2002 Ford F-350

We were just driving when the truck started smoking and the brakes wouldn’t work. After a few minutes the truck completely caught on fire.

The frame at the leaf spring hangars has cracked apart at only 131,000 miles on the truck. This issue is becoming more and more common over the years it seems and comparable age trucks from other manufacturers are having this issue for the same age.

[XXX] tire on driver's rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the second of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

[XXX] tire on passenger’s rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the third of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

there has been intense rust and corrosion in the roof seams and welds. This has led to water leaks and damage to the interior of the vehicle. The integrity of the roof has been compromised, and I am concerned about the possibility of roof crush should there be an accident. Not to mention the mold, rot and damage to the interior and electrical systems I have already suffered due to the defect. On February 3, 2023, I contacted the Ford Motors helpline and spoke to [XXX] (direct phone # [XXX] ext [XXX]) to discuss the issue.[XXX] created a request for a buyback and assigned a case number of [XXX]. She also requested that I send photos to [XXX] and visit the local Ford dealership so they could assess the vehicle and share the information with her. I was able to make an apt for Feb 6,2023 @ 10:50 with [XXX] @ Envision ford of Oxnard. When I arrived for the assessment, [XXX] did one walk around the vehicle (he did not inspect the roof at all) and then said he couldn’t help me as he this was a Ford issue, and they were a franchise. I contacted [XXX] with follow up from that meeting, as well as photos of the vehicle. About two weeks after this apt. [XXX] said the case was closed. I am extremely disappointed with how this case was handled, especially considering the significant investment I made in purchasing and maintaining it my vehicle. When I made the original investment I was told that the engine would last up to a million miles…but never imagined the body would be worthless at the 300,00 mark. There is so much damage to the roof that I currently keep my vehicle parked instead of using it. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND ON WHEN I MOVE THE TILT STEERING WHEEL, WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING STILL

SEAT BELTS UNBUCKLE BY THEMSELVES. THIS HAS HAPPENS WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS. DRIVER BUCKLE FAILURE IS MOST FREQUENT. ONE DAY IT WON'T HAPPEN THEN THE NEXT DAY IT WILL UNBUCKLE 5 TIMES IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AFRAID THIS WILL HAPPEN DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE UNBUCKLES STALL SPEEDS UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION.

THE DIGITAL COMPASS AND TEMPERATURE DISPLAY IN THE UPPER CONSOLE BREAKS. I RELY ON THE DISPLAY TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING ON ICY ROADS. I HAVE LOOKED AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUES, A WIRE COMING LOOSE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS INSTEAD OF CHARGING UP TO 400.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. IT ALMOST GOT ME KILLED, IM SURPRISED NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED.

ON MY WAY TO WORK THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED AND HAZZZARD LIGHTS NO BREAK LITES OR TURN SINGNALS THE FUSE PANEL WAS SMOKING AND COUSED A WRECK AT 60 MILES PER HOUR

SEATBELT DISCONNECTS INTERMITTENTLY, BUTTON DOESN'T ALWAYS FULLY POP BACK OUT WHEN BUCKLE IS ENGAGED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DEAN MUD TERRAIN RADIAL SXT TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AS IT SLOWED DOWN AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,086. *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16 (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A SHUDDER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT A BUMP, HEARD AN EXPLODING NOISE, AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT PLANNED ON GIVING THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,500 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.

WIFE PARKED THE TRUCK RUNNING AT THE TOP OF A SLOPED DRIVEWAY NEAR OUR FARM HOUSE, LEFT THE TRUCK RUNNING AND IN PARK, GOT OUT TO RETRIEVE A FORGOTTEN ITEM, WALKED DOWNHILL 75 FT., AFTER A SHORT TIME TURNED TO SEE THE TRUCK SPEED BY BACKWARDS NEARLY HITTING HER. THE TRUCK RAMMED THE CARPORT CORNER CONCRETE SUPPORT, JUMPED A TWO FOOT ROCK WALL AND CAME TO REST AGAINST A THREE FOOT DIAMETER BIRCH TREE. TRUCK EVALUATED AS TOTAL LOSS. A MASTER MECHANIC BROUGHT TO HELP GET THE TRUCK STARTED. DAMAGE ONLY TO REAR BUT WOULD NOT START. BATTERY PLATES HAD SHORTED DUE TO THE THREE SEVERE JOLTS. THE MECHANIC ALSO NOTED THE STEERING COLUMN BOLTS AND SCREWS SEEMED QUITE LOOSE. THE TRUCK WAS STARTED BUT MOVED TO THE BODY SHOP BY A TOW TRUCK SINCE THE REAR BREAK LINE WAS SEVERED. AFTER TOTALING THE VEHICLE THE INSURANCE COMPANY SOLD THE TRUCK BACK TO ME FOR $5100. I GOT THE TRUCK REPAIRED. TODAY I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO CHECK THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FORD TECHNICIAN NOTED THE SEVERITY OF THE LOOSE STEERING COLUMN, REPLACED A COUPLE BUSHINGS, TIGHTENED BOLTS AND SCREWS, AND TESTED THE VEHICLE. HE SPECIFICALLY NOTED, IN WRITING, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT RELIABLY STAY IN THE SELECTED GEAR. I PAID FORD $259 FOR THE STEERING COLUMN WORK. THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME WHEN I SCHEDULED THE WORK THAT TWO OTHER VEHICLES HAD JUST COME IN THE SAME DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK CAME OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN AND WHEN ROLLING BACKWARDS BARELY MISSED MY WIFE. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY KILLED. BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT, IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO TAKE THE TRUCK INTO FORD FOR A CHECK OF THE STEERING COLUMN AFTER 13 YEARS BUT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN SMARTER. I BRING THIS UP TO YOU FOR REVIEW BECAUSE THERE COULD BE LOTS MORE OF THESE VEHICLES OUT THERE THAT COULD KILL SOMEONE IF THEY SUDDENLY SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND ROLL. I HAVE A COPY OF THE FORD SERVICE PAPERWORK FROM TODAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKET THAT SECURED THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WAS LOOSE WHICH ALLOWED THE LEVER TO GO INTO DIFFERENT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH NITRO TIRES, TIRE LINE: TERRA GRAPPLE, AND TIRE SIZE: LT285/75/R16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AS THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THREAD ON THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH A TOTAL OF FIVE TIRES MOUNTED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED TO FEEL A BUMPING IN THE REAR AREA OF MY TRUCK, THEN A VIOLENT VIBRATION, THEN THE TIRE BLOWOUT OCCURRED/ ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. UPDATED 9/5/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINES BELOW THE ENGINE TURBO HAD RUPTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL SPOKE BECAME FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL TO CRACK. THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER CABLE FAILED AND DROPPED THE SPARE ON THE GROUND WHICH BOUNCED AND CAUGHT THE REAR BUMPER. NO DAMAGE DUE TO THE SLOW SPEED I WAS TRAVELING AT THE TIME, BUT THIS PART HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. NEW P/N IS 6C3Z-1A131-AA. *TR

ON MAY 13, 2014, A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM FORD. REF. NO. 09S09-SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION FIRE. I CALLED SONORA FORD TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO REPAIR THE RISK. ACCORDING TO [XXX] IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. HE TOOK MY CONTACT INFORMATION AND ADVISED HE WOULD CONTACT ME IN ABOUT A WEEK WHEN PARTS ARRIVED. AFTER NO RETURNED CALL I CONTACTED BOTH SONORA FORD AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332 & 1-800-392-3673. THEY ADVISED PARTS WERE STILL 7 TO 10 DAYS OUT. FORD REFUSED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REMOVED OR THE CIRCUIT DISCONNECTED TO PREVENT A FIRE UNTIL PARTS ARRIVED WHEN ASKED. WITH A KNOWN FIRE RISK I AM CONCERNED MORE COULD BE DONE BY FORD TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WHILE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THE STARTER ENGAGED WITHOUT THE KEY BEING INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A BOAT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO IT AND THEN CRASHED INTO A REFRIGERATOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER WAS STILL ENGAGED AND COULD SMELL IT OVERHEATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.