Page 21 of 56 · complaints 1,001–1,050 of 2,758

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 →

Steering › ColumnCrash
Filed Jun 9, 200388,000 milesTX

STEERING HAD TOO MUCH PLAY CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 9, 200370,500 milesGA

ON JUNE 7TH, ONE OF THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S TIRES ON MY TRUCK FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON I-77. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE THAT HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRST SEPTEMBER 2002. IT APPEARS THAT ONE OF THE BELTS SEPARATED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. GOODYEAR REPLACED THE FIRST TIRE AT NO CHARGE, BUT I AM GOING TO HAVE THEM REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND. THERE WERE NO PUNCTURES OR EVIDENCE OF PRESSURE LOSS NOTED ON EITHER TIRE. GOODYEAR CLAIMS THE DAMAGE WAS RESULTANT OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS. THIS TIRE WAS THE REPLACEMENT TIRE FOR THE ONE THAT FAILED LAST YEAR. THE MILEAGE ON THE FIRST ONE WAS ABOUT 7000 MILES AND THIS ONE WAS ABOUT 5500. *JB

Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector
Filed Jun 5, 2003TX

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL # 03V196000, HOWEVER AFTER THE MECHANIC STARTED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE, HE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ALL THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND TO TAKE THE CAR AND THEY WOULD CALL CONSUMER WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED, THE CONSUMER FELT UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SHOP FOR 4 DAYS. *JB

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jun 4, 2003WV

REAR WINDSHIELD LEAKS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jun 4, 2003CA

THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHERE THE WINDOW STARTS. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Jun 4, 2003CT

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING LOST STEERING CONTROL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 4, 200376,000 milesMS

ENGINE MOTOR WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, AND HAS NO OIL PRESSURE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE BLOWING UP. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Jun 3, 2003IL

WHILE TIGHTENING BY HAND, THE LUGS: NUTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS BROKE OFF AT THE STUDS.*AK

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 2, 2003OH

WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK FUEL WILL SPILL OUT, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Jun 2, 2003155,000 milesFL

AFTER 2 DAYS OF RAIN I WENT OUT TO START MY 1997 FORD, F150. RAIN WATER HAD LEAKED IN FROM FIREWALL AREA ON TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA AND LEAKED IN THROUGH A FUEL INJECTOR FITTING AND FOUND ITS WAY TO A PISTON . THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO START THE STARTER ENGAGED AND ABRUPTLY STOP AFTER 3 MORE ATTEMPTS AT STARTING THE ENGINE IT TURNED AND STARTED.THE ENGINE HAD SEVERE BANGING NOISE(ABOUT 100 DECIBELS ).I WAS TOLD I HAD A BENT PISTON ROD FROM WATER BEING ON TOP OF PISTON AND THE ENGINE WAS RUINED!*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2003MA

NAR 6-03-2003 *MR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS RUINING THE ENGINE. *CB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed May 30, 200367,000 milesTN

ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. ABS BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED A COUPLE OF TIMES. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. DEALER WAS ALSO CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 30, 2003NC

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.*AK

Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Caliper
Filed May 27, 200369,225 milesKY

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE'S CALIPER SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 26, 200355,940 milesOH

MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING MY FORD F-150. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE MECHANIC TOLD ME MY BRAKE LINES WERE TWISTED. THE SECOND TIME WHICH OCCURRED 1-1/2 YEARS LATER, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT COULD POSSIBLE BE A VALVE OR A CYLINDER PROBLEM WHICH DOESN'T ALLOW FLUID TO THE BRAKES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. MY WHEEL GETS EXTREMELY HOT AND SO DOES MY TIRE. THE VEHICLE PULLS EXTREMELY HARD TO THE RIGHT AND SMOKES EMERGES FROM THE WHEEL. I AM AFRAID THAT MY TIRE COULD POP IF THIS OCCURS AGAIN. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I WILL NOT DRIVE MY TRUCK UNTIL I GET SOME EXPLANATION FROM FORD ON THIS PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 5/25/2003. IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH. VERY UNSAFE... CAN YOU HELP ME? *NLM

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed May 11, 2003GA

1. THE FRONT ENGINE COVER GASKET ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL AT ONE TIME ON THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS CHECKED BY A FORD DEALER AND NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS LATER IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE IT FOR FREE AND SO I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT MY COST OF $600.00. 2. AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS. MY WIFE HAD A WRECK IN THE SAME VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR DID THE SEAT BELTS LOCK UP LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. I TRIED TO GET FORD TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THAT WOULD HAPPEN AND THEY SAID THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD HAVE TO HANDLE IT. THE PROBLEM WAS STILL NOT SOLVED. ALSO THE ABS DID NOT WORK. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed May 8, 2003132,000 milesNC

CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BROKE 4 BOLTS AND CAME OFF HARMONIC BALANCER ON 1997 FORD F150 CAUSING LOSS OF ROWER STEERING,ALTERNATOR,AND WATER PUMP FUNCTIONS. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed May 7, 2003TX

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed May 4, 2003TX

MY 1997 FORD F-150 4X4 SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER HAVING BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 12 HOURS OVER NIGHT. THE ENGINE HAD NOT BEEN RUN, WAS NOT HOT, AND HAD NO MALFUNCTIONING PARTS TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I WAS AWAKENED FRIDAY MORNING BY A JOGGER BEATING ON MY FRONT DOOR SCREAMING THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. IT BURNED THE ENGINE COMPLETELY, DESTROYED THE HOOD, CAB, AND THE ENTIRE OF THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEFORE IT COULD BE PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE LOCAL FIRE MARSHAL AND ARSON INVESTIGATOR INVESTIGATED THE FIRE AND FOUND NO SIGNS OF MALFUNCTIONS. *JB PARKED THE VEHICLE AT 6:00 PM AT AROUND 6:00 AM THE NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE SEEMED TO BE HOTTEST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE. THE TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS TOTALLY MELTED. THE TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT FAIL. SHORTLY BEFORE THE FIRE THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. ONCE IN A WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AT ONE POINT AN INTERLOCK SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WAS REPLACED BECAUSE COULD NOT GET THE VEHCILE OUT OF PARK. WILL E-MAIL PICTURES TO BRUCE YORK. ONLY AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT WAS A STEREO PROFESSIONALY INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILTY INSURANCE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 28, 200374,000 milesKY

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE WATER PUMP AS STATED IN RECALL 00 V 094 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 28, 200373,950 milesTN

INCIDENT = IN 2000 FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON FORD F-150 PICKUPS TO COVER A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM INVOLVING A GASKET THAT KEPT COOLANT FLUIDS FROM LEAKING INTO THE CRANKCASE AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THEY ONLY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING GASKET TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T LEAKING AND THEN EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER 12 MONTHS. JUST AS THEY KNEW IT WOULD, APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS LATER (APRIL 27) THEIR REPLACEMENT GASKET CRACKED AND COOLANT FLUID LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE CRANKCASE, AND MY ENGINE SEIZED UP. DAMAGE RESULTING = MY ENGINE BEGAN TO CLATTER, AND I DROVE STRAIGHT TO A DEALERSHIP. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ($3,600.00 PLUS TAX). IN TALKING WITH THE AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER IN CLARKSVILLE, TN WHERE THE TRUCK BROKE DOWN AND MY USUAL AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER HERE IN NASHVILLE, APPARENTLY THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY OF THE F-150'S THAT RECEIVED A NEW GASKET AND AN EXTENDED 12 MONTH WARRANTY. AGAIN, FORD KNEW THERE WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM (WHICH BY THE WAY BOTH PLACES TOLD ME FORD CORRECTED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS) AND ONLY OFFERED A BAND-AID APPROACH TO DEALING WITH IT. IN TALKING WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I HAVE REQUEST THAT THE COST, OR AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE COSTS, OF MY NEW ENGINE BE PAID BY FORD. THE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TOMORROW, APRIL 29. NEEDLESS TO SAY, FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED OR OFFERED TO PAY FOR MY NEW ENGINE. *NLM

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Apr 27, 200394,000 milesTN

DOOR CRACKING ON BOTH FRONT DOORS, 1997 F150 PICKUP. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED, BUT WITH THE ESP WARRANTY, THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX IT...SAYS NOT COVERED. *NLM

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly › Leaf
Filed Apr 26, 200362,435 milesMA

ON APRIL 12, 2003 WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 FORD F 150 SUPER CAB PICKUP VIN [XXX] I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING TO INVESTIGATE I DISCOVERED THE MIDDLE LEAF OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING HAD BROKEN IN HALF AND THE FORWARD HALF WAS DANGLING IN THE AIR HELD THERE BY THE CLAMP THAT WAS INSTALLED AT THE DEALER (BONNELL MOTORS) WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK AS PART OF NHTSA RECALL 98V16000. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION I NOTICED THE MIDDLE LEAF ON THE LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING APPEARS TO HAVE SHIFTED AS IT IS NO LONGER EVEN WITH THE OTHER TWO LEAFS. I ALSO TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BROKEN MIDDLE LEAF FROM THE RIGHT SIDE AND IT APPEARS THAT A MAJOR FRACTURE EXISTED FOR SOME TIME BEFORE THIS FINALLY DECIDED TO FAIL. MY FIRST ACTION WAS TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO INFORM THEM AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT OF WHAT HAPPENED AND TO SEE IF THIS TYPE PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED AND IF SO WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE. I ADVISED THEM OF THE RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA (98V16000). HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT RECALL WAS ISSUED BY A THIRD PARTY NOT FORD AND THERE HAVEN'T BEEN COMPLAINTS RECEIVED OR RECALLS ISSUED FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BY FORD. NEXT I WAS ADVISED BY FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BONNELL MOTORS AND TALK THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THEY WOULDN'T MAKE ANY ASSURANCES FORD WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS THEY WORK ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS BETWEEN FORD AND DEALERS TO DETERMINE IF THE SITUATION WARRANTS IT. UPON MEETING WITH A SERVICE WRITER AT BONNELL MOTORS

