1996 Ford F-350 Complaint Log

PE00020; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 1996 FORD, E350 CHASSIS, DUTCHMEN CLASS C, TIRE SIZE LT22575R16, DOT VD1W1XB435. PASSENGER'S INSIDE TIRE, A FOOT LONG TREAD PEELED OFF WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *AK WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARTED AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT. AS THE RESULT, THE RIGHT MUD FLAP WAS TORN OFF. THE TIRE THAT BLEW WAS FIRESTONE STEEL TEX RADIAL. *YH

IT HAPPNED ON A DUAL WHEEL, SO DID NOT HAVE MUCH TROUBLE KEEPING IT UNDER CONTROL. *AK (TIRESIZE: 225/75/R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/75/R16 )

THIS 16 INCH TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE IN AZ ON A TRIP. IT WAS ON A 1996 MOTORHOME WITH A FORD CHASSIS. THERE WAS 5/16 INCHES LEFT OF TIRE WEAR. THE TREAD PEELED OF JUST AS SHOWN ON TV. I HAVE THE TIRE. I HAVE WRITTEN TO FIRESTONE ONLY TO GET A CANNED REPLY. I KNOW THIS IS A 16 INCH TIRE AND THE RECALL IS FOR 15 INCH TIRES. BUT I FEEL THAT BECAUSE THE SAME IS HAPPENING UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AS THE 15 INCH, IT DESRERVES CONSIDERATION. THIS WAS A MOTORHOME AND NOT A SUV EITHER. THAT WOULD BE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE THAT THE TIRE IS THE PROBLEM AND NOT THE CAR!*AK( DOT NUMBER: 25582URBD9 TIRE SIZE: LT225/7516 )

WHEN FRONT TIRE CAME APART , ALMOST WENT INTO A 15 FOOT DITCH .IT COULD HAVE VERY BAD!*AK (TIRESIZE: 225/75/R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/75/R16 )

I WAS TRAVELLING EASTBOUND ON ROUTE 2 IN CONNECTICUT WHEN MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE FELL APART. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE BODY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE TIRES LISTED ON RECENT NEWS REPORTS, HOWEVER, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY TIRE AS THE ONES SEEN ON NEWS REPORTS. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER IN ENFIELD, CONNECTICUT WHO STATED TO ME THAT THE A/T TIRE WAS NOT IN QUESTION AND THEREFORE THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. I REITTERATED TO HIM THAT THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN SEEN ON NEWS REPORTS. ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2000, I PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES FROM SEARS. I SHOWED THE MANAGER THE TIRE IN QUESTION AND HE STATED THAT IT WAS INDEED TIRE TREAD SEPARATION AND THAT IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. EVEN THOUGH THESE ARE NOT THE TIRES LISTED, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT A DEFECT EXISTS WITH THESE ALSO AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME SHOULD YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION OR WISH TO VIEW THE TIRE. THANK YOU. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23585R16E )

I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET A PHONE CALL THRU TO FIRESTONE, THE EMAIL DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY INTELLIGENCE ON THE OTHER END. I AM HOPEFUL THAT SOONER OR LATER PREF SOONER, I WILL GET MY DAY IN THE SUN. 73, NMC( DOT NUMBER: VDOR???445 TIRE SIZE: LT235/85R1 )

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 10 AT 63-65MPH WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED, WRAPPED AROUND MY REAR AXEL, BENT BRAKE CABLE, TORE FENDER SKIRTS, BENT FENDER SUPPORTS, CHIPPED PAINT, BENT FENDER, TRIM PIECES. TIRE STEEL BELTS ONLY SURFACE TO DRIVE ON, MAKING TRUCK INOPERABLE. DID NOT TURN OVER, BUT HAD I BEEN ON MY USUAL ROUTE THROUGH MOUNTAIN CURVES, WOULD HAVE GONE OVER THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. CONCERN THAT 16 INCH TIRES ARE NOT BEING LOOKED AT. DO NOT FEEL SAFE. FIRESTONE BLAMING FORD EXPLORER. MY VEHICLE NOT A FORD EXPLORER. IT IS A TIRE DEFECT. WANT RECALL OF 16 INCH TIRES ALSO. FIRESTONE A HAZARD TO EVERY OWNER. I TELL EVERYONE WHO HAS FIRESTONE TIRES TO GET RID OF THEM. MANY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT. YOU MUST HAVE THESE TIRES REPLACED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VNOR 1WW TIRESIZE: LT23585R16)

