1998 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

SHEET METAL FATIGUES AND CRACKS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL TO THE OUTSIDE FROM STRESS FROM THE OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS. *AK

FRONT RIGHT TORSION BAR SNAPPED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. *AK

TURN SIGNAL WORKED AS EXPECTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS NEW,THEN SOON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BECAME SPORADIC AS TO WHEN IT WOULD WORK. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY COULD DISCOVER. HOWEVER,NOW THE RIGHT SIGNAL DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. I DON'T MEAN THE BULB-- I MEAN THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. LEFT WORKS FINE;RIGHT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO LET OTHER DRIVERS KNOW WHERE I'M GOING,COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *NM

SLAVE CYLINDER FAILURE, CAUSED EXCESSIVE CLUTCH WEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED UNLESS THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF

PREMATURE WEAR OF LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER ADDS BALL JOINTS FAILED AND FOUND OTHER MODEL YEARS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TT

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THE OWNER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TOP FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WIRE HAD A SHORT. HE DISCONNECTED IT TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGE.*AK *BF *NM

TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM LINKAGE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURED ON A SUCH A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE.*AK

FRONT END BRAKE AND TIE ROD END PROBLEMS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. *AK

WHILE PARKED NOTICED TIE ROD BROKE OFF.*AKCONSUMER WAS BACKING UP TO HOOK ON A TRAILER WHEN THE OUTER TIE ROD END ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FELL OFF. CONSUMER AUTOMATICALLY HAD BOTH RODS REPLACED. *JG

METAL STRESS TEAR IN BOTH DOORS. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT DOORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED THROUGH WELDING AND REINFORCEMENT.*AK

CONSUMER STATED WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE THERE WAS A NOISE, CONSUMER GOT OUT TO SEE IF HE HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING, BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, HE PUT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO REVERSE AND THAT IS WHEN HE LOST ALL STEERING, CONSUMER GOT OUT THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THAT IS WHEN HE NOTICED THE TIE ROD COME OFF AND WAS STICKING THROUGH THE WHEEL OF THE TRUCK.*AK *JB

WHILE BACKING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY, THE LEFT FRONT TIE ROD SEPARATED WHERE THE BALL MEETS THE CUP OR SOCKET. IT APPEARED TO CONSUMER THAT THE PORTION OF THE CUPS RIM THAT KEEPS THE BALL IN PLACE, WORE OUT, AND CAUSED THE ROD TO POP OUT AND WEDGE INTO THE WHEELS RIM. LOSING THE CAPABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS RUINING THE RIM. *SCC

FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS HT, P235/70R16, DOT UNKNOWN, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, FORD, F150 WITH 54000 MILES. PASSENGER FRONT TIRE IS SEPARATING WHERE TREAD MEETS SIDEWALL. PASSENGER REAR TIRE IS CRACKING ON SIDEWALL.*AKALL FOUR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO CRACKING AND FOR FEAR THAT THEY MAY ALSO SEPARATE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *JG

I HAVE DOOR CRACKS ON MY F150 TRUCK. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1997. MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE TRUCKS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *AK

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE. AFTER I GOT IT PARKED, I GOT OUT AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING. WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE, I TRIED TO BACK UP AND COULD NOT. SO I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AGAIN AND BOTH TIRES WERE FACING OUTWARD. THE TIE ROD HAD SNAPPED.*TS *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***763049

WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, TIE ROD BROKE ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE.*AK

TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE TRAVELING THE OHIO TURNPIKE. TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE LEFT FRONT TIE ROD BROKEN AND CAUSES LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

CHILD PASSENGER, IN THE EXTENDED CAB COMPLAINED OF THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENING. BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN UNLOCKED, BRUISING SHOULDER/NECK AND ABDOMEN AREA. SEAT BELT WAS CUT WITH A KNIFE. SUDDEN BRAKING OR IMPACT WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT TENSION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WILL REPLACE UNIT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS ACTUALLY CHOKING THE CHILD. *SLC

THE VEHICLE MADE A LOT OF GRINDING NOISES AND THE STEERING WAS INOPERABLE. UNBEKNOWEST TO CONSUMER ALL TIE RODS HAD BROKEN. *JG

THERE IS NO REASON A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE 3 TIE RODS CLOSE TO FAILURE AND ONE FAIL COMPLETELY. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALER AT FIRST THEY STATED THAT THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE TIE-ROD ENDS IT'S SO HIGH THEY CAN NOT KEEP THEM IN STOCK AT THE DEALER.... CALL ANY AUTO PARTS STORE DOWNRIVER THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THE 1997-98 F-150 HAVE A ABNORNALLY HIGH FAILURE RATE. MURRY'S AUTOZONE AND A&W AUTO ARE YET TO EVEN GET 1998 TIE ROD REPLACEMENT'S. THEY SAY DEALER ITEM ONLY.... IN CLOSING I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE'S I HAVE A ALMOST 3 YEAR OLD AND SAFETY IN JOB ONE WHEN IT COMES TO VEHICLE'S.. THANK YOU ... SAL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE DROPPED. DEALER DETERMINED THAT INNER TIE ROD HAD BROKEN.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED ALSO THIS HAPPENED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. DEALER HAS NOT IDENTIFIED OR CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *JB

DEALER REPORTS COOLANT LOSS INTO OIL SYSTEM, STATES CAUSE IS DEFECT IN TIMING CHAIN COVER OR INTAKE MANIFOLD, 1997 TRUCKS WITH SAME ENGINE EQUIPED WITH DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN COVER, FORD ISSUED SILENT RECALL TO DEALERS TO COVER COST OF REPAIRES FOR 1997 TRUCKS, FORD CLAIMES DEFECT CORRECTED FOR 1998 TRUCK, DEALER STATES THAT EVEN IF COVER IS DEFECTIVE, FORD WON'T COVER COSTS FOR REPAIRES, I WONDER IF FORD COMPLETLY CORRECTED TIMING CHAIN COVER PROBLEM.*JB

TIE ROD END CAME APART AT JOINT WHILE DRIVING ,LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WENT OFF RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD;THEN, COMPLETELY ACROSS THE ONCOMING LANE BEFORE STOPPING. I HAVE THE PART . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE WITH THIS TYPE OF TRUCK .*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A WET PAVEMENT CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED, AND VEHICLE TOTALED.*TT

HAIR LINE CRACKS ARE DEVELOPING OUTSIDE THE DRIVER'S DOOR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DOOR ON THE VEHICLE IS CRACKED BY THE WINDOW AND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ON ALL THE 97, 98, AND 99 FORD HALF TONS. *SCC

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHICH IS WHEN TIE ROD BROKE IN HALF. *AK MECHANIC PULLED VEHICLE IN AND THAT IS WHEN THE TIE ROD BROKE IN HALF, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE. JLG

BENDER FLOW CASE ON THE VEHICLE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND CASE IS STUCK. CONSUMER GETS HOT AIR, AND NOT COOL AIR. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

FRONT LEFT TIE ROD END BROKE WHILE BACKING INTO DRIVEWAY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK *YH

WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE ROD END BROKE, VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND SHIMMERING. THE TIRE ROD FELL OFF RIM AND CUT A GROOVE IN RIM.*JB *YD

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH DRIVE SIDE TIE ROD BROKE, AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIE RODS. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD END WAS BROKEN, ALSO THE PASSENGERS INNER SIDES WERE LOOSE. *YH

EA 02 001/STEERING COLUMN: STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED .THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

FELT CHANGE IN FRONT END HANDLING AT INTERSTATE SPEED. STOPPED AND NOTED TREAD SEPARATION. STEEL BELT WIRES PROTRUDING THROUGH TREAD AND SIGNIFICANT DEFORMITY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE, MECHANIC DETERMINED THE INNER TIE ROD HAD BROKEN. TIE ROD HAD ALSO BROKEN 2 YEARS AGO. NLM

