1998 Ford F-150 Suspension Problems

REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JUL 15, 1998 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V161000 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE , SUSPENSION MY REAR SUSPENSION IS BAD - HAS THIS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF ON MY VEHICLE? GEM MODULE IS HAVING TROUBLE. I HAVE BEEN READING THIS PART HAS CAUSED A LOT OF TROUBLE FOR THIS FORD MODEL.

SHOCK UPPER MOUNT SIMPLY FELL OFF CAUSING DRIVER SIDE REAR SHOCK TO DRAG GROUND. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION ALSO NOTICED AT THE LOCATION OF THE RUSTED OUT MOUNT LOCATION THAT THE REAR WIRING FOR THE TAIL LIGHT WERE SEVERED CAUSING TRUCK TO NOW BE STUCK IN PARK. ALSO WHILE INSPECTING NOTICED REAR FRAME IS SIMPLY FALLING APART AND OTHER AREAS THROUGHOUT THE FRAME ARE WEAK AS WELL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AFTER DOING RESEARCH I AM FINDING MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME ISSUE ONLINE BUT NO MANUFACTURE RECALLS. WHY ISN'T FORD DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE? I'VE NEVER SEEN FRAMES DO THIS. TRUCK NEEDS FULL FRAME REPLACEMENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE RETAINING CLIPS THAT SUPPORTED THE FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE MISSING. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V161000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SUSPENSION). THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRACKET THAT CONNECTED TO THE LEAF SPRING ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 5/11/12 *CN THE SHACKLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/15/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE TWO REMAINING FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE EXPERIENCING CORROSION AS WELL, BUT WERE NOT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE ONLY THE FRACTURED STRAP WAS REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, THEY WERE ONLY OBLIGATED TO REPLACE THE FRACTURED STRAP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACED THE STRAP WHICH FRACTURED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS FRACTURED AND PIERCED THROUGH THE TRUCK BED DUE TO CORROSION. IN ADDITION, THE FRAME UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ALSO EXHIBITED RUST AND CORROSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE SINCE THE REAR AXLE COULD BRAKE AS A RESULT OF THE SALT TREATMENTS USED IN THE CITY WHERE HE RESIDES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION, REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,951.

LEFT REAR SPRING HANGER BROKE AND CAME LOSE FROM FRAME AND WENT UP HITTING THE TRUCK BED UNDERSIDE. THIS PART HOLDS THE REAR END IN PLACE

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 F-150. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING RUBBER COMING FROM HIS VEHICLE. THE SMELL WAS THEN REPLACED BY A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING FRACTURED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE JACKED THE VEHICLE UP, REPOSITIONED THE SPRING, TIED IT DOWN WITH WIRE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. HE REMEMBERED A RECALL HE HAD SEEN AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

1998 F-150 5.4L TRITON I'VE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 2 YRS. AND PUT 30,000 MILES ON IT. CURRENTLY AT 124,000. OTHER THAN MAINTENANCE (NOT INCLUDING SPARK PLUGS) HAVE CHANGED BOTH CV SHAFTS AND BEARINGS IN THE FRONT. FEB. 3, 08 WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR PRECURSOR IT BLEW A SPARK PLUG FROM THE HEAD STRIPPING THE THREADS. IT OCCURRED VERY QUICKLY WHILE COASTING DOWN HILL AT 55 MPH. NOT HARDLY WORKING THE ENGINE. I KNEW WHAT IT WAS IMMEDIATELY, I HAD BEEN WITH A FRIEND WHEN HIS 2000 F 150 4.6L BLEW A SPARK PLUG FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS. THIS ACTION ALMOST STALLED MY TRUCK OUT BEING AT LOW RPM TO BEGIN WITH IT RATTLED VIOLENTLY. I WAS AFRAID MY 10 YR OLD BROTHER AND I WOULD HAVE TO WALK FOR HELP. NOT FUN IN NY IN FEB. A PASSERBY CAME TO OUR AID. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED HOME BY A FRIEND. STILL TRYING TO FIND A SUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE REPAIR. THOUSANDS OF THESE INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO VARIOUS WEBSITES, DEALERS, AND EVEN TO FORD. SOME INSTANCES HAVE RESULTED IN FIRES DESTROYING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. IGNITED BY A STRAY SPARK PLUG AND FUEL MIST FROM THE CYLINDER. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BY FORD. MOST REPAIRS RUN $2,000 - $4,000 EACH TIME A PLUG A SPIT. MANY VEHICLES HAVE UNDER 100,000 MILES. *TR

