1997 Ford F-250 Complaint Log

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the fuel strap failed and there was a hole in the fuel tank. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V385000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 00V231000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

TIRE BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY CALIFORNIA I-5 AT 210 INTERCHANGE BFGOODRICH LT235/85 R16 LTR M+S 1655 MILES ON THE TIRES INSTALLED 05-20-2019 OF LAST YEAR

THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT DISCONNECTS RANDOMLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN PARK, DRIVING AND WHILE REVERSING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS AS WELL AS FREEWAY/HIGHWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING A U-TURN AS WELL AS DRIVING FORWARD. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE RADIO STATIONS. AS IT STANDS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE TRUCK THE SEATBELT WILL DISCONNECT AT LEAST 3 TIMES.

FUEL TANK 1 SEEMS TO PUMP FUEL INTO TANK 2. FUEL SWITCH ON "FRONT" SEEMS TO INDICATE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL. FUEL SWITCH ON "REAR" ALWAYS READS FULL. SOMETIMES FUEL WILL FLOW OUT OF REAR TANK AS SOON AS FUEL CAP IS REMOVED. I DROVE ABOUT 75 MILES WITH THE FUEL SWITCH ON "REAR". WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, I UNSCREWED REAR TANK CAP AND FUEL SPEWED OUT.......MAYBE A GALLON OR SO.

I HAVE HAD MY 1997 FORD F-250 FOR A FEW YEARS AND BESIDES AN ABI'S I'VEW PREVIOUS OWNER IT HASN'T GIVEN ANY ISSUE. THAT IS UP UNTIL A MONTH AGO WHEN MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER UP AND QUIT WORKING. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO FUSES OR RELAYS FAULTY EITHER, I SPOKE WITH FRIENDS OF MINE WHO OWN SIMILAR MODEL YEARS OF MY TRUCK AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.

THE TRUCK WOULD STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, NOT START AFTER DRIVING, STOP SHUT OFF AND THEN WOULD NOT START. SOME TIMES IT MAY NOT START FOR SEVERAL DAYS THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD START UP AGAIN AND BE FINE FOR WEEKS THEN WOULD START THE WHOLE PROCESS OVER AGAIN. IT MAY STOP AT ANY TIME ANY WHERE WHETHER HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE SHUTS OFF. I HAD MANY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHER VEHICLES CAUSING THEM TO MAKE EVASIVE ACTIONS. THIS VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURES BUY BACK FROM ORIGINAL PURCHASER WHEN, NEW BUT NO EXPLANATION COULD BE FOUND. I SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THE BUY BACK. IT IS ON THE TITLE ALSO.

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE SPARK PLUG SHOOTS OUT OF THE BLOCK AND SHORTLY AFTER YOU CAN SMELL GAS FUMES WITH IS AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD. NOT ONLY IS IT EXPENSIVE TO FIND A MECHANIC WHO CAN COIL THE PLUG BACK INTO THE BLOCK, AFTER READING ABOUT IT THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPENS TO MANY OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME TRUCK AS I DO. YET, THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL.

WHEN BUCKLING IN THE RETRACTOR FAILED. I AM NOT ABLE TO HAVE ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY TRUCK NOW. I SEE A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR TRUCK BUT THE F150. I HAVE AN F250. ALL REPLACEMENT BELTS I HAVE FOUND HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND AN INJURY WAS SUSTAINED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 278,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

REAR GAS TANK LEAKING GAS.STRAPS APPEAR TO HAVE RUBBED HOLE IN TANK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE BRACKET AND THE SPARE TIRE WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED HE SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 09/19/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 09/19/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR FACILITY FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT FIVE OF THE SEVEN SPOKES ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE OTHER THREE WHEELS EXHIBITED RUST HOLES AND CRACKS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,318. UPDATED 09/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND AFTER THE AXLE, HUB AND ROTOR WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1000.00. UPDATED 09/10/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING NEXT TO THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V385000 APPLIED TO HIS VEHICLE AND THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED 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 TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 142,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE WHEEL DETACHED COMPLETELY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SALT WAS LODGED INSIDE OF THE RIM, CAUSING THE RIM TO RUST. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. UPDATED 04/13/12 *BF UPDATED 05/12/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE RUSTED FUEL TANK STRAPS CAUSED FRICTION AND CREATED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. THE TANK WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,989 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,944. UPDATED 10/14/11 *BF THE COSNSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED HE MUST PAY FOR A RUSTED FILLER NECK AT A COST OF $ 319.52.

