1998 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAPS ARE FAILING DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION CAUSE TO POSSIBLE FUEL TANK DAMAGE AND LOSS. TANK NOT SECURE AND WEARING THROUGH TANK IT SELF BECAUSE OF RUBBING RESULTING IN HOLES IN FUEL TANK. EXPLOSION IS POSSIBLE ! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REFUELED THE VEHICLE AND PARKED IT AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE FUEL TANK HAD FRACTURED AND WAS SITTING ON THE GROUND DIRECTLY UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK BELT WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL TANK BELT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/10/11*JB

FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE ON MY TRUCK. HAD FORD FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER I NOTICED IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THE STRAPS HOLDING THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TANK RUPTURED AND GASOLINE FUEL WAS SPEWED ONTO THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THEO CONTACT DISCOVERED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 181,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE FUEL TANK FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRAPS TO THE FUEL TANK BROKE IN HALF. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE FUEL FILL PIPE TO BREAK. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND WITH ASSISTANCE THE FUEL TANK WAS STRAPPED BACK ONTO THE VEHICLE ALLOWING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

GAS TANK STRAPS RUSTED REAL BAD AND CAUSED MY GAS TANK TO DROP OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. *TR

THE STRAP ON MY GAS TANK ON MY 1998 FORD F-150 XL HAS RUSTED APART FROM THE WELD AND IS HANGING OFF. *TR

GAS TANK STRAPS ON 98 F150 RUSTED THROUGH. 1 OF STRAPS RUSTED OFF AND TANK WAS BEING HELD ON BY THE OTHER STRAP WHICH WAS RUSTED ALMOST THROUGH AS WELL. LUCKILY I NOTICED THE FIRST STRAP RUSTED IN HALF BEFORE THE OTHER GAVE WAY. I REPLACED THE STRAPS ALREADY HOWEVER NOW MY GAS TANK WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED AS IT IS ALSO RUSTING OUT UNDER WHERE THE RUSTED IN HALF GAS TANK STRAP WAS AND GAS TANK HAS FUEL CONDENSATION ON OUTSIDE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT INSPECTED HIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL STRAPS WERE COVERED WITH RUST AND DISCONNECTED FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AT THE VEHICLE FRONT END. WHEN HE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THE FRONT SUSPENSION SWAY BAR WAS MISSING EIGHT BUSHINGS. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 42,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT PERFORMED REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE AND WHEN REPLACING THE REAR BRAKE PADS, HE DETECTED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS EXHIBITED RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 02/07/11 *BF THE FULE TANK STRAPS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. UPDATD 02/14/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED GASOLINE WAS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED AND LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/06/11 *BF UPDATED 1/24/2012 *LN *TR

WOKE UP TO SOMEONE BEATING ON MY HOUSE ALERTING ME THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE AT ABOUT 7:30 AM . I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT IT OUT. NO ONE WAS INJURED. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FROM OFF MY HOME ON THE STREET. *TR

MY SON FILLED THE GAS TANK ON MY 1998 F150 PICKUP TRUCK WITH GASOLINE AND DROVE A FEW BLOCKS WHEN THE GAS TANK STRAP BROKE ALLOWING THE GAS TANK TO FALL DOWN AND DRAG ON THE PAVEMENT. IT PUNCTURED THE TANK AND FUEL LEAKED OUT. FORTUNATELY, HE STOPPED RIGHT AWAY AND IT DID NOT SPARK TO CAUSE A FIRE OR POSSIBLE EXPLOSION. I HAD IT TOWED IN AND A REPLACEMENT GAS TANK AND NEW STRAPS ARE BEING INSTALLED. I HAVE NEVER LOST A GAS TANK ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. *TR

HEATER CORE LEAKS NEEDS TO BE REPLACE 1 TO 2 TIMES PER YEAR, TURN ON THE DEFROSTER AND IT WILL FOG UP WINDSHIELD FOR YOU CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD. PER FORD DEALERSHIP IT DUE TO POOR PARTS, BUT THE CONSUMER NEEDS TO PAY FOR IT OR GET KILLED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IF THE CONSUMER NEED TO USE THEIR DEFROSTER. *TR