WHILE THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE VEHICLE LOCKED AND THE KEYS IN THE HOUSE THE TRUCK STARTER CRANKED OVER WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN 1ST GEAR AND RAN INTO MY PORCH, I RAN OUT TO STOP THE TRUCK AND I HAD TO JUMP OVER THE BROKEN RAILING AND WHEN I DID I SERVERLY SPRAINED MY ANKEL WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT FRONT TORSION BAR SNAPPED DURING REGULAR DRIVING. *TT

CONSUMER NOTICED A BUBBLE IN MIDDLE OF THE TIRE ON A 1998, FORD, F150, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P235/70R16, DOT# A308443268. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. THE SLAVE CYLINDER INTO THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

AROUND FEB 2002 MY 1998 F-150 BURNED UP WHILE OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY OF MY FLORIDA HOME. I HAD JUST COME IN AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE 3 OR 4 MINUTES BEFORE WHEN I HAD COME OUTSIDE TO OF ALL THINGS USE THE GARDEN HOSE AND LOOKED OVER TO SEE MY THE RIGHT SIDE (WHEN VIEWED FROM T HE FRONT) OF THE HOOD ON FIRE. I TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AS I CALLED 911. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT TO JUST THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED. THE INVESTIGATORS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE AND WE MOVED ON WITH OUR LIVES. ONLY RECENTLY DID I LEARN OF THE RECALL THAT RELATES TO THE CRUISE CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE. I REALIZE THAT AT THIS POINT I PROBABLY HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE AGAINST FORD EXCEPT TO HELP THE GOVERNMENT TAKE NECESSARY ACTION AGAINST THEM. APPARENTLY ACCORDING TO THE WSBTV.COM WEBSITE (ABC IN ATLANTA) FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN 1999 AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND I RECEIVED A FRACTION OF THE MONEY I SHOULD HAVE FOR THE TRUCK AND MY BELONGINGS THAT WERE DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. ALSO I BELIEVE THAT MY INSURANCE WENT UP DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

REAR WINDOW IS LEAKING. ALL AROUND WINDOW FRAME HAS CRACKED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE SLID INTO A DITCH, NO INJURIES, MINOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK

GLUE ON OUTSIDE MIRROR IS BLEEDING THROUGH GLASS. THIS IS CAUSING A DISTORTION TO DRIVERS VISIBILITY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CRACKS HAVE FORMED IN THE BOTH DOORS OF MY 1998 F150 XLT AT THE BASE OF THE WINDOW. MY CONCERN IS FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE DOOR AND THE RESULTANT RUSTING THAT MAY OCCUR. ALSO, BOTH WINDOWS DON'T OPERATE PROPERLY....AS THEY DON'T MOVE UP AND DOWN FREELY. I HAVE SEEN THE SAME CRACKS ON SEVERAL OTHER F150S IN RECENT MONTHS.

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A STEERING PROBLEM, WHEN HE REALIZED THAT HE COULD NOT STEER, HE LET THE WHEEL GO AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP, CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE TIRE WAS FLAT ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND THE TIE ROD WAS JAMMED IN THE WHEEL RIM AND SHREDDED, THE INSIDE OF THE RIM DEFLATED THE TIRE, THE TIE ROD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BALL JOINT, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH OUTER TIE RODS AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS.*JB

ONE OF FIVE 1997-1998 FORD F-150 PICKUP TRUCKS OWNED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTAION WHICH HAVE HAD TIE ROD FAILURES AFTER REACHING 75K MILES OR MORE

CRACK IN DOOR METAL NEXT TO DRIVER'S WINDOW. *AK

FILLER NECK CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY OR REPAIRED IT FOR FREE AND THIS IS A SAFETY/EMISSIONS PROBLEM AND NOT SOMETHING CAUSED BY THE OWNER.*AK

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN CONSUMER TAPPED THE BRAKES AND FELT ABS COMING ON, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT SLOWDOWN, HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP, IT USUALLY HAPPENS WITH A HARD TURN, CONSUMER FELT THAT IF IT HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET SOMEONE COULD HAD BEEN INJURED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIRES WHICH ARE GOING FROM BRAKE TO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE, WERE GIVING A FALSE READING OF A TIRE LOCK UP. *YD