1.WELL FIRST THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 97 FORD F150 WENT OUT. THEN MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT TOO. REPLACECD BRAKE LIGHTS ,THEN FUSE WENT OUT IN INTERIOR FUSE BOX SO, TRUCK WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. REPLACED FUSE THEN IT BLEW IT AGAIN. REPLACED AGAIN TRUCK COULD NOW SHIFT INTO GEAR. I WENT HOME PARKED TRUCK THE TRUCK IN DRIVE WAY AND DID NOT MOVE IT FOR THE TRUCK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. WAS WAKEN UP ABOUT 3 IN THE MORNING BY COPS TELLING ME MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE TRUCK ENDED UP BURNT EVERYWHERE BUT THE BED TOTAL LOSS PRETTY MUCH UN DRIVABLE. BURNED A 95 CARAVAN AND PART OF A 2002 FORD EXCURSION. I KNOW HAVE I VEHICLE TO MOVE MY KIDS THAT ARE IN SCHOOL AND MYSELF AND MY WIFE WHICH ALSO NOW HAS SOME SERIOUS NERVE DAMAGE SHE HAS NIGHTMARES OF OTHER VEHICLE BURNING AND CAN HARDLY SLEEP. TRIED CONTACTING FORD BUT C.S. DEPARTMENT PUTS ME ON HOLD ALL DAY. *JB
1997 Ford F-150 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →
MY 97 FORD 4.2L, WHICH IS PAID FOR AND HAS 60,000 MILES HAS THROWN A ROD. ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF AND HAS CHOSEN TO DO NOTHING ABOUT. I HAVE FAITHFULLY TAKEN THE TRUCK IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ALL FACTORY RECALLS. I HAVE A TRUCK THAT IS GOING TO COST ME $4,000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF FORD'S NEGLIGENT. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THEIR FAITHFUL CUSTOMERS. *JB
NHTSA: THIS IS IN RELATION TO AN UNDER HOOD FIRE IN A 1997 FORD F150 PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. ON JULY 23, 2005 A NEIGHBOR CAME BANGING ON MY DOOR YELLING YOUR TRUCK IS ON FIRE. THERE WAS A FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHERE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER IS LOCATED. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE UNDER MY CARPORT AND HAD BEEN IDLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2.5 HOURS. I RAN TO GET MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. MY NEIGHBOR CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEN CAME OUT WITH ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER. ANOTHER NEIGHBOR GRABBED HIS EXTINGUISHER AND GAVE IT TO ME AND THAT ALSO FAILED. I GRABBED MY HOSE TO TRY TO MINIMIZE THE FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. I ONLY HAD ON SHORTS (NO SHOES). I RECEIVED SEVERAL BURNS ON THE BOTTOM OF MY FEET THE HOLE THAT WAS MELTED IN THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK CLEARLY SHOWS WHERE THE FIRE WAS LOCATED. THE DAY BEFORE THAT I HAD WENT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE MY A/C LOOKED AT. THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. ON A FORD RECALL WEB SITE IT SAYS THE FOLLOWING SIGNS COULD INDICATE THAT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR CRUISE-CONTROL SWITCH: CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY (MINE RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING); BRAKE FLUID LEAKING AROUND THE SWITCH (EXACTLY WHAT THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT); FUSES ARE BLOWN NEAR THE SWITCH, (THAT MORNING THE TRUCK WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND A MOBILE MECHANIC CAME OUT AND HE REPLACED THE BRAKE P
OUR '97 FORD F150 SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AFTER MY HUSBAND RETURNED HOME FROM WORK. HE HAD BEEN HOME APPROXIMATELY 30 - 45 MINUTES WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCK ON OUR APARTMENT DOOR. WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW, I SAW A HUGE FIRE AT THE BASE OF THE STAIRS. I TOLD MY HUSBAND AND HE GRABBED OUR DAUGHTER AND LEFT THE APARTMENT. I CALLED 911 TO REPORT THE FIRE AND I LEFT THE APARTMENT AS WELL. WHILE WAITING FOR THE FIRE DEPT., THERE WERE OTHER BURSTS OF FIRE WHILE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS IN CONTINUOUS BLAZE. THE FIRE DEPT. DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. *NM
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS TO OSHORT ON 1997 FORD F-150. THE WIRES WERE PULLING AND STRETCHING WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR CONSUMER FOR ABOUT YEAR AND A HALF. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARDS LIGHTS DID NOT WORK IN A CERTAIN POSITIONS ON THE STEERING COLUMN. BECAUSE OF THE WIRES ARE GETTING STRETCHED OUT OF THE MULTIFUNCTIONING SWITCH. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, BUT THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 1 HOUR A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. *AK *JB
DT: THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS BURNING. THE CONSUMER COULD SMELL SMOKE WHILE WALKING PAST THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE SMOKE BEFORE THE SWITCH ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE BY DISCONNECTED THE WIRE LEADING TO THE SWITCH.*AK *NM
I HAVE A 1997 F150 WITH A 4.2L V6 ENGINE. I HAD A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED A YEAR AGO WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL FROM FORD MOTOR ON. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE THE SAME ADDRESS AS TO WHEN I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK. SINCE THE GASKET WAS REPLACED, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I STARTED HAVING OIL PRESSURE PROBLEMS. NOW I AM STARTING TO HEAR A KNOCK. TALKING TO MY MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS A ROD AND BEARINGS. I PULLED UP THE RECALL # 99-20-7 WHICH EXPLAINS THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL LIKE FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES THAT THIS HAS CAUSED. BY THE WAY THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 46,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT!! HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE IN FORUMS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAY NO LUCK OUT OF FORD. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THIS RESOLVED? HAD A MECHANIC AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT AND SAID SAME THING. HOW COULD WE GO ABOUT GETTING A LAWYER TO START A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT? YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. BY THE WAY, I DID GET A RECALL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM THAT WOULD CAUSE IT TO CATCH FIRE. WHY DIDN'T I GET THE OTHER ONES? *NM
PARKED THE VEHICLE ABOUT 1:15 AT ABOUT 1:43 THE VEHICLE WAS REPORTED ON FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FIRE A FUSE HAD BLOWN MULTIPLE TIMES THAT PREVENTED GETTING OUT OF PARK. AFTER FIRST FUSE CHANGE IT LASTED A COUPLE OF WEEKS THEN IT BLEW AGAIN. THE FUSES THAT WERE USED WERE THE PROPER SIZE. THE OWNER CALLED FORD TO FIGURE OUT WHY COULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT USED OFTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSURED BY STATE FARM AND WAS INVESTIGATED. OWNER HAS POST FIRE PICTURES AND WILL SEND.
DT: CONSUMER OWNED A 1997 FORD F150. IT HAD A BLOWN GASKET. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TURNED ON THERE WAS AN EXTREME KNOCKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP; THEY STATED THAT THE ROD WAS BENT. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 87,000 MILES. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. ON JULY 27, 2005 THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE STARTED ON DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE CHIEF HAD NOT COME UP WITH A REPORT, BUT HE ASSUMED IT WAS ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A TOTAL OF THREE HOURS BEFORE THE FIRE BROKE OUT. . THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMAL BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *AK
DT: ON JULY 2 2005 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE THROTTLE CABLE BROKE. THE OWNER WAS COMING DOWN A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WASN'T BEING PUSHED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS SPEEDING ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE, WHILE GOING 50-55 MPH. AFTER ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE TRUCK TOOK ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE TO COME A STOP. THE VEHICLE FINALLY HIT AN OAK TREE AND STOPPED AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE OWNER'S WIFE WAS INJURED WITH UPPER NECK AND BACK. INJURIES. THE OWNER''S DAUGHTER WAS BRUISED ON THE FACE. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES. THERE WAS NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR STICKING BEFORE. FORD REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS ABOUT THIS. THE OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE OWNER HAS TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND THROTTLE CABLE. INSURANCE WILL PAY FOR REPAIRS TO THE BODY. ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE CRASH, THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THAT WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE REPAIR. AT THIS TIME OWNER IS WAITING FOR THE REPAIR WORK TO BE COMPLETED. OWNER STATED THAT DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING. *JB
4.2 L ENGINE BUSTING RODS.
DT: A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE HAD AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH ALLOWED WATER I TO LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE RODS, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO FAIL AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST TO FIX IT BEFORE THE PROBLEM BEGAN WA S $800. CONSUMER'S BOSS HAD PROBLEMS WITH HIS FLEET OF VEHICLES, AND NOTIFIED CONSUMER OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS A FABRICATED DEFECT OR A DESIGN FLAW. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO RECALL, BUT OWNER DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WON'T RECALL VEHICLE SINCE THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.*AK
CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH) ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 OVER HEATED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER SITTING FOR 3 HOURS IN THE PARKING LOT AT MY WORK. NO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO TRUCK. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. I WAS AWARE OF A RECALL FOR THE 2000-2001 F-150'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL, HOWEVER FORD ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 MODELS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED . IF THIS FIRE HAD NOT BEEN NOTICED BY ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS I MIGHT HAVE LOSTED THE TRUCK. THIS COSTED ME AROUND $170 WITH TOWING AND I FEEL FORD IS AWARE THEY HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING FOR SAFETY AND AT FORDS EXPENSE.
1997 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD NEAR THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES, HE WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
VEHICLE FIRE INVOLVING THE SPEED CONTROL DISCONNECT SWITCH ((CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT)) ON THIS 1997 FORD F150. LIMITTED BURN IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, AND THIS FIRE PATTERN/EVIDENCE IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE FAILURE OF THIS VEHICLE COMPONENT. SALVAGE IS PRESENTLY PRESERVED FOR INSPECTION.
1997 FORD F-150 TRUCK WITH APPROXIMATELY 122,000 MILES, HAD A FUSE FAILURE THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. FUSE WAS REPLACED AND 4 DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING A NEARLY TOTAL DESTRICTION OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR PORT IT WAS SITTING IN. FIRE OCCURRED ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS LAST DRIVEN. THIS FIRE MAY BE RELATED TO THE RECALL OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) ON THE 2000 F-150 TRUCKS.
I HAD BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TRUCK, CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING, HAD SOME FUSES BLOWN UNDER HOOD THAT WERE REPAIRED, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEN MY 1997 F-150 XLT SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTS IN DRIVEWAY. HAD BEEN PARKED FOR OVER AN HOUR. PERSONS DRIVING BY ALERTED ME TO THE FIRE, WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON AND FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF HOOD NEARLY 10' IN AIR. THEN THE CAR ALARM WENT OFF AND AT SOME POINT THE DOORS UNLOCKED THEMSELVES. POLICE AND I EXTINGUISHED FIRE, BUT THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. DEALER SAID THAT ONE SECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE HAD ROTTED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS WET. CONSUMER STATES THAT IT'S ALWAYS WET AND HE LIVES IN A SALT AIR ENVIRONMENT. *JB THE CONSUMER'S MAIN CONCERN IS THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS NOT REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED FUEL LINE. INSTEAD IT WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME LINE THAT FAILED. *NM
DT: THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING 20 MIN. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS THAT A PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. THE OWNER WAS INSIDE THE HOUSE AND HEARD A POP SOUND AND THEN LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM A HOLE IN THE HOOD. FLAMES WERE ABOUT 2 OR 3 FOOT HIGH. THERE WAS A FIRE INVESTIGATION #0002302 WHICH STATES THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS TECHNICAL PROCESSING CENTER AND CAUSE OF FIRE WAS THE IGNITION OF AN UNSPECIFIED SHORT CIRCUIT ARCH. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. IT WAS ALSO REPORTED TO INSURANCE COMPANY. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD OTHER PROBLEMS BEFORE. THE POLICE REPORT # 7619. *JB
DT: THE REAR END IS MAKING A WHINING NOISE. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE STARTING TO SEPARATE. THE TIRES ARE BRAND NEW PUT ON MARCH 21, 2003. THE TIRES ARE AMERITRAC GENERAL, P255/70R16. THE CONSUMER CAN NOT LOCATE THE NUMBER FOR THE TIRE COMPANY. THEREFORE, HE CANNOT CONTACT THEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT HE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE REAR END. THE CONSUMER'S MECHANIC STATES THAT THE BEARINGS ON THE REAR END ARE BAD DUE TO BAD CASING; IT WILL NOT ALIGN ITSELF UP WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE WHINING STARTED. THE MECHANIC STATES IT WILL NOT GROUND IN ORDER TO MAKE IT ACTIVATE THE SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED FORD, AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN. WHEN HE CALLED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN HE WAS TOLD HE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A SERVICE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR SIX MONTHS, BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES THERE IS A MUSHY FEELING, AND THE FRONT END SHAKES AND SHIMMIES.*AK
I OWN A 1997 FORD F-150 WITH THE 4.2L V-6 ENGINE THAT IS NOTORIOUS FOR "HYDROLOCKING" DUE TO A FAULTY LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS HAS BEEN A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE AMONG MANY CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED THIS MODEL AND MANY OF US HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PAY LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY IN ORDER TO REPLACE A BLOWN ENGINE DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING.
ON JULY 11,2005 JASON WENT TO WORK AND PARKED HIS 1997 FORD F-150 PICKUP IN THE PARKING LOT OF HIS JOB ROLLED UP ALL THE WINDOWS AND LOCKED THE DOORS AND TOOK THE KEY.AT APROMENTLY 9.00AM HE WENT OUT FOR HIS BREAK TO FIND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT HIS TRUCK ITS A TOTAL LOSS.THE ONLY THING LEFT IS THE CAB OF THE TRUCK.
DT THIS SATURDAY JULY 9TH, MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UP UNDER THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE SETTING IN THE YARD. IT HAD BEEN SETTING THERE FOR ABOUT A HOUR. HAVE CONTACTED FORD THEY ARE HAVING A CONSUMER CONTACT ME. THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THAT WHERE MOST OF THE DAMAGE IS. MELTED EVERYTHING UP UNDER THE HOOD WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT BEFORE IT GOT TO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
1) NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. ORIGINAL OWNER, WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH 98,000 MILES. 2) ENGINE SIEZED DURING START (4.2 LITER WITH APPARENT HISTORY OF MANIFOLD GASKET FLAW LEADING TO FAILURE) 3) VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED DUE TO HIGH COST OF ENGINE REBUILD OR REPLACEMENT
1997 FORD F-150 EXT CAB 4X4 WAS PARKED IN CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY. AT 1:30-2:00 AM THE NEIGHBORS WERE POUNDING ON THE DOOR. CONSUMER FOUND TRUCK ON FIRE WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES. CONSUMER IS WAITING TO PICK UP FIRE REPORT FROM INVESTIGATOR. *RP *NM
TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. NEIGHBOR ALERTED CONSUMER THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM HIS VEHICLE. HE LIFTED THE HOOD AND SAW WHITE SMOKE THEN PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE IT AWAY FROM HIS GARAGE. AFTER MOVING THE TRUCK HE SAW FLAMES AND PUT THEM OUT WITH WATER. PARTS WERE REPLACED BY FORD DEALERSHIP IN KATY, TEXAS. *RP *NM
DT: A 1997 FORD F150 PICKUP. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED 3 TO 4 HOURS WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS AT WORK WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE ENGULFED TWO OTHER VEHICLE AS WELL. FIRE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS STILL UNCERTAIN. *AK
I HAD A 1997 FORD F-150 THAT WAS SETTING UNDER MY GRANDMOTHERS CARPORT BECAUSE THE IBS LIGHT HAD CAME ON AND I WAS USING HERE CAR UNTIL I COULD GET THE FORD COMPANY TO COME PICK IT UP TO FIX IT IT SET THERE FROM SUNDAY AND HAD NOT BEEN MOVED OR STARTED AND ON THE FOLLOWING THUIRSDAY BURST INTO FLAMES CAUSEINF A HOUSE FIRE MY GRANDMOTHER LOST EVRYTHING
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1997 FORD F150 XLT. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT OVER A YEAR AGO, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVERS SEAT WITH ANOTHER BRACKET. THE SEAT BROKE AGAIN. WHEN SITTING IN THE SEAT THE BACK OF THE SEAT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHILE THE FRONT OF THE SEAT RAISED UP. THE BRACKET HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *AK
DT: CONSUMER STATES WHEN SHE WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN SHELIFTED THE HOOD, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR AND UNHOOKED IT. AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE STOPPED SMOKING. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THEM IT WASN'T UNDER RECALL ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HADN'T CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK
DT: THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE WIRE WAS BURNED IN TWO. THE CONNECTOR THAT COMES INTO SWITCH WAS BURNT AND THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT A DAY BEFORE IT BURNED. OWNER NEVER SMELLED ANY SMOKE OR SAW ANY FLAMES. THE SWITCH JUST MELTED. THERE WERE NO OTHER MAJOR CONCERNS WITH VEHICLE, IT IS REGULARLY SERVICED. AFTER THE SWITCH WAS BURNED OWNER REPLACED THE SWITCH AND CONNECTOR WITH ANOTHER ONE BOUGHT AT A LOCAL AUTO STORE. THE OWNER HAS NOT YET REPORTED TO FORD.*AK
1997 FORD F150 TIE RODS ARE EXTREMELY LOOSE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR IT WAS DEMONSTRATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE BALL END COULD BE PULLED OUT OF THE SOCKET WITH BARE HANDS. THE SOCKET WAS MADE OF RUBBER. *SC
(1)FORD 1997 4.2 L V6, SLOW COOLANT LEAK/GASKET LEAK RESULTING IN INTERNAL TERMINAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. (2) REPLACING LOST COOLANT EVERY SO OFTEN IS NOT UNHEARD OF FOR A COMMON HIGH MILE ENGINE BUT BY DOING SO, THE PROBLEM IS GRADUALY GETTING WORSE UNTIL THE ENGINE LOCKS UP! (3)THE FIX IS THOUSANDS OF UPSET CONSUMERS SPENDING HARD EARNED DOLLARS REPLACING A FACTORY DEFECTIVE MOTOR WITH ANOTHER FACTORY DEFECTIVE MOTOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE! THANKS FORD! FOUND THE PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AFTER RESEARCHING THE WEB. PLEASE HELP! SINCERLY, EX-FORD FAN
EGINE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE GASKET LEAK ON 1997 FORD F150 V6 2.4 ENGINE AT 43,000 MILES
THE VEHICLE PARKED FOR 5 HOURS, OBSERVED FLAMES ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF HOOD, IT WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED. THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING ONE YEAR PRIOR. *JB
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT AT 4 PM TPARKED THE VEHICLE AND THE NEXT DAY AT 1 AM THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT BURNED THE HOOD, WINDSHIELD, WIRING AND EVERYTHING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THERE WAS A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT.*AK
DT: TRUCK WAS PARKED AND ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING, CONSUMER DROVE ABOUT A HALF HOUR BEFORE HE DISCOVERED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER HOOD NEAR CAB OF TRUCK. FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED BY 4 WITNESSES WITH A FIRE DISTINGUISHER. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. MECHANIC ON SITE OPENED HOOD AND SUSPECTED THE FIRE BEGAN NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE SINCE THIS OCCURRED. *AK
DT: AFTER SITTING FOR 2 DAYS, THE TRUCK STARTING SMOKING. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. A PLUG IN FRONT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD A SHORT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN ORDER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE WIRING IS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND IT WAS STILL THERE. *AK *SC *JB
DT: CRUISE CONTROL CAUGHT 0N FIRE. HAD REPORTED TO FORD BEFORE THIS CAME OUT BOUGHT ANOTHER CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THEN HAD DISCONNECTEDIT. VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND BURNT THE BRAKE FLUID, BUT WAS IN TIME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.*AK
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB OTHER VEHICLE'S WERE DAMAGED DURING THE FIRE AND ONE PERSON WAS BURNED ON THE ARM WHILE TRYING TO CONTAIN THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE DAMAGES. *NM
DT: CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED BECAUSE IT QUIT WORKING, AND BECAUSE OF ITS POTENTIAL TO START FIRE. CRUISE WAS WORKING FINE WHEN I CONSUMER BOUGHT THE TRUCK. *AK
AT 3:15 AM ON JUNE 1, MY 1997 FORD F-150 CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. HORN HONKING WOKE MY DAUGHTER WHO FIRST OBSERVED A FIRE FROM A BEDROOM WINDOW. SHE WOKE MY WIFE AND I UP THINKING MY DETACHED SHOP WAS ON FIRE. WE RAN OUTSIDE AND FOUND THE FIRE TO BE A TRUCK ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN LAST AT 7:30 PM AND PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY NEXT TO A HORSE TRAILER. I CALLED 911 AND BEGAN SPRAYING WATER ON THE TRUCK AND TRAILER. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE FIRE AND FOCUSED ON KEEPING THE TRAILER COOL. WHEN THE FIRE TRUCK FINALLY ARRIVED IT TOOK ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO PUT THE FIRE TOTALLY OUT. AT THAT POINT THE FIRE HAD BURNED THROUGH THE CAB TO REAR SEATS. BASED ON HOW THE TRUCK BURNED, I BELIEVE IT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FIRE.
DT: VEHICLE PARKED 5 DAYS, CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK *SB
DT: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FELT TEMPERATURE IN CABIN GO UP, PULLED OFF ROAD, OPENED HOOD TO FIND LARGE FIRE. *AK
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY GASKET
MY 1997 FORD F150 STARTED ON FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 10 HOURS. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION.
1997 FORD F150 DRIVER SIDE INNER TIE ROD END BECAME COMPLETELY SEPERATED DURING OPERATION OT THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL.
1.) ENGINE FAILURE ON 1997 FORD F150 4.2 V6 WITH ONLY 84442 MILES REPLACED MOTOR AT PERSONAL EXPENSE $4019.00 2.) ENGINE DIED ON 10-02-1003 HAD TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS "NOT" RELATED TO THE REPLACED MOTOR AND IT WAS ELECTRICAL - PERSONAL EXPENSE $300 3.) ENIGNE BEGINS RUNNING ROUGH ON 6-6-2005 - DIAGNOSIS FAULTY COIL ASSEMBLY, PLUS AND PLUG WIRES "NOT COVERED UNDER THE REBUILT ENGINE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY - PERSONAL COST: $600
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1997 Ford F-150 → · Every F-150 year → · How the figures are calculated →