UPON READING ABOUT A FORD RECALLS 2.7 MILLION F150-250 TRUCKS I FOUND THAT MINE WAS INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL BY CALLING THE DEALERSHIP IN SCARSDALE, NY. MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SEPT 20, 2011 AND AFTER AN HOUR IN SERVICE THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT REPLACE STRAPS BECAUSE THE STRAPS HAVE MADE A HOLE IN TANK (RUSTED THROUGH). I WAS SENT OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP WITH NOTICE THAT FORD WAS NOT GOING TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT TANK AND THEY COULD NOT DO THE STRAP RECALL BECAUSE OF THE TANK. NO TEMPORARY STRAP WAS PLACED AROUND MY TANK TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING ONTO ROADWAY. SO I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE TRUCK READY TO DROP THE BOMB AT ANYTIME. ON SEPT 27, 2011 I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SMITH CAIRNS IN YONKERS AND AFTER A DAY WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I HAVE AND WILL NOT REMOVE MY TRUCK FROM THIS DEALERSHIP UNTIL FORD MAKES IT SAFE TO DRIVE AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO SMELLED A SLIGHT BURNING ODOR. UPON REACHING THE DESTINATION THE CONTACT NOTICED BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE FRACTURED WHICH WERE SUPPORTING THE FRONT FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL FUEL TANK. AS A RESULT OF THE DRAGGING OF THE FRONT FUEL TANK, THERE WAS DAMAGE WHICH CAUSED A LARGE FUEL LEAK. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) BUT DID NOT WANT TO MOUNT A RUSTED TANK. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,048. UPDATED 1/20/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING, DUE TO RUSTED MOUNTED STRAPS. UPDATED 02/01/12

AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE FORD RECALL ON AUGUST 1, 2011 CONCERNING THE METAL MOUNTING STRAPS HOLDING UP THE GAS TANK(S) ON 1997-1999 FORD F-250 TRUCKS, I CHECKED UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE MOUNTING STRAPS ON THE FRONT GAS TANK WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HANGING. THE OTHER FRONT STRAP AS WELL AS THE TWO STRAPS ON THE REAR GAS TANK ARE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED AND COMPROMISED. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AS WELL AS FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THESE STRAPS WILL FAIL CAUSING MY GAS TANKS TO HIT THE GROUND.

REF:EEN19-47774 (TO BE FWD BY MAIL) THE FRONT TANK STRAP ON THE VEHICLE FAILED AND THE TANK DROPPED UNTIL SUPPORTED BY SKID PLATE. SOME DIESEL FUEL SPILLED IN GARAGE, CREATING FIRE HAZARD BUT WAS CLEANED UP W/O INCIDENT. I CONTACTED DIEHL FORD IN BELLINGHAM WA AS NO FORD DEALER IN JUNEAU AK AT THAT TIME. I ORDERED AND THEY SENT 2 STRAPS (F72Z-9054-BA), BOLTS&NUTS WHICH I FOUND OUT LATER WERE NOT AUTHORIZED BY SAFETY RECALL 11S21! I CONTACTED THE LOCAL (TEMPORARY) FORD REPAIR FACILITY--EVERGREEN MOTOR WORKS RELATIVE TO THIS REPAIR AND THEY DISCOVERED THE SAFETY RECALL 11S21 AND STATED THAT ALASKA VEHICLES WERE NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL.I COTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. BY EMAIL AND GOT THE SAME ANSWER. AS A SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I KNOW THIS IS TOTAL BS AS ALASKA HAS MUCH WORSE WEATHER CONDITIONS THAN ANY OF THE :SOUTH 48" STATES COVERED BY SAFETY RECALL 11S21!! STANLEY FORD IS NOW THE LOCAL FORD DEALER BUT STILL COULD NOT FIX MY FORD F250 TANK STRAP UNDER THE RECALL BUT COULD FIX THE SAFETY RECALL 09S09 SPEED CONTROL MOD! IT SHOULD BE ALSO NOTED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED ABOUT THE SAME TIME!! FORD CO. DID NOT SEEM INTERESTED IN THIS PROBLEM. I REPLACED THIS IMMEDIATELY AS I FEEL SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT! SIGNED/ [XXX] SR. ENGINEER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

