1997 Ford F-150 complaints

CONSUMER NOTICED CRACKS IN LOWER REAR CORNER OF WINDOW FRAME. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK

AFTER HEARING ABOUT FORD TRUCKS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR METAL "SPLITTING" ASKED DEALER WHERE TO LOOK? DEALER SHOWED ME THE AREA AND STATED HE HAD NOT SEEN ANY REG. CAB PICKUPS WITH THIS PROBLEM, ONLY EXT. CABS. AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP, I DOUBLE CHECKED AREA AND FOUND THAT THE DOOR SKIN ON BOTH DOORS, ARE SPLITTING / TEARING. AFTER FINDING MINE, THIS MAKES APPRX. 35 VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I MYSELF HAVE HEARD OF. AFFECTED AREA IS APPRX. 8 - 12 INCHES ABOVE THE DOOR HANDELS.

LUGS: NUTS ARE DEFECTIVE. LEFT WHEEL MAKES A BANGING AND KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. *AK

FRONT TORSION BAR/STABILIZER BAR SNAPPED COMPLETELY IN HALF, FRONT END OF TRUCK DROPPED 1'9". DEALER SAID THIS WAS THE TENTH IN FOR THIS PROBLEM, CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE AND PUT A LOT OF STRESS ANOTHER PARTS.

BRAKES DID NOT GRAB IMMEDIATLY. BRAKES FAILED AT SLOW SPEEDS FOR BOTH ACCIDENTS. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN WORKING IMPROPERLY FOR SOME TIME, HOWEVER WHEN EVER WE TAKE THEM IN THEY TELL US THAT ALL IS FINE. EVEN THE DEALERSHIP. NOW WE'VE BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS WHERE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED US TO REAREND THE OTHER PARTIES. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON RANDOMLY AND HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. ALSO, THE WIPER FLUID IS PROJECTED ONTO WINDSHIELD BY ITSELF. LATEST INCIDENT OF THIS SEVERELY AFFECTED BY VISION OF THE ROADWAY AND TRAFFIC DURING HEAVY RUSH HOUR INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE ON SOME OF THE INTERNET NEW GROUPS THIS IS A NOT UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD TRUCKS. *AK

SMALL STRESS CRACK IN DOOR SKIN AT BACK EDGE OF DOOR WINDOW FRAME. *AK

CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 5MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE. *AK

MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 97S86 AND NHTSA RECALL # 97V171000/AUTO TRANSMISSION CABLE ASSEMBLY: TRANSMISSION SELECTOR SHOWS VEHICLE IS IN PARK, BUT, IN REALITY, IT IS IN REVERSE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE ALREADY DONE, AND REOCCURRING REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE IN OPERATION, VEHICLE LEFT INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST.

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FREEZES WITH ICE FORM THE EXHAUST WHICH IS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE TIRE CAUSING SLIPPAGE, LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE AND LOSS OF TRACTION, CONSUMER REQUEST EXHAUST BE MOVED TO REAR. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

COMPLAINED OF DOOR CRACKS TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT'S ON ALOT OF TRUCKS, AND IF THEY REPLACE THE DOOR, IT WILL JUST HAPPEN AGAIN. I WANT IT FIXED. *AK

PITMAN ARM BROKE BETWEEN THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEAR, CAUSING DRIVE TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO INSPECT THE DEFECTIVE PART . ALSO, LEFT BALL JOINT WERE BAD, CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR OUT.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH VEHICLE STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE, BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR THAT IS COMING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME NEXT TO THE WINDOW AND IS STRETCHING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE DOOR TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE CONTACTED SMITH FORD AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY MORE THAN 10 TIMES EACH. THEY EACH WANT TO TELL ME TO CALL THE OTHER. THE CRACK IS GOING TO BEGIN RUSTING SOON. I AM AFRAID THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MAY SHATTER AS A RESULT OF THIS CRACK. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER TRUCKS WITH THE SAME CRACK. ON SOME OF THESE TRUCKS, THE CRACK IS FOLDING IN ON ITSELF. IT PUTS MORE PRESSURE AGAINST THE WINDOW. IT IS MY FEAR THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN TO MY TRUCK WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE WINDOW WILL SHATTER. ANY HELP YOU PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS. *AK

DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS THE 10TH 4 -WHEEL DRIVE TO HAVE THIS BREAK. *AK

CRACKING APPEARED ON BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS. DEALER NOTIFIED. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

LEFT DOOR EXHIBITS A CRACK IN THE DOOR SHEET METAL. THIS CRACK IS INCREASING IN LENGTH THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MANY 97 F150'S AND LATER MODELS ALSO. THIS CRACK HAS TO BE A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. *AK

UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION ON I-29 ON-RAMP FROM GATEWAY DRIVE, SWEDGE HOLDING TIRE CRADLE PIECE TO CABLE LET GO RELEASING TIRE CRADLE PIECE AND SPARE TIRE FROM VEHICLE. SPARE TIRE BOUNCED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ON-RAMP INTO THE GRASS. TIRE CRADLE PIECE FELL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRAFFIC LANE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES FOLLOWING AT THE TIME AND NO PERSONAL INJURIES, THE POTENTIAL EXISTED FOR A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY HAVE RESULTED FROM IMPACT WITH THE TIRE. *AK

ENGINE BLEW IN 3 YEAR OLD, 60,000 MILE WELL KEPT FORD F150 TRUCK - OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK

STEEL REINFORCEMENT PLYS DELAMINATE CAUSING OUT OF ROUND CONDITION AND REMOVES TREAD FROM THE ROLLING AND SIDEWALL SURFACES. WHEN THE TREAD DEPARTS THE TIRE AN EXTREME UNBALANCED CONDITION CAUSES SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE TRUCK FRAME UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/70R16 )

AFTER READING POSTINGS ON WWW.F150ONLINE.COM I LOOKED AT MY OWN TRUCK AND FOUND A SMALL CRACK IN THE SHEET METAL ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE CRACK IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE DRIVERS WINDOW IN THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER. THIS IS DEFENITLY A DEFECT AND FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM!