FUEL LEAK, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HOUSING, FUEL HEATER THERMOSTAT REPLACED 6/12/00. NEEDS FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS AND NEW FUEL FILTER. ESTIMATE $690.00 HOOKS FORD COMMENTED THIS IS A "COMMON" PROBLEM FOR THESE TRUCKS BECAUSE OF THE POLYURETHANE SEALS. FORD IS NO LONGER USING THE POLYURETHANE SEALS. THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSING OIL TO LEAK INTO THE GAS LINE. IS THIS A DRIVING OR EPA HAZARD?

I PURCHASED A SET OF BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T 691 SIZE 33X12.50 16.5 "D" TIRES FOR MY FORD PICKUP. THEY WERE ABOUT HALF WORN WHEN WE WENT ON VACATION THIS SPRING. I CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE BEFORE LEAVING. WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT REAR TIRE LITERALLY BLEW APART. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS ON THE RIM AND HAD SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK. I HAD TO PURCHASE A USED TIRE FOR A SPARE TO GET BACK HOME. WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS, ONE OF THE OTHER TIRES STARTED SEPARATING AND I GOT A LARGE BUBBLE IN THE TREAD. I STARTED TO THE TIRE DEALER AND YET ANOTHER TIRE STARTED SEPARATING AND ANOTHER LARGE BUBBLE. I HAD TO GO BACK HOME AT 10 MPH. I TOOK THE TIRES OFF AND TOOK THEM TO A FIRESTONE STORE IN ROSEVILLE, CA. I SPOKE TO ROYCE WISE (MANAGING PARTNER) AND HE TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES GIVING ME AN ALLOWANCE FOR THE TREAD WEAR. I AGREED AND ALL SEEMED OK UNTIL MR. WISE FOUND THAT FIRESTONE NO LONGER MADE TIRES OF THAT SIZE. HE THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD OR WOULD DO ABOUT THE TIRES. I ASKED HIM WHO I COULD CONTACT AT FIRESTONE AND HE GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE (916) 486-3852. WHEN I CALL THE NUMBER I GET A RECORDING TO LEAVE A MESSAGE WHICH I HAVE DONE ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS NOW AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK. IT IS OBVIOUS I AM NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH THIS COMPLAINT. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW WHEEL AND SET OF GOODYEAR TIRES FOR MY TRUCK. I HAVE KEPT THE REMAINING THREE TIRES FOR EVIDENCE. I HAVE SENT COMPLAINTS TO FIRESTONE OVER A MONTH AGO AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO RECONCILE THIS PROBLEM, COULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF A LOCAL FIRESTONE REPRESENTATIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO SETTLE THIS MATTER IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT IF POSSIBLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: EJYCCFN435 TIRE SIZE: 33X12.5165 )

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING DOORS NOT TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OCCUPATNS MAY BE TRAPPED INSIDE OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TURNED THE IGNITION, THERE WAS A DISINCT BURNING SMELL AND THE WIRING HARNESSES IN THE TRUCK WAS SHORTED. SOME OF THE WIRING AND HARNESSES ACTUALLY MELTED. THE TECHNICIAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE WIRING DIAGRAM WAS INCORRECT, BUT THEY HAD NOT GOTTEN AROUND TO CORRECTING IT.

WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND LEANING BACK SEATBACK COLLAPSED BACKWARD. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST.*AK

DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. ALSO, IN COLD CLIMATE VEHICLE HAVE A NO START CONDITION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TWO REAR FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRES P235/85R16 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *SLC

MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE CENTER OF MY CAB STILL WORKS. I CHECKED ALL MY FUSES AND FOUND THAT THEY WERE OK. I THEN FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALER, AT COUNTRY FORD IN SOUTHAVEN, MS THAT IT WAS A FAULTY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT IT WAS TO REPLACE IT. $400.00. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT TO BE BAD LUCK. AFTER TALKING WITH OTHERS, IT WAS FOUND TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. ALSO, UNDER THE HOOD A RADIATOR HOSE GOES OVER THE ALTENATOR AND IS HELD IN PLACE BY A CLAMP. PROLEM IS THE HOSE WERES THE PROTECTIVE COVERING OFF THREE WIRES THAT ARE UNDER THE HOSE. NO RECALL! CAN YOU HELP. $400 IS ALOT OF MONEY TO ME. THANKS

COMING BACK FROM ALASKA, PULLED OVER TO A CAMP GROUND, WENT TO PUT VEHICLE GEAR INTO DRIVE, AND SHIFT LEVER WENT UP AND DOWN. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT HAD ROUTED THE CABLE WRONG, CABLE WAS LYING AGAINST EXHAUST PIPE, CAUSING THE CABLE TO BURN IN HALF AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT. *AK

POWER BRAKE VACUUM PUMP FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED/FROZE UP AND CONTAMINATED SYSTEM, CAUSING OVER $1000 IN REPLACEMENT COST. ASKED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHY THE WHOLE SYSTEM WAS DESTROYED. HE SAID BECAUSE FORD IS USING ALUMINUM COMPRESSOR, AND WHEN BEARING DRIES OUT INSTEAD OF BEARING IT WEARING OUT THE CASING, CAUSING ALUMINUM POWDER TO CONTAMINATE THE SYSTEM. I FEEL THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT OIL IN THE SYSTEM. FORD WILL NOT COVER THIS AS THE WARRANTY WAS JUST OUT. I FEEL THIS WAS THEIR FAULT FOR NOT HAVING THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF OIL. THE A/C WAS BLOWING COLD UNTIL IT FROZE UP, WHICH TELLS ME THAT IT HAD ENOUGH FREON. *AK

OIL PUMP FAILURE.

THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FORD HAS PUT OUT A TSB FOR THE TENSIONER. THE FAILING PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF THE TENSIONER, AND THE PULLEYS UP FRONT, THE TRUCK LOSES POWER STEERING CAPABILITY AS WELL AS POWER BRAKE CAPABILITY. IF FOR EXAMPLE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK, SHE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE SHE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO TURN OR PRESS THE BRAKES WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO OPERATE THE TRUCK TO A SAFE STOP. SO FAR I HAVE GONE THROUGH FIVE BELTS SINCE OCT 1995. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE TSB THROUGH A FRIEND WHO ALSO OWNS A POWERSTROKE ENGINE. THE TSB IS NUMBERED 96-17-19.

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CRACKED. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS. *AKL

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD NUMEROUS TIMES, AND THEN A FIRE STARTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

ABS BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING.

CONSUMER WAS COMING TO A STOP WHEN A FORD RANGER REARENDED THEM. AT TIME OF IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS BROKE AND COLLAPSED, CONSUMERS' BACK LAID DOWN AND BOTH WERE INJURED. CONSUMER'S TOOK VEHICLE TO A ALL-STATE INSURANCE. PRO-SHOP CALLED TOP OF THE WORLD 518-792-2473, MECHANIC WILL REPLACE L/R SEATBACKS/ RACHET MECHANISM AND EVERYTHING ON THE BOTTOMS. *AK

PE00040, BOUGHT USED A 1996 F350, TIRE SIZE LT235/85R16 STEEL TEX R4S. DRIVER'S REAR TIRE AND THE FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, AND HAD A BLOWOUT WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. 3 TIRES HAD THESE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN OUR TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, WE HAD IT FIXED, BUT HAD TO KEEP RETURNING IT TO THE SHOP BECAUSE A VALVE WOULD STICK AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE OF DAYS. I CALLED MANY FORD DEALERS, AND THEY ALL SAID THE TRANSMISSION ON THAT TRUCK SHOULD NEVER GO OUT. I CONTA

THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CRACKED IN HALF TO THE HUB IN WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

ROTORS ARE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND BECOME UNSAFE. HAS SPENT OVER $100.00 BECAUSE OF BAD MATERIAL ON BRAKES. *AK

NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235-85R16 )

THE DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR BEARINGS LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER AT THE MOMENT. *AK

FRONT BUMPER REPLACED DUE TO POOR METAL FINISHING

4 WD NEVER WORKED, BUT DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL WARRANTY OUT; BALL JOINTS KEPT GOING OUT, HAD TO BE FIXED TWICE, AUTO TRANSMISSION WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY OUT, WERE TOLD WAS FAULTY TRANS. AND AVE. OF 1 PER DAY THROUGHOUT US WERE GOING OUT, THAT FORD WAS SWITCHING TO DIFFERENT TYPE TRANSMISSION IN FUTURE. TRANS. REPAIR CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX IT SINCE IT WAS CLOSE TO WARRANTY MILEAGE, THEY REFUSED. WE HAVE SINCE HEARD MANY STORIES OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM.*AK

HOOD BECAME UNLATCHED, HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ACCORDING TO DEALER HOOD NEEDS REPLACING, AT OWNERS COST. *AK CONSUMER STATED HOOD FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY, ALSO CATCH DID NOT WORK.*JB

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE.

THE FRONT END IS MISALIGNED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE FRONT TIRES. PLEASE INCLUDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, BOTH RIGHT/LEFT WHEELS FELL OFF. DUE TO BOTH RIMS AND 10 LUGS COMING OFF. DEALER REPLACED LUGS AND NUTS. *AK

FRONT WHEEL LOCKING HUBS MALFUNCTIONED TWICE. *AK

STEERING FAILURE, WHEN MAKING A TURN TO LEFT OR RIGNT VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD BANGING NOISE. *AK

AXEL SEALS FAILED.

UNDER THE HOOD FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, FAULTY WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

OWNER PARKED VEHICLE ON SLIGHT INCLINE, SHIFTED TO PARK, SHUT OFF IGNITION AND LEFT VEHICLE, EMERGENCY BRAKES NOT ENGAGED, MOMENTS LATER VEHICLE ROLLED ABOUT 150 FT, CRASHED INTO POLE, VEHICLE WA SSTILL IN PARK WHEN POLICE ARRIVED. *AK

VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN 3RD GEAR WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON ROLLED AWAY, HIT NEIGHBOR'S GARAGE THAN STOOD AT A STAND STILL.*AK

FAILURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN, WHEN DRIVING THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

WARPING OF REAR BRAKE DRUMS, APPEAR TO BE OUT OF ROUND.*AK

ABS: PUMPED BRAKES WHILE COMING TO STOP, REARENDED/LOCKED UP, PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE, REPAIRED 2 TIMES, NO ACCIDENT.*AK

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LEFT REAR BRAKE TO LOCK UP.

VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, DRIVER ALMOST LOST VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK

POOR ABS BRAKE PERFORMANCE, THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE WHEELS LOCK UP AND EXTENDED STOPPING IS EXPERIENCED. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DUAL WHEEL BRAKES OVERHEAT, CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO DRAG, BRAKES FADE WHEN HOT, DRIVER HAS HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND BACK TO RELEASE BRAKES, DRUMS AND SHOES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FIVE TIMES, THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *SLC