAVE SPENT IN THE THOUSANDS FIXING ISSUES THAT THIS WATER INTRUSION ISSUE HAS CAUSED. *TR