1998 Ford F-150 complaints

HEATER CORE LEAKS NEEDS TO BE REPLACE 1 TO 2 TIMES PER YEAR, TURN ON THE DEFROSTER AND IT WILL FOG UP WINDSHIELD FOR YOU CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD. PER FORD DEALERSHIP IT DUE TO POOR PARTS, BUT THE CONSUMER NEEDS TO PAY FOR IT OR GET KILLED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IF THE CONSUMER NEED TO USE THEIR DEFROSTER. *TR

WE JUST RETURNED HOME FROM A 15 HOUR DRIVE FROM NC, WE WERE LUCKY THIS HAPPENED IN OUR TOWN GOING ABOUT 20 INSTEAD OF ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE WE WERE DOING 75+, OUR CABLE HOLDING OUR SPARE TIRE BROKE AND THE TIRE FELL ONTO THE ROAD...THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS BEHIND US.! *TR

I HAVE A 1998 FORD F150 PICK UP IN WELL MAINTAINED CONDITION WITH 165K MILES. ON A RECENT TRIP WE WERE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED (THANK GOD) THROUGH PORT HURON MICHIGAN. UNKNOWN TO ME, ONE OF TWO METAL STRAPS THAT HOLD THE FUEL TANK TO THE FRAME HAD CORRODED THROUGH. THE ENTIRE WEIGHT OF THE GAS TANK WAS SUPPORTED BY ONE REMAINING STRAP. AFTER FUELING (3/4 TANK), WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE LAST STRAP BROKE AND THE TANK FELL TO THE PAVEMENT. THE GRINDING OF THE TANK ON THE PAVEMENT RUBBED A SMALL HOLE IN THE TANK AND CAUSED A MINOR LEAK. BECAUSE WE WERE TRAVELING SO SLOW, WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND THE DAMAGE WAS CONTAINED. WITH THE HELP OF A POLICE OFFICER, I RAISED THE TANK ENOUGH TO GET MY CAR JACK UNDER IT AND THEN STRAPPED IT TO THE FRAME RAILS WITH A SECTION OF ROPE. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TANK TO THE TRUCK WAS THE FUEL LINE WHICH WAS NOT SEVERED SO I WAS ABLE TO START IT AND I DROVE TO NEARBY FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I WAS ONLY ONE MILE FROM GETTING ON I94 WHEN THE TANK FELL DOWN. FORD HAD NO RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE AND OFFERED NO COMPENSATION, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO DESIGN DETAIL TO PREVENT THE TANK FROM FALLING TO THE ROAD WHEN THE STRAPS FAIL. THIS DESIGN WAS RELEASED IN 1996 SO MANY OWNERS COULD SOON EXPERIENCE THE SAME CORROSION FAILURE THAT LED TO MY INCIDENT. A SERIOUS FIRE OR INJURIES COULD EASILY BE PREVENTED BY STAINLESS STEEL STRAPS OR A FRAME DETAIL THAT PREVENTS THE T

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE VEHICLE CAB AREA AND WITHIN SECONDS THE FIRE SPREAD THROUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE.THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE TOMS RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIVE REPORT NUMBER IS 10-133 AND THE LAKEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT NUMBER IS 10-44389. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

# 5 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MY 1998 FORD F-150 5.4 LTR ENGINE. RETURNING HOME FROM ALABAMA. I HAD JUST GOTTEN THROUGH CHARLOTTE, NC WHEN I HEARD THE SOUND OF A VERY BAD EXHAUST LEAK. WHEN I STOPPED AND LIFTED THE HOOD I COULD SEE THE COIL PACK BOUNCING UP AND DOWN. I HAD TO PAY A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR $420.00 TO TOW ME HOME. TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH THE 5.4. IT WILL COST ABOUT $300.00 OR MORE TO REPAIR WITH A HELI COIL. (THAT'S IF IT IS REPAIRABLE WITH A HELI COIL). HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE FINAL BILL YET. ALSO, FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE PLUGS WHERE REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2009 BY THE CARLOT GARAGE WHICH I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM. *TR

