1997 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS CORRODED. 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) THAT HE BELIEVED MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 2/03/2012 *LN *TR

1997 F150 BRAKES LOCKING UP AND ENGINE COOLANT LEAK INTO MOTOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT WORK SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, INTERIOR, AND BOTH FRONT END TIRES WERE BURNED AND DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR.THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP OR THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 270000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKING. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED THROUGH ABOUT 2-3 INCHES FROM LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER. LINE WAS REPLACED BUT OLD LINE WAS NOT RETAINED. *TR

HEADLIGHTS HAVE LOST A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF THEIR INTENSITY DUE TO THE YELLOWING EFFECT OF THE PLASTIC LENS COVERS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND HEARD A LOUD POP, AS IF A TIRE HAD BLOWN OR DRIVE COMPONENT BROKE. MY TRUCK BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND SHAKE AFTER THE NOISE AND CONTINUED WHEN I CAME TO A STOP VERY SHORTLY AFTER THE SOUND. IT ALSO CONTINUED AFTER I CAME TO A STOP AND PUT MY TRUCK IN PARK. ALSO, IT INCREASED IN SEVERITY BUT LESSENED IN TIME INTERVAL, OF AN OBVIOUS KNOCK. I LEARNED I HAD BLOWN A SPARK PLUG OUT OF MY HEAD, TAKING THE THREADS IN THE HEAD WITH IT. THE TWO OPTIONS ARE TO REMOVE THE HEAD FROM THE MOTOR, WHICH COSTS ABOUT WHAT THE TRUCK IS WORTH, OR TO FIX IT WITH THE HEAD ON THE MOTOR AND TAKE CHANCES THAT NO METAL SHAVINGS ENTER THE CYLINDERS. BOTH OPTIONS REQUIRE A HELI-COIL FOR THE HEAD. I HAD TO HELI-COIL MY HEAD TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG SINCE THERE WERE NO THREADS FOR THE SPARK PLUG TO ATTACH TO. *TR

SPARKPLUG BLOWING OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH HE SUDDENLY LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL, MOMENTS LATER THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A ICE PATCH WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLES REAR END TO SWAY LEFT AND RIGHT BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT HAD BEGUN TO ROT AND SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 128000.

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE SOMETHING DROPPED OR FELL. I THOUGHT THAT IT MIGHT BE MY EXHAUST. I WAS ABOUT A 1/2 MILE AWAY FROM HOME AND CONTINUED ON. I TRIED TO PUT MY TRUCK IN THE GARAGE AND IT WOULDN'T GO IN, STILL THINKING THAT IT MY EXHAUST, I GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK AND DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD FALLEN. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO OUR REPAIR GARAGE AND THEY SAID THAT THE STRAPS HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF AND THAT THE TANK HAD A SMALL LEAK IN IT.

MY 1997 FORD F-150 HAD THE REAR GAS TANK STRAP FAIL. AT THE TIME, THE TRUCK HAD 96,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON I-69 IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT TO NORTHWEST OHIO WHERE IT WAS FIXED THE NEXT DAY BY A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE FORWARD STRAP WAS ALSO NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE GAS TANK WAS BEING HELD ON MOSTLY BY THE HOSE CLAMP FOR THE GAS FILLER NECK. I WAS TOLD BY THE SHOP THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE FRONTAL HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING. ALSO HE HEARS KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CONNECTION ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HE WAS REFUSED SERVICE BECAUSE HE PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A DIFFERENT DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR THE FAILURE. HE WAS THEN ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 219,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 1997 F-150 4.6 V8 WITH APPROX 270,XXX MILES ON IT. AROUND THREE YEARS AGO I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL RADIATOR AT AROUND 190,XXX MILES, SEEMED FAIR THAT'S A DECENT LIFE I THOUGHT FOR A RADIATOR. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. SINCE THEN I AM NOW NEED OF MY FOURTH RADIATOR, THE LAST RADIATOR WAS REPLACED IN JAN 2008. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER CARE FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT THE PART IS OUT OF THEIR 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. ALL REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AT THIS DEALER FOR THE PAST FIVE OR SO YEARS. MY CONTENTION IS THAT CLEARLY THESE PARTS ARE SUSPECT AND THE REPAIR AND FAILURE HISTORY SEEMS TO SUPPORT THIS. *TR

