1998 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IT ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES, SHIFTED INTO LOW, AND ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A PEDESTRIAN, A RAMP, AND KNOCKED THE TRAILER THROUGH THE TAILGATE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE RAMP AND THE VEHICLE. THE PEDESTRIAN RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES, MOSTLY BRUISES TO HER SIDE. BECAUSE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.*AK

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150 PICKUP. WHIILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. NO WARNING AT ALL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED 650 MILES BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. *AK

ON A 1998 FORD F-150 2WD PICKUP WITH A 4.2L ENGINE........ INITIAL OVERHEATING DUE TO LOW ENGINE COOLANT. REFILLED COOLANT AND KEPT LEVEL AT APPROPRIATE WORKING LEVEL. FROM A COLD START ONE MORNING HEARD LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM ENGINE. BROUGHT IT IN TO GET IT CHECKED BY LOCAL MECHANIC, WHICH ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. PURCHASED A RE-MANUFACTURED ENGINE AT APPROX 125,000 MILES ON OLD ENGINE. *JB

UNDERHOOD FIRE ON 1998 FORD F-150 WHILE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED SEVERAL HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE. WAS AWAKEN BY FIRE DEPARTMENT STATING THEY PUT OUT FIRE. TWO DAYS AFTER FIRE WE RECEIVED A NOTICE ON A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. EVERYTHING LETTER STATES IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR VEHICLE. WE SUBMITTED CLAIM TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CLAIM STATING "THAT DUE TO EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THEY WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. THEY MADE THIS DETERMINATION BY OBSERVING PICTURES THAT WE SENT VIA EMAIL TO THEM. WE ASKED HOW THEY COULD MAKE THIS DETERMINATION WITHOUT SOMEONE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND ONLY LOOKING AT PICTURES AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE ON MOST ALL COMPLAINTS MADE TO THEM OF VEHICLE FIRES OF THIS NATURE AND THAT OUR CASE WAS CONSIDERED CLOSED. WHEN I ASKED MR KELLAR TO LET ME SPEAK WITH HIS BOSS HE STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT TRANSFER ME TO HIS BOSS BECAUSE HE CONSIDERED OUR CASE CLOSED AND THAT I DID NOT NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO HIS BOSS. *NM

I CHANGED MY SPARK PLUGS AT THE RECOMMENDED MILEAGE AND SINCE THAT TIME THEY DO NOT STAY TIGHT IN THE CYLINDERS. THEY LOOSEN UP AND I HAVE TO RE-TIGHTEN THEM EVERYDAY SO THAT THEY DO NOT BLOW OUT OF MY CYLINDER HEAD. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V017000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE . *AK

1998 FORD F-150 VIN # [XXX], PARKED AT 9:00 PM ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. AT 4:30 AM ON SEPTEMBER 28 NEIGHBOR NOTICED VEHICLE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPT UNABLE TO SAVE THE VEHICLE, IT COMPLETELY BURNED UP. ALSO DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE IN FRONT OF WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TO A 1990 FORD TAURUS PARKED BESIDE OF THE VEHICLE.*JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 1998 FORD F-150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. THIS HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR AROUND SIX HOURS. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN USED THE DAY OF THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO MALFUNCTIONS ON THE TRUCK. EVERYTHING WAS IN WORKING ORDER. THE CONSUMER WAS AWAKENED BY A NEIGHBOR WHO SPOTTED THAT THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE GARAGE, THE TRUCK AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT. THERE WAS A FIRE INVESTIGATOR ON HAND TO EXAMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK. THIS WAS BEFORE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 05V170000 CONCERNING THE SCDS ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEALT WITH FORD, WHO TOLD THE INSURANCE AGENT THAT SOMEONE WOULD COME AND EXAMINED THE REMAINS. THEY WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE SCENE UNDISTURBED, AND IT MAY BE A MONTH OR SO BEFORE THEY WOULD EVEN COME AND CHECK. FORD TOLD THE INSURANCE AGENT TO PAY THE CONSUMER, AND FORD WOULD DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY LATER. THERE WAS AN INSURANCE AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT AVAILABLE TO ANY INVESTIGATOR.*AK UPDATED 12/07/05.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR BODY WORK, IT SAT FOR 2 WEEKS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FOLLOWING THE 2 WEEKS, THE ENGINE NOISE WAS LOUDER THAN NORMAL, AND THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. A PRIVATE MECHANIC WAS CONSULTED, WHO DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. ALSO, THE DOORS HAD CRACKED ONE HALF INCH FROM THE CORNER OF THE WINDOW SEAL. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THE CRACKS WERE DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR.