I AM THE UNHAPPY OWNER OF A 1998 FORD F150 WITH A 4.2L V6 ENGINE. IT SLUNG A ROD THIS MORNING AS SOON AS I STARTED IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AN FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 98 4.2L'S DUE TO FAULTY GASKET. I'VE READ ALOT OF STORY'S ABOUT THE SAME TRUCKS WITH THE SAME ENGINES. THERE IS A COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING READY TO SPEND 3 OR 4 GRAND FOR FORD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES. ISN'T FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECTS THAT THERE TRUCKS HAD COMING OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE. *TR

MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HIS FATHER'S 1999 OR 2000 F-150 WAS RUSTING ON THE FRAME AND WAS ABOUT TO RUST IN TWO, A SCREWDRIVER COULD BE STUCK THROUGH THE METAL. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK RUSTED AND THE GAS TANK WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE GROUND. SO I ASKED HIM TO LOOK AT THE FRAME OF MY 1998 F-150, AND HE DISCOVERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MAIN CROSSMEMBER OF THE FRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED IN TWO. THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. ONE OF THE BED CROSSMEMBERS IS ALREADY IN TWO, AND TWO OTHERS SHOW SEVERE RUSTING. MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT IF THE CROSSMEMBER BREAKS, I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IF I WERE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THIS COULD POSE A SERIOUS THREAT. THE BODY OF MY TRUCK IS IN GOOD SHAPE. IF YOU DID NOT KNOW OF THE FRAME PROBLEMS, YOU WOULD NOT KNOW TO CHECK THESE OUT. I FEEL THAT IF NOTHING ELSE, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THEIR VEHICLES CHECKED OUT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 FORD F150, THE GAS TANK DROPPED OUT OF PLACE AND I DRAGGED IT A COUPLE OF HUNDRED FEET BEFORE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. THE METAL STRAPS SUPPORTING IT RUSTED AND BROKE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TANK AND STRAPS. *TR

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF ON HIGHWAY DUE TO RUSTED HANGER CABLE. THE VEHICLE IS A FORD F-150 PICK-UP WITH 105,000 MILES. *TR

04/17/2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 AM OUR FORD F-150 XLT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF IN OUR DRIVEWAY OF A SINGLE DWELLING HOME. WE AND NEIGHBORS HEARD MULTIPLE EXPLOSIONS THAT SHOOK OUR HOUSE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS ALREADY ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHOOTING UP 12+ FEET. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN THE FIRE WAS OUT THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE TRUCK WAS GONE, BURNT INTO THE FIBERGLASS TOPPER, BLEW OUT ALL BUT TWO BACK WINDOWS AND MELTED ALL WIRING BACK TO THE REAR SHELL WINDOW. THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINS IS THE BACK HALF OF THE TRUCK AND BACK TIRES. *TR

CABLE ON SPARE TIRE WENCH CORRODED AND BROKE. SPARE TIRE WAS LOST GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. DID NOT CAUSE AND ACCIDENT, BUT COULD EASILY KILLED SOMEONE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A MOBILE HOME PARK WHEN MY SPARE TIRE BROKE LOOSE FROM ITS BRACKET AND LANDED ON THE GROUND. THE CABLE BROKE. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED 3 MINUTES EARLIER IT WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF WHILE I WAS AT A MUCH HIGHER SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. I SAW ONE COMPLAINT ALREADY AND FELT I SHOULD REPORT MY SITUATION AS WELL. *TR

I HAD A 1998 FORD F150 THAT EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT TOYOTA'S ARE NOW HAVING. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE. AFTER HAVING REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE, THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED. IT APPEARED THE THROTTLE WOULD STICK OPEN. TRUCK WOULD ACCELERATE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, TURN OF THE ENGINE AND RESTART. I SOLD THE TRUCK LAST YEAR. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK BUT NOW THAT ALL THIS WITH TOYOTA IS COMING OUT I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS. *TR