I STEPPED INTO MY VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK, AND THE TORSION BAR BROKE. SNAPPED INTO TWO PIECES. WAS THANKFUL I WAS NOT DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE MECHANICS, THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE, AND THAT A PIECE OF 1" ROUND STEEL SHOULD NOT JUST SNAP. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WINDOW LEAKED WHEN IT RAINED CAUSING THE REAR SEAT TO BECOME WET. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO TURN OFF WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END AS THE VEHICLE TRAVELED 10 MPH. THE REAR END WAS REPLACED 1 YEARS AGO INCLUDING THE SUSPENSION, REAR AXLE, CHASSIS, RINGS, PINS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.

ALARM GOES OFF FOR NO REASON. DOOR OPEN, LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN GOES OFF. LOUD NOISE IN REAR END WHEN STARTING OFF.*AK

THE R/H TORSION BAR BROKE AT LOW SPEED TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. THE BAR IS BEING REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. AFTER SEEING ALL THE REPORTS ON LINE, I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE.

WHILE CHANGING THE SHOCKS ON THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THE REAR FRAME BROKE. NO EXPLANATION AS TO HOW OR WHY.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ,AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED.*AK

CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES FIVE TIMES BEFORE IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WERE TWO PIECES MISSING FROM THE SWAY BAR. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER FOR VEHICLE COULD NOT FIND THE DEFECTS. HOWEVER , THE DODGE DEALER FOUND THE DEFECT.*AK *TC

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. THEN, LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOME. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER EXPLAINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT, AND THE AXLE BROKE.*AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. A GENTLEMAN FOLLOWED HER AND TOLD HER THAT THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF THE BACK OF HER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE PERFECTLY, WITH NO SIGN OF TROUBLE. THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. THE CONSUMER WAS TAKING HER HUSBAND, WHO IS CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR, ON AN ERRAND. SHE BELIEVES IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE KIND GENTLEMAN WHO HELPED HER, THAT HER HUSBAND COULD HAVE BURNED TO DEATH. *NM

ON DECEMBER 30, 2003, I SENT THE FOLLOWING LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND AS OF YET HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN GIVE ME SOME POINTERS ON HOW I SHOULD PROCEED. THANK YOU, [XXX]. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] ENCLOSED ARE PICTURES OF THE TORSION BAR FROM MY 1998 FORD F-150 PICKUP. VIN# [XXX]. IT HAS 56,000 MILES. THE PORTION THAT IS PICTURED IS THE FRONT. THE BAR BROKE WHILE SITTING IDLE IN MY GARAGE. I HAD BEEN OUT OF TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND SO THE PICKUP HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR TWO DAYS. I FOUND THE CENTER PIECE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. FROM RUST SPOTS IN THE BROKEN AREA, IT APPEARS THAT IT HAD BEEN CRACKED FOR SOME TIME. I HAVE OWNED THE PICKUP FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS. ALMOST ALL OF MY DRIVING HAS BEEN HIGHWAY DRIVING. DURING THAT TIME IT HAS VERY LITTLE OFF ROAD DRIVING. I AM NOT A HUNTER OR LAND OWNER. IT HAS BEEN USED FOR HAULING CARGO, BUT NOT EXTENDED USE. IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE ALSO ENCLOSED THE REPAIR RECORDS FROM THAT. THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THERE WAS NO SUSPENSION DAMAGED NOTED. I HAVE LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON IT, AND HAVE FOUND NONE. THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED IT FOR ME SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN A TORSION BAR BREAK LIKE THIS. THIS IS A REPAIR THAT I DONT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. I HAVE ENCLOSED MY STATEMENT. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BROKE. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHAT CAN BE DONE? IS THIS A FLAW IN THE PICKUP THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED? I AM ALSO WRITING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO ASK FOR THEIR HELP IN WHAT PROCESS I SHOULD FOLLOW. I CAN BE REACHED DURING WORKING HOURS AT[XXX], AT MY ADDRESS AT [XXX] OR BY E-MAIL AT [XXX]. I WILL BE WAITING YOUR REPLY. [XXX] *CB *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)