1997 Ford F-150 complaints

ONE OF FIVE 1997-1998 FORD F-150 PICKUP TRUCKS OWNED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTAION WHICH HAVE HAD TIE ROD FAILURES AFTER REACHING 75K MILES OR MORE

THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS HAVE SEPARATED AND THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THEM TOGETHER ARE COMING OFF AND ARE LOOSE ON THE SPRINGS. *AK

CRACK IN DOOR AS REPORTED BY MANY OTHERS. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THERE WAS NO WARNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER STATED THAT BRAKE LIGHT LOCATED ABOVE WINDOW, HAS A BROKEN WIRE INSIDE THAT CAUSED GEAR TO BE STUCK IN PARK. *AK

VEHICLE SKIPS, MISSES, BACKFIRES AND HAS VERY LITTLE POWER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JG

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEATBELT BOLT THAT HOLDS SEAT BELT TO THE VEHICLE IS BADLY CORRODED. CONSUMER FEELS ITS A DESIGN PROBLEM.*AK

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAD TWISTED, NOT ALLOWING SEAT BELT TO RETRACT ALL THE WAY TO THE HOUSING. HAD CONTACTED DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

GASKET FAILED CAUSED PISTON ROD TO BEND, ENGINE REBUILD COST OVER $1500. I CONTACTED FORD, THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THEY NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM BEFORE.

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS HAVE CRACKS IN FRAME NEAR BACKSIDE OF WINDOW. CRACKS ARE HIDDEN BY RUBBER AROUND WINDOW.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UPHILL IN SNOW FRONT TIRES LOCKED AND VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING DOWN HILL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, LEFT SIDE OF DIFFERENTIAL WAS BROKEN. PART HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

LATCH PLATE OF SEAT BELT IS NOT LOCKING PROPERLY, CONSUMER HAS TROUBLE TRYING TO LOCK SEAT BELT. *AK *YD

THERE IS A CRACK FORMING IN THE SHEET METAL OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR JUST BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE RIGHT.*AK

MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP ON FLASHING AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACE DUE TO BAD BATTERY. SHOULDN'T NOT HAVE TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER EVERYTIME THE BATTERY HAVE TO BE REPLACE. *AK

BOTTOM OF EACH WINDOW IN RIGHT CORNER, IF INSIDE VEHICLE, THERE'S A QUARTER INCH CRACK ON OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS. DRIVER STATES CRACK IS GETTING LONGER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

STRESS CRACKS INSIDE OF FRAME OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. ALSO, ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ISN'T OPERABLE, AND BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR SAFETY RECALL 98S18, FOR REAR LEAF SPRING CLIPS, HOWEVER AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE SPRING CLIPS, THE REAR SPRING LEAF ASSEMBLY BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO CONSUMERS VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN HAVING THE TIRE REPLACED.*TT

CONSUMER STATED TIRES FAILED PREMATURELY BY SPLITTING WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALLS AND THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING. CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM FIRESTONE, HOWEVER THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 1, 2000 CONSUMER IS REQUESTING AN APPEAL.(FIRESTONE AT 235/70/16).*JG

DOOR IS CRACKING AND PROGRESSING EVERY DAY I USE THE VEHICLE. SOON, IT WILL RESULT IN INJURY TO PASSENGER OR OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO LOOK AT VEHICEL AND FOLLOW FORD'S SUGGESTED RESOLVE ON THIS ISSUE.*AK

DRIVERS SIDE TIE-ROD FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND PUNCTURED THE WHEEL (RIM) CAUSING INSTANT DEFLATION OF TIRE PRESSURE. LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES AND FRONT LEFT WHEEL WAS JAMBED WITH THE TIE ROD CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. FORD INSTALLS ZERKLESS TIE RODS (SUPPOSE TO HAVE LIFETIME LUBRICATION?), THE RUBBER BOOT IS NOT TIGHT FIITTING ALLOWING MOISTURE TO FIND ITS WAY INSIDE. IT APPEARS THAT THE TIE ROD WAS CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A MAJOR COMPLAINT AMONG F-150 OWNERS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT COULD BECOME DEADLY IF INCIDENT OCCURES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL, KNOCKING OUT INSULATION AND COMPUTER, SECOND TIME CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PAINT JOB, THIRD TIME NOTICE VIBRATION AND THEN DISCOVERED TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE.

LEAF SPRINGS SHIFTED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS NEW. FORD REPLACE THEM, BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX THE CAUSE OF THE SHIFTING. THERE IS NOTHING TO HOLD THE LEAF SPRINGS TOGETHER. WHEN INSPECTING THE TRUCK SEVERAL YEARS LATER, NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED AGAIN.

FRAME SHEARED AT REAR OF CORRECTLLY AND PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED CLASS 3 HITCH. THE FRAME ALSO BENT BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRING CONNECTIONS. THE FRAME AT THE LEFT LEAF SPRING CONNECTION IS CRACKED. THERE WAS NO OVER LOADING OF THE TONGUE NOR SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO SHOCK LOAD THE FRAME. FORD IS CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALL INVOLVED PARTIES HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY THING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THEY SITE THAT THE AFTER MARKET HITCH "COULD BE TO BLAME" ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT SAY THAT THE HITCH WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. A 4 YEAR OLD 70,000 MILE TRUCK SHOULD NOT FAIL TOWING A TRAILER THAT IS LESS THAN HALF OF THE TOWING CAPACITY FOR ITS RATING, REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY EXPIRATION. NO ONE WAS INJURED BECAUSE IT WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A JACK KNIFE AND/ OR ROLLOVER OF THE TRUCK AND TRAILER. THE TOWING CAPACITY OF THE TRUCK IS 6600 LBS AND THE TONGUE WEIGHT MAX IS 500 LB. OUR TRAILER IS A 10 FOOT 2 HORSE TRAILER WEIGHING 2900 LBS EMPTY AND TONGUE WEIGHT OF 250 LOADED.

WHILE DRIVING A PASSING MOTORIST INFORMED DRIVER THAT TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT VISIBLE, ALTHOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OPERATING PROPLERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AFTER VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

FRONT HOUSING SEAL FOR ENGINE , LOCATED BEHIND MOTOR PUMP, IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ANTI-FREEZE COULD CONTAMINATE OIL SUPPLY, AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, LEFT OUTER TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.*JG *AK

WHILE DRIVING FRONT FRAME AXLE CRACKED. AXLE HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE. HAD CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. *AK

WHILE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BEING REPAIRED, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT INSIDE LINER WAS SEPARATING. MECHANIC CLAIMED THIS WAS CAUSED BY TIRE BEING TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST, HEAT WAS DESTROYING TIRE.*AK *SLC

RIGHT-REAR GENERAL TIRE, SIZE: 235/70R16, DOT: UNKNOWN HAS A BLISTER DEVELOPING IN SIDEWALL, AND TREAD IS BEGINNING TO CRACK AND SEPARATE, THERE ARE LESS THAN 1,000 MILES ON THE TIRES, AND THEY ARE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 1997, FORD, TRUCK F150. *NOTE: CONSUMER FILED PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ON A DIFFERENT TIRE (ODI REFERENCE # 899641).*AK

THE BACK WINDOW LEAKS AND BOTH DOORS HAVE A CRACK RIGHT ON THE DOORS ON THE CORNER OF THE WINDOWS. I TALKED TO SOMEONE ELSE AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE LEAK AND THE CRACKED PAINT. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME. THANK YOU!

STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. *AK *YD

WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A DEAD STOP SUDDENLY IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE SLAMMED FOOT ON ACCELERATER. VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IT WANTS TO TAKE OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

IGNITION/ STARTER HAVE GONE OUT SEVERAL TIMES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 15-20 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL 360 DEGREES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

TREAD SEPARATED, VERY SERIOUS PERMANENT INJUIRES, PERMANENTLY DISABLED, TIRE WAS MOUNTED 1 DAY EARLIER BY PROFESSIONAL INSTALLED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VN11B1A447 TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT SOLVE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE THROTTLE STUCK ON VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN VEHICLE ONLY HAD 8193 MILES ON IT, DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND AIR INTAKE, THROTTLE STUCK AGAIN AT 28104 MILES, DEALER REPLACED SAME PARTS. PITTMAN ARM WAS REPLACED. *SLC

I HAD NOTICED A SQUEAK FROM THE FRONT END WHEN MAKING TURNS. I FOUND NOTHING LOOSE SO I IGNORED IT FOR A WHILE. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATING FOUND THERE TO BE PROBLEMS WITH PITMAN ARMS ON THESE VEHICLES. I CHECKED MINE AND FOUND THAT TO BE THE NOISE AND REPLACED THE PART. I KEPT THE OLD PART. IT APPEARS DRY AND SOON TO WEAR OUT.

COMPLETE TREAD SEPERATION OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE

VEHICLE WAS GOING 60MPH AROUND A ICY CURVE. THEN, IT WENT OFF THE ROAD THROUGH A DITCH AND INTO A BUSH. AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AFTER GOING FIVE FEET INTO THE AIR. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

THE ENGINE IS KNOCKING; WE PARK IT AND WE FEEL THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE MOTOR WE HAD IT PUT ON THE MACHINE AND THE PERSON WHOM CHECKED IT. SAID IT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD HVE BEEN HELPED. WE TOOK IT TO A FORD PLACE AND HAD IT CHECKED THERE . WE HAVE DONE REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT . WHEN WE GOT IT WE HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR LEAKING OIL AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE SEAL ON IT IT WENT IN TWICE FOR THIS I FEEL THIS PROBLEM MAY HAVE RESULTED IN THE LEAKING, AND I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE IT IF IT IS A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE MOTOR THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO IN THIS MATTER THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND TROUBLE *AK. SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND A 3 INCH CUT AND BUBBLE WERE FOUND ON INSIDE OF TIRE. VEHICLE WAS GOING 55MPH WHEN TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WITH NO WARNING. TIRES WERE ORIGINAL ON A FORD, F150, 1997. SECOND SET SAME PROBLEM. NO OTHER TIRES CAN BE REPLACED BECAUSE WEIGHT OF TRUCK MAY CAUSE IT TO FLIP OVER. TIRE SIZE P235/70R16, MILES 30,000. *AK

BACK SLIDING GLASS WINDOW IS ALLOWIING WATER TO ENTER VEHICLE BECAUSE SEAL ON WINDOW IS DEFECTIVE, AND ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

WHILE TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE LEFT TIE ROD ENDS FELL OFF FROM VEHICLE. *AK ALL THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER WHO WANTS REFUNDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE TIE ROD WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. *YH

ENGINE FAILED AT 46,900 MILES DUE TO WATER IN THE ENGINE FROM A LEAKING GASKET. THE SAME GASKET WAS REPLACED A YEAR EARLIER BY FORD UNDER RECALL 99B29. GIVEN THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON THIS TYPE OF FAILURE, HOW MANY REPORTED FAILURES ARE REQUIRED TO MANDATE A VEHICLE RECALL?*AK

FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS HT, DOT W208 1PT 166, P23570R16 1045 ORIGINAL TIRES ON FORD, F150, 1997. DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE HAS A BULGE AND SURROUNDING THAT BULGE, TREAD APPEARS TO BE SEPARATING FROM TIRE. *AK *TT

DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR SKINS ARE CRACKED AT LOWER CORNER OF WINDOWS (STRESS CRACKS - POOR STAMPING) DEALER EST. REPAIR TO COST ME $790.00 COST NOT COVERED BY FORD DUE TO MILEAGE . *AK

TIRE LOST TREAD, BUT DID NOT BLOWOUT. TIRE TREAD DAMAGED PICK-UP. ALMOST ROLLED OVER. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2081PT017 TIRESIZE: P235/70R16)

DOOR METAL CRACKS JUST BEHIND DRIVERS WINDOWS; BOTH DOORS. *AK