I HAVE A FORD F 150 PICK UP 1997. THE STRAPS THAT SUPPORT THE FUEL TANK BROKE AND THE TANK FELL ONTO THE ROADWAY. THE TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED OFF THE ROAD, I WAS VERY LUCKY THE TRUCK DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

1997 FORD F150, WE WERE ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY FROM 30 MPH OUT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE BACK TO HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH). THE TRUCK HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE CONTROL. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STUCK INTO FULL ACCELERATION MODE. SHARPLY APPLYING THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE FOOT ACCELERATOR WAS DOWN FULLY, THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT INVOLVED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO LIFT THE FOOT ACCELERATOR WITH HER TOE, BUT IT WAS STUCK DOWN FULLY. IT COULD NOT BE LIFTED. WITHIN 2 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WELL PAST 100 MPH. CARS AHEAD WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IN DESPERATION WE REPEATEDLY HIT THE BRAKE HARD AND SUDDEN WITH FULL EFFORT. THERE WAS A POP AND THE ACCELERATOR CAME BACK UP. THE TRUCK WAS PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THERE WAS NO APPARENT ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PETAL. IT MOVED EASILY AND NORMALLY. THE TRUCK WAS STARTED AND TEST DROVE, AND EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED NORMALLY. WE CONTINUED DRIVING WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INCIDENT. I ASSURE YOU IT WAS NOT DRIVER FAULT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT ACTIVELY PULLS THE ACCELERATOR DOWN EVEN WHEN THE CRUISE IS NOT ACTIVATED. HITTING THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE ACTIVATION. THIS WAS A CLOSE CALL AND WE HAVE VERY CREDIBLE WITNESSES AND DRIVERS TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL WHAT HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 189000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE THAT WE KNOW OF. WE BOUGHT IT USED, AND IT IS IN ORIGINAL CONDITION, NO AFTER MARKET GASKETS OR ALTERATIONS. JAMES GIBSON *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HE WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY OTHER DRIVERS WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE WIRING ASSEMBLY IN THE BRAKE LAMP CONTROL AT AN EXPENSE OF $115.11. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED , BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 163,000. UPDATED 10/27/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHTS ONLY COME ON WITH EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. UPDATED 10/28/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE, EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD, FUEL TANK STRAP, BRAKE LINE, BOLTS, ERG VALVE, AND THE FRAME WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK OR PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 322,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 1V385000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). PRIOR TO THE CONTACT RECEIVING THE NOTICE, HE HAD ALREADY PERFORMED THE RECALL REMEDY BECAUSE HE HAD ENCOUNTERED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK VENT. AFTER DISCUSSING THE FAILURE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, THEY AGREED TO REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS TO THE STRAPS BUT NOT FOR THE VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

PULL GEAR SHIFTER DOWN TO D1 AND SMOKE AND FIRE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN: ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE TRUCK WAS UNABLE TO USE THE OVERDRIVE FUNCTION. REPLACED SEVERAL FUSES AND TRIED AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I DISMANTLED THE STEERING COLUMN AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IS TWO SHORT AND ROUTED AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING IT TO BREAK EVERYTIME THE TRUCK IS PUT INTO D1. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOR ANY AUTO STORE HAVE ANY PARTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY RECOMMEND THAT I NOT USE D2/D1/OVERDRIVE. *TR

THE GAS TANK STRAP RUSTED AND BROKE LEAVING THE TANK HANGING ABOUT TWO INCHES ABOVE THE GROUND. UPDATED 09/14/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED NO FUEL WAS SPILLED AND THE TANK WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE CONSUMER SPOTTED THE PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN HIS DRIVEWAY. BOTH STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/21/11

1997 FORD F150 WITH 4.2L ENGINE. STARTED CAR IN THE MORNING. MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND STOPPED IT. RESTARTED THE MOTOR AND IT RATTLING LOUDLY AND STOPPED IT AGAIN. THE NUMBER ONE PISTON BENT THE CONNECTING ROD. *TR

TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE FUEL TANK LEAKED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FUEL AND IN ORDER TO RESUME IN OPERATION BOTH OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE SECURED TEMPORARILY WITH ROPE. MOST RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING). THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED WITH THE RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE IT FAILED TO INCLUDE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 2 MILES AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE STARTED ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN A RAINSTORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REINSTALLED THE GEM MODULE, AS WELL AS INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. THE WIPERS FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE HE INSTALLED FROM FORD WAS DEFECTIVE. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE MECHANIC CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND DETERMINE IF THE AIR BAGS WORK. PRIOR TO THE GEM MODULE FAILURE, SEVERAL COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. AT 30,000 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER TRACKS HE COULD HEAR THE VEHICLE DRAGGING AN OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A TEMPORARY REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR A 1997 FORD F150 XLT TRUCK. IN LATE APRIL/MAY LAST YEAR I NOTICED ONE OF MY FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD RUSTED AND THE TANK WAS HANGING DOWN. I WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND PURCHASED 2 STRAPS TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE TANK STRAPS THINKING IF THE ONE RUSTED OUT I MIGHT AS WELL CHANGE BOTH STRAPS. I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE BOTH STRAPS MYSELF SO I THOUGHT I WAS GOOD. I DID NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE BOLTS BECAUSE THE BOLT MEETS THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK BEFORE YOU CAN OVER TIGHTEN THE BOLT. HOWEVER, A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER I NOTICED MY TANK WAS LEAKING IN THE AREA WHERE THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK IS SHAPED TO ACCEPT THE STRAP. I REMOVED THE STRAP IT APPEARED THAT THE RUSTING PROCESS HAD WEAKEN THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE STRAP. I HAD TO ORDER A NEW FUEL TANK FROM AN ONLINE SUPPLIER TO SAVE MONEY(PARTS TRAIN) AND WENT BACK TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY AGREED FOR A FEE TO INSTALL THE NEW AFTERMARKET FUEL TANK. I DID HAVE ADDITIONAL COSTS TO REPLACE A FUEL TAKEN SENSOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE THAT WAS RUSTED AND WOULD NOT BE REUSABLE WITH THE NEW FUEL TANK. MY TOTAL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WERE APPROXIMATELY $350.00. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACRTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN SPILLING GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE CORROSION LOCKED REAR WHEELS (RIMS LOCKED TO HUBS) FOR BALANCING AND ROTATING, WHILE VEHICLE WAS SUPPORTED ON HYDRAULIC LIFT, THE MAIN REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED. VEHICLE WAS OPERATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL NY STATE FOR 10 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MECHANICALLY INOPERATIVE SINCE THAT TIME, THOUGH NUMEROUS NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE VISIBLY CORRODED BRAKE LINE FAILED DURING ATTEMPTS TO "COAX" THE CORROSION LOCKED RIMS FROM THE WHEELS BY APPLYING LATERAL (90 DEGREE) PRESSURE TO THE SIDES OF THE PICKUP'S BED, WHILE THE TIRES WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE GARAGE FLOOR BUT WITH THE VEHICLE STILL SUPPORTED BY THE LIFT. POINT OF FAILURE WAS JUST IN FRONT AND ABOVE THE REAR AXLE. THIS WAS VEHICLE'S 2ND BRAKE LINE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR, THE FIRST HAVING OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE JUST BEHIND THE CALIPER/WHEEL CYLINDER.

MY 1997 F-150 4.2L V6 WITH 128,000 MILES STARTED EXPERIENCING AN UNACCOUNTABLE FOR WATER LOSS THAT QUICKLY TURNED INTO A ROUGH IDLE ON COLD STARTS AND THEN VERY NOTICEABLE STEAM FROM THE EXHAUST AT WHAT TIME IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR WITH A SUSPECTED BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DISMANTLING THE ENGINE, THERE WAS WATER IN THE TOP END BUT THERE IS NO INDICATION OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND THE HEADS HAVE BEEN PRESSURE TESTED FOR LEAKS AND TURNED OUT OK. IT APPEARS THAT THE INTAKE OR INTAKE GASKET IS THE PROBLEM AND UPON ONLINE RESEARCH IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS HAD PRIOR COMPLAINTS OF INTAKE AND GASKET FAILURES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD KICK IN AND OUT OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THEY REPLACED UNKNOWN MODULES IN THE TRANSMISSION AT THE COST OF $607. THE DEALER ALSO INSTALLED A NEW DASHBOARD SWITCH AT NO COST DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN THERE FOUR TIMES WITH THE EXACT SAME FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 53,000. UPDATED 04-24-09 *BF UPDATED 04/27/09.*JB

