1998 Ford F-150 complaints

HEAD GASKET FAILURE.*AK

ENGINE FAILED DUE TO POOR QUALITY PARTS. COOLANT LEAKED INTO CYLINDER, CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE, CAUSING A BENT ROD, MEANING $3000. ALL COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD HAVE TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUED A RECALL AND FIXED A SIMPLE GASKET, $400 PROCEDURE MAXIMUM. FORD CONTINUES TO DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT HELP! *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION INDICATOR KEPT THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION. ALSO, HE STATED THAT WHEN THE INDICATOR WAS IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION IT READ A DIFFERENT GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL . THE CONTACT FELT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.*AK UPDATED 05/04/07. *JB

1998 FORD F-150 4.2L V-6 125,000 MILES . NO KNOWN EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. IMMEDIATE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE , BROKEN CONNECTING ROD, DUE TO HYDRAULIC LOCK, WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT TECHNICAL BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WHICH INDICATED THAT AN IMPROPER GASKET WAS USED TO SEAL THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FROM COOLANT WHICH ALLOWED THE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, CAUSING THIS FAILURE . ONE KNOWN IS AERA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE AND ISSUED BY JASPER ENGINES. *AK ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED. ENGINE WAS REPLACED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH IGNITED SEPARATELY. THERE MAY BE A RECALL BUT THE CONTACTWAS UNFAMILIAR OF WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES WERE IF THE RECALLWAS NOT REPAIRED. THE NECESSARY PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER FROM THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000.*AK

I STEPPED INTO MY VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK, AND THE TORSION BAR BROKE. SNAPPED INTO TWO PIECES. WAS THANKFUL I WAS NOT DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE MECHANICS, THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE, AND THAT A PIECE OF 1" ROUND STEEL SHOULD NOT JUST SNAP. *AK

I BOUGHT USED VEHICLE FROM THE BO'S AUTORAMA ON 6/2004 AND USED IT ONCE OR TWICE IN THE FIRST YEAR. I STARTED TO USE IT REGULARLY IN APRIL 2005. FIRST I HAD TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS/WIRES BECAUSE OF WATER GETTING INTO THEM, AND CAUSING A MISS IN THE ENGINE ON 4/2005. THEN I HAD THEM SEALED ON 9/2005, THEN, REPLACED ON 12/2005 , AND THE PROBLEM TO THIS DAY, HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED, BUT I SPENT OVER $900 TRYING. THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES ON 5/2005, 6/2005, AND 7/2005. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED IN 8/2005, THE BATTERY DIED IN 10/2005, THE FRONT BRAKES WENT OUT IN 11/2005. SO LESS THAN 14,000 MILES FROM PURCHASE I HAD SPENT OVER $5OOO IN REPAIRS, AND STILL COULD NOT DRIVE IT. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO BO'S BEUCKMAN FORD AND WILL NEVER DEAL WITH THEM AGAIN. THEY OVER CHARGED ME FOR LOUSY WORK. ALSO, FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE FIRST FAULTY REAR DIFFERENTIAL BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE FORD INSTALL IT. WHY WOULD I? THEY COULD NOT FIX THE ENGINE MISS AFTER 2 TRIES, AND CHARGED ME BOTH TIMES, AND IT TOOK THEM 3 TIMES TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RECALL 98V09500/NSA#111PAW FOR THE LUGS:NUTS. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BOLTS HOLDING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RUSTED, CAUSING THE MANIFOLD TO SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 115,000.*AK UPDATE 04/30/07*TR

UPON STARTING VEHICLE ON MY DRIVEWAY A LOUD BANG AND SUBSEQUENT KNOCKING SOUND EMITTED FROM ENGINE. HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT ENGINE FOUND WATER IN INTAKE CHAMBER AND BROKEN ROD AND PISTON. MECHANIC ADVISES AN ENGINE REBUILD WILL BE REQUIRED AND IS FAMILIAR WITH A HYDRO LOCK PROBLEM WITH THE 4.2 L FORD V6 ENGINES. *JB