PULLED MY 1998 F150 4X4 XLT SUPERCREW INTO MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED EVERYTHING OFF AND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED MY HOUSE. THREE HOURS LATER, I WENT TO GAIN ENTRY TO MY TRUCK AND WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, SMOKE BILLOWED OUT. IT MELTED MY INSTRUMENT PANEL FROM JUST ABOVE STEERING WHEEL TO THE DRIVERS DOOR. A WIRING HARNESS WAS ON FIRE AND BURNT CLEAR TO DRIVER SIDE RUG. ALL THE COATING WAS BURNT OFF THE HARNESS AND WAS IN FLAMES. I BURNT MY FINGERS TRYING TO GET IT OUT. THERE WERE SPARKS COMING FROM IT. I THEN DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TERMINALS AND GOT THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 FORD F150 4X4 AND THE CABLE THAT SECURES THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE BED BROKE WHILE DRIVING . I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE TIRE AND THE HOLDER DROPPED TO THE ROAD BEHIND ME. I FEEL IF I HAD BEEN GOING AT 60 OR ANY OTHER SPEED THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SOME MAJOR DAMAGE TO ANY ONE TRAVELING BEHIND. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONS LINE ON FEBRUARY 17,2010 TO SEE IF THEY COULD OFFER SOME ASSISTANCE. I AM MORE THAN ABLE TO INSTALL THIS ITEM MY SELF. I LIVE ON MAUI IN A TOWN CALLED HANA AND I AM ABOUT 2 1/2 HOURS FROM A DEALER. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND THE CABLE THAT BROKE WILL COST ME JUST OVER 100.00 DOLLARS. THAT MAY NOT SEEM TO BE A LOT AT THIS TIME BUT IF THE TIRE HAD COME OFF I MAY HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR A WHOLE LOT MORE. I HAVE NOW RETURNED TO OUR HOME IN CALIFORNIA ,BUT THE VEHICLE IS IN HANA. MAUI I HAVE ALL THE PIECES THAT WERE INVOLVED. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING AT THIS. *TR

NEW SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED AT 70,000 MILES ON MY 1998 FORD F150. A FEW WEEKS LATER A SPARK PLUG (CYLINDER #4) WAS EJECTED FROM ITS THREADS, CAUSING GAS VAPORS TO FILL THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE CABIN. AFTER THE LOSS OF POWER AND THE NEED TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG (THE SPARK PLUG SEEMED TO BE REINSERTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS), IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE UNTIL 5 WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND ANOTHER MISS FIRE WAS RECORDED BY THE CODE READER. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON (CODE READER SHOW CYLINDER #4 MISS FIRE) WITH A LOSS OF POWER. NOW A HELICOIL KIT WILL HAVE TO BE INSTALL AT A COST OVER $117. IF THE HELICOIL KIT DOES NOT WORK, THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE TO BE SOLD FOR AT FRACTION OF WHAT ITS VALUE WOULD BE WITHOUT THE FOREMENTIONED PROBLEMS, OTHERWISE IT COULD BE USED AS MY REGULAR DRIVER- THANKS FORD! *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, AND THE DOOR CHIMES FAILED TO OPERATE WHICH IS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ALSO NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS NOT SEALED AND WHENEVER IT RAINS WATER SEEPED INTO THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THERE WAS NO RELATED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

MY 1998 F150, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE DOME AND BOX LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON AFTER REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY. BY RESEARCHING ON THE NET, I FOUND THE CURE. APPARENTLY THE MAGNETIC CONTACTS IN THE DOOR POSTS WERE DIRTY AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION. USING WINDEX WHICH REMOVED THE WAX AND DIRT, CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HOPE THIS HELPS OTHERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE STARTER WOULD ENGAGE AND SEEM TO RESTART ITSELF AS IF SHE WERE TURNING THE IGNITION. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DOME LIGHTS INSIDE WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE RADIO COMPARTMENT ALSO MADE A LOUD CLICKING SOUND. WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THE HEATER WOULD STILL RUN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THROUGH THE FIREWALL. HE SPECULATED THAT THIS COULD BE THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE (ACCORDING TO SIMILAR VEHICLES HE REPAIRED). SHE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AT A GLASS COMPANY BUT REALIZED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT THE CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC WHO INSTALLED THE WINDSHIELD TOLD HER THAT HE COULD SEE DAYLIGHT WHERE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS LOCATED AND HE BELIEVED THAT WAS THE LOCATION WHERE THE WATER WAS COMING IN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 174,000. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF UPDATED 02/19/10

