1997 Ford F-250 Complaint Log

THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF A LETTER THAT I SENT TO FIRESTONE ON 8-10-2000. ALL THAT THEY DID WAS SEND ME FORM LETTER THAT DIDN'T EVEN APPLY TO MY TIRE. CAN YOU ASSIST IN OBTAINING COMPENSATION?: IN 1997, I PURCHASED A NEW 1997 FORD F-250 EXTENDED CAB LWB DIESEL TRUCK (FROM VALLEY FORD IN ONEONTA, AL). IT CAME EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE "STEELTEX RADIAL A/T LT 235 85 R16 M/S" TIRES.I WAS VERY CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE AND STAY WELL UNDER THE RATED CARRYING CAPACITY AT ALL TIMES FOR SAFETY REASONS. ON 3-24-2000, APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AFTER I HAD (COINCIDENTALLY, I SUPPOSE) CHECKED FOR THE PROPER PRESSURES AND CAREFULLY INSPECTED ALL THE TIRES, WHILE LOADED AT OVER 1 TON LESS THAN THE BED CARRYING CAPACITY, TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 50 MPH AFTER DARK IN A MOSTLY RURAL AREA, THE LEFT REAR TIRE LITERALLY EXPLODED. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL, BUT I MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL ONTO A CONCRETE DRIVE AND CHANGE THE TIRE. THE WHEEL HUB WAS SERIOUSLY ABRADED/SCRATCHED. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE LEFT OF THE TIRE. I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF HITTING ANYTHING AFTER THE ABOVE DESCRIBED TIRE INSPECTION.EVEN THOUGH I HAD AT LEAST 40% TREAD LEFT ON ALL TIRES, THIS SCARED ME SO MUCH THAT I WENT AND BOUGHT A NEW SET OF FOUR TIRES THE VERY NEXT DAY.I HAD NOT GIVEN IT ANY MORE THOUGHT UNTIL THE RECENT PUBLICITY OVER FAILURES OF FIRESTONE RADIAL TIRES COMING AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS DURING THIS PERIOD. SO, IN MY OPINION, A VERY CAREFULLY MAINTAINED TIRE (AS MINE WAS), WELL "UNDERLOADED" INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, PROPERLY INFLATED, WORN ONLY 60%, AND SUBJECTED TO NO "INJURY" SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED, ESPECIALLY IN SUCH A DRAMATIC/DANGEROUS FASHION, AND THEREFORE MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE WHEN SOLD.I AM ASKING FOR COMPENSATION FOR AT LEAST PART OF THE COST OF MY NEW SET OF TIRES ($767.99NTBHOOVER, AL).R CRAIG BRADLEY 8-10-2000 (TIRESIZE: 235 85 R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235 85 R16 )

FRONT AXLE HOUSING CRACKED ON 4X4. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK

MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS CRACKS IN THE DOOR SHEET METAL AT THE LOWER REAR OF THE BELT MOLDING ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDES. THESE CRACKS ARE RUSTING AND IN TIME WILL COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THE DOORS AND THEREBY THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.*AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES REAR END VIBRATES. *AK PARKING BRAKES ARE STICKS ON CAUSING VIBRATION AND INADEQUATE BRAKING. *YH

NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245 85RL6 )

THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A F250. TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL A/T LT235/85/R16 M/S DOT# VDOR1WW *MW

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE ROLLED OVER IN FRONT AND ON TOP OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, DAMAGEING THE FRONT BUMPER,/HOOD AN D/LEFT FENDER. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

REAR BRAKES LOCK UP; ABS NOT WORKING PROPERLY; EMERGENY CABLE NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

WHEN TRAVELING AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, PARTS REPLACED. *AK

SHIELD AROUND THE GAS TANK IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DRIVESHAFT. THIS WAS NOTICED WHEN EMPLOYEE WAS PUTTING A TRAILER HITCH ON THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE LIST OTHER VEHCILE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS. *AK

WHILE GETTING NEW TIRES PUT ON VEHICLE DEALER NOTICED THAT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE CRACKED. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

LEFT FRONT CROSSMEMBER DEVELOPED A CRACK NEAR THE STEERING BOX CAR HAD CLONK IN FRONT END DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND CRACK - TOLD BY FORD DEALER THAT THE PROCEDURE WAS TO WELD THE CROSSMEMBER BACK IN PLACE AND THEY WOULD WARRANTY IT FOR 12 MTHS/12000 MILES (ONLY). VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER) 36000 MILES. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD US TO FOLLOW DEALER'S ADVICE..WORK DONE WAS SHODDY...AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE WELDING WEAKENS THE FRAME...WELDER ALSO MADE BURN MARKS IN CROSS MEMBER THUS WEAKENING METAL MORE. FRAME SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT CRACK ALREADY..OR BE WARRANTIED FOR 12 MONTHS...NEED ADVICE...FEEL VEHICLE IS UNSAFE...HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF HORRID WELDING JOB. *AK

PE 00 040/TIRE FAILURE: WHILE REPAIRING A TIRE AT A SERVICE STATION, NOTICED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH CRACKS AROUND THE SIDEWALLS MOUNTED. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, LT 235/85R16, FIRESTONE NOTIFIED. *AK *SLC