1997 FORD F-150 4.2L V6. ENGINE COOLANT FILLED ENGINE CYLINDER RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. REPLACE ENGINE WITH USED ONE AT A COST OF $3500.00. THIS ENGINE SHOWS SIGNS OF SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE DRIVEN FORDS FOR 30 YEARS, THIS IS THE LAST ONE I'LL OWN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,00 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

MY F-150 WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND HAD A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, PLUG WIRES, AND IGNITION COIL FOR A COST OF OVER $500. THEY STATED THAT THE #5 PLUG HAD BEEN FOULED WITH ANTIFREEZE. IT RAN FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH, THEN UPON STARTING MY TRUCK, A LOUD BANGING OR RATTLING NOISE COULD BE HEARD AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. UPON DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO CLAIM THAT A FAULTY GASKET DESIGN CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO ONE OF THE CYLINDERS INSPECTION OF THE CYLINDERS SHOWED COOLANT TO BE POOLED IN THE FRONT, PASSENGER-SIDE CYLINDER. CERTIFIED MECHANICS ATTRIBUTE COOLANT IN THE CYLINDER TO BE DUE TO A PREMATURE GASKET FAILURE. IF NOT CORRECTED, THE PROBLEM LEADS TO MAJOR ENGINE DESTRUCTION. DOCUMENTED EFFECTS OF THE COOLANT LEAK ARE WORN OUT BEARINGS AND SURFACES, AND BROKEN OR BENT CONNECTING RODS, NECESSITATING AN ENGINE REBUILD. FORD SENT A TSB TO SOME OWNERS OF THESE ENGINES TO REPLACE THE FAULTY GASKET BUT NOT TO OTHER OWNERS. THE KNOWLEDGE OF A FAULTY GASKET DESIGN WAS WITHHELD FROM SOME 1997 4.2L F150 OWNERS. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION, AND LIKE MANY PEOPLE, HAVE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AVERAGE REPAIR COSTS ARE AROUND $4500 DOLLARS. FORD DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF KNOWN DEFECTS AND FORD TECHNICIANS WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN ANYONE, DID NOT NOTIFY ME. *TR

FUEL TANK STRAP REPLACEMENT LEAD TO DISCOVERY OF BROKEN FUEL TANK AT FEED TUBE. RARE OCCURRENCE ACCORDING TO AUTO SHOP AND DEALER SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE SINCE VEHICLE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE IS 97' FORD F-150. *TR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DURING RAIN, MANAGED TO PULL OFF ROAD SAFELY. (OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES FAILED AS WELL) WIPERS NO LONGER WORK. VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL REPAIRED. FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. SEE FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 98-9-13 AND FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 . *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 FORD F-150. I HAD PARKED IT FOR A FEW WEEKS UNTIL I SOLD MY CHEVY TAHOE. WHEN I WENT TO START IT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I CHARGED THE BATTERY AND WHEN I RECONNECTED IT I WENT IN THE CAB AND COULD SMELL BURNING PLASTIC AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WERE ON, EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS IN MY HAND. I LOOKED UNDER THE DASH AND FOUND THAT THE GEM MODULE WAS SIZZLING AND SMOKING. I QUICKLY GOT OUT AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IT WOULD HAVE STARTED ON FIRE HAD I NOT NOTICED IT IN TIME. IT SURPRISED ME THAT NO FUSES WERE BLOWN. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON THING FOR ALOT OF 1997 - 2003 FORDS AND WAS WONDERING WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED. I WORKED FOR A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN MARQUETTE MI SO I KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT RECALLS AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE AN EXPENSE PUT ON THE CONSUMER. I THINK THAT WITH THE DECLINE IN SALES FOR THE AMERICAN AUTOMAKERS THEY SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THESE FAULTY MODULES. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING IT SO IM NOT SURE HOW MUCH IT WILL COST ME BUT IM EXPECTING IT TO BE BETWEEN $120- $160. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. WE WERE AWAKENED BY OUR LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, ALERTING US TO THE FACT THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN ON FIRE. THEY WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY PUT OUT THE FIRE PRIOR TO IT SPREADING TO OUR HOME. THE FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, UNDER THE HOOD, AROUND THE WHEEL WELL. THIS WAS DOCUMENTED BY OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK AND THE DRIVEWAY HAVE BEEN MELTED, AND THE TRUCK IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE OR FIXABLE. COINCIDENTALLY, WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD THIS WEEK STATING THAT THE RECALL ON THIS TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DONE AND THAT IT COULD RESULT IN FIRE. WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FROM A PRIVATE PARTY ON MAY 11, 2008 AND THIS WAS OUR FIRST NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL. OF COURSE IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK WE REGISTERED IT WITH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO OBTAIN PLATES IN OUR NAME, AND WE WERE ISSUED OUR REGISTRATION. WE OWNED THIS TRUCK EXACTLY 6 MONTHS TO THE DATE WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. IF WE HAD BEEN SENT A NOTIFICATION PRIOR TO THE FIRE, RATHER THAN AFTERWARDS, WE COULD HAVE HAD THIS CRUISE CONTROL RECALL ADDRESSED. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE IS SCRAP. WE ARE HOLDING ON TO THE TRUCK, UNTIL WE CAN REACH A DETERMINATION OF FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXTREME FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY WELDING THE STEERING SHAFT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON SO WHEN I GOT HOME I STARTED TO CHECK TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND FOUND A FUSE THAT WAS BROKEN. I REPLACED THE FUSE AND THREE HOURS LATER WE SMELLED SMOKE IN OUR HOUSE AND FOUND MY SHOP WAS ON FIRE. WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AFTER THE FIRE WAS OUT FOUND THAT THE TRUCK WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *TR

THE FRAME ON MY 1997 FORD F150 HAS RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE SHOCK AND SPRING MOUNTS TO BREAK. FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEMS. *TR

WAS FORTUNATE TO NOTICE GAS TANK HANGING DOWN FROM UNDER CARRIAGE... WAS PREPARING TO DRIVE 50 MILE IN ON INTERSTATE... WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO LOCAL DEALER...NOT WHERE PURCHASED... AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW GAS TANK STRAP..WHICH WITH LABOR WAS 93 DOLLARS... WELL WORTH IT WHEN CONSIDERING WHAT COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. AM AMAZED THAT EVEN NOTICED UNTIL TOO LATE...THOUGHT IT WAS AN ISOLATED EVENT UNTIL STARTING TO LOOK UP OTHER NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE HAS CHAPARRAL AP TIRES, SIZE LT265/75R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING SEVERELY. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO BALANCE THE TIRES, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE OUT OF ROUND. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO A THIRD DEALER AND THEY LOADED DOWN THE TIRES WITH WHEEL WEIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF UPDATED 11/26/08*JB

BOUGHT 97 FORD F-150 TRUCK FROM PRIVATE PARTY.. IT HAD RECALL ON IT WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT IT AND MY TRUCK ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. *TR

HEATER MALFUNCTION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 10 MPH, THE PIN IN THE STEERING COLUMN FELL OUT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND MANAGED TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE STEERING SHAFT COUPLER SHEERED OFF. UPDATED 05/29/09*JB

WATER INTRUSION INTO GEM MODULE CAUSING FAILURE OF WIPERS, ELECTRIC WINDOWS, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND ENGAGEMENT OF ELECTRONIC 4WHEEL DRIVE TO WORK. USUALLY TRIGGERED AFTER RAIN AND LASTING FOR DAYS. SEE TSB 98231 NHTSA 603715. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER CALLED BACK AND STATED THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT DID NOT APPROVE THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THEY SENT THE CONTACT A RECALL NOTICE, BUT HE CLAIMED THAT IT WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY SENT THE NOTICE TO A DIFFERENT MAILING ADDRESS, WHICH IS WHY IT WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 175,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WATER LEAK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OR A FIREWALL THAT CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSE BOX OR THE GEM MODULE. THE FAILURE OCCURS DURING THE RAIN. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RPM, THE FUSE BOX WOULD SHORT OUT. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND NO LONGER LEAKS. AN IMPROPER SEAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LEAKAGE. UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE. A CASE NUMBER WAS OBTAINED AND POLICE REPORT NUMBER PD080825409115 WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS LISTED AS THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

DEFECTIVE ENGINE THAT CAUSES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET TO LEAK COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE OIL. I HAVE HAD THIS REPLACED TWICE AND AM NOW IN NEED OF IT AGAIN. *TR