THE OUTER DOOR SKIN HAS DEVELOPED A STRESS CRACK, AND THE SHARP EDGES HAS CUT FINGERS DURING WASH. *AK

EVERY TIME IT RAINS,WATER POURS IN THE TOP OF THE REAR WINDOW AND SOAKS THE REAR SEAT.WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER ,THEY SAID THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WITH THESE TRUCKS,BUT THAT FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 30MPH HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT I THEN HEARD A LOUD BANG, WHEN I LOOKED OUT REARVIEW MIRROR I SEEN A ENGINE PART ROLLING DOWN ROAD. VEH LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY. VEH TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (ROY O'BRIEN FORD) DEALER STATED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY &DAMPNER SNAPPED OFF ENGINE DAMAGING BELT TENSION BAR AND FAN. DEALER AND FORD MOTOR REFUSING TO ASSIST!!! TOTAL BILL APPROX 600.00.

GAS PEDAL DROPPED FROM UNDER DRIVERS FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND TRUCK ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, DOWN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL BEFORE GAS PEDAL CAME BACK UP. CRUISE CONTROL NOT ON, DEALERS SAID CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE ONLY THING THAT COULD CAUSE THAT KIND OF INCIDENT AND THEY DISCONNECTED IT.

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN IN NEUTRAL AND COASTING DOWN A HILL, DRIVELINE RATTLES OVER BUMPS. DRIVELINE CLUNKS ON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. CONTACTED DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER CHECKED THE BULLETINS, FORD CLAIMS THAT IT WILL NOT CAUSE DAMAGE TO ANYTHING IN THE DRIVELINE. PRIVATE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WILL OVER TIME. *AK *ML

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR METAL SKIN CRACKED --BY THE WINDOW MOULDING SEAM.*AK

OWNER WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL 99B29 OF THE LEAKY FRONT COVER GASKET THEREFORE PAID FOR REPAIR. NLM

ICE FORMING IN THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE ENGINE, DEALER DENIED RECALL REPAIR (98R-01). YH

THE VEHICLE'S VENTILLATOR ASSEMBLY LETS WATER INTO TRANSFER CASE CAUSING WIPER FAILURE. YH

HEAT FROM EXHAUST IS HEATING UP THE TIRES, CAUSING THE TIRE TREAD TO COME APART, THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ON THE INTERSTATE, AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK *ML

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

INTERIOR COURTESY LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING.ALSO, POWER LOCK FAILED TO LOCK AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

DURING WARM WEATHER THE SENSORS IN THE DOOR APPEAR TO BE HEAT ACTIVATED WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE DOME LIGHT CIRCUIT TO CLOSE, WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED THE LIGHT COMES ON AS IT SHOULD BUT STAYS ON WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AT NIGHT THIS CAUSES VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. NLM

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY NOTICED LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER STATED THAT INNER TIE ROD BROKE. A SECOND TIE ROD END WAS FOUND TO BE WORN AND WAS REPLACED ALSO. *AK *ML

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. YH

TIE ROD END SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AT 60MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKES WILL STOP ONCE THEY ARE PUMPED A FEW TIMES. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *AK

TIE-ROD SNAPPED IN TWO AFTER DRIVER ENGAGED "REVERSE" TO BACK OUT OF A SPACE. DRIVER LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER. EMPLOYEE, AND, OR OTHERS COULD HAVE SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITY IF PART HAD FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEED. *AK

BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER DOORS ARE CRACKING (I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE IN THE EVENT OF A ACCIDENT ) IS THE DOOR STRUCTURE INTACT???*AK

THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY FAILED DUE TO BROKEN/SHEARED OFF BOLTS THAT FELL OFF. *MJS

ENGINE SHAKES AND IS NOT PERFORMING ON ALL CYLINDERS DUE TO SPARK PLUG FAILURES/RUSTING THAT IS CAUSED BY UNINSULATED A/C PIPE DRIPPING WATER ON TO SPARK PLUG. YH

WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP, BACK WHEEL WILL SPIN FASTER THAN THE FRONT WHEEL, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES , AND PEDAL WILL GO TO FLOOR. BRAKES WILL RESUME AFTER VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE. MANUFACTURER HAS SEND OUT BULLETIN CONCERNING DEFECT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 8 TIMES, BUT UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. *AK *ML

WHILE DRIVING HEARED A CLICKING NOISE THAT GRADUALLY GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND THEY SAID IT MAY BE THE MOTOR. CONSUMER HAD JUST TAKEN CAR IN A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. 2 DAYS LATER, THIS CLICKING NOISE STARTED. *AK

A 3/8" LONG CRACK HAS APPEARED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SKIN NEAR THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF THE DOOR'S WINDOW.

HOOD BEGAN COMING UP AROUND JUNE OF 1999, RELEASES 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK. DOES NOT RELEASE SECOND LATCH TO FLY ALL THE WAY UP. THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGES STARTED WORKING IMPROPERLY LATE FEBRUARY OF 2000, THE MILEAGE COUNTER STOPS, THEN AFTER 3-4 HUNDRED MILES STARTS WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE.