1998 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE DRIVER HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW IT DOWN. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. *NM

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

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE FIRED UP. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK UP. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE RODS WAS BENT IN THE ENGINE. A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED.

MY TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. I WENT OUT TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF MY TRUCK AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. THIRTY MINUTES LATER WE HEARD A HORN BLARING OUTSIDE. WHEN MY WIFE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW, SHE YELLED THAT OUR TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT GOT HERE WITHIN 5 MINS BY THEN THE HOOD HAD MELTED, THE BATTERY HAD EXPLODED, THE WINDSHIELD BLEW IN AND ONE TIRE HAD EXPLODED. THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SOMEWHERE NEAR THE FUSE BOX. THE FIRE DEPT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE.*AK

"BLOWN SPARK PLUG" 1998 FORD F150 5.4L ENGINE. DEALER WANTS $3700 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH STEERING SHAFT DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO GO INTO A DITCH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

FIRESTONE TIRE WILDERNESS HT P235 70/16 104S M/S TREAD SEPERATION (CAN SEE STEEL CORDS) (BULGE) TIRE HASNT FAILED YET BUT PROBABLY WOULD IF I DIDNT SEE ? 98F150 ABOUT 60K MILES ON TIRE STILL LOT OF TREAD LEFT. KNOW SIMILIAR TIRES RECALLED BUT WERE AT MODELS LOOKS LIKE OTHER MODELS ARE ? ALSO (HT). *AK

I HAD JUST TURNED OFF INTERSTATE 287 ONTO INTERVALE ROAD (A LOCAL ROAD). I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A VERY SHARP LEFT HAND CURVE. AS I PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE CURVE I HAD NO STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR NOISE. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THERE WAS LOOSE SAND AND GRAVEL AND I ENDED UP SLIDING INTO A UTILITY POLE STRAIGHT AHEAD, WITHOUT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND ONLY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS SECURED BY THE SEAT BELT, BUT MY HEAD STRUCK THE SUN VISOR. POLICE AT THE SCENE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED LOSS OF STEERING. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION BY THE SHOP TO WHICH MY TRUCK WAS TOWED REVEALED THAT THE SECTOR SHAFT WAS BROKEN WHERE THE PITMAN ARM IS ATTACHED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART SHOULD NEVER FAIL IN A VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT IF THE PART WAS POUNDED ALL DAY WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER THAT IT SHOULD NOT FAIL. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAD ONLY HEARD OF ONE FAILURE EVER OF THIS PART IN A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT. FURTHERMORE, THIS PART IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DID NOT SUFFER ANY IMPACT FROM THE ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED FORD WITH THIS INFORMATION AND THEY ARE TOTALLY INDIFFERENT TO IT. THEY WANT ME TO PAY UP TO $60,000 TO HIRE AN EXPERT WITNESS TO PROVE THAT THE PART FAILED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2004 AND HAVE NO RESOLUTION OR COMMITMENT FROM FORD TO DO ANYTHING. THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN DEATH HAD THIS PART FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WONDER HOW MANY FATAL ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS FAILURE THAT WAS NEVER PROPERLY INVESTIGATED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OVER TO STATE FARM INSURANCE TO REPAIR . THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A PICTURE OF THE VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE A LIST OF REPAIR SHOPS. UPDATED 08/23/07 *TR

I TOOK MY 1998 FORD F150 V6 FOR A MINOR REPAIR AND WHEN I CHECKED WITH MECHANIC HE TOLD ME THAT HE FOLDED WATER IN THE OIL. MECHANIC INFORMED ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT.*AK DID SOME RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE KNOWN ISSUE WITH CETAIN FORD ENGIINES AND I FELT I WS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH A LEAKING HEAD GASKET PROBLEM

DRIVING DOWN NAVY RD. DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN SPARE TIRE FELL OFF MY 1998 FORD F150. CABLE HOLDING TIRE SNAPPED. SPARE TIRE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS BEHIND ME. WAS TOLD BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE OF SIMILAR SITUATIONS, OF SPARE TIRE JUST FALLING OFF VEHICLE BECAUSE RETRACTING CABLE BREAKING. COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE.*AK

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 F-150 FORD 4X4 PICK-UP TRUCK WHICH IS EXIBITING A CRACKING CONDITION AT THE LOWER WELTING EDGE OF THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. UNDERSTAND THIS IS OCCURRING ON MANY OTHER F150'S AND APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUFACTURING FLAW.*AK

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND HE REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL ARRIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

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

REAR WINDOW STARTED LEAKING FROM THE TOP - IT NOW POURS IN WHEN RAINING, DAMAGING THE BACK SEAT IN THE EXTENDED CAB PICKUP. THERE IS NO CRACK AND THE LEAKING IS NOT FROM THE SLIDING GLASS, INSTEAD FROM THE TOP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SLIDING GLASS. *LA

METAL ON DRIVERS DOOR IS CRACKED AT REAR OF WINDOW , ABOUT THREE TO FOUR INCHES UP FROM BOTTOM OF WINDOW. MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE ARE MANY 98 F-150'S OUT THERE WITH THE SAME STRUCTURAL FLAW. *AK

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, UNDER WET ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN A ROLL OVER. I HAD NOTICED THIS IN THE PAST AND TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE NATURAL FOR A FORD. *AK

THE ANTI- THEFT ALARM GOES OFF FOR NO REASON AT ALL HOURS FOR NO REASON. ROGERS FORD HCHECKED IT & COULDN'T GET IT TO GO OFF. I TOLD THEM THEY COULDN'T MAKE IT GO OFF. IT DOES IT WHENEVER. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO YEARS NOW & IT'S A REAL PAIN IN THE NECK. I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS. BUT THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS WHO HAVE NOT SENT IN A COMPLAINT TO YOU. I'VE EMAILED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT IT & NEVER GOT A REPLY.*AK

TIE ROD FAILURE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. *AK

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)

COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE. I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK AT THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND 3 OTHER MECHANICS IN MY AREA. I HAVE A 98 FORD F150 WITH THE V6 4.2L MOTOR. IT HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 115,000. I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3000 TO 4000 MILES AND THE COOLANT EVERY 3 YEARS. I HAVE LOOK INTO INTERNET FORUMS AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE 100S OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS - MOST WITH FAR LESS MILEAGE. *JB

I BOUGHT A 1998 F-150, 3 YEARS AGO. THE ENGINE BLEW UP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. MY WIFE DROVE IT TO WORK, IT RAN FINE. SHE STARTS IT UP TO COME HOME, AND THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING LOUD. SHE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. THE 4.2 ENGINE IS A LEMON, AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ FROM NUMEROUS PEOPLE, AND HEARD FROM MANY FRIENDS IS THAT THESE ENGINES ARE JUNK, AND FORD KNOWS THEY ARE. A FRIEND OF MINE WARNED ME ABOUT THESE ENGINES, HE HAD TO HAVE HIS REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 3 YEARS. 3 TIMES HIS ENGINE BLEW UP.. THESE THINGS ARE JUNK!!!!I THINK FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THESE ENGINES, OR REFUND US OUR MONEY BACK ON THE PURCHASE PRICE. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED. *LA

STEERING COMPONENTS THAT BROKE SUDDENLY CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *LA

BOTH DOORS CRACKED AT ABOUT THREE INCHES UNDER THE WINDOWS. THE CRACKS ARE RUNNING HORIZONTALLY UNDER THE GLASS. DEALER IS PROPOSING THAT THE CONSUMER GET A KIT FROM THEM THAT WILL COST $500.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF THE CAR PORT WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

UPON STARTING VEHICLE DRIVER NOTICED A GAS SMELL COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO INVESTIGATE THE ODOR, AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL RAIL. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP MY VEHICLE(1998 FORD F-150 4 X 4 6 CYL) I THOUGHT I WAS HUNG UP ON SOMETHING AS THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF RESISTANCE IN DOING SO. WHEN I GOT OUT TO CHECK FOR OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE ROADWAY, I WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE THAT BOTH OF MY FRONT TIRES WERE FACING EACH OTHER (TOED IN). AFTER MUCH ADO, AND MANY MEN STOPPING TO SEE WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS, I LEARNED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD HAD LET GO WITHOUT ANY WARNING! WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK, EVERYONE TOLD ME TO INVESTIGATE WHY THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD USED TO HAVE A GREASED FITTING HOLDING THE TIERODS AND HAS SWITCHED TO A NYLON FITTING THAT IS NON-GREASABLE TO SAVE MONEY>.... I CAN TELL YOU THAT I WAS VERY SICK TO MY STOMACH TO THINK THAT MY TIE ROD COULD HAVE LET GO WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN FACING THE POSSIBILITY OF DISASTEROUS CONSEQUENCES. THAT DID NOT GIVE ME A WARM AND FUZZY FEELING. I BOUGHT THIS PICK-UP BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS SAFER DRIVING A BIG VEHICLE. LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT SOME SMALL LITTLE NYLON PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS COMPROMISING MY ABILITY TO STEER MY VEHICLE. WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM?? MY GARAGE TELLS ME THEY HAVE SEEN PLENTY!*AK

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 F-150 THE #2 SPARK PLUG EJECTED ITSELF FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE HEAD DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH THEADS TO KEEP THE SPARK PLUG FROM BLOWING OUT.*AK

INNER TIE-ROD JOINT BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. VEHICLE DROVE FINE UP TO THAT POINT. STEERING COMPONENT INSPECTION TWO MONTHS PRIOR DID NOT INDICATE ANY NEEDED REPAIRS. *LA

HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OFF WHEN USING RIGHT DIRECTIONAL INDICATOR, OR BY TURNING ON INTERMITTENT WIPERS. *LA

I OWN A 1998 FORD F150 XLT TRUCK. I MAINTAIN MY TRUCK AS REQUIRED (OIL, ETC). ON OCT. 25,2003 WHEN GOING TO TURN THE TRUCK ON I HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND THE TRUCK SEEM TO STALL. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND NOTICED A HOLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE OIL PAN PANEL AND OIL CAME OUT. ONCE I GOT IT TO TALK TO MY MECHANIC HE INFORMED ME THAT HE KNEW OF THE 'NOTORIUS' OR 'INFAMOUS' REPUTATION THE (4.2L FORD ENGINES) HAVE. IT SEEMS DISTURBING TO ME THAT FORD WOULD USE ENGINES LIKE THIS ON VEICHLES AND US CONSUMERS SPENDING ARE HARD EARNED MONEY HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU MAINTAIN WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK DOWN. I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH CARS (MECHANICS AND MANAGERS OF WELL KNOWN PART STORES) CALL THIS TYPE OF MOTOR ENGINE. NOW I NEED TO PUT A NEW ENGINE INTO A TRUCK THAT OTHERWISE RAN FINE. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A FORD AGAIN AND WARN ALL MY CLOSE FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES TO DO THE SAME.

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER AND/OR IGNITION IN MY 1998 F-150 FORD TRUCK. BEACH FORD IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC HAS REPLACED THE STARTER ABOUT 7 TIMES AND TODAY THE TRUCK LEFT ME STRANDED. *LA

SHIFT CYLINDER KEEPS GOING OUT CAUSING TRANSMISSION NOT TO SHIFTING OR TO SLIP. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE, COASTING ME A LOT OF MONEY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD GET IN AN INTERSECTION AND HESITATE, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *NLM

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR COVERING(SKIN) HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK AROUND THE CORNER OF THE WINDOW. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOW COVERING(SKIN) FLEX WHEN THE WINDOW IS CLOSED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE COVERING THAT COST $400. THIS DOESN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. *MR

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED LOWER BALL JOINT ON DRIVER'S SIDE FELL OFF. DEALER STATED NO RECALL, AND CALLED NHTSA.*AK

WE HAVE A 1998 FORD F150 THAT WAS PURCHASED IN 2001 EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. YESTERDAY THEY LOCKED UP PREMATURELY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT STARTED WITH A BURNING METAL SMELL & STARTED TO SHAKE & VIBRATE. WE COULDN'T GO OVER 40 MPH. IT'S QUITE FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP ON A NEARBY CORNER WHERE WE STOPPED, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BREAK PADS WERE FINE; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER WAS LOCKED UP. *LA

THE RIMS LEAKED AIR. CONSUMER PLACED THE WHEELS IN A CONTAINER OF WATER, AND WATCHED AS BUBBLES SEEPED FROM THE WELD SPOTS. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN INFORMED.*AK

PAINT PEELING ON ROOF WHERE ROOFLINE JOINES WITH WINDSHIELD, ALSO AT TOP OF DOOR AROUND RUBBER SEALS

PAINT SHOWING CROWSFOOT ALL OVER THE BODY, THIS VEHICLE CAME FROM KANSAS CITY PLANT WHERE THERE WAS A FAULT WITH THE PAINTING EQUIPMENT( A FACTORY DEFECT). FORD ASWELL AS THE DEALERSHIP ( FRANKLIN FORD,FRANKLIN N.C.)WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT. I NEED TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS EQUIPMENT FAULT, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME.

