1997 Ford F-150 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT BECAME LOOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V196000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED. TWO YEARS PRIOR, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS GAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RUBBER PORTION OF THE GAS LINE CONNECTED TO DUCT BILL CLIP FITTING ROTTED AWAY. UPDATED 5/4/2015 *JS

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE ENGINE GOT CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN I HAVE THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT HE SAID THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE ROCKER ARM IN THE ENGINE CAME OFF AND HE SAID THE THAT THE VALVES GOT DESTROYED FROM THE ROCKERS. *TR

MOTOR RUNS ROUGH AT TIMES WITH ACCELERATION, CRUISE DONT WORK, AND AFTER CHANGING EVERYTHING 3 TIMES...IT'S A SPARK PLUG BRAND, AND AN UNFINISHED RECALL A PREVIOUS OWNER DIDN'T HAVE FINISHED? ITS A BEAUTIFUL BODY DESIGN...BUT NOW I CANT HAVE RECALLS DONE THAT WERENT COMPLETED BECAUSE OF A CARELESS FIRST OWNER. WHY SHOULD I SUFFER FOR HIS AND FORDS WRECKLESNESS? NOT FAIR. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD. RECALLS SHOULD NEVER EXPIRE. LETS THINK ABOUT HUMAN SAFETY INSTEAD OF PROFIT N GIVE EVERY OWNER THE OPTION TO SAFELY TRANSPORT THEIR CHILDREN WHEN A MANUFACTURING ERROR OCCURS EVEN IF PREVIOUS OWNERS DONT CARE TO HAVE SHODDY PARTS REPLACED FOR FREE. HOW COULD ONE VEHICLE HAVE THAT MANY MISTAKES? TOTAL DISREGAURD FOR HUMAN LIFE WHEN A TIME LIMIT IS SET ON A POSSIBLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM. MISTAKES ARE MADE..BUT SERVICE THEM (CAR OWNERS) WHEN YOUR NOTIFIED. IT COST YOU NOTHING BUT TIME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME AND RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,166.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,599.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AS THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE BULB HAD OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE BULB HOLDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID A CRASH AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM TWO FRACTURED VERTEBRATES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

MY GRANDSON AND I WENT INTO WALMART AND CAME OUT OF THE STORE. WALKING ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND SEEN MY 1997 FORD F150 PICKUP ON FIRE. COMPLETE STRANGERS CAME FROM ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT AND STARTED THROWING SNOW ON IT FROM A PILE 50 FT AWAY. A TOWN COP SHOWED UP AND SPRAYED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON IT THE THE FIRE COMPANY SHOWED UP AND PUT IT OUT THE REST OF THE WAY. NO ONE WAS HURT. BUT MECHANICS ARE SAYING THAT IT LOOKS LIKE A BREAK SWITCH THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. *TR

MY TRUCK WAS LOOSING WATER TO THE OIL PAN AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO NEED REPLACING IN 2004. FORD CHARGED ME 5200.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND SAID THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. NOW THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE IS DOING THE SAME THING. WHY WILL FORD NOT ADMIT THE PROBLEM WITH THE 97 4.2 AND NOT TRY TO COVER IT UP.? I DO NOT HAVE ALOT OF MONEY AND CAN'T AFFORD TO LET THEM KEEP FIXING THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DRIVER'S SIDE NOR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

REAR SHOCK MOUNT CONNECTED TO FRAME RUSTED AND BROKE OFF. *TR

I NOTICED EXTREME RUST THAT HAS EATEN AWAY PARTS OF FRAME AND SUSPENSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION TO 90 MPH. THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FISH-TAILED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A NEARBY MEDIAN BARRIER. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FOR ANOTHER 5 MILES. THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL REPEATEDLY, AND THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED AND WAS MANEUVERED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS TRAPPED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING THE ABNORMAL ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS NEVER POSITIONED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SHIFT CABLE AND STEERING COLUMN BRACKET WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED TWO RECALLS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 97V147000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER OF THE TWO RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

