1997 Ford F-150 complaints

SPARK PLUG HAS BLOWN OUT OF MY 1997 FORD F150 FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST FIX WAS USING A HELICOIL. SECOND FIX WILL HAVE TO BE THE SAME. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE WWW, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FIXED ONLY BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE CYLINDER HEAD ($3,000+) THIS IS POOR QUALITY MANUFACTURING AND CORPORATE AMERICA TURNING ITS BACK, ONCE AGAIN, ON THE CONSUMERS THAT KEEP THEM GOING. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. HE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT ALL 1997 FORD F150 ENGINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. HE CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY TOLD HIM THERE WAS NO RECALL INVOLVING NOISE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE WATER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH RESULTED IN WATER LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC PREDICTED THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT FUNCTION FOR THREE MORE MILES. *AK

1997 FORD F-150 TRUCK WAS PARKED NEXT TO MY HOME & HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN THIS DAY, AFTER RETURNING HOME AFTER BEING GONE FOR THE DAY I FOUND THAT MY TRUCK HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE! AFTER TALKING TO NEIGHBORS & GOT DETAILS THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT THE FIRE LOOKED AS IF IT HAD STARTED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE REAR OF MOTOR & THE DASH. AFTER LOOKING AT THE RECALL SITE FOR THIS YR. TRUCK I FOUND INFORMATION THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM & AS I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY LETTER FROM FORD ON THIS MATTER AS OF THIS DATE. *NM

WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK FROM TO OTHER GEARS. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A CAMPAIGN ALREADY FOR THIS ISSUE, 97V171000, BUT FORD DOES NOT HAVE MY TRUCK LISTED FOR THIS RECALL. IS THERE A FORD ISSUED RECALL # AND HOW CAN I GET MY TRUCK ADDED TO THIS RECALL SO IT CAN BE ADDRESSED. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, USED. *JB

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE MIDDLE LEAF SPRING BROKE IN THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT BROKE WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE, IT PUNCTURED A TIRE. THE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE THE TRUCK WAS SITTING. THE LEAF SPRING WAS REPAIRED AT THIS TIME BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE SECOND TIME WAS THE RIGHT SIDE LEAF SPRING; WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND, STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE NOISE, AND NOTICED THE LEAF SPRING H BROKE. IT WAS REPAIRED BY CERTIFIED MECHANIC. CONTACTED FORD , THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LEAF SPRINGS, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. *AK

THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT EVENT THAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE SPARK PLUGS ARE POPPING OUT OF THE HEADS. THIS HAPPENED ON A 1997 FORD F150 5.4 SUPERCAB PICKUP, IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO A FEW OTHER OF OUR PICKUPS AND TO A COUPLE OF OUR SERVICE VANS. WE HAD TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUG HOLES TAPPED AND RE-DRILLED AND INSTALL A NEW PLUG. IT IS QUITE AND EXPENSIVE PROCEDURE NOT ONLY FOR THE REPAIRS BUT THE DOWN TIME OF OUR VEHICLES. THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING A LOT. COULD YOU PLEASE GET BACK TO ME IF YOU HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. OR LET ME KNOW IF I AM COMPLAINING TO THE WRONG PLACE. THANK YOU.*JB

1997 FORD F-150 PICKUP WITH 4.2 LITER V6. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE NOTICED THAT I HAVE TO CONTINUALLY ADD COOLANT TO THE RADIATOR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I CAME ACROSS FORD ONP 99B29 WHICH STATES FORD WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FRONT COVER GASKET TO PREVENT SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. (HYDROLOCK LEADING TO BROKEN OR BENT CONNECTING RODS). I NEVER RECEIVED THIS NOTICE AS I UNDERSTAND IT WAS ONLY SENT TO CORPORATE CUSTOMERS. I NOW HAVE OILY RESIDUE THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COOLANT, HARD STARTING, ETC. ALL CONSISTENT WITH DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD/FRONT COVER GASKET LEADING TO INTERNAL ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE. THE FORD DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE HE SAID I HAD TO REPORT IT TO HIM PRIOR TO MARCH 31, 2001. I NOW HAVE 70,600 MILES ON THE TRUCK. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I HAVE A CATOSTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE FROM A BROKEN ROD ON CYLINDER #1. *NM

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE THE PREVIOUS DAY APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS AND PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. YESTERDAY, AUGUST 16, 2005, AROUND 8:30 PM THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE . HE LOOKED OUTSIDE TO SEE THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE REPORTED. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. HE BELIEVED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE BECAUSE HE DID NOT SMELL ANY TYPE OF GASOLINE ODOR. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB

BLOWN GASKET- *NM

CONSUMER CONCERNED WITH VEHICLE RECALL OVER HEATING AND CATCHING ON FIRE. *TS CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON THE UNDERHOOD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE CONSUMER HAS DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS A POROUS SWITCH ON THE MASTER CYLINDER THAT ALLOWS BRAKE FLUID TO GET INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE CONNECTOR THUS CREATING A RESISTANCE THAT WILL CAUSE THE CONNECTOR AND SWITCH TO OVERHEAT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT 'S VEHICLE HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON THE REAR BRAKE LINE. THIS HAPPENED ON 10-04-05. HE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN HE HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY. HE REPORTED HAVING NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS , SUCH AS A LIGHT COMING ON IN THE CAR. THE BRAKES WERE NOT MAKING ANY KIND OF NOISES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD. HE SMELLED BRAKE FLUID, AND IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT IS MOUNTED ON THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. THE BRAKE LINE SEEMED UNUSUALLY CORRODED. HE TAKES VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND THE CAR IS STORED PROPERLY. HE HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH VEHICLES, AND HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. ALSO, T THE GAS TANK WAS SUSPENDED BY TWO METAL STRAPS. THE REAR STRAP WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE GAS TANK WAS LAYING ON THE SKID PLATE. USUALLY, THERE WAS ABOUT ONE INCH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TANK AND SKID PLATE. HE WAS AFRAID THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A GAS LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK .*AK

VEHICLE STARTED ROUGH AND RAN POORLY. PARKED OVERNIGHT, NEXT MORNING ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND FELT LIKE IT WAS JAMMED. FINALLY GOT IT TO START, RUNNING POORLY AND WHITE SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE EXHAUST. HAD VEHICLE TAKEN TO MECHANIC, WHO FOUND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS THE PROBLEM WHEN HE FOUND THE PLUGS WERE GUNKED UP AND WHITE LIKE VANILLA PUDDING. ENGINE HAD TO BE SENT OUT AND REBUILT. *NM

THE LATCH FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT QUIT WORKING. THERE WAS NO TRAUMA OR ACCIDENTS. IT JUST QUIT LATCHING. *NM

DT: 1997 F150 FORD SUPER CAB PICKUP TRUCK. THE CRUISE SWITCH CAUGHT THE BRAKE RESERVOIR ON FIRE AND IN TURN, THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND THREW AN OLD TOWEL OVER THE FIRE AND SMOTHERED THE FLAMES. HAD THE ROAD SERVICE TOW IT TO THE PLACE WHERE NORMALLY THE SERVICE WAS DONE ON THE TRUCK, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS WAS A FORD PROBLEM. THEN, IT WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP GAVE CONSUMER THE MANUFACTURER'S NUMBER, CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID A CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL BACK NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, AND ON MONDAY AFTERNOON THE MANUFACTURER DID CALL AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. CONSEQUENTLY, THEY WOULD NOT DO REPAIRS FOR FREE. CONSUMER CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THEY WERE GOING TO SEND A FIRE INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THAT THIS WAS FORD'S PROBLEM ALSO. MOREOVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS GOING TO SEND A CLAIMS ADJUSTER. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK *JB

DT: 1997 FORD F150. CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 05V388000. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO TH EFIRE, , AND THEN IT WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME. CONSUMER WAS NOT AT HOME, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALREADY THERE PUTTING THE FIRE OUT WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED BACK HOME FROM DINNER. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE BURNED TWO YEARS AGO ON 10-16-03. SHE WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL ON 9-26-05 CONCERNING THE SCDS. SHE HAS CONTACTED FORD NUMEROUS TIMES ,AND THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED HER AT ALL. TODAY WAS THE FIFTH PHONE CALL SHE MADE TO THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT BURNED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY SAID THE FIRE DID ORIGINATE UNDER THE HOOD. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE FIRE AND THEFT INSURANCE AT THAT TIME. SHE CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND URGED HER TO CONTACT HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT E-MAILED PICTURES OF THE TRUCK TO NHTSA IN WASHINGTON, DC IN MAY 05. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN MAY-05 SOMEONE FROM NHTSA CALLED HER, AND IT WAS THEN THAT SHE E-MAILED THEM THE PICTURES. SHE REPORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. BUT HER HUSBAND STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO 9-1-03. SHE REPORTED HER HUSBAND WAS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE TRUCK OUT OF PARK. THE SAME DAY THE TRUCK BURNED.*AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE 1997 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED ON 9-24-2005. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRE LOOKED LIKE IT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE ONLY THING LEFT OF THE TRUCK WAS THE REAR END. THE ENTIRE CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS ON THE TRUCK, EVERYTHING WAS WORKING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT USED IN THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED FOR FIVE HOURS. THE OWNER WAS GOING TO TAKE PICTURES TODAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RULED OUT ARSON. FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE TAKEN. . THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD SEND THE COMPLAINT TO THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ALSO. FORD TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD SEND THE COMPLAINT OVER TO THEIR LAW DEPARTMENT. THERE WAS ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE LEXUS NEXT TO THE TRUCK WAS DAMAGED.*AK