WHENEVER IT RAINS WATER LEAKS INTO THE BACK WINDOW OF VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND NO WARNING RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/70R16, DOT#UNKNOWN. MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE TIE RODS TO SHOOT THROUGH THE RIM. IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. *AK

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS. IF THE VEHICLE IS OVERLOADED, THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS CAN BE OVERSTRESSED. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE SPRING CAN OCCUR. THE CENTER LEAF OF THE SPRING CAN FRACTURE AT THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE SPRING SEAT AND, IN SOME CASES, CONTACT THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, MY FORD F150 BLEW THE #2 SPARKPLUG AND CYLINDER HEAD AT 25,000 MILES. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WITH THE SAME CYLINDER HEAD 60,000 MILES LATER. THE REPAIRS WILL COST ME $3000.00. FORD MOTOR CO. AT THIS TIME IS UNWILLING TO COVER THE REPAIRS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE 1998 TRITON V-8 ENGINES AS I AM SEEING ALOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS BEING FILED.*AK

DRIVER SIDE TORSION BAR SNAPPED ,CAUSING FRONT LEFT CORNER OF VEHICLE TO DROP UNEXPECTEDLY POSSIBLY DAMAGING SWAY BAR, SHOCK ABSORBER AND RELATED BUSHINGS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THERE IS NO COVERAGE, RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS THAT COVER DAMAGE/DEFECT. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES WITH EXPEDITION AND FORD MODELS. *AK

ON MONDAY AUGUST 11, 2003 I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE ON MY 1998 FORD F-150 PICKUP. I FOUND THAT GASOLINE WAS RUNNING ALONG THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME AND LEAKING RATHER HEAVILY ONTO THE PAYMENT. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO A NEARBY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTER FOR EXAMINATION. I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ADVISED THAT THE FUEL LINE HAD A CRACK AND WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE LEAKING FUEL. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE TECHNICAN THE CRACK APPEARED TO BE UNKNOWN INCLUDING ANY DAMAGE. I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURANCE WITH GEICO FOR THE $277.87 REPLACEMENT LINE. SINCE I HAD A $250.00 DEDUCTIBLE, THE COST WAS MOSTLY BORNE BY ME. THE OWNER OF THE SERVICE CENTER, SAID HE NEVER HAD A CRACKED FUEL LINE IN ALL HIS YEARS OF AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE. I ALSO IN MY 50 YEARS OF OWNING VEHICLES HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A INCIDENT. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS THE EXTRAORDINARY DANGER THIS TYPE OF LEAK COULD CAUSE A MOTORIST, WITH GASOLINE LEAKING ON TO THE PAYMENT. OBVIOUSLY A DISCARDED CIGARET OR OTHER IGNITION COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS FIRE AND PERHAPS INJURY OR DEATH.I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU ARE INTERESTED? I PLAN TO WRITE FORD, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE. SINCERELY, JOHN WATERS. *AK

1998 F-150 WITH 75000 MILES. SPARK PLUG #2 BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 30 MILES/HOUR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM FOR "BLOWN SPARK PLUG" THE NUMBER ONE HIT IS FOR WWW.F150ONLINE.COM A FORD ENTHUSIAST GROUP. THIS SITE, LINKS TO LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVIING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS AN APPARENT DESIGN FLAW IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. ONLY 6 THREADS ARE HOLDING THE SPARK PLUG IN PLACE. SINCE A BLOWN SPARK PLUG ALMOST ALWAYS RESULTS IN THE CYLINDER HEAD HAVING TO BE REPLACED. THE COST TO THE CONSUMER IS AROUND $2000 - $3000 DOLLARS. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AT A MINIMUM.

I HAVE A 1998 F150 I BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE BEEN A FORD PERSON FOR MANY YEARS BUT WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD UNTIL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSIONS ARE CORRECTED. AT 72,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. ($2,200), AT 92,000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IDLING WAS ROUGH BUT DROVE FINE. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC HE SAID TUNE-UP WOULD CORRECT IT. $400 LATER, STILL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IDLE ROUGH. IT JUST STOPPED AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. I'M HAVING TO REPLACE THE BLOCK ECT.. HAVING TO CONTINUE TO PAY A NICE VEHICLE PAYMENT EACH MONTH AND INSURANCE AND STILL NOT HAVING A VEHICLE TO DRIVE IS RIDICULOUS. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD!! KL. *LA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE FRONT TIE RODS FAILED. AS A RESULT, STEERING BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK