1998 Ford F-150 complaints

WHILE DRIVING TIE ROD SNAPPED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

SHEET METAL FATIGUES AND CRACKS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL TO THE OUTSIDE FROM STRESS FROM THE OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS. *AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A BIG EXPLOSION FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I POPED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT MY #2 COIL WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER. AFTER GETTING MY 98 F150 HOME I FOUND THAT THE PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE PROBLEM FIXED AS OF YET BUT FORD SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IS A NEW HEAD.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY, SECONDS LATER A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE LOST ITS TREAD. THE TREAD WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE OF THE WHEEL. *AK *JB

98 F-150 4.2 V-6, ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO MOTOR FROM FAULTY GASKET. FORD PUT A RECALL WHEN IT WAS NEW, BUT I BOUGHT MINE FROM DEALER USED, NOW THE MOTOR IS BAD, AND I STILL OWE QUITE A BIT ON IT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND HE REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 98 F-150 FAILED AT 36400 MI AND 36 MONTHS. FORD, THE DEALER AND I SPLIT THE COST OF REPAIR. NOW, APPROXIMATELY 36000 MI AND THREE YEARS MORE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN. DEALER RECOMMENDS THAT I PURCHASE A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANS FOR $2200. ODD COINCIDENCE THAT THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILED AT THE SAME MILEAGE AND TIME. VEHICLE IS USED FOR TRANSPORTATION AND IS RARELY USED TO TOW OR CARRY LOADS. BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD AT A VERY MODERATE RATE IN A PARKING LOT. *JB

STRUCTURAL-STRESS FRACTURES IN SHEET METAL ON DOOR.*AK

BOTH DOORS CRACKED AT ABOUT THREE INCHES UNDER THE WINDOWS. THE CRACKS ARE RUNNING HORIZONTALLY UNDER THE GLASS. DEALER IS PROPOSING THAT THE CONSUMER GET A KIT FROM THEM THAT WILL COST $500.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ,AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH PPLIED THE BRAKES.AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THIS RESULTED IN IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING 20-30 MPH. THE SPARE TIRE ATTACHED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FELL OFF. THE CABLE SECURING THE TIRE DISCONNECTED. *AK *SC *JB

VEHICLE: 1998 FORD F-150 4X4 WITH 68,000 MILES. ORIGINAL AND SOLE DRIVER OF VEHICLE WHICH IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE WITH NO DRIVEABILITY ISSUES PRIOR TO INCIDENT. EVENTS: TRAVELING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD AT 35 MPH FAILURE: CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CORRECTION OF FAILURE: FORD DEALER, SUNNYSIDE MOTOR COMPANY, HOLDEN,MA 01520, 1-800 649-4333 , INVOICE # 103830 DATED 6/3/04 REPLACED FAILED PART ALONG WITH ALL OTHER TIE RODS AND IDLER ARM. I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION ALL REPLACED PARTS. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE COST MY LIFE PLUS OTHER'S WHILE IN MY VEHICLE. FORD IS AMBIVALENT ABOUT THE SITUATION. I NEED YOUR HELP. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED OR USED FOR OFF ROADING. OPERATION OF STEERING AND VEHICLE TRACKING DOWN HIGHWAY WAS EXCELLENT PRIOR TO INCIDENT. I AM ALSO HAVING THE DEFECTIVE PART ALONG WITH QUESTIONABLE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 60MPH TIE ROD ON DRIVER'S SIDE SNAPPED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THA THE RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT LESS THEN A MONTH AGO. *AK

THE HEATER CORE FAILED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. WHEN THE HEATER CORE FAILED, THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKED AND FUMES ENTERED THE PASSENGER'S CABIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE PART. *AK *SC *JB

CRACK FORMING ON DRIVERS DOOR AT BOTTOM OF WINDOW. ALSO RUST DEVELOPING AT BOTTOM OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. CRACK IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR YEARS. WHEN WILL FORD FIX THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL. NHTSA NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED.*AK

FRONT RIGHT TORSION BAR SNAPPED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE DRIVER HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW IT DOWN. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. *NM

WHILE AT HOME AFTER PARKING MY F-150 IN THE DRIVEWAY. AN HOUR LATER I WENT TO GET MY KIDS FROM SCHOOL. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. I WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND SAW THAT IT WAS CUT. TOOK THE TIRE OFF AND SAW THAT THE RUBBER AND CAME OFF FROM THE METAL THAT GOES AROUND THE RIM. TOOK THE TIRE TO THE NEAREST GOODYEAR DEALER. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A BEAD SEPARATION AND THAY HAVE NEVER SAW A TIRE DO THAT BEFORE. THE BAD THING IS THAT I HAVE ANOTHER TIRE ABOUT TO DO THE SAMETHING. IT IS THE SPARE, AND I AM USING IT.*AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR COVERING(SKIN) HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK AROUND THE CORNER OF THE WINDOW. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOW COVERING(SKIN) FLEX WHEN THE WINDOW IS CLOSED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE COVERING THAT COST $400. THIS DOESN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. *MR

