1998 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES APPROXIMATELY JUNE 2006 FROM NTB. ONE YEAR LATER HAD BLOW-OUT AND PURCHASED NEW TIRE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER HAD 3 FLAT TIRES AND NTB SAID THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT THE BLOW-OUT THAT I HAD WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM, BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO PROVE. *TR

TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT1998 FORD F-150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 6 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IN A WRITTEN REPORT THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL #05V388000 CONCERNING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL IN DECEMBERB 2005 ,AND THEY STATED TO COME BACK IN FEBRUARY 2006 WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT NEVER WENT BACK BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME.*AK

FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTING THROUGH AND FUEL TANK FALLING FROM VEHICLE. *NM

POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT AT/OR NEAR THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH. MOST NOTICEABLE AT COLD START, AND COMING FROM UNDER/INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER COVER CASTING. WITH THIS MAKE & MODEL, YEAR, THE HAZARD SWITCH IS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER COVER CASTING. ALTHOUGH I HAVE YET TO SEE ANY SMOKE, THERE IS A MORE THAN SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ELECTRICAL SHORTING NOISE COMING FROM WITHIN THE COLUMN ITSELF. DUE TO THE FACT THAT I CANNOT REMOVE THE COVER MYSELF TO TARGET LOCATE THE ISSUE, I HAVE LEFT IT UP TO A FEW MECHANICS AND DEALERS, BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE (PROBABLY BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS WARMED UP BY THE TIME I GET IT TO A DEALER) ISSUE USUALLY IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT COLD START, AND MORE AGGRESSIVELY WHEN OUTSIDE/INSIDE CAB TEMPS ARE AT OR BELOW FREEZING, BUT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE DURING WARMER WEATHER. I CAN GET THE SOUND/NOISE OF THE ELECTRICAL SHORT TO STOP BY TOUCHING OR ENGAGING THE HAZARD SWITCH A FEW TIMES. AND USUALLY WHEN THE ISSUE STARTS THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WILL IMMEDIATELY FLASH SUPER FAST AT THE SAME TIME, ALL ON ITS OWN, WITHOUT ME ENGAGING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. WHEN THE TEMPS REACH AROUND OR BELOW ZERO OUTSIDE, IT'S MORE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET THIS ISSUE TO STOP, THEN I HAVE TO RESORT TO PULLING IN THE STEERING WHEEL LEVER AND PHYSICALLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL UP & DOWN BY HAND. SOMETIMES WHILE AT A STANDSTILL AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION. IT ALMOST SEEMS THE COLDER AND MORE STIFF THE WIRES ARE INSIDE THE COLUMN, THE MORE AGGRESSIVE THIS ISSUE IS. IT SOMETIMES FRIGHTENED ME BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT IT'S GOING TO CATCH FIRE IF I CAN'T GET IT TO STOP SHORTING OUT IN TIME. IT SEEMS LIKE TWO WIRES ARE COMING IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER OR ONE WIRE MAY BE RUBBING UP AGAINST METAL OR SOMETHING IT'S NOT DESIGNED TO. I'M LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER AND VIABLE SOLUTION TO THIS POSSIBLE DANGER. FORD HAS NO ANSWERS YET. *TR

NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE;SUDDEN FAILURE OF SPARE TIRE RETAINING CABLE ON PERSONAL TRUCK. CABLE SNAPPED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM ITS STOWED POSITION BENEATH THE TRUCK. THIS CAUSED THE TRUCK TO BECOME AIRBORNE BRIEFLY AS THE SPARE TIRE CAUGHT THE REAR BUMPER AND LIFTED IT. HAD THE SPARE TIRE NOT BEEN ADDITIONALLY SECURED BY AN ANTI-THEFT CABLE THE TIRE WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE BEEN SENT INTO OTHER TRAFFIC BEHIND ME OR IN THE ONCOMING LANE. NEW TIRE WAS PURCHASED BY ME BUT NO OTHER CORRECTIVE ACTION;DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE SNUG TOP COVER THAT IS USED TO SECURE THE CARGO AREA FELL DOWN THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. HE FELT THAT THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE FALLEN ON HIS HEAD. THE CURRENT MILEAGES IS 45,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB

AS I SLEPT THIS PAST SATURDAY MORNING (11/18/2006), MY 1998 F-150 PICK-UP BURNED TO THE GROUND ABOUT 4:00AM. THIS WAS MY SECOND FORD PICK-UP OWNED, AND I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH FORD UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. MY TRUCK WAS PAID FOR AND I WAS COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH IT. I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE UNTIL I HEAR FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY, WHOM SAYS I DIDN'T HAVE ANY RENTAL CAR COVERAGE ON MY POLICY. I HAVE HAD TO MISS THIS WEEK IN WORK WAGES DUE TO NO WAY TO GET TO MY JOB 30 MINUTES AWAY, AND WILL BE FORCED TO MISS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WITH MY FAMILY IN ARKANSAS. CAN FORD REIMBURSE ME FOR ANY OF MY LOST WORK WAGES OR A REBATE OFF A NEW PURCHASE? I REALLY FEEL THAT DUE TO A MAJOR FAULT BY FORD, THAT THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE ME WITH A VEHICLE TO DRIVE SO THAT I CAN GET TO WORK. I AM CURRENTLY STUCK AND MISERABLE, AND DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS FAIR FOR ME TO HAVE TO SUFFER ONE MORE DAY BECAUSE I PUT MY TRUST IN FORD MOTOR CO. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD AT LEAST DO SOMETHING ON THEIR PART, TO MAKE THIS RIGHT! REGARDS, SCOTT HOWARD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE RETURNING TO THE PARKED VEHICLE, A FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AT THE SERVICE STATION WHERE THE VEHICLE'S GAS WAS FILLED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER # 05V388000 BUT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO REFUSED TO COVER THE REQUIRED REPAIRS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HONOR THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE FIRE. UPDATED 11/20/06. *JB

I AM ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF FORD CUSTOMERS WITH A F150 4.2L V6 1998 THAT HAVE A BLOWN ENGINE BECAUSE OF A LEAKY GASKET. MY TRUCK HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT, BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALER IN '05 WITH 72,000 MILES ON IT. RAN GREAT UNTIL I WENT TO START IT IN THE MORNING ONE DAY AND WHITE SMOKE POURED OUT THE TAIL PIPE AND IT KNOCKED LIKE CRAZY. I HAVE BEEN SAVING FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF TO GET ENOUGH MONEY TO FIX IT, WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT STRETCHES ACROSS THE BOARD. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WINDOW LEAKED WHEN IT RAINED CAUSING THE REAR SEAT TO BECOME WET. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO TURN OFF WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END AS THE VEHICLE TRAVELED 10 MPH. THE REAR END WAS REPLACED 1 YEARS AGO INCLUDING THE SUSPENSION, REAR AXLE, CHASSIS, RINGS, PINS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.

FORD 150 HAD BEEN SITTING IDLE ALL DAY, LAST DRIVEN AT 9 A.M. TO GO TO GROCERY STORE. AT APPROX. 5:15 P.M. ON 10/14/06, A NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON DOOR AND ASKED IF THAT WAS MY TRUCK ON FIRE. PERSON WALKING DOWN STREET SAID HE LOOKED OVER AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. BY TIME I GOT OUTSIDE TO TRUCK, FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. ENTIRE ENGINE, TIRES, WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CAR TOWED TO SALVAGE YARD. FIRE DEPT. INFORMED ME THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR SOME F150'S AND SUGGESTED I LOOK TO SEE IF THE MODEL HAD BEEN RECALLED. FORD WEBSITE INDICATES THAT MY VIN# IS A RECALL. FORD CLOSED AT TIME OF INCIDENT. ALSO, FORD CLOSED ON SUNDAY. FORD WILL BE CONTACTED MONDAY MORNING 10/16/06.