Steering
Filed Apr 25, 2003165,000 milesTX

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONSUMER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, AND IT CONTINUED TO TURN WITHOUT STOPPING. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING BOX. *JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Apr 25, 2003IL

I HAVE CRACKS IN BOTH MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ABOUT 2" ABOVE THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOWS. I LOOKED AT 24 OTHER F-150'S AND FOUND THAT 21 OF THEM HAD THE CRACKS AS WELL. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 24, 2003103,000 milesLA

THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB PH

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Apr 16, 2003GA

MY RIGHT SIDE WHEEL/THE LUG/NUTS ARE RUSTED OFF AND THE LUG CAP COMPLETELY MELTED OFF FROM WHERE THE EXHAUST COMES OUT FROM IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL. THE LUGS WILL NOT TIGHTEN ON THE WHEEL. I PURCHASED THE F-150 TRUCK USED AND NEVER WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL ON THE LUG/NUTS. THE OWNER BEFORE ME PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM JOHN MEGAL DEALERSHIP IN DAHLONEGA GEORGIA. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 15, 200373,700 milesAR

THE TRUCK HAD A KNOCKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT COVER GASKET AND MANIFOLD SIDE GASKET FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDER. AT COLD START, THE COOLANT IN THE CYLINDER CAUSED THE PISTON ROD TO BREAK. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD COST $4000. TO REPLACE. *NLM *TT

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Apr 15, 2003160,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COULD BE TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND AND AROUND. THE CONSUMER POPPED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE ROD THAT ATTACHED TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND GEAR BOX DETACHED DUE TO A BOLT THAT HAD COME OFF. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 14, 2003110,505 milesTX

FORD F150 V6 TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE THREW A ROD ON THE #1 CYLINDER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR AND NOT DRIVEN HARD AT ALL. THE INTERNET IS ABUNDANT WITH COMPLAINTS OF THIS ENGINE. *NLM

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Apr 8, 2003ME

A TIE ROD FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE FRONT ENGINE SEAL AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN AND ANTIFREEZE LEAK. SOME OF THE VEHICLES LIGHTS (DOME LIGHT AND DASH LIGHT) STAYED ON ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. *AK *NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 6, 200345,336 milesVA

I HAD PURCHASED THIS TRUCK ON DEC 19, 2002. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT TO TAMPA FL. WHILE ON THE WAY THERE AND WHILE IN TAMPA I HAD A FEW BRAKE FAILURES. WHEN I WAS COMING TO A STOP THE PEDAL SEEMED TO GET SOFT, THEN THEY WOULD GET REALLY HARD AND START PULSATING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I WOULD HAVE TO LET OFF THE BRAKES, AND TRY AGAIN. I WAS LUCKY THAT IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND MOST OF THE TIME I WAS NOT IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ON DEC 29,02. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. IN JANUARY IT MUST HAVE HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT A 12 TIMES, ALL WITH THE SAME EFFECTS. IN FEB 03, I TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM WAS BACK AGAIN NOW HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, NOW MARCH AND THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPEN TO ME JUST ABOUT EVERY WEEK AT LEAST 4 TO 5 TIMES A WEEK. ON THE MORNING OF MAR 28 03, I WAS TAKING MY CHILD TO DAY CARE WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT. I COULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK, I LET OFF THE BRAKES ABOUT 2 MORE TIMES, THEN I FINALLY JUST APPLIED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD AND GOT IT TO STOP A FEW INCHES FROM THE CAR THAT WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AT THAT POINT I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID BRING IT IN. I DROPPED IT OFF THE SAME DAY. WHEN I CALLED THEM THE FOLLOWING WEEK ON APRIL 1 2003. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, BUT THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Apr 4, 200300

THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILED. *JB

Interior Lighting
Filed Apr 1, 200392,000 milesMO

INTERIOR COURTESY LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR LIGHT WILL STAY ON AFTER CLOSING THE VEHICLE DOORS. STAYS ON FROM 1 TO 30 MINUTES BEFORE TURNING ITSELF OFF, WHILE "DOOR OPEN" ALARM SOUNDS. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED. ORIGINAL DATE OF PROBLEM AUGUST 2000 (RANDOM OCCURRENCES). CURRENTLY EVERY TIME DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED. *JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Mar 30, 200375,000 milesWI

BOTH FRONT DOORS ARE CRACKED AT THE LOWER REAR OF THE WINDOW OPENING. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IF THERE IS A RECALL PLANED. *NLM

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly
Filed Mar 27, 2003NC

THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON MY 1997 FORD F150, 98V161000, RELATING TO FRACTURED LEAF SPRING. ACCORDING TO FORD, THIS SAFETY RECALL WAS APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE IN 2001. I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE BACK OF MY TRUCK WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, AND BEGAN LOOKING AROUND. I SEE THAT THE CENTER LEAF SPRING ON THE REAR OF MY TRUCK IS BROKEN, EXACTLY THE PROBLEM THAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 98V161000 (98S18 PER FORD). I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY SHOW NO OUTSTANDING CAMPAIGNS AGAINST MY VIN. AFTER ABOUT 5 ATTEMPTS TO GET SOMEONE AT FORD TO EXPLAIN THIS RECALL TO ME, I FINALLY GOT IN TOUCH WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE NAMED TISHA. SHE INFORMED ME THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE BY LEIGH FORD, AND THAT FORD WILL NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS. 1. SAFETY CONCERN. THE LEAF SPRING IS BROKEN, AND MAY CONTACT THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSE A LEAK AS DESCRIBED. FORD DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. WAS THIS RECALL APPLIED CORRECTLY? WAS THE FRACTURE THERE TO BEGIN WITH, AND JUST OVERLOOKED? I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO EVEN DRIVE THIS UNTIL THIS IS REPAIRED. 2. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE REPAIRED CORRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 27, 200373,852 milesVA

THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW TWICE AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK. THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED FOR SOME 1997 F150'S BUT NOT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. *NLM *NLM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Mar 26, 200341,113 milesNC

THE VEHICLES REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WITHIN TWO DAYS OF EACH OTHER. *NLM *SCC *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 25, 200393,500 milesTN

ENGINE FRONT COVER GASKET LEAKED-REPLACEMENT AT 350.00 IN LINE WITH RECALL 99B29. FORD DOES NOT INCLUDE MY TRUCK IN THIS RECALL. AFTER REAIRING THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE FAILED AND IS NOW BEING REPLACED AT 3500.00 DOLLARS. FORD'S RECALL IS INADEQUATE.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Mar 21, 2003CA

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS CRACKED. *NLM

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Mar 19, 200391,619 milesNC

I LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 EXTENDED CAB PICK UP TRUCK. THE STEERING ROD HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. I QUESTIONED THE FORD DEALER WHO MADE THE REPAIRS AS TO HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. SINCE THEN I WITNESSED ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE ENCOUNTER THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. DUE TO LARGE AMOUNT OF EXPLORERS, EXPEDITIONS AND F150'S ON THE ROAD TODAY, THIS WAS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. FORTUNATELY IN BOTH CASES WE WERE TRAVELING AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND NEVER HAD WORK DONE ON THE STEERING PREVIOUS TO THIS PROBLEM. *NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 18, 2003KY

THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

Tires
Filed Mar 17, 2003MI

GOODYEAR TIRE HAD LOW PRESSURE, CAUSING THEM TO BLOWOUT. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER REPLACED WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB, AND EXHAUST SYSTEM.*AK

SteeringCrash
Filed Mar 17, 2003DE

A BOLT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE, AND CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Structure
Filed Mar 16, 200392,000 milesOH

REAR SLIDING WINDOW LEAK, RESEALED MULTIPLE TIMES TO NO AVAIL.... LEAKS BOTH FROM WHERE FRAME ATTACHES TO BODY AND FROM CRACKS IN WINDOW FRAME ITSELF, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES AT TOP. WINDOW FRAME REQUIRES REPLACEMENT WITH NEWER MANUFACTURED UNIT (DIFFERENT DESIGN FROM NEWER MODEL YEAR). *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 11, 200385,000 milesME

THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A KNOCKING NOISE.*JB

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Mar 11, 200396,238 milesCA

HEATER CORE FAILURE. ALL INDICATIONS THAT THIS IS COMMON TO FORD, BUT THE DEALER DENIES IT. THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE.*JB

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Mar 10, 200379,700 miles00

THE CLUTCH SEAL SHRUNK WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO RUN OUT. *JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Mar 4, 2003NM

THE VEHICLE HAS STRESS FRACTURES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 2-3 INCHES ABOVE THE WINDOW BASE. *NLM

Interior Lighting
Filed Feb 24, 2003NC

THE DOME LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYED ON.*JB

Reading these

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 →