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE INNER TIE ROD CAME UNHOOKED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIE RODS. *NLM *LA

TIE ROD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF 1998 F150 XLT FELL OFF TRUCK WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY, I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED. GLAD THAT I HAD NOT REACHED THE INTERSTATE AND TRAVELING 65 MPH. HATE TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY CHILDREN, WHO ARE 6 AND 8, THAT WERE IN THE TRUCK. OR ANY INNOCENT WEEKEND TRAVELERS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. THEN, LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOME. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER EXPLAINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT, AND THE AXLE BROKE.*AK

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE FIRED UP. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK UP. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE RODS WAS BENT IN THE ENGINE. A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED.

MY TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. I WENT OUT TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF MY TRUCK AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. THIRTY MINUTES LATER WE HEARD A HORN BLARING OUTSIDE. WHEN MY WIFE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW, SHE YELLED THAT OUR TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT GOT HERE WITHIN 5 MINS BY THEN THE HOOD HAD MELTED, THE BATTERY HAD EXPLODED, THE WINDSHIELD BLEW IN AND ONE TIRE HAD EXPLODED. THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SOMEWHERE NEAR THE FUSE BOX. THE FIRE DEPT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH STEERING SHAFT DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO GO INTO A DITCH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

"BLOWN SPARK PLUG" 1998 FORD F150 5.4L ENGINE. DEALER WANTS $3700 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. *AK

FIRESTONE TIRE WILDERNESS HT P235 70/16 104S M/S TREAD SEPERATION (CAN SEE STEEL CORDS) (BULGE) TIRE HASNT FAILED YET BUT PROBABLY WOULD IF I DIDNT SEE ? 98F150 ABOUT 60K MILES ON TIRE STILL LOT OF TREAD LEFT. KNOW SIMILIAR TIRES RECALLED BUT WERE AT MODELS LOOKS LIKE OTHER MODELS ARE ? ALSO (HT). *AK

I OWN A 1998 FORD F-150 WITH THE TRITON 5.4L ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES IT TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY BLOW SPARK PLUGS OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. IN NONE OF FORD'S PUBLICATIONS THAT COME WITH THE VEHICLE DOES IT STATE THAT THESE SPARK PLUGS NEED TO BE RETORGUED AT A CERTAIN MILEAGE. THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURED AT 91,000 MILES. FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A PROBLEM. I AM NOW FACED WIT A $3500 REPAIR TO KEEP MY TRUCK RUNNING. DOESN'T SOUND "FORD TOUGH" DOES IT? I'VE DONE SOME INVESTIGATION AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF THESE PROBLEMS POSTED ON MESSAGEBOARDS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING, INNOCENT PEOPLE CAN NOT BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY FORD. WE BOUGHT FORD BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WAS A VEHICLE THAT WOULD LAST AND PROVIDE GREAT SERVICE. REPLACING A CYLINDER HEAD SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THIS ENGINE!! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP.*AK

DRIVING DOWN NAVY RD. DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN SPARE TIRE FELL OFF MY 1998 FORD F150. CABLE HOLDING TIRE SNAPPED. SPARE TIRE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS BEHIND ME. WAS TOLD BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE OF SIMILAR SITUATIONS, OF SPARE TIRE JUST FALLING OFF VEHICLE BECAUSE RETRACTING CABLE BREAKING. COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE.*AK

THE PAINT ON THE TAIL GATE IS COMING OFF IN SHEETS. LEAVING JUST THE PRIMER COAT. NOT CAUSED BY RUST OR DAMAGE. *JB

REAR WINDOW STARTED LEAKING FROM THE TOP - IT NOW POURS IN WHEN RAINING, DAMAGING THE BACK SEAT IN THE EXTENDED CAB PICKUP. THERE IS NO CRACK AND THE LEAKING IS NOT FROM THE SLIDING GLASS, INSTEAD FROM THE TOP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SLIDING GLASS. *LA

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 F-150 FORD 4X4 PICK-UP TRUCK WHICH IS EXIBITING A CRACKING CONDITION AT THE LOWER WELTING EDGE OF THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. UNDERSTAND THIS IS OCCURRING ON MANY OTHER F150'S AND APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUFACTURING FLAW.*AK