1997 FORD F150 4.6L 4X4 FUEL LINE IS LEAKING ABOVE THE TRANSMISSION WHERE THE LINES CONNECT BETWEEN THE FUEL FILTER AND THE TOP REAR OF ENGINE. FUEL LINES ARE RUBBING ON THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. FORD HAS RECALLED OVER 600,000 OF THIS MODEL TRUCK FOR THIS PROBLEM IN AUGUST, 2000, (FORD MFG. RECALL# 00S22) BUT AFTER SPEAKING WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THEY STATED THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALLED TRUCKS EVEN THOUGH MY TRUCK FIT ALL OF THE CRITERIA, SUCH AS MODEL, DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF MANUFACTURE TO THE LETTER. I WAS TOLD THAT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF TRUCKS WERE AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH FORD RECALLED OVER 600,000 OF THESE TRUCKS FOR THIS ISSUE.I'VE HAD A PREVIOUS ISSUE WITH FUEL TANK FALLING OUT OF TRUCK DUE TO FAULTY STRAPS. FORD REPLACED STRAPS, BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR DAMAGED FUEL TANK. THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THIS TRUCK IS VERY SUSPECT. *TR

I WENT TO A AUTOMOTIVE SHOP TO HAVE SOME BRAKE WORK DONE ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 TRUCK. THE MECHANIC SAID I HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW YOU & WHAT THEY SHOW WAS ONE OF MY FUEL TANK STRAP WAS BROKEN AND ALSO THEY SAID MY GAS TANK DROP DOWN A LITTLE.SO I CALL A FORD DEALER & THEY SAY THERE NO RECALL ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 FUEL TANK STRAP IN VIRGINIA BUT IN OTHER STATES IT IS. I TOLD THEM ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA , IT IS ! NO HELP FROM FORD DEALER. *TR

AFTER CHECKING MY VEHICLE OVER I NOTICED THAT THE FRAME IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED THRU. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A CONDITION COMMON WITH THIS YEAR OF TRUCK AND STYLE. IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY VEHICLES THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM? I HAVE DRIVEN FORDS FOR YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS EXTEND OF RUST IN ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF WHEN IT ROLLED AWAY DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S HOME. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND FILED A REPORT OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,076. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE GAS TANK REAR STRAP CORRODED AND SEPARATED FROM THE GAS TANK. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY, THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN COMBINATION WITH A WHEEL BLOCK BEING PLACED IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE BY A SPECIALIZED TRANSMISSION CENTER AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. ON JANUARY 21, 2012, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE RECALL CAMPAIGN EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING GAUGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FOURTH DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,600.

1997 FORD F-150. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REPAIRED WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF AN A/C PROBLEM. THE A/C CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS TURNED OFF. AS THE DEALER WAS PREPARING TO INSTALL A NEW A/C CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, THE COMPRESSOR FELL APART WHEN THEY REMOVED THE CLUTCH. SO, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW COMPRESSOR AS WELL. THE CONSUMER GAVE APPROVAL FOR THE REPAIRS, THINKING THE DEALER WAS GOING TO USE NEW PARTS. ON JUNE 25, 2011, AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE A/C COMPRESSOR SUDDENLY SEIZED AND BROKE THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT, WHICH TOOK OUT THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT AND IT ALMOST TOOK HIM HALF WAY INTO THE LANE OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE NEXT THE DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR AND DRIVE BELT FREE OF CHARGE. THAT IS WHEN THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED RE-MANUFACTURED PARTS HAD BEEN USED. ON JUNE 114, 2012, THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN AT NO CHARGE. ON OCTOBER 16, 2012, THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN, BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT OPERATING WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE DEALER WAS CONTACT WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 12/5/12 *CN THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLEW A ROD THROUGH THE OIL PAN. AS A RESULT, THE MOTOR CRATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIRS THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURERER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

THE F150 FUEL TANK IS PRONE TO SEVERE AND DANGEROUS RUST AT THE BASE OF THE FILLER NECK. SO SEVERE THAT IT WILL RUST THROUGH CAUSING THE FUEL TO SPILL PROFUSELY THROUGH THE CRACKED NECK. I AM SURE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE AFTER CHECKING THE SALVAGE YARDS TO TRY AND REPLACE THE PART I DISCOVERED THAT IT'S NOT A REMOVABLE PART OF THE TANK AND THAT ALL THE TANKS I CHECKED HAD THE SAME CRACKED RUSTED AREA. MEANING THAT IF THE F150'S ARE STILL ON THE ROAD THEY WILL EVENTUALLY SUFFER THIS DANGEROUS FUEL LEAKAGE. *TR

STOPPED TO FILL UP GAS TANK AND AS PUMPING THE GAS STARTED LEAKING OUT OF THE FILLER NECK TO THE TOP OF THE TANK. *TR *JS

1997 FORD F-150. CONSUMER WRITES IN CONCERNING SAFETY RECALL 11V385000 REGARDING FUEL TANKS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2011. PRIOR TO THE REPLACEMENT, THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS FUELING HIS TANK. AFTER THE STRAPS WERE REPLACED, HE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND AFTER FILLING THE TANK. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACK ON THE FILLER NECK ON THE TANK. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE AS THEY ONLY REPLACED THE STRAPS. THE HOSE CLAMPS, FUEL TANK AND FILLER SPOUT WERE RUSTED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED ONE OF THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO PARTIALLY DETACH. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING); HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 246,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FRAME FRACTURED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE BROKEN AND THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKING ABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST AND CORROSION ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRAME, BUT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF CRACKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE DRIVER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 205,000.

4.2L F150 HAD A SLOW LOSS OF COOLANT AND NOT BEING NOTIFIED THAT THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHICH COULD LEAD TO ENGINE DESTRUCTION, I WOULD SIMPLY ADD MORE COOLANT. THIS CONDITION RESULTED IN COMPLETE HYDRO LOCK AND DESTROYING #5 ROD BEARING. WHILE I CAN WELL UNDERSTAND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLES OF 1997 VINTAGE I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND AT ALL FORD NOT ADVISING CONSUMERS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES BEFORE THEY SPEND 4K$ IN REBUILDING AND INSTALLING THIS LONG BLOCK AND FINDING OUT THEY HAD SQUANDERED THEIR MONEY ON TRYING TO RESURRECT A DEAD HORSE WITH 86069 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE CORROSION LOCKED REAR WHEELS (RIMS LOCKED TO HUBS) FOR BALANCING AND ROTATING, WHILE VEHICLE WAS SUPPORTED ON HYDRAULIC LIFT, THE MAIN REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED. VEHICLE WAS OPERATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL NY STATE FOR 10 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MECHANICALLY INOPERATIVE SINCE THAT TIME, THOUGH NUMEROUS NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE VISIBLY CORRODED BRAKE LINE FAILED DURING ATTEMPTS TO "COAX" THE CORROSION LOCKED RIMS FROM THE WHEELS BY APPLYING LATERAL (90 DEGREE) PRESSURE TO THE SIDES OF THE PICKUP'S BED, WHILE THE TIRES WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE GARAGE FLOOR BUT WITH THE VEHICLE STILL SUPPORTED BY THE LIFT. POINT OF FAILURE WAS JUST IN FRONT AND ABOVE THE REAR AXLE. THIS WAS VEHICLE'S 2ND BRAKE LINE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR, THE FIRST HAVING OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE JUST BEHIND THE CALIPER/WHEEL CYLINDER.

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM TOWN WHEN ALL THE BALL BEARINGS FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, IT WAS CONTROLLABLE AT THE LOW SPEED I WAS GOING BUT THANK GOD I WASN'T ON AN INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY AT A HIGHER SPEED I COULD HAVE RUN OFF THE ROAD OR WORSE HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION ! THE TRUCK HAS NOT LEFT MY PROPERTY SINCE BUT I STILL HAVE TO KEEP FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE AND TAGGED FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES AND A LIEN FROM MY BANK ON IT,I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE STARTER ON IT EIGHT (8) TIMES THE PARTS ARE VERY CHEAP BUT IT HAS AN AIRBAG AND MY LOCAL FORD DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF 200.00 TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE TWO SIX AND SEVEN DOLLAR BEARINGS. WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED SINCE THE BALL BEARINGS ARE VERY TINY AND ARE HARD TO SEE AND IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED MY TRUCK JUST SITS THERE ALL THIS TIME BECAUSE IM AFRAID OF SOMEONE GETTING HURT SERIOUSLY OR KILLED BECAUSE IM AFRAID OF LOSING CONTROL ON THE STEERING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE I WAS SIXTEEN AND WAS A BIG TRUCK DRIVER FROM 1979 TO 1996 TILL I BECAME ILL BUT I WOULD NEVER DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH STEERING PROBLEMS, THANK YOU *TR