1998, FORD, F150, 4.2 LITER V6. LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD SIDE GASKET FAILED. GASKET FAILURE LED TO COOLANT IN NUMBER 1 CYLINDER. COOLANT IN NUMBER 1 CYLINDER CAUSED THE NUMBER 1 PISTON CONNECTING ROD TO BEND. THE DEFECTIVE GASKET AND BENT ROD ARE CLEANED AND AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. A TOTAL ENGINE REBUILD WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK WAS SHAKING. WHEN THE DRIVER STOPPED. THE LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS SNAPPED OFF THE WHEEL. THE SPEED WAS 35 MPH. THE TIRE WAS READY TO FALL OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE TRUCK. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CALLED, AND A COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE COMPANY. THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO BE REPAIRED. THE TRUCK IS A 1998 FORD F150 TRUCK.*AK

98 FORD F-150 WITH 4.2L WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALMOST ALL OF THESE ENGINES AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

MY 4.2 V-6 IN MY 1998 FORD F-150 FAILED HYDRO LOCKED AFTER IT HAD RAN JUST FINE, LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND MY SELF TO NOT BE ALONE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOME QUITE COSTLY REPAIRS, I FOR ONE AM NOT IN THE POSITION TO REPLACE A MOTOR THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE FAILED IN THE FIRST PLACE. *JB

FORD DEALERSHIPS IN RALEIGH NC AREA ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR 1998 F150 UNDER SPEED CONTROL RECALL. *NM

ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED MY TEMP GAUGE IN THE RED AND MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AT ZERO. THE "CHECK OIL" LIGHT WAS LIT AS WELL. THE TRUCK AT THE TIME WAS RUNNING FINE, NO NOISES FROM THE ENGINE AND NO SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP WHICH HAPPENS TO BE A FORD DEALER; DIABLO FORD IN PITTSBURGH, CA. ON 09/12/05, THE FIRST DAY THE SERVICE DEPT WAS ABLE TO GET TO IT, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER TELLING ME THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE PULLED AND DISASSEMBLED TO CHECK ENGINE BEARINGS, CONNECTING RODS, VALVES AND PISTONS TO SEE IF THERE IS MORE DAMAGE THAN JUST BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. SO FAR THE QUOTE WITH INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS NOT DAMAGED IS $3200. THAT QUOTE COULD RISE VERY EASILY IF INTERNAL DAMAGE IS FOUND. SINCE THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ON THE FIGHTBACK.COM WEBSITE AND HAVE FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH 1997 TO 1999 F150 FORD TRUCKS WITH 4.2 LITER ENGINES. APPARENTLY, FORD HAS CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD GASKETS IN MID 1999, DUE TO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOR THESE PARTICULAR ENGINES. MY UNDERSTANDING IS FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, AND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE SHELLING OUT $3000+ TO REPAIR THEIR TRUCKS. IN SOME CASES, ENTIRE ENGINES WERE REPLACED FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD RECALL AND COVER THE COSTS ON THE ENGINES. IF I'M NOT MISTAKING, THE 3.8 LITER V6 SHARES THE SAME BLOCK AND HEADS AS THE 4.2. THE 3.8 IS FOUND IN A LOT OF FORD WINDSTARS AND TAURUS'. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAKING FAULTY ENGINES. *NM

BRAKE WERE NOT RIGHT SPONGY. WEARING OUT BAKE PAD'S NOTHING HAPPENED YET BUT NOT WORKING RIGHT AS OF NOW. I REPLACED CALIPER AND PAD'S. AND BRAKES ARE STILL DRAGGING. *NM