1998 4.2L V6 FORD ENGINE COOLANT LEAK IN ENGINE CAUSING HYPERLOCK AND BLOW A ROD NEED TO REPLACE ENGINE. *NM

I HAVE A 98 FORD F150 4X4 WITH 51000 MILES ON IT. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE SWOLLEN WITH RUST WHERE AN OUTER RUBBER SLEEVE COVERS THE STEEL TO RUBBER CONNECTION. UPON INSPECTION THE LINE CAME APART. RUST WAS ALL THAT WAS KEEPING IT TOGETHER. I REPLACED THE LINES MYSELF AND I STILL HAVE THE OLD ONES. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THE DESIGN IS FAULTY; THE OUTER SLEEVE RETAINS MOISTURE ALLOWING THE CONNECTION TO RUST AWAY PREMATURELY. MY BIG CONCERN IS THAT I SHOWED THE PROBLEM TO TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE ADVISORS AT TWO AREA FORD DEALERS AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT FORD BY EMAIL TWICE AND I DON'T GET A RESPONSE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LOUD POP SOUND WAS HEARD AND A PISTON OR ROD STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE RADIATOR BELT, INSPECTED THE WATER PUMP, CHECKED THE PLUGS, THEN NOTICED LIQUID COMING FROM THE EXHAUST INCLUDING ANTI-FREEZE. A LOCAL PARTS STORE INFORMED THE CONTACT OF HYDRO LOCK PROBLEMS WITH THAT ENGINE. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA.

1998 FORD F-150 4.2L V-6 125,000 MILES . NO KNOWN EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. IMMEDIATE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE , BROKEN CONNECTING ROD, DUE TO HYDRAULIC LOCK, WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT TECHNICAL BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WHICH INDICATED THAT AN IMPROPER GASKET WAS USED TO SEAL THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FROM COOLANT WHICH ALLOWED THE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, CAUSING THIS FAILURE . ONE KNOWN IS AERA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE AND ISSUED BY JASPER ENGINES. *AK ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED. ENGINE WAS REPLACED

FIRE, TOTAL LOSS TO FORD F150 PICKUP. PICKUP SAT IN DRIVEWAY FOR 4 HOURS SINCE DRIVEN AND CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND SAID IT WAS EITHER ELECTRICAL OR ENGINE RELATED. *NM

SPITTING OUT SPARK PLUGS. *JB

VEHICLE BLEW OUT THE #3 PASSENGER SIDE SPARK PLUG. REPAIR OPTION IS TO REPLACE CYLINDER HEAD $3500 OR USE HELICOIL REPAIR TO THE INDIVIDUAL CYLINDER. BLOWN SPARK PLUGS ON TH 5.4 TRITION IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND I'M SHOCKED THAT FORD IS NOT COVERING THIS PROBLEM. I TOO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE COVERED UP THIS PROBLEM BY A RE-DESIGN THAT CORRECTED THE DESIGN FLAW IN LATER VEHICLES. *NM

ROD THROUGH ENGINE WALL. MILEAGE 102M. *NM

ENGINE HARD TO START,SMOKED AFTER IT DID, GASKET FAILURE CYLINDER FILLED WITH COOLANT CAUSING CONNECTING ROD TO BEND OR BREAK. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHTS WONT SHUT OFF AND ALSO BACK BED LIGHT, HAVE TO SLAM DOOR SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE LIGHT WILL GO OUT. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARSHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAYED THE WRONG INDICATION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL NUMBER # 97V171000, PERTAINING TO THE GEAR POSITION INDICATION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CONTACT'S FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE CONTACT WAS HOSPITALIZED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

1) ROUGH IDLE, WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST PIPE, FAILURE OF BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. 2) HYDRO-LOCKED ENGINE, UN-REPAIRABLE ENGINE DAMAGE. 3) QUOTED $3500 FOR REBUILT ENGINE, NO ACTION YET TAKEN. *JB

NOTHING TO WARN ME OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. THE SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED CAUSING THE SPARE TO DROP, FLIPPING UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER-IN-TOW, CAUSING THE TRAILER TO BUCK. FORTUNATELY, THE TRAILER RECOVERED AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED WITH SOMEONE BEHIND ME AND WHILE CARRYING A LOAD, IT COULD HAVE TURNED FATAL. THE FAILING PART, THE SPARE TIRE WINCH, HAS BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE COUNTED A MINIMUM OF 10 OTHER REPORTS ON THIS SITE OF THIS FAILURE. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *NM

1998 FORD F-150 4.2L HYDROLOCK ISSUE. ANTIFREEZE IN THE #1 CYLINDER. MANUFACTURING DEFECT NOT COVERED BY FORD. ENGINE USELESS UNTIL REPAIRED DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AT THE FACTORY. NEED TO REPAIR ENGINE. *NM

I OWNED AND OPERATED A 1998 FORD F150. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IN SEPTEMBER, 2005 AS THE FAULTY SWITCH HAS BEEN LINKED TO FIRES IN F150 TRUCKS. IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A DEALER SO THEY COULD PERFORM THE MODIFICATION TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHICH THEY DID COMPLETE. IT APPEARS FORD'S FIX IS NOT WORKING. MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE 6/15/06 AFTER I HAD DRIVEN IT TO WORK. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE FIRE HAS DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. I REQUEST THAT ONE OF YOUR EXPERTS COME OUT AND INSPECT MY TRUCK. IT IS CLEAR FROM THE INFORMATION I HAVE GATHERED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW IF THE FORD'S RECALL AND SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY WORKING OR NOT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE FRONT SIDE OF THE GASOLINE TANK FELL DOWN TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND A REPLACEMENT STRAP FOR THE FUEL TANK WAS ORDERED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. 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). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A BANGING NOISE. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE WAS BROKEN AND SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE IDLED LOUDLY AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON NORMAL ROADS DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RETAINING CLIP DUE TO A RECALL NHTSA # 98V192000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE BECAME ERRATIC. THE PROBLEM WORSENED RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SHAFT HAD DETACHED FROM THE GEAR BOX. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 03V196000 ON THE 1997 MODEL YEAR OF THE SAME VEHICLE.

1998 FORD F-150 4.2L V6 ENGINE, ENGINE HAS BURNED COOLANT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, ENGINE RECENTLY STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, TWO MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD PISTON AND THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

I HAVE A 1998 FORD F150 WITH A 4.2 V6 I PARKED IT TWO DAYS. LATER I WENT TO CRANK IT (IT WAS LOCKUP) I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT WAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ON THIS MODEL ENGINE AND FORD NEW ABOUT IT BUT WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. ITS SO BAD MY LOCAL JUNK YARDS WILL NOT EVEN CARRY THE 4.2 V6 USED ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE LEAKING HEAD GASKET I AM ON A FIX INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX MY TRUCK THAT I THOUGH WOULD LAST SEVERAL YEARS. *JB

1-DRIVING ON HIGHWAY-HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CHANGED LANES 2-TIE ROD END SEPARATED, CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL, SWERVED INTO BREAKDOWN LANE 3-TRUCK WAS DELIVERED TO REPAIR STATION, TIE ROD END NEEDED REPLACEMENT **THIS IS THE SECOND TIE ROD THAT HAS FAILED IN THIS TRUCK WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AS WELL AND WAS ACTUALLY WORSE AT SLOWER SPEED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT 10 MPH, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THE FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE TWO OF THREE FUEL TANK BANDS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. THIS VEHICLE WAS LOCATED IN A SALT BELT STATE. UPDATED 05/04/06

CRACKS IN DOORS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 2 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IN A WRITTEN REPORT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE. EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATED AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. ADDITIONALLY, A PRIVATE FIRE INVESTIGATOR WAS HIRED TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT AND CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION AS THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NHTSA #05V388000 CONCERNING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH PRIOR TO THE FIRE. SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS WERE CONTACTED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REMEDY. THE DEALER'S ASKED THE CONTACT NOT BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY WHEN RECALL PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS NOT DISCONNECTED IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS IN WORKING ORDER. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO FOR UNRELATED PROBLEMS. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

1998 F150 TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD MINOR DAMAGE WHEN HE GRAZED THE MEDIAN WALL. *JB UPDATED 03/08/06

FORD F150 1998 4WD 4.2L ENGINE 102,0000 MILES - WHEN STARTING TRUCK ENGINE IT WOULD RUN ROUGH THEN SMOOTH OUT. TODAY I HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND. NOW IT DOESN'T START AT ALL. AFTER CHECKING SEVERAL WEB SITES I REALIZED MY TROUBLE IS NOT UNIQUE. LOOKED AROUND THE INTERNET BUT NEVER FOUND A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD RELATING TO THIS ISSUE. FURTHER RESEARCH SEEMS TO IMPLY A MAJOR DEFECT THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT FROM CLOSE TO THE BEGINNING OF MANUFACTURING WHICH THEY NEVER HAVE DONE ANYTHING ABOUT. ACCORDING TO A COUPLE OF WEB FORUM SITES, FORD PUT OUT TWO TECHNICAL BULLETINS TO THEIR SERVICE PEOPLE BUT NOT TO THE END USERS/BUYERS (TSB #99-20-7) (FOLLOW UP TSB #99B209) THAT PRETTY MUCH ADMITTED THERE WAS A FAULT WITH A GASKET AND COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE, AS MINE SEEMS TO HAVE DONE. THE RESOLUTION IS FOR THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO STAND BEHIND THEIR FAULTY MANUFACTURING & FIX THEIR ERRORS. *NM

1998 FORD F-150; FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEXT TO THE FIREWALL AREA. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR, BUT IT SAID PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR UNTIL AFTER FEBRUARY 2006. FIRE MARSHALL OF CYPRESS CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT WAS AT THE SEEN AND WROTE A REPORT. *NM

(1) CAR WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING LIKE A DEAD BATTERY. I JUMPED THE CAR AND HEARD A LOUD CLATTERING SOUND FROM ENGINE. (2) LEAKING FRONT COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS IN A 4.2 L V-6 ENGINES CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. (3) CURRENTLY REPLACING ENGINE.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ONTO THE HEADS AND THE BOLTS HAS RUSTED. THE FAILURE HAS RESULTED IN AN EXHAUST LEAK, WHICH HAS BEGUN TO LEAK INTO THE CAP OF HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE BOLTS MUST BE DRILLED OUT IN ORDER TO BE REMOVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 88,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE IS STRETCHED OUT AND WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE IN PLACE. THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OFF OF A JACK WHILE A TIRE WAS BEING CHANGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ALSO, THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE, AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS.*AK UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION INDICATOR KEPT THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION. ALSO, HE STATED THAT WHEN THE INDICATOR WAS IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION IT READ A DIFFERENT GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL . THE CONTACT FELT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.*AK UPDATED 05/04/07. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO PROBLEMS, A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V388000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

ON MONDAY DEC 19 2005 WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND GRANDDAUGHTER, AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 1998 FORD F150 VIN: [XXX]. SMOKE CAME OUT THE HOOD AND THROUGH THE AIR VENTS INTO THE CAB. THE FORD DEALER SAID THE PLASTIC PLENUM IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED ALLOWING RAW GASOLINE TO ENTER WHERE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE AND EXPLODED. THEY REPLACED THE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY WITH THE NEW STYLE ALUMINUM MANIFOLD AND PLENUM. THIS COST ALMOST $1,100.00. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT FORD SETTLED A LAWSUIT 12/16/2005 IN WHICH THE PLASTIC PLENUMS CRACKED. BUT THIS ONLY COVERS A SMALL NUMBER OF FORD CARS AND NOT TRUCKS. THE DEALER SERVICE MGR TOLD ME THAT FORD HAS DEVELOPED A NEW ALUMINUM PLENUM THAT REPLACES THE OLD PLASTIC ONE AND I SHOULD HAVE NO MORE TROUBLE. MY QUESTION IS WHY I CANNOT BE REIMBURSED FOR A PLASTIC PLENUM THAT CRACKED, THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THEY ARE BAD, AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I AM ONE OF MANY OWNERS OF THE FORD F-150 4.2 ENGINE TRUCKS (OURS IS A 1998) THAT HAS ENCOUNTERED ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE DUE TO LEAKING HEAD GASKET. IT APPEARS FROM INFORMATION GATHERED FROM NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND FROM SPEAKING TO OTHERS THAT THIS IS A VERY OBVIOUS AND COMMON ISSUE THAT FORD HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE. WE ARE ASKING THAT YOUR AGENCY TAKE ACTION TO HELP INITIATE A CLASS-ACTION SUIT OR SOME HOW FORCE FORD TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. *JB

