1997 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE I HEARD A CLUNK FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF DRAGGING METAL. I ASSUMED THE MUFFLER HAD DROPPED OR SOMETHING INSIGNIFICANT. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE CAUSE AND WAS SHOCKED TO FIND MY NEARLY FULL GAS TANK HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND GAS WAS LEAKING BADLY. THE TANK WAS HANGING BY THE FILLER TUBE AND THERE WAS A 2" HOLE ON THE NOSE FROM DRAGGING IT. ABOUT 15 GALLONS OF GAS SPILLED OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO CONTAIN THE SPILL. THE GAS TANK STRAPS HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU AND FAILED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11006 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 113,000. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF UPDATED 11/28/11

FUEL TANK PARTIALLY DROPPED FROM VEHICLE. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TRUCK AFTER IT WAS UNUSED FOR 3 WEEKS AND FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE BREAKS. PEDAL GOING DOWN TO FLOOR. DID NOT DRIVE VEHICLE. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE TO INVESTIGATE BRAKE PROBLEM AND SAW FUEL TANK REAR HANGING DOWN. DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WAS LIKE THAT. REAR STRAP RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND FAILED. TANK WAS BEING SUPPORTED BY FILL AND VENT HOSES. HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

JUST DRIVING MY 1997 FORD F-150 AND HAVE HAD 2 SPARK PLUGS FLY OUT THE TRUCK. MOTOR THEN RUNS ROUGH AND CONTINUES TO OPERATE FOR SOME TIME BEFORE YOU GET ANY ENGINE LIGHT. AFRAID TO LET WIFE USE TRUCK CAUSE IT COULD CATCH FIRE. *TR

REAR STRAP SUPPORTING FUEL TANK CORRODED AND BROKE. FUEL TANK TILTED AND DRAGGED ON GROUND. AFTER STOPPING, FRONT STRAP ALSO BROKE AND TANK DROPPED TO GROUND. SLIGHT FUEL LEAK. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK, STEEL STRAPS AND FILLER NECK TUBE. *TR

OF THE THREE STRAPS DESIGNED TO HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE ONE IS GONE, THE SECOND HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS HANGING DOWN, THE THIRD IS STILL REMAINING IN ITS' ORIGINAL FACTORY POSITION. *TR

OBSERVED FUEL TANK HANGING DOWN FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. ON CLOSER INSPECTION THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP WAS FOUND TO BE HEAVILY CORRODED AND BROKEN ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO FALL AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT STRAP WAS OBSERVED TO BE HEAVILY CORRODED AS WELL BUT LUCKILY STILL HOLDING THE FRONT PORTION OF THE TANK UP. *KB

I HAVE A 1997 F-150 WITH JUST OVER 150,000 MILES AND LOST BOTH STRAPS JUST AFTER FILLING UP AND GOING OVER TRAIN TRACKS @ 25 MPH. THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT ON WAS THE FUEL LINES, HOPE THERE IS NOT MAJOR DAMAGE THERE. I HAD THE TANK REPLACED ABOUT 3 YEARS PRIOR. UPDATED 08/01/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO FUEL SPILL. BOTH OF THE STRAPS BROKE, DUE TO RUST. UPDATED 08/02/11 *TR

THE FUEL STRAP BROKE CAUSING FUEL TANK TO FALL OFF OF VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. FUEL TANK FELL TO GROUND AND WAS DRAGGED CAUSING SEVERAL HOLES IN TANK AND FUEL SPILL. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO ASSIST WITH FUEL SPILL. TANK WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE BY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEN TOWED TO SERVICE STATION FOR REPLACEMENT. UPDATED 08/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT STRAP FAILED. THE STRAP HAD A PLASTIC COVERING ON THREE SIDES OF IT. THE TOP SIDE WAS NOT COVERED AND IT WAS COVERED IN RUST IN THE MIDDLE. THE REAR STRAP WAS IN THE SAME CONDITION. UPDATED 08/15/11 *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE STRAPS THAT HELD THE TANK HAD SNAPPED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO FALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 192,000.

GAS TANK FELL FROM TRUCK. STRAPS HAD RUSTED AND BROKE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE INTAKE GASKET INTO THE CYLINDER IN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ENGAGED. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WINDOWS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONTACT'S HOME, GARAGE, A SECOND VEHICLE AND OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TIO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN WITHIN THE CRUISE CONTROL SAFETY SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL INLET PIPE WAS LEAKING FUEL AT THE FRAME NEAR THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT ONLY THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL, NOT THE INLET PIPE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THE FUEL TANK STRAP REPAIR AND OFFERED NO FURTHER THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER AND RELATED PROBLEMS BEYOND THE CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMER FIRST NOTICED A LEAK WHEN FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL. HE FOUND THAT THE REAR TANK STRAP HAD RUSTED APART AND THAT A PORTION OF IT WAS MISSING. THE REAR STRAP IS LOCATED VERY CLOSE TO THE FILLER TUBE AREA AND THE FILLER TUBE CONTACTED THE FRAME. UPDATED 10/21/11

I HAVE A 1997 FORD F150. YESTERDAY WHEN I TO GET INTO MY VEHICLE THE AREA SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE, WAS UNSURE IF IT WAS MINE SO I DROVE HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME THE SMELL WAS EVEN WORSE. UPON CHECKING THE FUEL LINES AND GAS TANK I FOUND THAT THE STRAPS ON THE FUEL TAKE RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THEY CONNECT WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE FUEL TO RUST SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE STRAP WAS RUBBING ON IT CAUSING THE TANK TO RUST AND NOW IT HAS A HOLE IN IT. THIS IS GOING TO COST $250-300 IN PARTS ALONE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANY VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE FIXED AT THE COST OF THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT DAMAGED DUE TO THE FAILURE AND WAS TEMPORARILY SECURED WITH ANOTHER TYPE OF METAL STRAP. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL FILLER NECK HOSE EXHIBITED A CRACK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE FUEL FILLER NECK HOSE WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. CURRENTLY THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA11006 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME AND INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE FUEL LEAK TANK WHICH CAUSED CORROSION OF ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO AUTHORIZED DEALERS WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 227,720 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON REACHING HER DESTINATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE FUEL TANK SUSTAINED DAMAGE, AND THE CONTACT USED A SEPARATE STRAP TO REATTACH THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH STRAPS WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING BOX. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BOLT THAT HELD THE STEERING SHAFT IN PLACE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V196000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12

I JUST BOUGHT A 1997 FORD F150 WITHIN A FEW DAYS I FOUND THAT THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING, LOOKED UNDER AND FOUND STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND CAUSED TANK TO RUST AND LEAK. IS THERE A RECALL BY FORD TO REPLACE STRAPS AND TANK. *TR

MY 1997 F150, ONE GAS TANK STRAP BROKE, JORDAN FORD IN MISHAWAKA INDIANA1/22/11 . IT WILL COST $250.00 WHEN THE PARTS COME IT 1/26/11, WHEN IS THERE A RECALL? *TR UPDATED 08/01/11 *BF UPDATED 2/02/2012 *LN

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TRUCK HAS 112000 MILES AND THE TRANNY WOULD NOT SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR, THE FLUID AND FILTER HAS BEEN CHANGE 5 TIMES MORE THAN RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER, I ALSO HAD AAMCO INSTALL A LARGER TRANSMISSION COOLER. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TRANNY IS THE C CLAMP THAT LOCKS THE MAIN DRIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION CAME OFF, AND DESTROYED THE OD DRUM AND GEARS I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT MY VEHICLES WELL MAINTAINED AND AT A COST OF $1,900.56 I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD RE IMBURSE ME FOR THIS , THE TRUCK HAS NEVER HAULED ANY HEAVY LOADS OR PULLING A TRAILER WITH ANYTHING HEAVIER THAN A RIDING LAWNMOWER. I HAVE A 1970 FORD TRUCK THAT IS A BETTER TRUCK THAN MY 1997. I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO A NEW TRUCK IF DRIVEN LIKE THE COMMERCIALS THEY PRODUCE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FORD MAN BUT THEY ARE CHANGING MY MIND QUICKLY. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED. IT'S ABSURD THAT A POSSIBLY $5.00 PART COULD CAUSE ME ALMOST 2 GRAND. I AM ABOUT TO BUY A NEW TRUCK AND I WILL BE SHOPPING AROUND AND LOOKING AT CONSUMER REPORTS TO MAKE A DECISION. *TR

I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND LEFT AND WHEN I RETURNED IT WAS ON FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD RIPPED THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN AND DRAGGED IT OUT THE GARAGE.. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE SWITCH. I FIND THAT INTERESTING SEEING HOW O HAD CALL FORD LAST SUMMER AROUND JULY2010 FOR I HAD JUST MOVED TO THIS ADDRESS I AM AT NOW. AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO OPEN RECALLS... HMMM... SO, I DO STILL HAVE THE TRUCK AT THIS POINT BUT DO PLAN TO HAVE IT TOWED OUT AT END OF THIS WEEK.. WOULD BE GREAT IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE TO THIS. I AM OUT A VEHICLE AND NO MONEY TO REPLACE IT... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE FUEL TANK WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE STRAPS WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11006 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) BUT NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

ON JANUARY 8, 2011, 1997 FORD F150 XLT LARIAT BURNED AND TOTALLY DESTROYED OUR HOME AND TOYOTA TACOMA IN CARPORT.FIRE MARSHALL AND FIREMEN STATED APPEARED TO ORIGINATE FROM F150 IN CARPORT. FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR FROM STATE FARM (REPRESENTATIVES FROM FORD PRESENT AFTER DEMAND FROM STATE FARM) STATED FIRE STARTED BY DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL COMPONENT (CONFIRMED BY X-RAY) AFTER LOCATING IN DEBRI UNDER VEHICLE. FORD ACTED AS IF THEY COULD CARE LESS - GUESS NOT SINCE NOT EVEN AN APPOLOGY FOR OUR LOSS AS MUCH CANNOT BE REPLACED. STATE FARM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SUING FORD TO RECOOP THEIR LOSS. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD OF THIS DEFECT AND NEARLY LOST OUR LIVES. *TT

I HAVE A 1997 F150 WITH A TANK STRAP FAILURE. WOULD YOU LIKE MORE INFORMATION? *TR

FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE. UPDATED 08/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ONLY ONE STRAP BROKE, WHICH BROKE IN THE MIDDLE UNDER THE TANK. THE STRAP SHOWED SIGNS OF SEVERE CORROSION. HE REINFORCED THE GAS TANK WITH A NYLON STRAP. UPDATED 08/15/11

1997 FORD F150 4.2 LITER ENGINE LEAKED WATER INTO THE ENGINE FROM A FAULTY BOTTOM INTAKE MANIFOLD SIDE GASKET. THE REPAIRS COST 1486.00. NOTICED THAT MANY PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND BECAME AWARE THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE, ENGULFED INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS THE AREA WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

1997 FORD 4.2L F150 - 91,000 MILES VEHICLE PROPERLY MAINTAINED, "BABIED" IT. IT NEVER HAD OIL, COOLANT, OR ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. STARTED VEHICLE AND HEARD AN ENGINE SOUND "POP", AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM TAILPIPE. THE GAUGES WERE READING ALL NORMAL, AS WELL AS OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY SHOP, THEY SAID WITHOUT TAKING ENGINE APART IT SOUNDS LIKE A ROD OR BENT CRANKSHAFT. THEY MENTIONED THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD 4.2 ENGINES. IT IS NOW AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER - THEY HAVE NOT EXPLAINED HOW THIS HAPPENED BUT THAT I NEED AN ENGINE REBUILT. REALLY. THANK YOU FORD FOR STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. CHEAPER TO BUY A REBUILT ENGINE? DOES IT HAVE THE ORIGINAL ENGINE GASKETS? THEN I CAN EXPECT TO SPEND ANOTHER $4000,00 IN THREE YEARS OR JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. IF YOU HAVE AN ENGINE PROBLEM WITH THE FORD F150 4.2L JUST DO AN INTERNET SEARCH! WHERE IS THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT? *TR

1997 F150 FORD LARIAT SUPER CAB 4X4 WITH 83,262 MILES, THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON PANELS, FRAME, FRAME SUPPORTS AND UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS; SOME OF THE FRAME/ FRAME SUPPORTS HAVE SIGNIFICANT HOLES AND HAS NO STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. THE SAFETY DESIGN INTENT OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED DUE TO THE SEVERE RUST; IN A CRASH CONDITION THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS' SAFETY WOULD BE JEOPARDIZED. DECEMBER 3, 2010 THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN THE VILLAGE OF OXFORD, MI. APPROXIMATELY 25 MILE PER HOUR AND THE FRONT GAS TANK STRAP FAILED (RUSTED-OUT). THE GAS TANK FELL TO THE PAVEMENT AND LEFT THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANT INJURIES, BUT GASOLINE CONTAINMENTS WERE LEAKED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY FLATBED TRUCK TO SKALNEK FORD, LAKE ORION, MI FOR REPAIRS COSTING $773.42. *TR UPDATED 1/12/2012 *LN *TR

WE NOTICED A GAS SMELL THAT WASN'T USUALLY PRESENT, SO TOOK THE TRUCK STRAIGHT TO THE MECHANIC, WHO CALLED TO TELL US THAT THE STRAPS HOLDING THE TANK WERE ROTTED AND WE GOT LUCKY IT DIDN'T DROP OUT WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE IT WAS HANGING BY A THREAD. AFTER FIXING THOSE, SOMETHING STILL WASN'T RIGHT AND WHEN FILLING UP THE TANK, GAS CAME POURING OUT ON THE GROUND. TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT GAS TANK WAS ALSO ROTTED OUT. UPDATED 08/04/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CORROSION ON THE STRAPS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CORROSION OF THE TANK. UPDATED 08/15/11 *TR

1997 F-150 WAS FUELING UP VEHICLE AND HEARD POP AND LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND THE REAR GAS TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN FREE OF THE SLIDE IN ATTACHMENT ON THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE TANK. THE STRAP WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION BUT THE REAR SLIDE IN MOUNTING POINT ON THE CROSS MEMBER HAD ROTTED OUT COMPLETELY. THE FRONT SLIDE IN POINT DID NOT HAVE ANY CORROSION ON IT. DEALER DID NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A LARGE CAR DEALER IN JUNE 2010. *TR

HI, I OWN A 1997 FORD F-150. LAST FALL (2010) I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN THE GAS TANK ON MY TRUCK DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE SPARKS I WAS TOLD AND IT WAS LEAKING. I HAD NO PRIOR EVENTS/AWARENESS THAT WOULD HAVE LED ME TO CHECK ON THE TANK. I HAD A NEW TANK INSTALLED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. I DID NOT ASK FOR THE OLD PARTS AND ASSUME THEY WERE PROBABLY DISPOSED OF. I ONLY WRITE NOW AFTER SEEING SIMILAR PROBLEMS BY OTHERS REPORTED ON THE NIGHTLY NEWS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION !! UPDATED 08/05/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT STRAP BROKE. UPDATED 08/15/11 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN A FIRE BEGAN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

PURCHASED A USED 1997 FORD F-150 TRUCK FROM A PRIVATE ONE OWNER PERSON, THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 58,000 ORIGINAL MILES, THIS TRUCK HAS A 4.2 LITER V-6 ENGINE, WHICH WAS WELL MAINTAINED. AFTER DRIVING THE TRUCK FOR LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OF OWNING IT THE ENGINE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A DEFECT IN ENGINE GASKET, TORQUE SEQUENCE AND OTHER SPECIFIC SPECS, HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM FROM FORD MOTOR CO. AS OF YET. THE ENGINE SUFFERED WHAT IS CALLED HYDRAULIC-LOCK AND WHEN THE ENGINE CRANKED UP IT BENT PISTON RODS IN THE MOTOR AND THE PISTON SKIRTS ARE NOW HITTING THE CRANKSHAFT, REQUIRES A TOTAL ENGINE REBUILD OR NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR

ON 11/20/2010 WHEN I WENT TO GAS UP - THE GAS RAN ON THE GROUND - THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN AND THE TANK DROPPED DOWN - PULLING THE FILLER NECK LOOSE. UPDATED 08/01/11 *BF APPROXIMATELY TEN GALLONS FAILED ONTO THE ROAD WAY. THE REAR STRAP FAILED IN THE MIDDLE FAILED. UPDATED 08/02/11 *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED SMOKING COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY WATER PENETRATING INTO THE ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX. THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 0470421440, AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,511 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157, 000. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 11/30/2011 *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TILT TOWARDS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE TACK WELDING MARKS ON THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE ON 1997 F150 30-GALLON TANK DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. TANK DROPPED, CAUSING THE FILLER HOSE TO DISCONNECT FROM THE FITTING AT THE TANK. DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WHEN FUEL STARTED POURING ONTO THE PAVEMENT AT THE GAS STATION. LAST FILL-UP WAS A WEEK PRIOR WITH OVER 200 MILES OF DRIVING SINCE, SO STRAP COULD HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR UP TO A WEEK. WILL REPLACE THE TANK AND STRAPS, WILL RETAIN THE STRAPS FOR 1 MONTH BEFORE DISCARDING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND HEARD FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST, ALSO CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO HANG ABNORMALLY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE STRAP REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE ERUPTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

THE FRONT STRAP SUPPORTING THE FUEL TANK ON MY 1997 F150 FAILED DUE TO CORROSION, BROKE AND ALLOWED THE TANK TO DROP FROM THE FRAME AND DRAG ALONG THE GROUND. THE REAR STRAP WAS STILL INTACT. SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS 30 MPH. FUEL WAS POURING OUT OF THE TANK BY THE TIME I STOPPED AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE TANK WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY (APPROXIMATELY 20 GALLONS). A WRECKER WAS CALLED TO PICK UP THE TRUCK AND BROUGHT TO A REPAIR GARAGE. ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR IS $600.00, WHICH INCLUDES THE TOWING FEE. THE OLD PARTS WERE RETAINED AND IN MY POSSESSION. THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO THE ODI FOR ANALYSIS IF DESIRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150 XLT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER 18 HOURS AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DESTROYED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

GEM MODULE FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED. CAUSED 4X4 TO ENGAGE AT HIGH SPEED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, DURING TURNS, CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING. DID SOME RESEARCH OF SEVERAL FORD F150 WEB SITES AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR OR THE SAME PROBLEMS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THE GEM MODULE WAS THE CULPRIT AND THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION IN THE ADJACENT FUSE JUNCTION PANEL. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFESSED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THESE KINDS OF CONDITIONS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF THESE GEM MODULES AND FUSE PANELS BECAUSE OF LEAKS IN THE WINDSHIELD OR HOOD COWLING. THEY FURTHER TOLD ME THAT UNLESS I REPLACED THESE COMPONENTS AND ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, AT MY EXPENSE, THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY ANY REPAIRS. AFTER A REPAIR BILL OF $1000.00, FORD REFUSED TO HELP CLAIMING IT WAS NOT A DESIGN OR COMPONENT PART PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTRICAL FAILURES IN THE FUTURE OR EVEN DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS.

AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, PULLED OUT ON TO THE ROAD, SMALL BUMP IN THE INTERSECTION. RUSTED STRAPS BROKE AND GAS TANK FELL OFF. LUCKY IT WAS RAINING AND ROAD WAS WET OR COULD OF CAUSED FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE WAS ALERTED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. HE WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVED FROM THE LOCATION AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED HIM THAT THE FIRE WAS MOST LIKELY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 225,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE TO FULL CAPACITY, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING FUEL ODOR AND A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PUNCTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE STRAPS WERE TOO CORRODED TO EVEN INSPECT OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.