AFTER FILLING GAS TANK AND PARKING THE VEHICLE AT HOME, A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS NOTED WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF GAS COMING FROM THE IN AREA OF THE GAS TANK. UPON INSPECTION OF THE GAS TANK, IT WAS NOTED THAT GAS WAS LEAKING IN SEVERAL AREAS. 20 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS LOST OVER A THREE DAY PERIOD WHILE THE TRUCK WAS PARKED, AND AFTER DRIVING ONLY 20 MILES ON AN APPROX. 24 GALLON TANK OF FUEL, THE TRUCK WAS EMPTY OF FUEL. I REPLACEMENT FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE BOUGHT FROM A LOCAL PARTS STORE, AFTER CONTACTING A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD FORD NO LONGER PRODUCED FUEL TANKS FOR THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE. UPON REMOVING THE ORIGINAL FUEL TANK AND STRAPS, SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF RUST AND CORROSION NOTED ON BOTH SUPPORT STRAPS AND TO THE UNDER SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK ALSO WITH SEVERAL SMALL HOLES IN THE TANK IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAP FRACTURED AND ONLY ONE STRAP WAS LEFT THAT TO KEEP THE FUEL TANK ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) BUT STATED THAT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,500 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO DO SAFETY RECALL 07S57 ON MY 97 F-250 THE RECALL IS FOR THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. IT MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO THE RECALL DUE TO A SEIZED BOLT. IF THIS BOLT BREAKS THEY WANT ME TO PAY $2500 TO GET THE SAFETY RECALL COMPLETED. *TR

JUST FILLED THE TRUCK WITH GAS. WAS DRIVING ON A WASHBOARD DIRT ROAD. THE FRONT OF THE GAS TANK DROPPED ONTO THE ROAD AND DRAGGED. TANK WAS PUNCTURED AND SEVERAL GALLONS OF GAS LEAKED OUT SLOWLY. I USED A WRATCHET STRAP TO LIFT THE TANK OFF THE ROAD AND SECURE IT. PATCHED THE TANK WITH A SEALER FROM THE AUTO PARTS STORE BUT BY NEXT MORNING IT WAS LEAKING AGAIN. PURCHASED A USED TANK AND STRAPS FROM A JUNKYARD FOR $150. THE ORIGINAL TANK IS IN MY JUNKPILE IF YOU'D LIKE IT. GLAD TO SEE THIS PROBLEM IS BEING CORRECTED. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON AN ASPHALT ROAD I'D PROBABLY BE IN HEAVEN RIGHT NOW. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT COULD SEE SPARKS FROM BEHIND THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PARTIALLY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND DRAGGING. HE WAS ABLE TO STRAP THE FUEL TANK BACK ONTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR EXAMINATION OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED ON MY TRUCK CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO DETACH AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I HAD THE TANK AND RELATED PARTS REPLACED AT A LOCAL SHOP. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE MOUNTING POINTS FOR THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK STRAPS WERE ALSO RUSTED AND NEW STRAPS COULD NOT BE INSTALLED IN THE NORMAL MANNER. WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER THAT ATTEMPTED AN OFFICIAL REPAIR OF THE STRAPS BUT CONCLUDED THE MOUNTING BRACKETS WERE TOO DAMAGED TO INSTALL NEW STRAPS. WHETHER THE DEFECT WAS ALL CORROSION OR A COMBINATION OF CORROSION AND THE EFFECTS OF THE TANK BEING RIPPED FROM THE REMAINING MOUNTS WHEN THE STRAPS FAILED WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND I CALLED A FORD COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE WHO INITIALLY AGREED TO HAVE FORD COVER THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE BUT THIS WAS LATER RESCINDED BY A SUPERIOR AND I LEFT WITH AN UNSAFE, INCOMPLETE REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ASSOCIATION TO EXAMINE THE INCIDENCE OF STRUCTURAL AND MOUNTING BRACKET FAILURES DUE TO PREMATURE CORROSION NOT LIMITED TO THE STRAPS THEMSELVES. SEVERAL LOCAL MECHANICS HAVE COMMENTED THAT THEY SEE THIS VERY, VERY FREQUENTLY ON FORD TRUCKS OF THAT VINTAGE. MY TRUCK WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH THE BRACKETS RUSTED AS THEY ARE. GIVEN THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUE, I BELIEVE THIS BEARS VERY CLOSE EXAMINATION. FORD SAYS IT HAS NOT PROCESS TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS CONCERN. I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES BUT THEY ARE USELESS SINCE FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RELATED DAMAGE, DAMAGED CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE STRAPS AND/OR ADDITIONAL ISSUES THAT VERY LIKELY EXIST WITH THE CORROSION RESISTANCE OF SOME FORD TRUCK FRAMES. THIS TRUCK'S FRAME HAS CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT FRAME BASED RUST DETERIORATION WHILE OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE SEEM TO FOLLOW A MUCH MORE NORMAL AGING PATTERN. *TR

DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SLOW SPEED OVER A GRAVEL ROAD, THE STRAPS AND/OR THEIR ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE FRAME FAILED, ALLOWING THE TANK TO DROP AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ROAD. THIS WAS PRIOR TO FORD'S RECALL REGARDING THE STRAPS AND A REPAIR WAS MADE AT THE LOCAL SHOP. REPAIRS CONSISTED OF A NEW TANK, SENDING UNIT AND STRAPS. THE SHOP INDICATED THAT THE STRAPS HAD FAILED BUT NEW STRAPS COULD NOT BE FITTED BECAUSE, EITHER BECAUSE OF THE MECHANICAL ACTION OF TEARING AWAY THE TANK OR BECAUSE OF DETERIORATION, THE MOUNTING POINTS WERE NOT IN SUFFICIENTLY GOOD SHAPE TO REATTACH THE STRAPS. THE SHOP FASHIONED AN ATTACHMENT CONSISTING OF CHAINS SUSPENDING THE TANK FROM THE FRAME. SUBSEQUENTLY, ON RECEIVING FORD'S RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE STRAPS, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER WHO, AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR, INDICATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED MORE WORK TO IMPLEMENT THE CORRECTION. THE DEALER (AND I) SPOKE TO A FORD REPRESENTATIVE WHO INITIALLY AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR BUT, WHEN THE EXTEND OF THE REQUIRED REPAIR WAS SOMEWHAT GREATER THAN ANTICIPATED, WAS OVERRULED BY SOMEONE ELSE AT FORD AND FORD DENIED THE REPAIR. THE TRUCK EFFECTIVELY COULD NOT BE INSPECTED IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT AND IT USE WAS LOST OTHER THAN OCCASIONAL USE ON THE PROPERTY. FOLLOW-UPS WITH FORD RESULTED IN THEIR CLAIM THAT FORD WAS ONLY LIABLE FOR THE STRAPS AND NOT ANY CONSEQUENTIAL OR RELATED DAMAGE AND NO OTHER RECOURSE WAS AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ASSOCIATION TO LOOK INTO THE RAMIFICATIONS OF LIMITING A SAFETY RECALL OF THIS NATURE TO THE DEFECTIVE STRAPS ONLY AND NOT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DEFECT.I AM ALSO REQUESTING AND EXAMINATION OF FORD'S WILLINGNESS TO SEND A VEHICLE BACK ONTO THE STREETS WITH AN UNCORRECTED KNOW SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 FORD F250 THAT WONT GO INTO PARK. THEREFORE, YOU CAN'T START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT PUTTING IT INTO NEUTRAL. THE TRUCK ROLLS WHEN TURNED OFF, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ENGAGED. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THIS RECALL HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/1997/FORD/F250 . I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT DIDN'T PERTAIN TO MY TRUCK, CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW FORD DOESN'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN SHE SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STRAPS WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE CORRODED THROUGH THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,506.