FAULTY FORD F150 4.2 6 CYL ENG LOWER MANIFOLD GASKET. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V3880000. CONCERNING CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER, JUST T TO HE DEALERSHIP. *AK

I HAVE A 1998 FORD F-150 4.2 V6 4X4 TRUCK, WHICH HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANIC HOW NOTORIOUS THIS MOTOR IS FOR THE PROBLEM THAT HAS ERUPTED WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OR ACTION. THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A LOUD- KNOCKING SOUND ONE MORNING IMMEDIATELY AFTER I STARTED THE TRUCK FOR WORK. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED TO ME THAT FORD HAD A BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH ALLOWED COOLANT(ANTI-FREEZE) TO LEAK INTO THE OIL AND SPARK-PLUGS CAUSING THIS LOUD-KNOCKING NOISE WHICH IS A SPUN ROD BEARING. I KEEP REGULAR CHECK-UPS ON ALL ASPECTS(OIL LEVEL,COOLANT,ETC.) IF IT WERE A PROBLEM THAT I CAUSED, I WOULD ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS NOT MY LACK OF MAINTENANCE , BUT A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG THE 4.2 V6 FORD MOTOR. FORD MOTOR CO. HAS MADE MY LIFE PURE HELL. I DO NOT HAVE $4,$5 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE THEIR MISTAKE. I NOW STRUGGLE TO KEEP A JOB AND MAKE PAYMENT ON A VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T RUN. ALSO,MY WIFE AND KID WHO DEPEND ON DADDY ARE READY TO LEAVE HOME BECAUSE HE IS A FAILURE( NO VEHICLE+NO MONEY=DIVORCE) ( NO TRUCK=NO JOB) !!!! ENOUGH OF MY PROBLEMS, BUT I'M NOW READY TO START LOSING WHAT MEANS MORE THAN ANYTHING IN LIFE TO ME AND THAT IS MY FAMILY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM BY SPEAKING WITH FORD MECHANICS ,REVIEWING WEBSITES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. FORD HAS FAILED AND NOW THIS INTERNAL DAMAGE IS LEADING TO MY PERSONAL LIFE. I'M GOING TO LOSE EVERYTHING. I HOPE YOU WILL HELP ME AND THE OTHER THOUSANDS OF 4.2 V6 OWNERS WHO DESPERATELY NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE! THANK YOU!! PS. I HOPE ONE DAY THE OWNER OF FORD,CAN SLEEP KNOWING MY LITTLE GIRL/WIFE WILL NOT ENJOY CHRISTMAS AS A FAMILY DUE TO HIS GREED TO FIX THIS ERROR ON HIS BEHALF. EVER SPEND CHRISTMAS MORNING BY YOUR(LONESOME)SELF MR. FORD? MERRY CHRISTMAS. *JB

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY 1998 FORD F-150 HAD STEAMY WHITE EXHAUST UPON START AND IT WOULD LAST UNTIL SUFFICIENT WARM-UP. AT THAT POINT, I DID NOT THINK ABOUT IT MUCH. AT ANY RATE, I WENT OUT OF TOWN FOR TWO WEEKS AND UPON MY RETURN FROM MY TRIP, I GOT IN MY TRUCK AND TRIED TO START IT AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY SO, I TRIED TO JUMP START IT TO NO AVAIL. NEXT, I TRIED PUSH STARTING IT AND INITIALLY THE WHEELS LOCKED UP BUT EVENTUALLY IT STARTED. FROM THAT POINT IT WAS FINE HOWEVER, IT WASN'T UNTIL FRIDAY THAT I TRIED TO START IT AND AGAIN IT WAS HARD TO START. WHEN IT DID IT STARTED RATTLING INDICATING A POSSIBLE BENT PUSH ROD. UPON CALLING AN ENGINE MECHANIC, HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RISE IN 4.2 LITER V-6 ENGINE FAILURES BECAUSE OF A KNOWN DEFECT. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT I STARTED DOING INTERNET RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS TSB 99-20-7 AND ONP 99B29. AT THIS POINT, MY TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP BEING DIAGNOSED AND I'M SURE THE MECHANIC IS GOING TO TELL ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE. *JB