FORD RECALL 99B29. FRONT COVER GASK UNABLE TO HOLD COOLANT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING ON BY ONE OF ITS STRAPS. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS FRACTURED AND THE SECOND STRAP WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE STRAPS HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TRUCK HAS A 4.2 LITER, V-6 ENGINE. A WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN THEN PARKED IN A MY GARAGE. ON THE INCIDENT DAY I TRIED TO START THE TRUCK BUT HEARD ONLY A LOUD, HARD KNOCK WHEN THE STARTER ENGAGED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE BATTERY VOLTAGE CHECKED OUT OK. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE STARTER WAS REMOVED AND CHECKED OUT OK ELECTRICALLY. THE MECHANIC MANUALLY ROTATED THE ENGINE BACKWARD 1-1/2 TURNS (HE COULD NOT ROTATE IT FORWARD) THEN TRIED TO START IT BUT THE ENGINE AGAIN MADE A LOUD, HARD KNOCK SOUND. THE MECHANIC THOUGH THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED OR A PUSH ROD WAS BENT. HOWEVER, SINCE THE TRUCK RAN FINE THE LAST TIME IT WAS USED I FELT THE PROBLEM DEVELOPED DURING ITS LAST USE AND LAST COOLDOWN. I CONCLUDED A GASKET FAILED (OR A HEAD CRACKED) ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS DURING ITS LAST COOLDOWN. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED BACK TO MY GARAGE. I REMOVED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND FOUND COOLANT DRAINING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CYLINDER WHICH WAS CAUSING HYDROLOCK. I ROTATED THE ENGINE BACKWARD 4-1/2 TURNS THEN FORWARD 9 TURNS. THE ENGINE NOW TURNED FREELY. A TOTAL OF 4 TO 6 OUNCES OF COOLANT CAME OUT OF THE CYLINDER. I SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE FORD ALERT SYSTEM AND FOUND A POSTING FOR THE 1997 4.2L V-6 ENGINES THAT INDICATED THEY ARE PRONE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD O-RING FAILURES. I FOUND MANY REPORTS OF SIMILAR FAILURES FOR THIS YEAR AND ENGINE TYPE. I INTEND TO CHECK IN WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO GE

NOTICED GAS PORING FROM TANK AS I WAS REFILLING. LOOKED UNDER TO SEE STRAP ROTTED AND BROKEN. SCHEDULED TO HAVE STRAP FIXED FRI 4/6/12 BUT FROM WHAT I READ,THEY WONT FIX LEAK CAUSED BY STRAP. SO TANK WILL CONTINUE TO LEAK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED AND THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY. THE FUEL TANK DETACHED AND SPILLED NINETEEN GALLONS OF FUEL ONTO THE GROUND. A HAZMAT TEAM WAS NOTIFIED TO ASSIST WITH THE CLEAN-UP AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, SENSORS, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND THE FUEL TANK HOSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING) DUE TO THE STATE THE CONTACT RESIDED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,429.

THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FUEL STRAPS UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING), BUT THE DEFECTIVE STRAPS CREATED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81000. *JS

AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS PER CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V385000, I FOUND THAT WHEN I WAS REFUELING THE GASOLINE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR AT ABOUT 1.5 GALLONS. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I THE PROBLEM WASN'T PRESENT TILL THE STRAPS WERE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW FUEL FILLER NECK WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALL, SO I WENT TO PRIVATE SHOP FOR A LESS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. UPON INSPECTION IN REPLACING THE FUEL FILLER NECK, MY MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME THAT I ALSO NEEDED A NEW GAS TANK BECAUSE OF CORROSION OF BOTH THE FILLER NECK AND THE TANK. THIS TANK STRAP RECALL COST ME MORE IN PARTS AND LABOR THAN THE STRAPS ALONE COST FORD. WOULD I HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF LETTING THE TANK DROP AND CATCH ON FIRE IN MY FULLY COVERED 1997 VEHICLE? THE INSURANCE MONEY ALONE WOULD'VE GOTTEN ME A BETTER VEHICLE, BUT I LOVE MY TRUCK! HOPING ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WILL INITIATE AND INVESTIGATION AND RECALL SO I CAN GET MY REIMBURSEMENT. FOR NOW, I WILL HOLD ONTO THE OLD TANK AND ALL THE PARTS IN CASE I NEED PROOF OF PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD THE HORN SOUNDING OFF. THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES SOON THEREAFTER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE CHIEF STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING) THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL STRAPS WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REMEDY DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION ON THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL REPAIR AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER THE FUEL TANK MOUNT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME BRACKET HAD ROTTED AND THE RECALL COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A SLIGHT HESITATION, THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE, THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY, THE BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES, CALIPERS AND HOSES. UPDATED 04/17/12 UPDATED 04/25/12*LJ UPDATED 05/02/12 *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. NO ONE WAS INJURED FROM THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND TOOK A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT, WHO WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE CABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 314,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO ASSIST. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL STRAPS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE STORAGE TANK: ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000. UPDATED 03/14/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TANK FELL OFF IN JUNE AND HAS BEEN LEAKING EVER SINCE. THE STRAPS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE LEAK CONTINUED. UPDATED 03/19/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING BOX. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BOLT THAT HELD THE STEERING SHAFT IN PLACE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V196000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT REPLACED BECAUSE THAT REPAIR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.