DT: AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2005. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO THE HEAT. THIS WAS WHAT HAD ALERTED THE CONSUMER TO THE FIRE. WHEN THE FIRE MARSHALL INSPECTED THE FIRE HE SAID IT WAS DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL. THE FIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER'S HOME AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 05S28 ON T SEPTEMBER 23, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE CONSUMER WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

I HAVE A 97 FORD 150 WITH A 4.2 V6 THAT HAS HYDRO LOCKED. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS TRUCK. I HAVE NOT YET FIXED IT I AM TRYING TO FIND A GOOD PRICE ON A NEW MOTOR. *JB

ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 I NOTICED THAT I HAVE CRACKS ON THE DOORS BY THE WINDOWS, WHILE RESEARCHING THIS I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TRUCK. WHEN I CALLED FORD SERVICE CENTER FOR HELP THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE DOORS (AT MY COST) AND IF A RECALL COMES OUT I WOULD GET MY MONEY BACK. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CRACKS AT "F150ONLINE.COM" AND IT SEEMS THAT FORD HAS REPLACED SOME DOORS BUT MOST (AND THEIR ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS) ARE NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF. CAN YOU HELP? *NM

DEFECTIVE ENGINE. 1997 F150 V6 4.2 L, 73000 MILES AND A ROD IS KNOCKING. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AT FORD. *JB

FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *AK

ENGINE FIRE NEAR CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH VEHICLE DESTROYED. *NM

9-1-05, 8:00 AM, SHERRI ADAMS PARKED THE 1997 F-150 AT L-3 COMMUNICATIONS, GREENVILLE TX. THE TRUCK REMAINED PARKED AND LOCKED ALL DAY. AT APPROXIMATELY 5:20 PM SECURITY NOTIFIED SHERRI THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. PARTIAL FIRE DEPART REPORT BELOW. 9-6-05 INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS CAUSE OF FIRE. 9-7-05 INSURANCE ADJUSTER DETERMINED THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. 9-8-05 ADAMS CONTACTED FORD TO REPORT INCIDENT. TO DATE, HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY FORD. FIRE DEPART INCIDENT REPORT: DATE: 09-01-05 INCIDENT: 05-09-001 DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: ON THURSDAY, 09-01-05, AT 1709 HOURS, SECURITY NOTIFIED FIRE CONTROL OF A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT FOR BUILDING 180. FIRE CONTROL RESPONDED WITH FIREFIGHTER HOPSON IN #7 FOLLOWED BY LT. TURNER IN #8. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT SOUTH OF BUILDING 180 NEXT TO THE FENCE AT MCCULLOUGH BLVD., JUST EAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF AVE. D. SECURITY WAS IN PLACE AND ASSISTED. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE SCENE THERE WAS HEAVY SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD AREA OF A 1997 FORD F-150 XLT PICK-UP (TX LICENSE # 56Y YHI), BELONGING TO TIM AND SHERRI ADAMS. NEITHER OF THE OWNERS WERE PRESENT OR LOCATED BEFORE FIRE CONTROL CLEARED THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND THE LEFT SIDE GLASS WAS SHATTERED TO GAIN ACCESS. FIRE WAS PRESENT IN THE HOOD COMPARTMENT AND UNDER THE DASH ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE HANDLINE OF #7 WAS USED TO KNOCK DOWN THE FIRE AND THEN TO COOL DOWN THE AREA. THE VEHICLE SUFFERE

MY 1997 FORD PICKUP BURNED UP IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE ON MAY 29TH. NO KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION. IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 10 HOURS. *JB

WITHIN 1/2 HOUR OF TRUCK TURNED OFF, FIRE ERUPTED, CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE BY AND HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK, I PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE THE TRUCK WENT TOTALLY UP IN FLAMES. *JB EXTENSIVE REPAIRS WERE MADE TO GET THE TRUCK BACK UP AND RUNNING. I SPENT ALMOST $3,000.00. I TRIED TO CONTACT FORD SEVERAL TIMES, BUT GOT THE RUN AROUND, AND THEY JUST DUSTED ME, TELLING ME IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT, NO RECALLS, NO DEFECTS. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THIS SAME TYPE OF FIRE HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER'S OTHER 3 TRUCKS, F-150'S, JUST A WEEK PRIOR TO MINE IGNITING. *JB

I OWN A 1997 FORD F150 THIS TRUCK WAS THE MOST DEPENDABLE AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER OWNED UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2005. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ALMOST 12 HOURS WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED UP. IT APPEARED TO BE SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL FIRE.*JB

1. DRIVING 5 MPH ALONG SMOOTH DIRT LANE 2. RUSTED BRAKE LINE RUPTURED, CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE 3. TOWED TRUCK TO MECHANIC FOR BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT, OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *JB

DT: ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 THE CALLER SAID PARKED VEHICLE AND 41/2 HOURS LATER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FIRE HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. A TREE WAS DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. NOTHING ELSE WAS DAMAGED. DEALER GAVE CALLER THE MANUFACTURER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD REPORT IT AND GET BACK TO HIM. *AK

BREAKS . *NM

I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 97 F150 A LOT OF PEOPLE DO. I HAVE 4.2 V6 THAT LOCKED UP ON ME A FEW MONTHS AGO. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE MOTOR FOR A COOLANT GASKET BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ONE. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND EVEN THE ONES THAT GOT CHANGE WENT BAD ANYWAY. PLEASE HELP MAKE FORD OWN UP TO THIS ENGINEERING DEFECT AND REPLACE THESE MOTORS. THANK YOU. *JB

1997 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE IS A V-8, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND JUST OVER 85,000 MILES. IT IS A WORK TRUCK DRIVEN DAILY, ABOUT 200 MILES PER WEEK. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH EITHER THE CRUISE CONTROL OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AT ABOUT 8:15 ON THE EVENING OF AUG. 25TH I RETURNED HOME AND PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY ABOUT SIX FEET FROM THE GARAGE DOOR. I WENT TO BED AT 10:30 P.M. MY NEIGHBOR RETURNED TO HIS HOME AT 12:05 A.M. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD AND WITNESSED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IGNITE INTO A BALL OF FLAMES. HE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND USED MY GARDEN HOSE TO WET DOWN MY GARAGE DOOR THEREBY PREVENTING MY HOUSE FROM CATCHING FIRE. I WAS FINALLY AWAKEN AROUND 12:30A.M. BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, THE INSULATION HAD MELTED FROM THE INSIDE OF MY GARAGE DOOR, THE GARAGE DOOR WINDOWS HAD CRACKED FROM THE HEAT, THE TRIM MELTED, AND THE GUTTERS ABOVE THE GARAGE WARPED. IF NOT FOR THE QUICK THINKING OF OUR NEIGHBOR WE COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES. OUR BEDROOMS ARE LOCATED TO THE REAR OF THE HOUSE AND THE GARAGE IS AT THE FRONT, BY THE TIME WE REALIZED THERE WAS A FIRE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO LATE. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON HIS 1997 FORD F150 WENT OUT. THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET THE BRAKE LIGHTS FIXED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT WAS SMOKING WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS. THIS HAPPENED ON 9-17-04. HE DISCONNECTED THE SWITCH. HE BOUGHT A NEW SWITCH AND INSTALLED IT, AND NEVER HAD ANY MORE TROUBLE. HE WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT SO NHTSA WOULD BE AWARE THAT THE 1997 FORD -F150 HAD A BAD CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH . HE WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL HE HAD HEARD IT ON THE NEWS THAT THE 2000 YEAR MODELS HAD A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. *AK *JB UPDATED 03/29/06

DT: 1997 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. A NEIGHBOR ALERTED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A FIRE AT ABOUT 2:45 AM. THE NEIGHBOR SAID THAT THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME BECAUSE THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE CONSUMER'S HOUSE AND THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTALED. IT BURNED ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE TOOL BOX. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE DAMAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SMOKE INHALATION, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONSUMER E-MAILED FORD AND ASKED FOR SOMEONE TO CONTACT HIM, AND NO ONE DID. THERE WAS AN ONGOING INSURANCE CLAIM. THERE WAS MASSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. *AK *SC

IN FEB./ 05 CRUISE CONTROL QUITE, MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM, AUG 15/05 ABS LIGHT COMES ON. THINKING BRAKE FLUID IS LOW, I POP THE HOOD AND NOTICE PLUG ON MASTER CYLINDER IS BURNED/MELTED. CAR WONT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, AND NO BRAKE LIGHTS. I GET A NEW PLUG AND HARNESS FROM DEALER AND REPLACE BLOWN FUSE. I STILL HAVE NO CRUISE LIGHT ON ON DASH BUT BRAKES AND CRUISE WORK. DEALER SAID NO RECALL BUT PLENTY OF SERVICE BULLETINS. $15.00 PART

ABS LIGHT STARTED FLASHING 16 TIMES WITH PAUSE THEN REPEATS. NOTICED #13 FUSE WAS BLOWN. REPLACED AND LOOKED UP IMMEDIATELY TO FIND WHITE SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF HOOD. PULLED OUT FUSE TO FIND THAT IT WAS BLOWN (THANK GOODNESS). HEARD ON INTERNET FORUM THAT IT MAY BE THE CRUISE SWITCH ON MASTER CYLINDER. LOOKED THERE AND FOUND SWITCH PARTLY MELTED. DISCONNECTED SWITCH AND BATTERY, REPLACED FUSE AND HOOKED UP BATTERY, BUT NOT THE SWITCH. NO MORE BLINKING LIGHT, BUT NOW NO CRUISE CONTROL, OF COURSE. STILL HAVE YET TO CONTACT FORD ABOUT THE FAILURE.

1997 FORD F150 4.2 L V-6 LEAKING LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET DESTROYS ENGINE!

MY SON TOLD ME HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKE LIGHTS ON HIS TRUCK, A 1997 FORD F150. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A FUSE SINCE HE SAID THAT HE REPLACED THE BULBS. WHEN I REPLACED THE FUSE THERE WAS A ABUNDANCE OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF SMOKE WITH THE HOOD OPEN WE REPLACED THE FUSE AGAIN. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE REPLACED THE PART AND I HAVE KEPT THE OLD PART. I CAN SUPPLY THE NUMBER ON THE PART OR SEND IT ANYWHERE YOU LIKE. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 1997 FORD F 150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT COMPLETELY. THE OWNER PARKED THE TRUCK AT 6 PM IN THE GARAGE AND AT 9 PM HEARD THE HORN. THE OWNER THEN WENT TO THE GARAGE TO CHECK ON THE TRUCK AND FOUND THE TRUCK BURNING. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. THE OWNER SAID THE FIRE WAS FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. CLAIMED THAT HE WAS JUST SECONDS FROM LOSING HIS HOUSE. THE OWNER HAD NOT SEEN ANYTHING IN THE TV NEWS OR NEWS PAPERS ABOUT THE ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS WITH THE SWITCH. THE OWNER HAD NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL THAT DAY OR DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING FUNNY ABOUT HOW THE TRUCK WAS DRIVING. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT, AND AN INSURANCE REPORT WERE ISSUED. PICTURES WERE TAKEN. THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN MOVED FROM THE FIRE LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTALED. LOSS AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE OWNER'S HOUSE, SEVERE SMOKE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE. THE INSURANCE TOOK CARE OF THE SMOKE DAMAGES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

DT: THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL FOR THE 2000 FORD F150, STATING IT CAN LEAD TO FIRES. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND THE IGNITION WAS OFF. WENT OUT TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. SOME WIRING MELTED. CONTACTED FORD, THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS FOR 2000 MODELS. THE CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED, THEY REPLACED THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 23, 2005. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE ANY PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID HAVE THE INVOICE FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *AK

I HAVE A 97 FORD F150. THEY ARE KNOWN TO HAVE GASKET FAILURE. I AM ON MY 3RD MOTOR IN IT. THEY DONT MAKE IT 100,000 MILE. YOU JUST START THEM @ THEY WILL BLOW. *NM

WHILE WATCHING CNN NEWS AUGUST 16 2005, A REPORT WAS ON WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL OF FORD VEHICLES THAT HAVE A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. I WAS PARKED AND HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AT THAT POINT, I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM, THEN GRABBED THE WIRING WAY ABOVE THE HEAT SOURCE AND STARTED PULLING THE WIRES UNTIL THEY BROKE LOOSE. THE WIRING WAS ATTACHED TO A SWITCH AT THE END OF MY BRAKE CYLINDER, IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK AND I COULD NOT REMOVE IT FROM PARK, I HAD TO CALL FOR HELP. A DAY OR SO LATER, I SAW A REPORT ON CNN NEWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM FOR THIS SWITCH AND FORD WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD ,IF FORD WOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAD DRIVEN MY MOM TO VISIT SOMEONE IN A NURSING HOME, OTHERWISE MY TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN ON MY CARPORT. IS THERE MORE HIDDEN PROBLEMS THAT FORD IS HIDING THAT COULD, OR WOULD, HAVE DESTROYED MY HOUSE BY FIRE IF I HAD NOT BEEN IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME? IS IT SAFE TO PARK IN MY GARAGE NOW? I ASKED CHEROKEE FORD IN WOOKSTOCK, GEORGIA IF THEY KNEW OF A RECALL ON THIS SINCE IT WAS ON THE NEWS, AND THEY SAID SOME VEHICLES WERE, BUT NOT MINE, AND TO KEEP WATCHING THE NEWS AND IF, (BIG WORD)FORD DID HAVE A RECALL, COME BACK AND THEY COULD REIMBURSE FOR THE PART ONLY, SINCE MY REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE.*JB

MY 1997 F-150 CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN IN 18 HOURS. MY TWELVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND A NEIGHBOR PUT THE FIRE OUT. IN SPEAKING WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY HAVE A RECALL ON CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES BUT UNTIL TODAY IT DID NOT GO BACK TO MY YEAR MODEL. DUE TO A TELEVISION BROADCAST ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2005 FORD HAS NOW INCLUDED VEHICLES UP TO 1995 HOWEVER WHEN I SPOKE WITH THEM TODAY THEY ADVISED IT ONLY INCLUDES VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AT PARTICULAR PLANTS WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER STATED "MORE THAN LIKELY THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH". MY FAMILY AND I WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHERE THE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIAL AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF LIFE AS MY CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS ARE LOCATED ABOVE THE GARAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FORD EXTEND THIS RECALL TO EVERY VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF THE PLANT IT WAS MANUFACTURED AND AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF MY COSTS HOWEVER FORD IS DENYING ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD OFFER TO HELP MAKE THIS COMPANY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR MANUFACTURING PRACTICES WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *NM

THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS. THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE/LOCK GETS STUCK AND THE DOOR SOMETIMES DOES NOT OPEN OR IT IS HARD TO OPEN, AND OPENS AFTER TRYING REPEATEDLY. *NM

DT: THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND SPREAD QUICKLY. FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INSPECTING THE TRUCK, AND THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATOR FROM FORD CHECKING THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB

EL CAJON FORD REPLACED PLUGS. NEVER WARNED ME ABOUT PLUG BLOWOUT. HEARD TICKING FOR 2 WEEKS BUT THOUGHT IT WAS MINOR EXHAUST LEAK. PLUG BLEW OUT DRIVING HOME AT 30 MPH. TOWED TRUCK TO EL CAJON FORD AND SERVICE WRITER SAID FORD WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE HEAD AT $3500 WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE HEAD. I ASKED ABOUT THE DEPENDABILITY OF THE OTHER HEAD AND HE SAID THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY RARE AND USUALLY ONLY HAPPENED WITH THE LIGHTNING AND ONLY 1 PLUG WAS EVER BAD IN EACH MOTOR. I REFUSED REPAIR AT FORD AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. *NM

DT: 1997 FORD F150. THE CONSUMER STATES ON AUGUST 10, 2005 H VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 7 HOURS BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY FILED A REPORT. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED IT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

DT: THE CALLER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND ONE AND A HALF HOURS LATER IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CALLER THOUGHT A REPORT WAS FILED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CALLER HAD INSURANCE AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THE MANUFACTURER URGED THE CALLER TO CONTACT THE DEALER IF HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS BEING DONE. THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE DRIVEWAY, AND A TREE WAS DESTROYED. *AK *SC

DRIVING ALONG 26 MILE ROAD AND INDIAN TRAIL. DASH BOARD BEGAN TO SMOKE, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, AS I EXITED VEHICLE THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I ATTEMPTED TO REACH IN TO RETRIEVE SOME PERSONAL BELONGS AND BURNED LEG (MINOR). VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A POLICY REPORT WAS FILED. *NM

1997 F-150 PICKUP CAUGHT FIRE AFTER RETURNING FROM THE STORE, 10 MINUTES LATER WE HEAR A HORN BLOWING WE GO TO SEE WHAT IS WAS AND THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. IT IS AN OPEN CLAIM WITH MY INS. COMPANY RIGHT NOW. THIS HAPPENED ON 8-7-2005. *NM