I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD F-150 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND I PULLED OVER TO FIND THE SPARK PUG HAD BLOWN OUT. CYLINDER #3 ORIGINAL PLUGS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK HAD FRACTURED, AND THEN FELL ONTO THE PAVEMENT. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FRAME AND CROSS MEMBERS RUSTED AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE SOUNDED AS THOUGH AN OBJECT WAS BEING PULLED ON THE GROUND. THE DRIVER SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE CONTACT HAS CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ THE TANK SUPPORT STRAP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/21/09

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN I WAS CUTOFF BY ANOTHER CAR ENTERING FROM AN ON RAMP. I HIT THE BRAKES AND SKIDDED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 SECONDS. MY MASTERCRAFT COURSER A/T2 235/75/16 LOST LARGE CHUNKS OF RUBBER FROM THE TREAD. I PURCHASED THESE NEW IN FALL OF 2008. I BELIEVE A SKID FOR ANY LONGER PERIOD OF TIME MAY HAVE RESULTED IN TIRE DEFLATION OR UNRAVELING OF THE TIRE AT 70MPH. DUE TO THE DAMAGE OF MY TIRE I COULD NOT CATCH THE VEHICLE TO REPORT IT TO THE POLICE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A 7 YEAR OLD CHILD ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT STARTING THE ENGINE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED ONTO THE ROADWAY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CHILD SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES TO THE ANKLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 111,403.

TODAY WAS AND AVERAGE DAY. I MADE MY WAY ONTO THE HIGHWAY AS I'VE DONE ENDLESS TIMES, SMOOTH SAILING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES OR SO NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY AND UPON MY TRAVELS ON THE HIGHWAY. IN LESS THAN 4 SECOND I WAS SHOCKED AS MY VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS FLOATING ODDLY AND SHIFTING TO THE NEXT LANE IN THE REAR END THEN PROCEEDED TO THROW AN ENTIRE SECTION OF MY RIGHT REAR TIRE OUT OF NOWHERE. IT IS A MASTERCRAFT (AKA) COOPER TIRE KNOWN AS THE CT-C, WHICH IS A VERY HEARTY AND (SO I THOUGHT) WELL-MADE ITEM. I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ROUGHLY 15MINUTES OR SO THEN THIS HAPPENED AT A SPEED OF 65MPH AND I WAS LUCKY TO NOT LOSE TOTAL CONTROL ENTIRELY AND CRASH. I DID MY BEST TO HOLD CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND BRING IT TO A SAFE STOP OF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY JUST WHERE AND EXIT WAS. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION IT SEEMS TO ME THE WAY THE TIRE CONVENIENTLY SEPARATED ITSELF, WITH THE SIDEWALLS STILL ON THE WHEEL OF THE TRUCK AND THE ENTIRE TREAD, BANDS AND BELTS ALL CAME OF AND ROCKETED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY WAS NOT DONE BY ROAD DEBRIS. I SAW THIS IN THE QUICK GLIMPSE OF IT LEAVING MY TRUCK, WHICH I CAUGHT IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I'M REALLY SHAKEN UP ABOUT THIS AND VERY MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT MY OWN WELL BEING AND THAT OF THE PEOPLE AROUND ME AND THOSE WHO RIDE WITH ME. WHAT SHOULD I DO? THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE ROAD DAMAGE TO ME, IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING (WHICH UPON SCOURING THE ROAD SURFACE NOTHING WAS FOUND), IT WOULD SEEM THAT MY FRONT TIRE WOULD HAVE HIT SOMETHING 1ST. MY WISH IS TO HAVE

1. PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT FRONT LEFT BRAKE ROTOR INCLUDING WHEEL STUDS FOR A 1998 FORD F-150 2 WH DRIVE TRUCK V6. PURCHASED FROM ADVANCED AUTO PARTS, PART NAME WEAREVER BRAKE ROTORYH145240, 41801 00563 6. INCLUDED STUDS ON ROTOR ARE IDENTIFIED ON HEAD W726, THEY ARE 12 MILLIMETER THREADS AND APPROXIMATELY 2.25" LONG. 2. FAILURE, WHILE INSTALLING WHEEL TWO STUDS SNAPPED AND BROKE IN TWO AT JUST 60 FOOT POUNDS TORQUE. NUTS WERE TIGHTENED WITH A TORQUE WHENCH IN PROPER SEQUENCE. OBSERVED BOTH STUDS BROKE AT APPROXIMATELY 1.1" FROM TOP OF HEAD OF STUD AND THERE APPEARS TO BE A CAVITY (VOID) OF ABOUT 75% OF THE STEEL FROM THE CENTER OUT WITH ONLY THE RIM (NEAR THREADS) WITH SOLID METAL. 3. REMOVED AND REPLACED BROKEN STUDS WITH THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT STUDS FROM THE OLD ROTOR. THE DEFECTIVE STUDS ARE SECURED AND AVAILABLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXCESSIVELY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE SOUNDED AS IF METAL WAS DRAGGING ACROSS THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED. THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL TANK BRACKETS AND FUEL TANK WERE DETACHED; HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT PERFORMED A PERMANENT REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM THE VEHICLE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. UPDATED 071009.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE HEARD TWO LOUD BANGS 5 MINUTES APART AS IF SOMETHING HAD FALLING OFF THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THEN HE HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE OUTSIDE THE TRUCK. UPDATED 07/10/09.*JB

BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, DROVE TRUCK IN TOWN AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, THEN WOULD NOT TURN OVER NEXT DAY, RADIATOR COOLANT IN CYLINDERS, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE OIL OK, COOLANT LEVEL OK. TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE THEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHTS WONT SHUT OFF AND ALSO BACK BED LIGHT, HAVE TO SLAM DOOR SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE LIGHT WILL GO OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLEND DOOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SWINGS VERTICALLY, WHICH PREVENTS HEAT AND/OR AIR TO CIRCULATE PROPERLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $700 TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 05/13/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER, HEATER AND DEFROSTER WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. UPDATED 05/13/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FELL ONTO THE GROUND. HE STRAPPED IT BACK ON BECAUSE IT WAS STILL FILLED WITH GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE GASOLINE WAS DRAINED AND THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING A NEW TANK AND STRAPS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 106,000.

THE EXHAUST HEADER BOLTS ON MY 1998 F150 PICKUP RUSTED AND FAILED. TO REPLACE THESE $2 STUDS, A LENGTHY REPAIR IS REQUIRED WHERE THE HEADS HAVE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE STUDS THAT HAVE BROKEN FLUSH WITH THE ALUMINUM HEADS HAVE TO BE DRILLED OUT. AN INTERNET SEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM INDICATED THAT THOUSANDS OF FORD VEHICLES WITH THE 5.4 ENGINE AND ALUMINUM HEADS ARE AFFECTED. THE EXHAUST LEAK FUMES COME INTO THE VEHICLE AND ARE A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FIRE. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF REPAIR BILLS REACHING $2000. I'M COLLECTING INFORMATION ON HOW TO REPAIR THIS MYSELF AS I DO NOT HAVE $2000 TO GIVE TO THE DEALER. THIS IS A DESIGN FAILURE THAT SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED A RECALL. *TR

