1996 Ford F-150 complaints

DUE TO PLACEMENT OF DRIVER AIRBAG THE HORN BUTTONS ARE DIFFICULT TO USE WHEN TRYING TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT SUDDENLY VEER INTO MY LANE. SEVERAL COWORKER THAT DRIVE SIMILAR VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HORN BUTTONS ARE AT 3 OCLOCK AND 9 OCLOCK, THEIR SIZE IS ABOUT 1 INCH BY 5/8 INCH. WITH THE SIZE AND PLACEMENT OF THE HORN BUTTONS IN A HURRY MOST TIMES THE AIRBAG IS HIT RATHER THAN THE HORN.*AK

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL PAN WAS CORRODING AND IN DANGER OF LEAKING, THE OIL PAN GASKET BLEW OUT AND WAS LEAKING OIL. *SLC

SAME PROBLEM AS 1993 RECALL. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #01|008000. *AK

OIL PAN IS DETERIORATING, CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE.*AK THE OIL PAN GASKET IS NOT SEATED PROPERLY. THIS ALLOWS THE OIL TO SEEP. THE PROBLEM WAS EVALUATED BY CONSUMERS PERSONAL MECHANIC. *JG

OIL PAN RUSTED THROUGH VERY CORRODED $500.00 REPAIR NOT WARRANTED. *AK

REAR TANK IS PUMPING GAS TO FRONT TANK, CAUSING IT TO OVER FLOW OUT.*AK WHEN FILLING THE REAR TANK MOST OF THE FUEL WAS PUMPED INTO THE FRONT TANK CAUSING THE GAS CAP TO FLY OFF WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED IT. *MJ

ON SUNDAY APRIL 28, 2002 WE WERE DRIVING THE SUBJECT FORD TRUCK. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME, THE SEAT-BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT UNBUCKLE. AFTER WORKING WITH THE BELT FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, WE HAD TO CUT THE BELT TO ALLOW MY WIFE TO GET OUT OF THE TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. ON MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2002 , I CONTACTED FT. MILL FORD IN FT. MILL, SC. I WAS TOLD THIS DOES ON OCCASION HAPPEN, AND BECAUSE THE TRUCK HAS OVER 50,000 MILES, THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE BELT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION HAD THERE BEEN AN EMERGENCY. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE SEATBELTS, SOMEONE NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO BACKUP LIGHTS STAYING ON. BULBS WOULD LEAN ONTO PLASTIC AND PLASTIC WOULD CATCH ON FIRE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL FUMES IS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. NLM *MR

DETONATION CHARGE OF AIRBAG IS TOO CLOSE TO ID OF STEERING WHEEL WHERE THUMB IS. WAS IN CRASH, AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT DETONATOR HURT THUMB. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

HAZARD LIGHTS HAD A DEAD SPOT WHEN SHUTING OFF FLASHERS. ALSO, BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT. STOPPED BY HIGHWAY PATROL TO INFORM BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

WHEN SWITCHING TO FRONT TANK IT STARTED TO BUILD PRESSURE, AND GAS POUR OUT OF REAR TANK FILLER SPOUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE FUELING REAR TANK FRONT TANK STARTED TO OVERFLOW. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP.*AK

LOUD CRACKING OR CREAKING SOUND WHENEVEER MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED - STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO VERY MINOR BUT NOW CREAKS QUITE ALOT - A TSB APPPLIES BUT FORD WILL NOT PAY ANY MONEY TOWARD THE REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE SHOP MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP DON IZZET - THE TSB STATES THAT RIVETS ON THE FRAME COME LOOSE AND MUST BE REPLACED WITH BOLTS - I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS IT IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

SWITCH BETWEEN THE TWO FUEL TANKS TO THE EVAPORATIVE FUEL CANISTER IS STUCK ON THE FRONT FUEL TANK. FUEL MUST BE LESS THAN FULL IN THE FRONT TANK IN ORDER TO RUN OFF OF THE REAR TANK TO ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO BE ROUTED TO THE FRONT TANK.

OIL PAN RUSTED OUT. I COMPLAINED 1 OTHER TIME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FORD IS VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I SPOKE TO THEM AND THEY DENY KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY ARE LIARS. MY DAD IS RETIRED AND IS VACATIONING NEXT TO A RETIRED FORD WORKER. HE HAS TOLD MY DAD THAT FORD DID A COST REDUCTION IDEA ON THE PAINT THAT THEY USE ON OIL PANS ON THE TRUCKS IN THE 96 RANGE. THEY TOOK OUT AN ANTI CHIP COMPOUND THAT WAS USED IN THE PAINT TO SAVE MONEY. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. IT COST ME $500.00 TO GET THE REPAIR FIXED AT FORD. FORD HAS CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND KNOW IS MAKING A SMALL FORTUNE BY CHARGING THE PEOPLE FOR REPAIRS. THIS IS MORALLY WRONG. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I SPOKE TO ONE OF THE VP'S AT FORD IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN. SHE LIED THROUGH HER TEETH. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING CHEATED. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

WHEN PUMPING FUEL INTO ONE OF DUAL FUEL TANKS, ONE TANK OVERFLOWS INTO ANOTHER TANK THAT'S ALREADY FULL, CAUSING A FUEL SPILLAGE. *AK

FRONT LEFT SPRING COIL BROKE, CAUSEING EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, BRAKE/ROTOR FAILURE, AND DIMINISHED VEHICLE CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EXPENSES TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE SPRING AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO BRAKES/ROTORS IN EXCESS OF $500.00. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND SMELLED GASOLINE.GAS GAUGE DIDN'T WORK. HE PULLED OVER, AND LIFTED HOOD. VEHICLE HAS TWO TANKS, AND FRONT TANK WAS FULL, GASOLINE WAS GOING INTO VAPOR RECOVERY . DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

FUEL FROM THE REAR TANK FLOWS INTO THE FRONT TANK, THROUGH THE FUEL SYSTEM.*AK

I CONTACTED SUTTON FORD AND QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP. I THEN CONTACTED [XXX] AT FORD IN DEARBORN, MICHAGAN. HER PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX] ASK FOR THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND THEN FOR [XXX]. SHE MADE ME BRING THE TRUCK IN SO A FORD MECHANIC COULD DO THE INSPECTION. SUTTON CHARGED ME 29.95 FOR LOOKING AT THE OIL PAN AND AGREEING THAT THE PAN HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I WAS TOLD OUT IN THE SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A 96 TRUCK. [XXX] AT FORD THEN INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IS NOT FORDS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR. I EXPLAINED THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD AN OIL PAN RUST THROUGH, EVER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 70-75,000 MILES ON IT. I ASKED WHAT I SHOULD PUT ON THE OIL PAN ON MY $30,000.00 WINDSTAR TO MAKE SURE THAT OIL PAN DOES NOT RUST THROUGH, SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SHE REFUSED TO ANSWER. MY NEIGHBOR JUST HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS TRUCK. THE REPAIR AT FORD IS 625.00. I HAVE CALLED AROUND AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. ONE MAN WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE AT THE EXECTIVE OFFICE TOLD ME HE HAS DEALT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MANY TIMES. AN OIL PAN SHOULD NOT RUST OUT LIKE THIS. I JUST SOLD A 90 TEMPO WITH 175,000 MILES ON IT AND THE OIL PAN IS JUST FINE. FORD IS PULLING A FAST ONE ON A LOT OF PEOPLE. I TOLD [XXX] THAT I WOULD BE WRITING TO HER BOSS. SHE ADVISED ME THAT SHE WOULD INTERCEPT THE LETTER AND HER BOSS WOULD NOT SEE IT. HER WORD IS FINAL. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IF YOU NEED

COPY OF EMAIL TO FORD: I WROTE TO YOU A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO REGARDING AN EXTREME LEVEL OF CORROSION OCCURRING ON MY 1996 F150 WHICH RESULTED IN THE OIL PAN RUSTING THROUGH ONLY TO BE REBUFFED. WELL NOW THE LEVEL OF CORROSION IS EVEN WORSE. THE BRAKE LINES ARE SO CORRODED THAT ONE OF THEM BURST AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CLEARLY THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY USED FOR PERSONAL USE AND IS ONLY USED ON THE HIGHWAY FOR TRANSPORTATION. I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE, A JEEP, WHICH SITS NEXT TO IT THAT IS 5 YEARS OLDER THAT IS NOT EXHIBITING THE CORROSION FOUND UNDER YOUR VEHICLE. AS I MENTIONED IN MY PREVIOUS LETTER, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE VEHICLES MILEAGE IS LESS THAN 60K. CLEARLY THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE BUT YOUR EARLIERRESPONSE TO ME INDICATES THAT YOU DONT CARE. THEREFORE, YOU HAVE LOST MY WIFE AND I AS CUSTOMERS AND I FEEL OBLIGATED TO TELL ANYONE I KNOW OF YOUR POOR QUALITY AND CONCERN FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATHTRAP LOOKING FOR ITS FIRST VICTIM AND I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT SELL THE VEHICLE AND SEND A COPY OF THIS LETTER TO THE NHSTA SO THAT ITS ON RECORD THAT FORD WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT.

A PORTION OF UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK IS BEING RETURNED TO SECOND TANK, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH STARTED FEELING VIBRATION. THEN, LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT WICH OPENED THE TIRE RIM TO RIM . FORD, F150, 1996, P-235/75R15, DOT# ANHLLV1138. *AK TIRE WAS SENT TO GOODRICH WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE HAD BEEN UNDER FLATED WHICH ALONG WITH THE HEAT CAUSED IT TO RUPTURE, CONSUMER STATES HE STRONGLY OBJECTS TO THEIR FINDINGS, BF GOODRICH TIRE. *SLC

THE TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS. WHEN BOTH TANKS ARE FILLED AND THE REAR TANK IS SELECTED IT PUMPS GAS INTO THE ALREADY FULL FRONT TANK, CAUSING IT TO RUN OUT OF THE FUEL CAP DOWN THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK ONTO THE GROUND. I FEEL THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE A FIRE YET HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE FORD DEALER TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE REAR TANK FOR OVER TWO YEARS. IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DUAL TANK FORD TRUCKS?*AK

WHILE DRIVING ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STOPPED TO CHECK PROBLEM AND SAW FIRE. HAD TO REPLACE MASTER CYLANDER AND SOME WIRING. 3 OTHER PEOPLE, INCLUDING MOTHER IN LAWS VAN HAVE HAD PROBLEM. *AK

93 V 125 000/FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY: A PORTION OF UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO SECOND TANK. WHEN IT OCCURRED THE SECOND TANK EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGES. SPILL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. *AK

BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION BROKE AND CAUSE THE SEAT TO RECLINE ALL THE WAY. *AK

CONSUME RWAS TRAVELING ABOUT 44MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A POPPYING NOISE COMING FROM REAR GENERAL TIRE. MANUFACTUER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AND HITTING A ROUGH SERVICE OR POTHOLE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES TERRIBLY, IT WILL JUMP OUT OF DRIVER'S HANDS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKE A TURN STEERING WHEEL SHAKES TERRIBLY. *AK

PROBLEM LIES WITH BACK FUEL TANK; WHEN IT PUMPS FUEL TO FRONT TANK THERE IS TOO MUCH PRESSURE, FUEL DRIPS TO GROUND. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE CRACKED TORQUE CONVERTER. *AK

FAILURE OF THIS TIRE CAUSED A DANGER TO THE DRIVER AND TO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. TIRE TREAD WAS SEPARATED VERY BADLY.*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH HAD FRONT END COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ONLY ONE AXLE LOCKED TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. FORMAN AT FORD AGENCY SAID AIRBAGS DON'T ALWAYS WORK.*AK

BENCH AND SPLIT SEATS ARE VERY LOOSE, AND THEY RATTLE. CONSUMER FEELS SEAT MAY SNAP BACK AT ANYTIME. CONSUMERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 96 E 010 000. *AK

AFTER EXPERIENCING INCREASING SLOPPINESS IN STEERING, MECHANIC FRIEND CHECKED OUT THE PROBLEM. ONE OF THE THREE BOLTS HOLDING THE STEERING BOX HAD BACKED OUT APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH ALLOWING THE GEAR BOX TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME. CONTACT WITH LOCAL DEALER IN VIRGINIA (TRUCK ORIGINALLY BOUGHT IN PA.) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND THE THREE YEAR/ 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE STRIPPED AREA ON THE STEERING GEAR BOX WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE MECHANISM COSTING APPROXIMATELY $500. I IDENTIFED THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THIS PART EVER HAVING BEEN REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN STRIPPED WHEN ASSEMBLED. (ASSEMBLY DONE IN CANADA.) CONTACT ON MONDAY (2/26) TO THE LOCAL FORD CUSTOMER INQUIRY LINE IN CHANTILLY, VA DID NOT REVEAL MUCH - NO SERVICE BULLETIN COULD BE IDENTIFIED. I VOLUNTEERED AND GAVE THEM MY VEHICLE NUMBER AFTER PROVIDING THEM MY ADDRESS AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM - STATING THAT IT WAS AN ASSEMBLY PROBLEM AND THAT THE BOLT WAS OVER TIGHTENED. I ALSO WENT ON TO DESCRIBE THAT THERE WAS ALWAYS A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING AND THAT RECENTLY IT HAD GOTTEN WORSE RESULTING IN ME DRIFTING OFF OF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS ONLY AFTER MY WIFE INDICATED THAT SHE TOO WAS EXPERIENCING A NOTICEABLE INCREASED SLOPPINESS IN THE STEERING AND ANOTHER RECENT DRIFTING OFF THE ROAD, THAT I HAD A MECHANIC FRIEND TAKE A LOOK AT THE STEERING AND IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.*AK

FORDS STICKER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LIST THE REAR TIRE PRESSURE AT 41 PSI COLD. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER LISTS THE MAXIMUM PRESSURE AT 35 PSI, THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH P235/75R15 TIRES. NLM

DRIVERS SEAT SUB-ASSEMBLY FAILED (TRACK PORTION) THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS IF I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I STRONGLY SUGGEST FORD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER.THE FAILED PART IS AT THE DEALER THAT REPLACED IT.*AK

POWER STEERING HOSE RUSTED AND DEVELOPED A MASSIVE LEAK WHICH CAUSED NO POWER STEERING ABILITY. *AK WIRE HARNESS FOR AIR BAG SENSOR NOT OPERATIONAL. BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE UNDER LIGHT LOAD RESULTING IN STEERING AND BRAKE FAILURE. *YH

THERE ARE TWO HORN BUTTONS ON SIDE OF WHEEL ABOUT SIZE OF POSTAL STAMP. WHEN DRIVER REALLY NEEDS TO GET TO HORN RIGHT AWAY IT'S HARD TO FIND THE BUTTONS.*AK IT WAS DIFFICULT TO USE A HORN ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN OF THE WHEEL. *YH

TIE ROD END CAME APART WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED TIE RODS HAD COME APART. *AK

LOCK UP TORQUE CONVERTER SHIMMIES(WASHBOARD EFFECT)CONTACT, DEALER SAID NO RECALL. *AK

LOUD POPPING NOISE. DEALER WAS NO HELP. INDEPENDANT REPAIR SHOP FOUND AND REPLACED CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. ORIGINALS HAD CHEMICALLY DETERIORATED FROM APPLICATION OF SLOVENTS AT SOME POINT AT ASSEMBLY. REPAIRS COST ME $400. ATTACHMENT POINTS WERE WORN TO THE POINT OF BEING OBLONG.

THE FIRESTONE FR 480 M+S P235/75R15 TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT OFF THE SIDEWALL FROM WHERE THE TIRE MET THE RIM ALL THE WAY TO THE TREAD AREA, THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL THE TIRES AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

VEHICLE INCONSISTENTLY STALLS FOR AT LOW SPEEDS / TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P235/75R15 DOT 8XHL1PY119 EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT ON THE RIGHT REAR, SIDEWALL WAS THE ONLY PART LEFT, DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE WHEEL WELL. *SLC

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS AT SLOW SPEEDS. I STARTED LOGGING DATES AND MILEAGE OF STALLS SINCE SEPTEMBER 1998. DEALER HAS TRIED SEVERAL TIMES UNSUCCESSFULLY TO DIAGNOSE AND CORRECT PROBLEM. INFORMED ME IN OCTOBER 8, 1998 LETTER THAT THEY WERE DISCONTINUING SERVICE ON MY TRUCK. LETTER STATES, "IF AND WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO EXHIBIT THIS CONCERN AT A FREQUENCY THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED ABNORMAL BY FORD STANDARDS, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH YOU TO DISCUSS OUR OPTIONS." WHAT IS "ABNORMAL BY FORD STANDARDS?" WHEN SOMEONE DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM?*AK

BOLTS FOR THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAS SHREADED OFF, AND WERE MISSING WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED FAN TO FLY AWAY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHE INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION/BLOWOUT ON 6 OCCASION WITH MICHELIN TIRES WITH TWO CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE OF THE TRUCK, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED (P235/75R15 SR4). NLM

GOING 55MPH & VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT BADLY. RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A "V" IN CENTER OF TIRE. TREAD WAS STILL ON TIRE. LOOKED LIKE IT WAS SPLITTING IN CENTER OF THE TREAD WHERE THE "V" WAS LOCATED. FIRESTONE, FR480XL 235/75R15 WITH 60,000 MILES & DOT CODE VDHL 1PA026.*AK