MY 1997 FORD F250 4WD TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED A POPPING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB AREA. I FOUND THE DRIVE SHAFT FROM THE FRONT TRANSFER CASE COULD BE MOVED IN AND OUT OF THE WHEEL HUB WITH A POPPING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED AND NO ONE CAN FIND PARTS. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SEARCHED LOCAL PARTS STORES AND CAN'T FINE THEM EITHER. ALL I FIND IS THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS ON THIS MODEL. HOW DO I GET IT REPAIRED? *TR

AFTER SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN MY 1997 FORD F250 LIGHT DUTY BEGAN TRYING TO START WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE. THE BATTERY CABLE WAS RED HOT AND SMOKING. LUCKILY MY NEIGHBOR NOTICED OR IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. BOTH FOLLOWED HEAVY RAINS. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE INCLUDED SPONTANEOUS STARTING, INTERIOR LIGHTS COMING ON, LEFT SIDE WINDOW FAILURE, SPEEDOMETER FAILURE, AND CONTINUED OPERATION OF FAN, WINDOWS AND RADIO WITH IGNITION OFF. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE HAS MADE ME AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND SEEPING INTO THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE AND FUSE BOX CAUSING MULTIPLE SYMPTOMS INCLUDING THE ONES STATED ABOVE. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 FORD F-250 WITH WITH 87,000 MILES ON A 5.4 LITER ENGINE. ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WAS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE, THREADS AND ALL, WHICH ALSO DAMAGED THE IGNITION COIL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F250 LD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VIBRATION OF THE SPARE TIRE RUBS AGAINST AND CREATES A HOLE IN THE REAR FUEL TANK. THE SPARE TIRE IS SECURELY MOUNTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED TO SEND ANYONE OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,300. UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB

MY COMPLAINT HAS TO DUE WITH THE PCV VALVE HOSE THAT RUNS TO THE VACUUM SYSTEM. IT GETS TOO WARM AND MELTS AND IT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STUTTER OR STALL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP RAPIDLY. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY OF THE F250 OR F150 5.4L TRITON ENGINES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO MY TRUCK AND IT IS EXPENSIVE TO KEEP REPLACING IT. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED A FEW REAR ENDINGS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH OF 2008. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS NEAREST DEALER WAS 130 MILES AWAY. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL THAT HE SHOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL THAT FAR FOR A REPAIR. HE ALSO BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY OR REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE FUEL USED TO MAKE THE ROUND TRIP. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

WE RESPONDED TO FOMOCO RECALL #07S57 ON MARCH,08, ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS WERE PROVIDED, ORIGINAL RECEIPTS,ETC. AFTER SEVERAL FOLLOW-UP CALLS TO THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, ON JUNE,08. WERE TOLD ALL IS IN ORDER AND APPROVED AND THE REIMBURSEMENT CHECK FOR $ 318.41 FOR REPAIR IS IN THE MAIL. SO FAR, AS OF SEPTEMBER 08 NO WORD FROM FORD...AND NO CHECK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F250. THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN SHAKING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THEN LOCKED. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK IT AND THE SHAFT BEARING FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRUST BEARING WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND FAILURE HE EXPERIENCED WITH THE STEERING. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN JANUARY OF 2008 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HEARD FROM FORD, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM WHEN THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

WHILE TRAVELING ON ARIZONA STATE HWY 87 NORTH FROM PAYSON AS ENTERING INTO PINE ARIZONA I STRUCK A LARGE TRUCK FROM REAR. THIS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK ACTUALLY BREAKING THE FRAME, PUSHING THE FRAME THRU THE BUMPER AND REQUIRING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO UTILIZE THE JAWS OF LIVE AND RELEASING THE STEERING WHEN FROM MY CHEST. INJURIES INCLUDED SKULL FRACTURE, BROKEN FEMUR, CHEST AND HEART CONTUSION. AIRLIFTED TO NEAREST HOSPITAL. LATER FOUND THAT THE INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL APPEARED TO BE POPPED OFF AND WAS HANGING BY A CABLE YET AN AIRBAG WAS NOT PRESENT. TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THE TRUCK WAS ORIGINAL WITH AN AIRBAG. IT WAS A GOVERNMENT STATE OF ARIZONA VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F250. THE CONTACT'S WIFE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON HER 2001 FORD EXPEDITION FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. WHEN HIS CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, HE INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE SAME RECALL. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 118,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALL DIDN'T AFFECT MODEL YEAR 1994- 2002 FORD F250'S. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LEAKED BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND SHORTED OUT THE SWITCH. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2007, THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