SINCE AUG. OF 2008 I'VE HAD FOUR FLATS ALL AT THE VALVE STEM. TIRES WERE REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER IN MAY OF 2007. ONE TIRE WAS DESTROYED,TWO OTHERS HAVE DAMAGE. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 F150 PICKUP WITH A 5.4 ENGINE THAT IS KNOWN TO HAVE A DEFECT IN GETTING THE #4 SPARK PLUG REMOVED. THIS IS A $1200 TO $2200 REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE BY FORD NOT THE CONSUMER. THIS PLUG HAS IS SUPPOSE TO BE GOOD FOR A 100K MILES, I HAVE 97K. ALL MECHANICS KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE TO BUY A SPECIAL TOOL TO TRY TO REMOVE THIS PLUG. PROBLEM IS IF IT DOESN'T WORK THEN THEY HAVE TAKE THE ENGINE APART TO DO THIS. THIS IS WERE THE PROBLEM LIES. FORD IS ACTING LIKE IT IS NOT A PROBLEM AND/OR I SHOULD GET OVER IT BECAUSE IT IS A 1998 OUT OF WARRANTY. A LOT OF PEOPLE WON'T KNOW THIS UNTIL THEY REACH 100K MILES AND WANT TO REPLACE THIS PLUG. IN ALL MY YEARS I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF A PROBLEM LIKE THIS ON ANY VEHICLE. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A MANDATORY RECALL SO THE CONSUMER DOESN'T KEEP GETTING SCREWED FOR SUCH A HUGE REPAIR. *TR

I HAVE PEP BOYS (COOPER TIRES) ON MY 1998 F-150 FORD. FUTURA ADVENTURE H/T P265-70R17 AND WITH 55 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM THE RADIAL BELT HAS SLIPPED ON 2 OF THE TORES AND IS CAUSING A VERY RUFF BUMPY RIDE. THE TIRES HAVE PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED 70 THOUSAND MILES. WHAT A SHAME THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALL FOR BEING DEFECTIVE. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM A FORD DEALER AND THEY PUT ON THE NEW TIRES. I DO NOT HAVE A RECEIPT. THE DESIGN NUMBER IS 9351 ANOTHER NUMBER I TOOK OFF THE TIRE IS 29122-1 AND 1135. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT CALLED ABOUT A 1998 FORD F150. THE DRIVER FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL AND, THE NEXT MORNING WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT OF THE GAS TANK FELL ONTO THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE GAS TANK CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED GAS TO SPILL OVER THE ROAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE STRAP HOLDING THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A NEW FUEL TANK AND STRAP WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 93,000. UPDATED 08/12/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO FIRE. UPDATED 08/17/10*JB

GAS TANK FELL OFF TRUCK WHILE DRIVING CAUSING FIRE. FAULTY BRACKETS?*TR

ON FRIDAY 1/23/09 AND AROUND 3PM IT WAS REPORTED TO ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS IN FIRE. THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE IN THE BACK RIGHT AREA IF YOU ARE STANDING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WHICH APPEARED TO BE CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT W/ DAMAGE TO THE WIRING IN THE AREA AND DESTROYED THE BRAKE FLUID CANISTER. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REPORT THIS ISSUE AND WAS INFORMED I WOULD HEAR SOMETHING WITHIN 15 BUSINESS DAYS VIA MAIL. IN LATE 2005 OR EARLY 2006 I BROUGHT THE 1998 F-150 TO SAWGRASS FORD IN SUNRISE, FL TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL LOOKED AT. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THEY WOULD CALL ONCE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE IN STOCK. I NEVER RECEIVED A CALL AND UNFORTUNATELY I NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT AGAIN. WHEN I SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE FIRE THEY FOUND NO RECORD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR THE RECALL INSPECTION. *TR

I HAVE AN 1998 FORD F-150 ,THE BACK GLASS IS LEAKING WHEN IT RAINS . NOW I HAVE WATER DAMAGE TO MY SEATS AS WELL AS MY ROOF LINER. *TR

PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES APPROXIMATELY JUNE 2006 FROM NTB. ONE YEAR LATER HAD BLOW-OUT AND PURCHASED NEW TIRE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER HAD 3 FLAT TIRES AND NTB SAID THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT THE BLOW-OUT THAT I HAD WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM, BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO PROVE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 1998 FORD F-150 IN 2000 FROM CARMAX IN ARLINGTON, TX. I HAVE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS UNTIL NOV. 7TH 2008. I WAS DRIVING AND APPROACHED A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS MY BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND SPUN SIDEWAYS AT THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE I FOUND THAT MY DRIVERSIDE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD BROKEN LOSE AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLAMP HAD BROKEN OFF ALLOWING THE ENTIRE DRIVERSIDE DIFFERENTIAL TO FLY OFF OF THE VEHICLE. % MINUTES EARLIER I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. IF THIS WOULD OF HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE HAS TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT TIRES, SIZE P235/70/R16. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALLS OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,000. UPDATED 12-01-08 *BF UPDATED 12/02/08. *JB

THIS IS FOR DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES FROM MAVIS TIRE CORP. IN NOVEMBER 2006 AND IN JUNE 2008 I HAD 1 VALVE STEM FAIL. IT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. I BROUGHT IT BACK AND HAD TO INSIST TO HAVE IT REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE SINCE IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. AT THAT TIME I DID NOT KNOW OF THE PROBLEM THAT EXISTED WITH THE STEMS. NOW I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER IF THE OTHER 3 VALVE STEMS WILL FAIL AS WELL. I AM SURE THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE WITHOUT A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY PLACE IT INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN INTO PARK. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PARKING LINKAGE AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 130,000.

STEERING SHAFT CRACKED AT THE BASE WHERE CONNECTED TO THE STEERING BOX. I LOST MY STEERING COMPLETELY. THANKFULLY I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK AND WAS NOT DRIVING ON A ROAD OR TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. I HAVE THE OLD PART AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC WHO IS FIXING THE VEHICLE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AS IN THEIR OPINION IT IS A MECHANICAL DEFECT THAT MAY HAVE HAD DEADLY CONSEQUENCE. MY VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD F150 AND HAS APPROX 99,000 MILES ON IT. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS OLDER, IT CERTAINLY IS NOT THE OLDEST VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AND I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED IT AND HAVE NEVER USED THE VEHICLE FOR ANY OFF ROAD OR HARD USE. *TR

I HAVE HAD 2 VALVE STEM, BREAK CAUSING THE TIRE PRESSURE TO DECREASE. ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS APART. *TR

SUDDEN AND TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON CROWDED FREEWAY WHILE GOING 70 MPH TOWING A 2,000 LB TRAILER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE HAS GENERAL GRABBER AW TIRES, SIZE P275/60/R17 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS, ALL THREE TIRES (EXCLUDING THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE) HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY BLOWN OUT. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRES, HE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRES AND THE WIRES WERE STICKING OUT. HE INSPECTED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND NOTICED A LARGE BUBBLE FORMING ON THE INTERIOR OF THE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT, AND STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

ONE DAY MY 1998 FORD F-150 WITH ONLY 37,000 MILES (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER)WAS WORKING JUST FINE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I GET INTO THE TRUCK AND I NOTICED THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WOULDN'T GO DOWN,I ASSUMED IT WAS A FUSE. NO LUCK ON THAT, ALL FUSES GOOD EXCEPT THE LIGHTER FUSE,WHICH I DON'T USE. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I COULDN'T GET IT INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE I COULDN'T GET THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON WHEN IT WAS RAINING. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE 30 MILES HOME WITH NO WIPERS IN THE RAIN,EXTREMELY HARD TO SEE TO DRIVE AND VERY DANGEROUS. I FOUND INFO ON THE INTERNET THAT POINTED TO THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE. A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WORSE ON A ONLINE FORUM. THIS PROBLEM GOES BACK TO 1994 WHEN FORD FIRST STARTED USING THIS DEVICE. I ENDED UP PAYING $600.00 FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE GEM THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE FROM THE START,NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER OF DRIVING IN THE RAIN WITH NO WIPERS. FORD HAS A RECALL ON THE 99 ON UP 250 AND 350 WITH THE SAME DEVICE,BUT THEY WOULDN'T HONOR THIS ON THE 98. THEY HAVE DECIDED TO RETOOL THE DEVICE BY TAKING THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL OUT OF THIS DEVICE AS A STAND ALONE CONTROL. I FEEL FORD SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THIS AT THEIR EXPENSE IN LIGHT OF ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS HAS CAUSED. SOME HAVE REPORTED THAT THEIR TRUCKS HAVE JUMPED INTO 4-LOW WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD,OTHERS HAVE SAID THAT THEY CAN'T DISENGAGE 4-WHEEL AFTER USING THE FEATURE OFF ROAD. *TR