I READ THIS WEEK ABOUT FORD F150 FUEL TANK STRAPS BREAKING, MY TANK DROPPED FROM MY 1998 F150 LAST SUMMER, I WAS UP THE STREET FROM HOME WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING DRAGGING, THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR BEHIND ME, AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, A GUSHER OF GAS CAME POURING OUT FROM UNDER MY TRUCK, UPON INSPECTION, THE FRONT PART OF THE GAS TANK WAS DRAGGING AND MADE A HOLE ON THE BOTTOM EDGE. LATER I JACKED UP THE TANK AND SECURED IT WITH ROPE SO THE TOW COMPANY COULD TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND THE GAS TANK DROPPED TO THE GROUND BECAUSE THE STRAP BROKE THAT WAS HOLDING IT UP. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TANK BECAUSE WHEN IT HIT THE GROUND IT PUT A HOLE IN IT. GOOD THING MY SON WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND NOT DRIVING. THE TANK WAS STILL FULL OF GAS AND ATTACHED SO HE HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE TANK DRAGGING A SHORT DISTANCE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. GAS WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKING LOT OF A CAR DEALERSHIP. *TR UPDATED 08/01/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH STRAPS BROKEN IN THE MIDDLE AND BOTH WERE CORRODED. UPDATED 08/02/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO BLINK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMETIME IT REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON GOING FOR ALMOST A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 11V107000(AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE) WHICH INCLUDED 2004-2006 FORD F-150 AND THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY AND KILL HIM. THEY ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT HIS EXPENSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 307,000.

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN THE FUEL TANK FELL OUT OF MY TRUCK. I HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS TO GET OUT OF THE STREET. THE TANK WAS DRAGGING ON THE STREET AND BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER IT WAS LEAKIN FUEL. I LOST ABOUT A HALF A TANK ON THE GROUND. NO FIRE ,NO INJURIES. I WAS VERY LUCKY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DRAGGING NOISE HEARD FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS SEPARATED AND DRAGGING ON THE GROUND, LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FUEL TANK STRAP, WHICH WAS CORRODED AND CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO SEPARATE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND THE STRAPS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT, BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 FUEL SYSTEM (GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

WE JUST RETURNED HOME FROM A 15 HOUR DRIVE FROM NC, WE WERE LUCKY THIS HAPPENED IN OUR TOWN GOING ABOUT 20 INSTEAD OF ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE WE WERE DOING 75+, OUR CABLE HOLDING OUR SPARE TIRE BROKE AND THE TIRE FELL ONTO THE ROAD...THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS BEHIND US.! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE FUEL TANK AND NOTICED IT FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION ON THE FUEL STRAPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL STRAPS AND REPAIRED THE FRACTURED FUEL TANK. THE MECHANIC STATED THE DAMAGE TO THE TANK WAS SEVERE AND HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT LEAK AGAIN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) WAS OPENED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD NOT COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

WITH A FULL FUEL TANK, PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN, THE FRONT OF THE GAS TANK FELL. IT DRAGGED A FEW FEET BEFORE STOPPING CREATING A HOLE AND GAS LEAKAGE. HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE GARAGE THAT HAD TO REPLACE GAS TANK AND STRAPS. MECHANIC STATED THE TANK STRAPS HAD RUSTED. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 FORD F150 PICK UP IN WELL MAINTAINED CONDITION WITH 165K MILES. ON A RECENT TRIP WE WERE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED (THANK GOD) THROUGH PORT HURON MICHIGAN. UNKNOWN TO ME, ONE OF TWO METAL STRAPS THAT HOLD THE FUEL TANK TO THE FRAME HAD CORRODED THROUGH. THE ENTIRE WEIGHT OF THE GAS TANK WAS SUPPORTED BY ONE REMAINING STRAP. AFTER FUELING (3/4 TANK), WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE LAST STRAP BROKE AND THE TANK FELL TO THE PAVEMENT. THE GRINDING OF THE TANK ON THE PAVEMENT RUBBED A SMALL HOLE IN THE TANK AND CAUSED A MINOR LEAK. BECAUSE WE WERE TRAVELING SO SLOW, WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND THE DAMAGE WAS CONTAINED. WITH THE HELP OF A POLICE OFFICER, I RAISED THE TANK ENOUGH TO GET MY CAR JACK UNDER IT AND THEN STRAPPED IT TO THE FRAME RAILS WITH A SECTION OF ROPE. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TANK TO THE TRUCK WAS THE FUEL LINE WHICH WAS NOT SEVERED SO I WAS ABLE TO START IT AND I DROVE TO NEARBY FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I WAS ONLY ONE MILE FROM GETTING ON I94 WHEN THE TANK FELL DOWN. FORD HAD NO RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE AND OFFERED NO COMPENSATION, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO DESIGN DETAIL TO PREVENT THE TANK FROM FALLING TO THE ROAD WHEN THE STRAPS FAIL. THIS DESIGN WAS RELEASED IN 1996 SO MANY OWNERS COULD SOON EXPERIENCE THE SAME CORROSION FAILURE THAT LED TO MY INCIDENT. A SERIOUS FIRE OR INJURIES COULD EASILY BE PREVENTED BY STAINLESS STEEL STRAPS OR A FRAME DETAIL THAT PREVENTS THE TANK FROM COMING DOWN TO THE PAVEMENT. THE TOTAL REPAIR INCLUDING A NEW TANK, STRAPS, VALVE, SENSOR AND LINE REPAIR WAS $750. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE VEHICLE CAB AREA AND WITHIN SECONDS THE FIRE SPREAD THROUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE.THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE TOMS RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIVE REPORT NUMBER IS 10-133 AND THE LAKEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT NUMBER IS 10-44389. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AT A COST OF $210 TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ON JUNE 12,2010, THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE. THE FUEL TANK DID NOT LEAK OR CATCH ON FIRE. AFTER PURCHASING NEW STRAPS AND INSTALLING THEM. THE VEHICLE IS BACK ON THE HIGHWAY. NOTE: THIS VEHICLE PASSED A PENNSYLVANIA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION ON 05/24/2010 BY A FORD DEALER. COMPONENT # 2 GASOLINE STORAGE COMPONENT # 3 TANK ASSEMBLY MOUNTING (STRAPS)

AT APPROXIMATELY 165,000 MILES I HAD THE GAS TANK STRAP REPLACED ON MY 1998 FORD 150. I NOTICED THAT ONE STRAP WAS BROKEN AND TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO HAVE BOTH STRAPS REPLACED. *TR

# 5 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MY 1998 FORD F-150 5.4 LTR ENGINE. RETURNING HOME FROM ALABAMA. I HAD JUST GOTTEN THROUGH CHARLOTTE, NC WHEN I HEARD THE SOUND OF A VERY BAD EXHAUST LEAK. WHEN I STOPPED AND LIFTED THE HOOD I COULD SEE THE COIL PACK BOUNCING UP AND DOWN. I HAD TO PAY A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR $420.00 TO TOW ME HOME. TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH THE 5.4. IT WILL COST ABOUT $300.00 OR MORE TO REPAIR WITH A HELI COIL. (THAT'S IF IT IS REPAIRABLE WITH A HELI COIL). HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE FINAL BILL YET. ALSO, FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE PLUGS WHERE REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2009 BY THE CARLOT GARAGE WHICH I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM. *TR

I AM THE UNHAPPY OWNER OF A 1998 FORD F150 WITH A 4.2L V6 ENGINE. IT SLUNG A ROD THIS MORNING AS SOON AS I STARTED IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AN FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 98 4.2L'S DUE TO FAULTY GASKET. I'VE READ ALOT OF STORY'S ABOUT THE SAME TRUCKS WITH THE SAME ENGINES. THERE IS A COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING READY TO SPEND 3 OR 4 GRAND FOR FORD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES. ISN'T FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECTS THAT THERE TRUCKS HAD COMING OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE. *TR

MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HIS FATHER'S 1999 OR 2000 F-150 WAS RUSTING ON THE FRAME AND WAS ABOUT TO RUST IN TWO, A SCREWDRIVER COULD BE STUCK THROUGH THE METAL. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK RUSTED AND THE GAS TANK WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE GROUND. SO I ASKED HIM TO LOOK AT THE FRAME OF MY 1998 F-150, AND HE DISCOVERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MAIN CROSSMEMBER OF THE FRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED IN TWO. THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. ONE OF THE BED CROSSMEMBERS IS ALREADY IN TWO, AND TWO OTHERS SHOW SEVERE RUSTING. MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT IF THE CROSSMEMBER BREAKS, I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IF I WERE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THIS COULD POSE A SERIOUS THREAT. THE BODY OF MY TRUCK IS IN GOOD SHAPE. IF YOU DID NOT KNOW OF THE FRAME PROBLEMS, YOU WOULD NOT KNOW TO CHECK THESE OUT. I FEEL THAT IF NOTHING ELSE, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THEIR VEHICLES CHECKED OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE FUEL TANK DETACHED AND FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE RUSTED THROUGH AND FRACTURED. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE FUEL TANK WAS ONLY BEING HELD ONTO THE VEHICLE BY ONE OF THE FUEL LINES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 163,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 178,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 FORD F150, THE GAS TANK DROPPED OUT OF PLACE AND I DRAGGED IT A COUPLE OF HUNDRED FEET BEFORE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. THE METAL STRAPS SUPPORTING IT RUSTED AND BROKE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TANK AND STRAPS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH STRAPS THAT HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE FRACTURED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT USED HAULING STRAPS TO SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

04/17/2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 AM OUR FORD F-150 XLT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF IN OUR DRIVEWAY OF A SINGLE DWELLING HOME. WE AND NEIGHBORS HEARD MULTIPLE EXPLOSIONS THAT SHOOK OUR HOUSE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS ALREADY ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHOOTING UP 12+ FEET. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN THE FIRE WAS OUT THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE TRUCK WAS GONE, BURNT INTO THE FIBERGLASS TOPPER, BLEW OUT ALL BUT TWO BACK WINDOWS AND MELTED ALL WIRING BACK TO THE REAR SHELL WINDOW. THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINS IS THE BACK HALF OF THE TRUCK AND BACK TIRES. *TR

GAS TANK STRAPS BROKE AND TANK FELL WHILE DRIVING TANK HAD A HOLE GROUND IN IT BEFORE I COULD STOP THERE WAS A GAS SPILL AND THANK GOD NO FIRE I'VE HAD OVER 30 CARS AND TRUCKS AND NEVER HAD A GAS TANK FALL OUT OF ANY OF THEM. *TR

1998 FORD F-150 BROKEN GAS TANK STRAP. LEAKING FUEL AFTER TANK FELL OUT. *TR

1. NOTICED THE FRONT STRAP ON GAS TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND TANK WAS TIPPING DOWN. 2. REAR STRAP STILL INTACT BUT RUSTY. 3. REPLACED FRONT STRAP, MONITORING REAR STRAP. 1998 FORD F150. *TR

MY FUEL TANK STRAPS ARE RUSTED OUT AND FALLING OFF MY TRUCK ALLOWING MY FUEL TANK TO BE LESS SECURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE STRAPS HOLDING THE FUEL TANK BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY RUST. THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,775 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,200. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STRAP HAD SOME RUSTING CAUSING THE GAS TANK TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. UPDATED 07/29/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER PULLING OVER HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY NINE GALLONS OF GASOLINE WAS SPILLED AND CAUSED A MINOR FIRE, BUT THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED DUE TO THE CORROSION OF BOTH FUEL STRAPS. THE FUEL TANK, STRAPS AND OTHER UNKNOWN COMPONENTS WERE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,181.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS LATER THE MANUFACTURER WAS AGAIN NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

PULLED MY 1998 F150 4X4 XLT SUPERCREW INTO MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED EVERYTHING OFF AND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED MY HOUSE. THREE HOURS LATER, I WENT TO GAIN ENTRY TO MY TRUCK AND WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, SMOKE BILLOWED OUT. IT MELTED MY INSTRUMENT PANEL FROM JUST ABOVE STEERING WHEEL TO THE DRIVERS DOOR. A WIRING HARNESS WAS ON FIRE AND BURNT CLEAR TO DRIVER SIDE RUG. ALL THE COATING WAS BURNT OFF THE HARNESS AND WAS IN FLAMES. I BURNT MY FINGERS TRYING TO GET IT OUT. THERE WERE SPARKS COMING FROM IT. I THEN DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TERMINALS AND GOT THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP CORRODED. FUEL TANK DROPPED TO ROADWAY AT 55 MPH. REQUIRED EMERGENCY FLATBED TOW TO REPAIR SHOP. LUCKY THERE WAS NO FIRE OR OTHER DAMAGE INVOLVED. FUEL TANK STRAPS AND VENT HOSE REPLACED. OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

FORD HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE CAB,OVER TIME IT HAS CORRUPTED THE WIRING,MAKING ELECTRICAL DEVICES FAIL TO HAVING A DEAD SHORT THAT CAUSES POWER TO DASH TO CONTINUE AFTER KEY IS REMOVED,THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AT BEST, TO THE FACT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME.THER ARE MANY TSB'S CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM 99133 98246 976011 98913 TO NAME A FEW.THIS ALSO CROSSES OVER TO SEVERAL MODELS AND YEARS AND IN CANADA THERE IS A RECALL FOR SOME OF THE F SERIES FORD TRUCK FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. MY PROBLEMS ARE TYPICAL OF ALL THE OUTHERS. THER IS RUST PRESENT UNDER DASH,DOOM LIGHTS,DOOR LIGHTS,CHIMES,POWER WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. VEHICLE DOES NOT HOLD CHARGE DUE TO POWER DRAIN WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. I HAVE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT DISENGAGING AFTER TAPPING BRAKE OR THROTTLE I COULD FEEL THE PEDDLE RESET ITSELF AFTER TAPPING BOTH. I HAVE HAD THE WINDOW REPLACED AND RESEALED. AT THIS POINT I WILL BE REPLACING THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE AND HOPE THAT FIXES THE WIPERS FOR ME. IT'S HARD TO SAY WHAT ELSE IS FRIED AT THIS POINT. THAT PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUSE PANEL ALSO. IT SEEMS THAT MANY OF THE FORD TECH'S ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND ITS REPLACE PARTS TILL YOU OR THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE, BUT NO ONE IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY WINDOW INSTALL THAT HAD CAUSED THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.SO TO SUM IT UP THIS VEHICLE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST,RUN AWAY OR HAVE THE WIPERS FAIL AT ANY TIME ALSO THE CAR FIRES ATTRIBUTED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL MAY IN FACT BE RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE STRAPS THAT WERE HOLDING THE FUEL TANK WERE CORRODED AND RUSTED, CAUSING THE TANK TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

INCIDENT #1 INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN ENGINE BAY AFFECTING CHARGING SYSTEM, EMISSIONS, AND DRIVE SYSTEMS. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED AS "BAD ALTERNATOR" AND "BAD WIRING HARNESS". AFTER I BROUGHT IT BACK WITHOUT HAVING REPAIRS DONE, I CLEANED AND LUBED ALL CONNECTORS. ALL PROBLEMS WENT AWAY. I ENDED UP HAVING TO BUY A NEW BATTERY DUE TO DAMAGE DONE BY THE FAULTY CONNECTIONS. THE PROBLEMS HAD BEEN INTERMITTENT AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE BEFORE I CLEANED AND LUBED ALL CONNECTORS, THIS PROBLEM COST ME A BATTERY, AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK AS THE BATTERY DIED AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. WITH NO BATTERY AND NO ALTERNATOR, THE VEHICLE STALLED, LIGHTING DIED, ETC. INCIDENT #2 LEAKING TIMING COVER GASKET AND LOWER INTAKE GASKETS. AT THIS MOMENT THE VEHICLE HAS 127K APPX MILES ON IT, AND IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING AS I WILL NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED, ALL MILES PUT ON VEHICLE HAVE BEEN "LIGHT" MILES (NO HEAVY TOWING, NO OVERLOADING OF VEHICLE, NO EXCESSIVE SPEED, ETC). FORD ISSUED A BULLETIN STATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH GASKETS UP UNTIL ROUGHLY 1/16/98. THEY THEN ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION REMEDY THAT DID NOT COVER THE FULL GASKET SET OR ALL AFFECTED ENGINE MODEL YEARS. ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN, MY ENGINE (MFG DATE PRIOR TO 9/97) IS AFFECTED, ACCORDING TO THEIR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION REMEDY IT IS NOT ELIGIBLE. IN MY BOOK, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE THE BASIS OF A RECALL. ENGINES HAVE DIED WITH AS LITTLE AS 50K MILES ON THEM, I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT I WAS HONESTLY SCARED TO DRIVE UNTIL NOW. I WILL MOST LIKELY BE PERFORMING MY OWN REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO FORD'S INCOMPETENCE. *TR

NEW SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED AT 70,000 MILES ON MY 1998 FORD F150. A FEW WEEKS LATER A SPARK PLUG (CYLINDER #4) WAS EJECTED FROM ITS THREADS, CAUSING GAS VAPORS TO FILL THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE CABIN. AFTER THE LOSS OF POWER AND THE NEED TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG (THE SPARK PLUG SEEMED TO BE REINSERTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS), IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE UNTIL 5 WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND ANOTHER MISS FIRE WAS RECORDED BY THE CODE READER. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON (CODE READER SHOW CYLINDER #4 MISS FIRE) WITH A LOSS OF POWER. NOW A HELICOIL KIT WILL HAVE TO BE INSTALL AT A COST OVER $117. IF THE HELICOIL KIT DOES NOT WORK, THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE TO BE SOLD FOR AT FRACTION OF WHAT ITS VALUE WOULD BE WITHOUT THE FOREMENTIONED PROBLEMS, OTHERWISE IT COULD BE USED AS MY REGULAR DRIVER- THANKS FORD! *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD F-150 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND I PULLED OVER TO FIND THE SPARK PUG HAD BLOWN OUT. CYLINDER #3 ORIGINAL PLUGS. *TR