MOTOR SURGES, VIOLENTLY AT TIMES, DURING WARM-UP PERIOD. CAUSES VEHICLE TO LURCH AT ITS WORST. CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. FORD ENGINEER REVIEWED PROBLEM 12/20/99 CLAIMED "COMMERCIALLY ACCEPTABLE" THEN STIPULATED NO FURTHER WARRANTY WORK FOR THIS PROBLEM IS AUTHROIZED. BROUGHT TRUCK BACK THIS WEEK, (TIME # 6 IN 3 MONTHS) AND THEY REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE OR WORK ON THAT CONDITION ANY FURTHER. *AK

WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN OR AT A STOP UPON ACCELERATING, VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND WOULD STALL. *AK

WHEN SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING THE TRANSMITION SLAMMED DOWN TO 1ST GEAR SPEED WENT DOWN TO BELOW 10 M/P/H THEN SLAMMED BACK INTO OVERDRIVE AND STARTED TO SPEED BACK UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED. LUCKLY WE WERE NOT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. EQUIPMENT THAT WAS TIED DOWN ON OUR TRAILER BROKE LOOSE. FORD SAID THAT THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD WAS NOT USUAL PROBLEM BUT EVEROTHER LANDSCAPER THAT WE HAVE TALKED TO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ALL FORD TRUCKS WITH THE SAME ELECTRIC SPEEDO HEAD MY MOTHER HAS AN E350 WITH AS MOTORHOME AND IS STARTING TO HAVE SOME KIND OF SPEEDO PROBLEM. *AK

THE FRONT HUBS WOULD NOT LOCK IN LOW RANGE WITHOUT THE FRONT END MAKING A LOUD BANG THEN GRIND, THEN FAILED COMPLETELY. *MJS

HEAD LIGHT SWITCH WILL TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY DURING OPERATION , AND AT TIMES, IT IS DIFFCULT TO TURN IT ON. SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANY, AND ONLY LASTED FOR 1 YEAR. DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED. *AK WHEN DOME LIGHT IS TURNED ON THE HEAD LIGHT GOES OFF BECAUSE THE SWITCH IS THE SAME FOR BOTH. *YH

RE: TWO ORIGINAL TIRES SOLD WITH TRUCK - ONE SPLIT AND ONE SEPARATED AT 14,000 MILES. TIRES REPLACED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES ON 7/7/99. FORTUNATELY, THEY FAILED IN TOWN AND NOT ON THE ROAD PULLING SOMETHING. I HEARD ON TV LAST WEEK (10/2/00), THAT FORD OR FIRESTONE WERE INVESTIGATING FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIALS TIRES ON FORD F250 SERIES ANOTHER VEHICLES. I HAVE TWO OTHER ORIGINAL TIRES SPLITTING AT 19,860 MILES. MY CONCERN IS THE TRUCK PULLS A 5TH WHEEL 4-6 TIMES A YEAR FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES EACH WAY. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF ANY RECALL ON THESE TIRES OR IF FIRESTONE WILL REPLACE THE TIRES?

PE00020, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 1997, FORD, F250, CT235/85R16. REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE HAD A BUBBLE WHICH SEEMED AS IF STEEL BELT WAS GOING TO SEPARATE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THEN. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL CHATTERS AND DOES NOT STOP TRUCK , ONLY WHEN I LIFT MY FOOT AND APPLY THE BRAKE IT WORKS. *AK

THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED 2 DIFFERENT TIMES, WITH BOTH FRONT TIRES IN JULY OF 99 AND 00. BEING THAT THIS HAPPENED TWICE ON 1 VEHICLE AND HAPPENED IN SUCH A CRITICAL AREA AS THE STEERING, I FEEL THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 1 VEHICLE TO WHICH THIS HAS OCCURRED. I FEEL OBLIGATED TO REPORT THIS AS THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENED TO US TWICE ON THE SAME VEHICLE AT LOW MILEAGE. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED. YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT THERE ARE LIVES AT STAKE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING FRONT TORSION BAR BROKE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

LEFT REAR DRUM IS OVERHEATING . THE DEALER WAS CONTATCED, AND REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS. OTHERWISE, DEALER INSISTED THAT CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG . *AK

METAL ON THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SEAT TO THE TRACK HAS DETERIORATED, CAUSING DRIVER'S SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FOWARD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. SEAT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *ML

INTERNAL CLUTCHS FREEZE TOGETHER, CAUSING THE LIMITED SLIP TO BECOME POSITIVE DRIVE, RESULTING IN VIOLENT VIBRATIONS DURING TURNS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE.