MONDAY, JULY 31 2007, I EXPERIENCED THE LAST OF A SERIES OF INTERMITTENT STALLING EVENTS IN MY 1997 FORD F250 HD VEHICLE, EQUIPPED WITH A 7.3 DIT POWERSTROKE DIESEL. SUBSEQUENT TO MY OWN INVESTIGATIONS, I DISCOVERED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR WAS A COMPONENT IMPLICATED IN SUCH EVENTS. I REPLACED THE COMPONENT ON JULY 27, 2007, AFTER AN INCREASE IN STALLING PROBLEMS. THE CONDITION REPEATED ON THE LATER DATE ABOVE, AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY DIAGNOSTIC CODES FROM THE PCM, BUT THE STALLING EPISODES INCREASED DURING THEIR ANALYSIS. AFTER PERFORMING OTHER SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES, THEY WERE LEFT WITH THE FINAL CONCLUSION THAT THE CPS MUST BE THE CULPRIT FOR THE STALLING CONDITION. THE NEWER CPS I INSTALLED WAS REPLACED BY THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN WITH ANOTHER CPS. TO DATE THE CONDITION APPEARS RESOLVED. I HAVE RETAINED ALL PARTS AND THE REPAIR WORK-ORDER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250 LD. THE VEHICLE HAS MILESTONE 1000R20, SIZE 265-75/16 TIRES. THE WIRES WERE EXPOSED FROM THE SIDES OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRES. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE TIRE BECAUSE THEY WERE DANGEROUS. THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES OF THE VEHICLE WERE 219,330. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

POWER STEERING BRACKET BROKE. UNABLE TO GET PART THROUGH ANY DEALERSHIP OR JUNK YARD IN THE UNITED STATES. THROUGH NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO GET THIS PART I HAVE FOUND THAT SO MANY HAVE BEEN SOLD RECENTLY THAT THE SUPPLY HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED. THEREFORE, IT IS NOW ON BACK ORDER UNTIL JUNE. THE PART APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE AFTER 10 YEARS, AND IS DANGEROUS AS IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING AND BRAKES IF THE MOTOR IS A TURBO DIESEL.*AK

1997 FORD F25. THIS WAS THE SECOND SPARK PLUG TO BLOW OUT OF HEAD. FIRST REPAIR COST $450.00, THIS TIME IT COST ME MY TRUCK, 2 CAMERAS, GPS, LAPTOP COMPUTER AND SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS AS THE TRUCK COUGHT ON FIRE WHEN SPARK PLUG HIT FUEL INECTION RAIL AN STARTED A FUEL FIRE THAT BURNT THE TRUCK TO GROUND. TOTAL LOSS. BURNED MY HANDS TRYING TO SAVE ITEMS IN CAB. HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES SPRAYED FIRE TO FAST. MY GIRL FRIEND, HER DOG, AND I HAD 30 SECONDS TO GET OUT. IN 2 MINUTES THE CAB WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I WILL BE DISMANTLING THIS ENGINE AS I AM A MECHANIC AND MACHINIST AND PLAN TO PROVE THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH THREADS SECURING SPARK PLUGS IN THEE ALUMIN UM HEADS. THERE WERE STANDARDS OUTLINED FOR MACHINING THREADS.*AK

THIS IS THIRD CAM POSITION SENSOR THIS TRUCK HAS HAD (140000 MILES ON TRUCK). HAS DIED TWICE WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, VERY DANGEROUS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT BOTH TIMES. THIS IS A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS WITH ALL OF THESE 7.3 POWERSTROKES. I CARRY, AS A LOT OF PEOPLE DO, AN EXTRA ONE IN THE GLOVE BOX FOR THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS! *NM

MY WIFE DRIVING VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35 MPH, AFTER COMING OUT OF A SLIGHT CURVE IN ROAD AND SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN, SHE LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE HITTING A GUARDRAIL AND GOING INTO A DITCH. INSPECTION BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE OUTPUT FROM THE STEERING BOX BROKE BETWEEN GEAR BOX AND PITMAN ARM CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. TRUCK IS TOTAL. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT LUCAS CHEVROLET, MT. HOLLY NJ. *NM