DT: 1998 FORD F150. COOLANT IN THE OIL, AND SERIOUS ENGINE NOISE. THE ARE WHITE VAPORS FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION YET. UNABLE TO DRIVE AUTOMOBILE.*AK

CONSUMER'S REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN GETTING FORD TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR REPAIRS FOR FAULTY GASKET ON THEIR 1998 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCK.*MR WATER LEAKED INTO THE OIL BECAUSE OF A FAULTY GASKET WHICH THEN CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW. THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THE GASKET WAS RECALL IN 1999. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED AND NOTICE OF A GASKET RECALL. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT FORD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE FAULTY ENGINE. *NM

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD F-150 4.2L XLT. A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION UPON STARTING MY ENGINE. ONCE THE ENGINE STARTED, IT STRUGGLED A LITTLE AND THEN SMOOTHED OUT ONCE I BEGAN TO DRIVE. THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO RUN FINE, ONCE STARTED, BUT CONTINUED WITH THE SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY TRUCK AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER RIGHT AWAY. I LET THE TRUCK REST A MOMENT THEN AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. THE TRUCK STARTED UP, THEN I HEARD THE SLIGHT HESITATION AND ALL OF SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHEREUPON I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A ROD KNOCK, WHICH SHOT DOWN THROUGH THE OIL PAN. HE FOUND COOLANT ON THE PLUGS AND WATER INTRUSION THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO THE BLOCK. HE INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE HAD HYDRO-LOCKED. THROUGH RESEARCH I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THIS IS AN APPARENTLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I FOUND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUED A RECALL ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IN 1999. I NEVER RECEIVED SUCH NOTIFICATION, ALTHOUGH I HAVE, IN FACT RECEIVED INFORMATION FOR OTHER RECALLS. I WAS NEVER SENT ANYTHING IN THE MAIL AND HAD NO IDEA OF THIS PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, I AM INFORMED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THIS MATTER WITH CUSTOMERS. I CURRENTLY HAVE 117,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND HAD TO PAY OVER $4,000.00 TO REPLACE THE LONG BLOCK. I HAD TO PAY TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT FORD OBVIOUSLY KNEW EXISTED. SINCE FORD WAS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF DAMAGING THE ENGINE AND DID LITTLE, IF NOTHING, TO INFORM ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS POTENTIAL DANGER, I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD, AT LEAST IN PART, LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGE INCURRED TO MY TRUCK AND TO MANY OF THOSE, LIKE MYSELF, WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 05V170000 CONCERNING CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V388000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER , WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE .*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150 LD. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ALUMINUM RIM BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THE WHEEL LIP RIM DETACHED AND CAUSED A BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO MORE RIMS THAT WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I HAVE A 1998 F-150 AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW MY DOORS ARE SPLITTING AND STARTING TO RUST I KNOW ITS HAPPENING QUITE A BIT I WORK IN THE INDUSTRY AND SEE THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS ALSO THE FORD DEALERS DO HAVE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER PAYS IT IS NOT COVERED WHY?*JB

DT: THE CALLER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING STILL FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN'. THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, AND BURNED THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. NO OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT STRAPS ON THE GAS TANK BROKE, CAUSING THE FRONT TANK TO HIT THE GROUND AND RUPTURE. CONSUMER HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK AND GASOLINE SPILLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY WERE ON THE SCENE WHERE THIS OCCURRED. THERE WAS A REPORT FROM THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE, BUT FOR THE CONSUMER TO KEEP HIS RECEIPTS IN CASE THERE WAS A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS RUSTED. *AK

DT: THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH WHICH WAS OVER THE MASTER CYLINDER ON A 1998 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO CATCH ON FIRE. IT BURNT TWO FUSES AND UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OFF, AND IT WAS AT THE MECHANIC. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER SITTING FOR A WEEK. THE MECHANIC HAD CHANGED THE MOTOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE MECHANIC WAS THE ONE WHO DETERMINED THAT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 21, 2005. *AK *JB