NO SUMMARY

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK. OCCUPANT GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INTO A LAKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

THE TORSION BAR SHEARED OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL AND SWAY SUDDENLY. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

[XXX] NO SUMMARY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. NLM

THREE TIRES HAD STEEL BELT STICKING OUT CASING OF TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/85/16 )

THE FRONT SPRINGS ON THIS HEAVY DUTY TRUCK BEGAN COLLAPSING AFTER APPROXIMATELY 14-MONTHS OF SERVICE. THE CONDITION WEARS THE FRONT TIRES EXCESSIVELY AND DOES NOT MAKE THE VEHICLE HANDLE PROPERLY. THE CONDITION WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP, DON VANCE FORD, MARSHFIELD,MO. AND ALL THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IS TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND DISCUSSIONS WITH FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. I HAVE LOOKED AT SEVERAL F250 VEHICLES WITH THE 7.3 L AND 460 MOTOR PACKAGES AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I HAVE. FORD HAS OBVIOUSLY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING AS THE TWIN I-BEAM IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE ON THE 1999 MODEL F250'S. *AK

BOTH FRONT ROTOR ASSEMBLIES CRACKED. NLM

TORSION BAR, WHICH CONTROLS THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, SHEARED OFF, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK *ML

IN COLD CLIMATE THE WINDOWS ARE NOT FROZEN. HOWEVER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS GET STUCK IN UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN TURNING OFF THE WIPERS, THEY ARE STILL STUCK IN A UPRIGHT POSITION. (SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS OTHER F250). PAUL OBAUGH FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION IS TO PLACE HOT WATER IN THE WIPER POST WHERE THE BLADE IS ATTACHED TO. *AK.ET.

IN COLD CLIMATE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STICK IN UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN TURNING OFF, THE WIPERS REMAIN IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHICH MAY CAUSE VISUAL DIFFICULTY. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.THE SOLUTION IS TO PLACE HOT WATER ON THE POST OF WHERE THE BLADE IS ATTACHED TO. PAUL OBAUGH FORD HAD ABOUT 40 - 60 PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM IN A WEEK. *AK.ET.

PASSENGER'S SHOULDER BELT LOCKS UP AND CONTINUES TO TIGHTEN TO THE POINT THAT IT BECOMES UNBEARABLE TO THE OCCUPANT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *AK

REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. FINALLY RESULTED IN CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. SELF DIAGNOSIS OF RAISING REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE IDLING IN DRIVE WITH REAR WHEELS SPINNING REAR WHEELS COULD NOT BE STOPPED WITH FULL BRAKE PRESSED. NO BRAKING ON REAR WHEELS. DISCONNECTING WIRE TO PROPORTIONING VALVE RESULTS IN NORMAL REAR BRAKE OPERATION. POSSIBLE CAUSE IS EBCM OR PROPORTIONING VALVE.

CONSUMER STATED THE REAR HUB CAPS HAD COME OFF OF WHEELS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES.*AK

IN MAY 1997 I PURCHASHED THIS VEHICHLE NEW. MY PROBLEMS BEGAN WITH A TORN SEAT COVER AND DEFFECTIVE SUN VISORS. THOSE PROBLEMS WERE FIXED. DUE TO THE DISTANCE FROM MY RESIDNCE TO ST. HELENS AUTO CENTER, I BEGAN TAKING MY VEHICHLE TO LAND MARK FORD, LOCATED AT 12000 S.S. 66TH AVE. TIGARD,OR. 97281. ON JULY 27, 1998 I TOOK THE VEHICHLE TO LANDMARK BECAUSE OF A POPING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE NOISE WAS VERIFIED. NO REPAIRS DONE AT THAT TIME. ON AUGUST 05, 1998 I TOOK THE VEHICHL TO LANDMARK FOR POPING NOISE, NOISE WAS VERIFIED. LANDMARK FOUND THE CROSSMEMBER LOOSE, TIGHTENED FRONT SUSPENSION BOLT, LEAF SPRING U-BOLT, A-ARM TO FRAME BOLTS, REPLACED #2 HUCK RIVET, LOOSENED AND AJUSTED TRANNY CROSSMEMBER. THIER INVOICE STATES "RETEST OK." ON AUGUST 12, 1998 VEHICHLE WAS TAKEN INTO LANDMARK FOR POPING NOISE IN FRONT END, AND BECAUSE THE VEHICHLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. ALIGHNMENT WAS OFF AND SET TO SPEKS. ON SEPTEMBER 12, 1998 VEHICHLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDMARK FOR POPING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION. THEY REPLACED.

THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR

RECALL ON TIRES NOT RECEIVED UNTIL AFTER REPLACEMENT, MANUFACTURE WILL NOT HONOR RECALL FOR CONSUMER, SPARE TIRE STILL IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. (97S90). MJS (97V-187)

TIRES ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE RIMS, AND THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES WHERE THE BRAKES PADS ARE. AK

THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE BECAME INOPERATIVE DUE TO A BROKEN HUB. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. BASED ON DISCUSSION AT FORD DEALERSHIP, THE AUTO HUBS SEEM TO BE FAILING REGULARLY. *YC

THE EXHAUST PIPE HEAT SHIELD WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE METAL TRANSMISSION FLUID TUBE FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE RADIATOR. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE SHIELD WORE A SMALL HOLE IN THE TUBE, RESULTING IN A PINHOLE, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO BE RELEASED UNDER PRESSURE DIRECTLY ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE.

WHILE DRIVING SPARE BRACE FALED AND TIRE BOUNCED TEN FEET IN THE AIR.LUCY FOR EVERYONE NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING OR IN THE OTHER LANE.