MY 1998 FORD F150 AS SOON AS IT GOT TO 100,000 MILES THE OIL PUMP GOES OUT AND IT STARTS TO LOOSE COOLANT BUT NOT LEAKING IT ANY WHERE. AS I HAVE FOUND OUT THESE ENGINES BETWEEN 80,000 AND 100,000 DO THIS. MANY FORUMS READ THE SAME PROBLEM FOR EVERY 4.2L DOES THIS. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THESE ENGINES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT WAS THE PASSENGER IN A 1998 FORD F150 KING CAB THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION,THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE. THE OWNER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SIX PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE CRASH. THE CONTACT HAS A POLICE REPORT. *AK

PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE (68,000 MILES) ON 1998 FORD F150 WITH 4.2L ENGINE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT FAILURE WAS DUE TO OIL LEAKING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH RESULTED IN BENT ROD. THROUGH RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 1998-1999 BUT DID NOT NOTIFY CUSTOMERS. NOW THEY WANT $4000-5000 FOR NEW ENGINE. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1998 FOR F-150 ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN THE MORNING OF 02/09/07 HE HAD NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. AFTER A DAY OF DRIVING HE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO WESTERLY TIRE, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 76000.*AK

1998 F-150 FORD TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS A TREE FELL ON IT**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JB

TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT1998 FORD F-150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 6 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IN A WRITTEN REPORT THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL #05V388000 CONCERNING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL IN DECEMBERB 2005 ,AND THEY STATED TO COME BACK IN FEBRUARY 2006 WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT NEVER WENT BACK BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME.*AK

I HAD JUST TURNED OFF INTERSTATE 287 ONTO INTERVALE ROAD (A LOCAL ROAD). I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A VERY SHARP LEFT HAND CURVE. AS I PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE CURVE I HAD NO STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR NOISE. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THERE WAS LOOSE SAND AND GRAVEL AND I ENDED UP SLIDING INTO A UTILITY POLE STRAIGHT AHEAD, WITHOUT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND ONLY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS SECURED BY THE SEAT BELT, BUT MY HEAD STRUCK THE SUN VISOR. POLICE AT THE SCENE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED LOSS OF STEERING. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION BY THE SHOP TO WHICH MY TRUCK WAS TOWED REVEALED THAT THE SECTOR SHAFT WAS BROKEN WHERE THE PITMAN ARM IS ATTACHED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART SHOULD NEVER FAIL IN A VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT IF THE PART WAS POUNDED ALL DAY WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER THAT IT SHOULD NOT FAIL. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAD ONLY HEARD OF ONE FAILURE EVER OF THIS PART IN A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT. FURTHERMORE, THIS PART IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DID NOT SUFFER ANY IMPACT FROM THE ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED FORD WITH THIS INFORMATION AND THEY ARE TOTALLY INDIFFERENT TO IT. THEY WANT ME TO PAY UP TO $60,000 TO HIRE AN EXPERT WITNESS TO PROVE THAT THE PART FAILED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2004 AND HAVE NO RESOLUTION O

NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE;SUDDEN FAILURE OF SPARE TIRE RETAINING CABLE ON PERSONAL TRUCK. CABLE SNAPPED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM ITS STOWED POSITION BENEATH THE TRUCK. THIS CAUSED THE TRUCK TO BECOME AIRBORNE BRIEFLY AS THE SPARE TIRE CAUGHT THE REAR BUMPER AND LIFTED IT. HAD THE SPARE TIRE NOT BEEN ADDITIONALLY SECURED BY AN ANTI-THEFT CABLE THE TIRE WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE BEEN SENT INTO OTHER TRAFFIC BEHIND ME OR IN THE ONCOMING LANE. NEW TIRE WAS PURCHASED BY ME BUT NO OTHER CORRECTIVE ACTION;DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED. *JB

FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTING THROUGH AND FUEL TANK FALLING FROM VEHICLE. *NM

1) AROUND MAY 2004, I NOTICED I WAS NEEDING TO ADD WATER TO MY 1998, FORD F150, 4.2L V6 QUITE FREQUENTLY. 2) WATER ENTERED THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE, LONG STORY SHORT, MY MOTOR SLUNG A ROD THROUGH THE OIL PAN, IN TURN, COSTING AROUND $4,000.00 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX. 3) FORD KNOWS OF THE MANY, MANY FAILURES OF THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED DURING THE YEARS OF 1997, 1998, AND PART OF 1999. I, LIKE MANY OTHERS, NEVER RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF NOTICE CONCERNING THIS SITUATION. I WOUND UP REBUILDING THE ENTIRE MOTOR DUE TO AN INTAKE GASKET MALFUNCTION THAT FORD COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED BY WAY OF A RECALL NOTICE. *NM

SPITTING OUT SPARK PLUGS. *JB

AS I SLEPT THIS PAST SATURDAY MORNING (11/18/2006), MY 1998 F-150 PICK-UP BURNED TO THE GROUND ABOUT 4:00AM. THIS WAS MY SECOND FORD PICK-UP OWNED, AND I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH FORD UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. MY TRUCK WAS PAID FOR AND I WAS COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH IT. I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE UNTIL I HEAR FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY, WHOM SAYS I DIDN'T HAVE ANY RENTAL CAR COVERAGE ON MY POLICY. I HAVE HAD TO MISS THIS WEEK IN WORK WAGES DUE TO NO WAY TO GET TO MY JOB 30 MINUTES AWAY, AND WILL BE FORCED TO MISS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WITH MY FAMILY IN ARKANSAS. CAN FORD REIMBURSE ME FOR ANY OF MY LOST WORK WAGES OR A REBATE OFF A NEW PURCHASE? I REALLY FEEL THAT DUE TO A MAJOR FAULT BY FORD, THAT THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE ME WITH A VEHICLE TO DRIVE SO THAT I CAN GET TO WORK. I AM CURRENTLY STUCK AND MISERABLE, AND DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS FAIR FOR ME TO HAVE TO SUFFER ONE MORE DAY BECAUSE I PUT MY TRUST IN FORD MOTOR CO. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD AT LEAST DO SOMETHING ON THEIR PART, TO MAKE THIS RIGHT! REGARDS, SCOTT HOWARD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE RETURNING TO THE PARKED VEHICLE, A FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AT THE SERVICE STATION WHERE THE VEHICLE'S GAS WAS FILLED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER # 05V388000 BUT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO REFUSED TO COVER THE REQUIRED REPAIRS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HONOR THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE FIRE. UPDATED 11/20/06. *JB

I HAVE A 98 FORD F150 4X4 WITH 51000 MILES ON IT. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE SWOLLEN WITH RUST WHERE AN OUTER RUBBER SLEEVE COVERS THE STEEL TO RUBBER CONNECTION. UPON INSPECTION THE LINE CAME APART. RUST WAS ALL THAT WAS KEEPING IT TOGETHER. I REPLACED THE LINES MYSELF AND I STILL HAVE THE OLD ONES. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THE DESIGN IS FAULTY; THE OUTER SLEEVE RETAINS MOISTURE ALLOWING THE CONNECTION TO RUST AWAY PREMATURELY. MY BIG CONCERN IS THAT I SHOWED THE PROBLEM TO TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE ADVISORS AT TWO AREA FORD DEALERS AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT FORD BY EMAIL TWICE AND I DON'T GET A RESPONSE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WINDOW LEAKED WHEN IT RAINED CAUSING THE REAR SEAT TO BECOME WET. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO TURN OFF WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END AS THE VEHICLE TRAVELED 10 MPH. THE REAR END WAS REPLACED 1 YEARS AGO INCLUDING THE SUSPENSION, REAR AXLE, CHASSIS, RINGS, PINS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.

FORD 150 HAD BEEN SITTING IDLE ALL DAY, LAST DRIVEN AT 9 A.M. TO GO TO GROCERY STORE. AT APPROX. 5:15 P.M. ON 10/14/06, A NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON DOOR AND ASKED IF THAT WAS MY TRUCK ON FIRE. PERSON WALKING DOWN STREET SAID HE LOOKED OVER AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. BY TIME I GOT OUTSIDE TO TRUCK, FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. ENTIRE ENGINE, TIRES, WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CAR TOWED TO SALVAGE YARD. FIRE DEPT. INFORMED ME THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR SOME F150'S AND SUGGESTED I LOOK TO SEE IF THE MODEL HAD BEEN RECALLED. FORD WEBSITE INDICATES THAT MY VIN# IS A RECALL. FORD CLOSED AT TIME OF INCIDENT. ALSO, FORD CLOSED ON SUNDAY. FORD WILL BE CONTACTED MONDAY MORNING 10/16/06.

1998 4.2L V6 FORD ENGINE COOLANT LEAK IN ENGINE CAUSING HYPERLOCK AND BLOW A ROD NEED TO REPLACE ENGINE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LOUD POP SOUND WAS HEARD AND A PISTON OR ROD STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE RADIATOR BELT, INSPECTED THE WATER PUMP, CHECKED THE PLUGS, THEN NOTICED LIQUID COMING FROM THE EXHAUST INCLUDING ANTI-FREEZE. A LOCAL PARTS STORE INFORMED THE CONTACT OF HYDRO LOCK PROBLEMS WITH THAT ENGINE. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA.

FIRE, TOTAL LOSS TO FORD F150 PICKUP. PICKUP SAT IN DRIVEWAY FOR 4 HOURS SINCE DRIVEN AND CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND SAID IT WAS EITHER ELECTRICAL OR ENGINE RELATED. *NM

ENGINE HARD TO START,SMOKED AFTER IT DID, GASKET FAILURE CYLINDER FILLED WITH COOLANT CAUSING CONNECTING ROD TO BEND OR BREAK. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

1998 FORD F-150 4.2L V6 ENGINE, ENGINE HAS BURNED COOLANT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, ENGINE RECENTLY STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, TWO MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD PISTON AND THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

VEHICLE BLEW OUT THE #3 PASSENGER SIDE SPARK PLUG. REPAIR OPTION IS TO REPLACE CYLINDER HEAD $3500 OR USE HELICOIL REPAIR TO THE INDIVIDUAL CYLINDER. BLOWN SPARK PLUGS ON TH 5.4 TRITION IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND I'M SHOCKED THAT FORD IS NOT COVERING THIS PROBLEM. I TOO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE COVERED UP THIS PROBLEM BY A RE-DESIGN THAT CORRECTED THE DESIGN FLAW IN LATER VEHICLES. *NM

NOTHING TO WARN ME OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. THE SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED CAUSING THE SPARE TO DROP, FLIPPING UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER-IN-TOW, CAUSING THE TRAILER TO BUCK. FORTUNATELY, THE TRAILER RECOVERED AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED WITH SOMEONE BEHIND ME AND WHILE CARRYING A LOAD, IT COULD HAVE TURNED FATAL. THE FAILING PART, THE SPARE TIRE WINCH, HAS BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE COUNTED A MINIMUM OF 10 OTHER REPORTS ON THIS SITE OF THIS FAILURE. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CONTACT'S FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE CONTACT WAS HOSPITALIZED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR BODY WORK, IT SAT FOR 2 WEEKS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FOLLOWING THE 2 WEEKS, THE ENGINE NOISE WAS LOUDER THAN NORMAL, AND THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. A PRIVATE MECHANIC WAS CONSULTED, WHO DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. ALSO, THE DOORS HAD CRACKED ONE HALF INCH FROM THE CORNER OF THE WINDOW SEAL. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THE CRACKS WERE DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR.

ROD THROUGH ENGINE WALL. MILEAGE 102M. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARSHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAYED THE WRONG INDICATION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL NUMBER # 97V171000, PERTAINING TO THE GEAR POSITION INDICATION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB

1) ROUGH IDLE, WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST PIPE, FAILURE OF BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. 2) HYDRO-LOCKED ENGINE, UN-REPAIRABLE ENGINE DAMAGE. 3) QUOTED $3500 FOR REBUILT ENGINE, NO ACTION YET TAKEN. *JB

I HAVE A 1998 FORD F150 WITH A 4.2 V6 I PARKED IT TWO DAYS. LATER I WENT TO CRANK IT (IT WAS LOCKUP) I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT WAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ON THIS MODEL ENGINE AND FORD NEW ABOUT IT BUT WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. ITS SO BAD MY LOCAL JUNK YARDS WILL NOT EVEN CARRY THE 4.2 V6 USED ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE LEAKING HEAD GASKET I AM ON A FIX INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX MY TRUCK THAT I THOUGH WOULD LAST SEVERAL YEARS. *JB

1998 FORD F-150 4.2L HYDROLOCK ISSUE. ANTIFREEZE IN THE #1 CYLINDER. MANUFACTURING DEFECT NOT COVERED BY FORD. ENGINE USELESS UNTIL REPAIRED DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AT THE FACTORY. NEED TO REPAIR ENGINE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE BECAME ERRATIC. THE PROBLEM WORSENED RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SHAFT HAD DETACHED FROM THE GEAR BOX. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 03V196000 ON THE 1997 MODEL YEAR OF THE SAME VEHICLE.

I OWNED AND OPERATED A 1998 FORD F150. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IN SEPTEMBER, 2005 AS THE FAULTY SWITCH HAS BEEN LINKED TO FIRES IN F150 TRUCKS. IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A DEALER SO THEY COULD PERFORM THE MODIFICATION TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHICH THEY DID COMPLETE. IT APPEARS FORD'S FIX IS NOT WORKING. MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE 6/15/06 AFTER I HAD DRIVEN IT TO WORK. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE FIRE HAS DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. I REQUEST THAT ONE OF YOUR EXPERTS COME OUT AND INSPECT MY TRUCK. IT IS CLEAR FROM THE INFORMATION I HAVE GATHERED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW IF THE FORD'S RECALL AND SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY WORKING OR NOT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE IDLED LOUDLY AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON NORMAL ROADS DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RETAINING CLIP DUE TO A RECALL NHTSA # 98V192000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

ON A 1998 FORD F-150 2WD PICKUP WITH A 4.2L ENGINE........ INITIAL OVERHEATING DUE TO LOW ENGINE COOLANT. REFILLED COOLANT AND KEPT LEVEL AT APPROPRIATE WORKING LEVEL. FROM A COLD START ONE MORNING HEARD LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM ENGINE. BROUGHT IT IN TO GET IT CHECKED BY LOCAL MECHANIC, WHICH ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. PURCHASED A RE-MANUFACTURED ENGINE AT APPROX 125,000 MILES ON OLD ENGINE. *JB

1-DRIVING ON HIGHWAY-HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CHANGED LANES 2-TIE ROD END SEPARATED, CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL, SWERVED INTO BREAKDOWN LANE 3-TRUCK WAS DELIVERED TO REPAIR STATION, TIE ROD END NEEDED REPLACEMENT **THIS IS THE SECOND TIE ROD THAT HAS FAILED IN THIS TRUCK WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AS WELL AND WAS ACTUALLY WORSE AT SLOWER SPEED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT 10 MPH, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THE FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE TWO OF THREE FUEL TANK BANDS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. THIS VEHICLE WAS LOCATED IN A SALT BELT STATE. UPDATED 05/04/06

MY TRUCK HAD A DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD GASKET, THE SAME PROBLEM THAT SO MANY '97 - '98 F-150 OWNERS HAVE HAD. (SEE WEBSITE: HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=224) COOLANT LEAKED INTO MY ENGINE DUE TO FORD'S FAULTY GASKET AND RUINED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM, FORCING ME TO SPEND $3400 ON A NEW ENGINE. THE WEBSITE MENTIONED ABOVE HAS HAD OVER 45,000 HITS, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. FORD IS FLEECING ITS CUSTOMERS. *JB

CRACKS IN DOORS. *NM

1998 F150 TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD MINOR DAMAGE WHEN HE GRAZED THE MEDIAN WALL. *JB UPDATED 03/08/06

1998, FORD, F150, 4.2 LITER V6. @ APPROX. 92,000 MILES. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. GASKET FAILURE LED TO COOLANT IN NUMBER 4 CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED THE NUMBER 4 PISTON CONNECTING ROD TO BREAK, ALSO DAMAGING THE PISTON. THE DEFECTIVE GASKET, BENT ROD AND PISTON HAD TO BE REPLACED, MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR REPAIR. NO NOTICE FROM FORD INDICATING POTENTIAL PROBLEM OR THAT ANY PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE (I.E. GASKET REPLACEMENT) MAY HAVE AVOIDED COSTLY ENGINE FAILURE REPAIR -OR- REPLACEMENT. A PRODUCT AND HIGHWAY SAFETY CONCERN IN THE CONTEXT THAT HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MAY HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT. *NM