1. DRIVING WITH MY FIANCEE TO GO OUT TO EAT IN EVANSVILLE 2. LOSS OF REAR BRAKES(FOUND OUT LATER A PINHOLE IN BRAKELINE) 3. DAMAGE FRONT IN DUE TO TRAFFIC STOP QUICKLY AND I COULD NOT, SO I WENT OFFROAD TO AVOID A CAR IN A SOYBEAN FIELD. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE I AM NOT INSTALLING THE RECYCLED BRAKE LINES THAT I THINK WAS USED WHEN THE F150 WAS MADE SHOULDN'T THEY LAST MORE THAN 7 YEARS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY FOR THE DRIVER,ALL PASSANGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS, I HAVE HAD A GARAGE ORDER STAINLESS STEEL, AND THE FRONT BODY PARTS. I DON'T KNOW THE COST OF THE BILL YET..BUT I'M WITHOUT MY TRUCK..FOR AWHILE. AND A HONEY THAT HAS HAD A HEADACHE ALL DAY AND A SPRAIN WRIST...HOPE IT GOES AWAY(THE HEADACHE).

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON I-95 THE REAR TIRE THREAD SEPARATED AND LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF TRUCK WHICH CAUSE IT TO HIT THE WALL IN THE MEDIAN TWICE. AS A RESULT WE BOTH SUSTAINED INJURIES IN WHICH WE ARE CURRENTLY UNDER DOCTORS CARE ALONG WITH THERAPY. BOTTOM LINE WE ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES. THE TIRE HAD BEEN PURCHASE ALMOST 6 MONTHS PRIOR OF ACCIDENT TO REPLACE ANOTHER ONE WE TOLD WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS A P275/70R16 CONTINENTAL TIRE ON OUR 1998 F-150 TRUCK. *NM

DT: CALLER SAID THAT ON JULY 11, 2005 AFTER 8 HOURS OF SITTING STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE TRUCK. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE AND ANOTHER CAR. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE FIRE DEPTARTMENT. *AK *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE HAS GENERAL GRABBER AW TIRES, SIZE P275/60/R17 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS, ALL THREE TIRES (EXCLUDING THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE) HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY BLOWN OUT. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRES, HE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRES AND THE WIRES WERE STICKING OUT. HE INSPECTED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND NOTICED A LARGE BUBBLE FORMING ON THE INTERIOR OF THE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT, AND STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

DT: PRIOR TO THE FIRE TOOK A TRIP AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. FORD F-150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 12:50 AM 7/5/05 IN THE MORNING. IT HAD BEEN SITTING TURNED OFF FOR 12 HOURS, AND THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION. VEHICLE WAS PAID OFF 2 MONTHS AGO, ANOTHER WAS A RECALL. SOME OF VINYL SIDING MELTED, RESULTING IN $2500.00 DAMAGE. THERE WAS ALSO BLACK RESIDUE ON THE CARPET INSIDE THE HOUSE.*AK

DT: CONSUMER FILED A COMPLAINT BEFORE REGARDING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE AN ODI NUMBER. WHILE DRIVING SHE TURNED INTO DRIVEWAY TO TURN AROUND AND TIE ROD END BROKE OFF. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 30, 2005. THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE TIE ROD END TO BREAK. *AK

HEAD GASKET/ HEAD BOLT FAILURE AT 66,000 MILES. MECHANIC REPORTED IT DURING ROUTINE SERVICE. SAID 3 THINGS CAUSE THIS FAILURE. 1. LACK OF COOLANT (OVERHEATING), 2. DEFECTIVE GASKET OR 3. FACTORY DEFECT DURING THE MILLING THE HEAD. MECHANIC REPORTED THIS AS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF FORD TRUCK. SINCE THE COOLANT LEVEL HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED, THAT LEAVES THE OTHER TWO POSSIBILITIES. SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED, PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT RIGHT AWAY. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM BEFORE HAND. NO TSB ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT SOME FOR OTHER FORD VEHICLES IN SAME MANUFACTURING YEAR. SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER FORD 150S' WITH PREMATURE BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. REPAIRS AT FORD DEALER WERE $2300 WITH LITTLE CHOICE TO GO ELSEWHERE. PROBLEMS WITH DEALER IN GETTING REPAIR DONE CORRECTLY, BUT THAT IS A DIFFERENT COMPLAINT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER RECALLS FOR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS OVER THE YEARS, THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *NM

DT: CONSUMER SAID THAT SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN VEHICLE AT ABOUT 30 MPH UP HILL. THIS HAPPENED IN THE DAY TIME. CONSUMER SAIDTHAT HIS VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE TO BE REPAIRED. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHICH CYLINDER. CONSUMER DID REPORT THIS TO FORD.*AK

I WAS AT THE STORE SHOPPING AND WALKED BACK TO MY TRUCK AND IT WAS GIVING OFF A VERY STONG ELECTRICAL SMELL. I STARTED THE TRUCK AND COULD NOT TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. I TURNED IT OFF AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THE SENSOR ATTACHED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BURNT TO A CRISP AND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. I FOUND OUT THIS IS BEING RECALLED ON 2000 AND 2001 FORD F-150'S. THIS RECALL IS THE SAME PART THAT IS ON MY TRUCK. I OWN A 1998 AND NOT A 2000 OR 2001. I FEEL THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ANY F-150 REGARDLESS OF THE YEAR SINCE THEY HAVE THE SAME EXACT PART THAT IS BEING RECALLED. THIS IS A VERY BAD PROBLEM THAT YOU SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES THAT HAVE THESE FAULTY PARTS ON THEM.

LIKE MANY OTHERS, MY LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT 132,000 MILES, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE #4 CYLINDER AND CAUSING A HYDROLOCK CONDITION. I REPLACED THE MOTOR. PRIOR TO THE HYDROLOCK, I HAD NOTICED COOLANT LEVELS DROPPING FOR A YEAR OR SO PRIOR BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AND JUST PERIODICALLY TOPPED OFF THE COOLANT. AT THE TIME OF FAILURE, I NOTICED LOTS OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST.

BEGINNING AROUND 150,000 MILES, MY 1998 FORD F150 4.6 L TRITON ENGINE PLUGS BEGIN TO LOOSEN OR EVEN COME OUT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT EVERY 50,000 TO 75,000 MILES THEREAFTER. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK WHILE IN MY DRIVEWAY. I EXAMINED THE FORD OWNERS MANUAL AND IT ADVISED HOW TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND TO CHECK THE FUSE TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AND I REPLACED THE FUSE AS INSTRUCTED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I OBSERVED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH PLUGS INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ON FIRE. I PULLED THE WIRE FROM THE MELTED SWITCH AND THE FIRE WENT OUT. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AS FORD SAYS MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER RECALL. NO DAMAGE OTHER THAN THE SWITCH AND WIRING, I WAS LUCKY. *JB

1998, FORD, F150, 4.2 LITER V6. @ APPROX. 92,000 MILES. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. GASKET FAILURE LED TO COOLANT IN NUMBER 4 CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED THE NUMBER 4 PISTON CONNECTING ROD TO BREAK, ALSO DAMAGING THE PISTON. THE DEFECTIVE GASKET, BENT ROD AND PISTON HAD TO BE REPLACED, MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR REPAIR. NO NOTICE FROM FORD INDICATING POTENTIAL PROBLEM OR THAT ANY PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE (I.E. GASKET REPLACEMENT) MAY HAVE AVOIDED COSTLY ENGINE FAILURE REPAIR -OR- REPLACEMENT. A PRODUCT AND HIGHWAY SAFETY CONCERN IN THE CONTEXT THAT HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MAY HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT. *NM

COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE DUE TO A FAULTY DEISGN OF THE FRONT COVER GASKET CAUSING A BENT ROD DUE TO UNCOMPRESSIBLE COOLANT IN THE CYLINDERS.

DT: CALLER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT CRUISE CONTROL FIRES. CALLER SAID CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT, AND BRAKE FLUID WAS IN WIRING. CALLER HAS DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL. DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. *AK

I WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN THE TIE ROD OF MY 1998 F150 CAME APART.ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD NO STEERING PERIOD. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THIS WAS BAD ,NO BAD TIRE WEAR, NO SHAKING ,NOTHING. BETWEEN THE TOWING ,REPLACING THE PART & AN UNNEEDED ALIGNMENT IAM OUT 200$ WHICH IS CHEAP COSIDERING WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED.

I WAS TOWING AN ULTRA LIGHT CAMPING TRAILER WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED WHEN I SMELLED WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THEN THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY FAILED . I REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE AT A COST OF $ 4000.00 AND HAVE HAD AT LEAST 10 MORE INSTANCES WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING ON THE INTERSTATE. *JB

DT: SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF GRILL . CONSUMER GOT OUT OF CAR AND PUT FIRE OUT. THAT MORNING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND HE HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE A FEW TIMES, AND IT WENT OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP, AND HAD IT REPAIRED. HAS NOT CALLED MANUFACTURER.*AK

1) DRIVING AND THE FIRST THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL POPPED, THEN ABOUT A2 WEEKS LATER THE LEFT SIDE POPPED 2) UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE 3) HAD TO BUY NEW BALL JOINTS YES WE STILL HAVE THE ONES FROM THE FACTORY, THE FACTORY PARTS ARE NOT GREASABLE, THE NEW PARTS ARE

1998 FORD F-150 CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA AND BURNT THE FRONT END OF TRUCK FROM THE CAB AREA FORWARD.

I HAVE AN 1998 FORD F-150 THAT HAS BROKEN ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS THAT SUPPORT THE TANK DUE TO CORROSION OF THE STRAP. *TR

FORD F150 DRIVERS SIDE OUTER TIEROD BALL JOINT FAILED.THE TIEROD COMPLETLY SEPERATED FROM STEERING KNUCKLE. THE TRUCK WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. NO DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AND WILL BE INSTALLED.

DT: ON 5-16-2005 VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DASHBOARD AREA WAS CONSUMED. NO WARNING PRIOR TO FIRE. HAD BRAKE SERVICED SHORTLY BEFORE FIRE. NO INDICATION WHETHER IT WAS AN ELECTRIC OR FUEL FIRE. CONTACT STATED FORD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME WHAT COMPONENT CAUSED THE FIRE. THERE WAS A FIRE REPORT, AND POLICE WERE PRESENT AT THE SCENE.*AK

OVERNIGHT HYDROLOCK CONDITION, CAUSED BY FAULTY INTAKE GASKETS AND CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS, CAUSING IMMEDIATE AND UNFORSEEN INTERNAL DAMAGE UP TO AND INCLUDING DAMAGE TO PISTONS, RODS, CRANKSHAFT, AND BEARINGS. WE WERE NON-INFORMED DUE TO FORD'S NEGLET TO SEND APPROPRIATE RECALL NOTICES FOR BOTH VEHICLES OWNED BY OUR FAMILY. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITHIN THE INTERNET COMMUNITY, AND ALTHOUGH FORD DID ISSUE RECALL NOTICES, WE DID NOT RECIEVE ANY TO OUR CURRENT KNOWLEDGE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE APPARENTLY IT IS TOO LATE TO TURN IN A RECALL. THE RESPONSE GIVEN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM ETHICAL IN MY EYES, AND MANY CONSUMERS ARE OUT OF TRANSPORTATION AND BE OUT THE MONEY THAT THIS WILL COST THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEMSELVES. THESE ARE HONEST, HARD WORKING CITIZENS THAT HAVE BELIEVED IN FORD FOR MANY YEARS, AND FOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM TO COME UP AND TO HAVE THEM NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, REMOVES ANY SHRED OF CONFIDENCE STILL REMAINING IN TODAYS MANUFACTURED GOODS.