ON DECEMBER 30, 2003, I SENT THE FOLLOWING LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND AS OF YET HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN GIVE ME SOME POINTERS ON HOW I SHOULD PROCEED. THANK YOU, [XXX]. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] ENCLOSED ARE PICTURES OF THE TORSION BAR FROM MY 1998 FORD F-150 PICKUP. VIN# [XXX]. IT HAS 56,000 MILES. THE PORTION THAT IS PICTURED IS THE FRONT. THE BAR BROKE WHILE SITTING IDLE IN MY GARAGE. I HAD BEEN OUT OF TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND SO THE PICKUP HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR TWO DAYS. I FOUND THE CENTER PIECE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. FROM RUST SPOTS IN THE BROKEN AREA, IT APPEARS THAT IT HAD BEEN CRACKED FOR SOME TIME. I HAVE OWNED THE PICKUP FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS. ALMOST ALL OF MY DRIVING HAS BEEN HIGHWAY DRIVING. DURING THAT TIME IT HAS VERY LITTLE OFF ROAD DRIVING. I AM NOT A HUNTER OR LAND OWNER. IT HAS BEEN USED FOR HAULING CARGO, BUT NOT EXTENDED USE. IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE ALSO ENCLOSED THE REPAIR RECORDS FROM THAT. THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THERE WAS NO SUSPENSION DAMAGED NOTED. I HAVE LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON IT, AND HAVE FOUND NONE. THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED IT FOR ME SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN A TORSION BAR BREAK LIKE THIS. THIS IS A REPAIR THAT I DONT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. I HAVE ENCLOSED MY STATEMENT. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BROKE. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHAT CAN BE DONE? IS THIS A FLAW IN THE PICKUP

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. A GENTLEMAN FOLLOWED HER AND TOLD HER THAT THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF THE BACK OF HER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE PERFECTLY, WITH NO SIGN OF TROUBLE. THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. THE CONSUMER WAS TAKING HER HUSBAND, WHO IS CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR, ON AN ERRAND. SHE BELIEVES IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE KIND GENTLEMAN WHO HELPED HER, THAT HER HUSBAND COULD HAVE BURNED TO DEATH. *NM

I HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE ON FORD F SERIES TRUCKS THAT THEY HAVE A CRACK ON THE WINDOW EDGE APPROX 7 IN AFT OF THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON 15 INCHES ABOVE THE KEY HOLE DUE TO POOR METAL USED OR WEAKENED AREA OF DOOR CUTOUT. I DON'T SEE THIS PROBLEM ON PASSENGER SIDE DOORS AT ALL. ARE YOU ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE???????

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, UNDER WET ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN A ROLL OVER. I HAD NOTICED THIS IN THE PAST AND TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE NATURAL FOR A FORD. *AK

METAL ON DRIVERS DOOR IS CRACKED AT REAR OF WINDOW , ABOUT THREE TO FOUR INCHES UP FROM BOTTOM OF WINDOW. MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE ARE MANY 98 F-150'S OUT THERE WITH THE SAME STRUCTURAL FLAW. *AK

TIE ROD FAILURE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 F-150 THE #2 SPARK PLUG EJECTED ITSELF FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE HEAD DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH THEADS TO KEEP THE SPARK PLUG FROM BLOWING OUT.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE SHEET METAL. TSB 613046 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH REAR AXLE FELL OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER. DRIVER WAS EJECTED 40 FEET AWAY INTO A DITCH. DUE TO THE SEVERE DAMAGE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

1ST COMPLAINT - A LEAF SPRING IN THE LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN BY MY MECHANIC DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, NO FURTHER DAMAGE FOUND; LEAF SPRING WAS REPLACED W/ FACTORY REPLACEMENT 2ND COMPLAINT - LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS LOOSENED UP WHILE DRIVING, WHEEL CAME OFF, ROTOR LANDED ON INSIDE OF WHEEL RIM, RUINED WHEEL AND ROTOR, BOTH REPLACED ALONG W/ LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS W/ FACTORY REPLACEMENT. *JB

SHIFT CYLINDER KEEPS GOING OUT CAUSING TRANSMISSION NOT TO SHIFTING OR TO SLIP. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE, COASTING ME A LOT OF MONEY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD GET IN AN INTERSECTION AND HESITATE, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *NLM

CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DISC BRAKE HUB BROKE IN THE LOCKED POSITION. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE PART REPLACED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED MAKING THE PART. *AK

THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE BENEATH THE TRUCK SNAPPED AND THE TIRE BOUNCED OUT ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *AK *JB *NM

THE DOME LIGHT TAKES OVER FIVE MINUTES TO GO OUT AFTER CONSUMER STARTS THE ENGINE. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON, EVEN WHEN CONSUMER CLOSES ALL THE DOORS. *AK

UPON STARTING VEHICLE DRIVER NOTICED A GAS SMELL COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO INVESTIGATE THE ODOR, AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL RAIL. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OFF WHEN USING RIGHT DIRECTIONAL INDICATOR, OR BY TURNING ON INTERMITTENT WIPERS. *LA