1998 Ford F-150 complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 2 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IN A WRITTEN REPORT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE. EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATED AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. ADDITIONALLY, A PRIVATE FIRE INVESTIGATOR WAS HIRED TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT AND CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION AS THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NHTSA #05V388000 CONCERNING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH PRIOR TO THE FIRE. SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS WERE CONTACTED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REMEDY. THE DEALER'S ASKED THE CONTACT NOT BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY WHEN RECALL PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS NOT DISCONNECTED IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS IN WORKING ORDER. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO FOR UNRELATED PROBLEMS. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

MY 4.2 V-6 IN MY 1998 FORD F-150 FAILED HYDRO LOCKED AFTER IT HAD RAN JUST FINE, LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND MY SELF TO NOT BE ALONE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOME QUITE COSTLY REPAIRS, I FOR ONE AM NOT IN THE POSITION TO REPLACE A MOTOR THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE FAILED IN THE FIRST PLACE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO PROBLEMS, A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V388000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

AROUND FEB 2002 MY 1998 F-150 BURNED UP WHILE OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY OF MY FLORIDA HOME. I HAD JUST COME IN AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE 3 OR 4 MINUTES BEFORE WHEN I HAD COME OUTSIDE TO OF ALL THINGS USE THE GARDEN HOSE AND LOOKED OVER TO SEE MY THE RIGHT SIDE (WHEN VIEWED FROM T HE FRONT) OF THE HOOD ON FIRE. I TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AS I CALLED 911. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT TO JUST THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED. THE INVESTIGATORS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE AND WE MOVED ON WITH OUR LIVES. ONLY RECENTLY DID I LEARN OF THE RECALL THAT RELATES TO THE CRUISE CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE. I REALIZE THAT AT THIS POINT I PROBABLY HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE AGAINST FORD EXCEPT TO HELP THE GOVERNMENT TAKE NECESSARY ACTION AGAINST THEM. APPARENTLY ACCORDING TO THE WSBTV.COM WEBSITE (ABC IN ATLANTA) FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN 1999 AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND I RECEIVED A FRACTION OF THE MONEY I SHOULD HAVE FOR THE TRUCK AND MY BELONGINGS THAT WERE DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. ALSO I BELIEVE THAT MY INSURANCE WENT UP DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JB

1998, FORD, F150, 4.2 LITER V6. LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD SIDE GASKET FAILED. GASKET FAILURE LED TO COOLANT IN NUMBER 1 CYLINDER. COOLANT IN NUMBER 1 CYLINDER CAUSED THE NUMBER 1 PISTON CONNECTING ROD TO BEND. THE DEFECTIVE GASKET AND BENT ROD ARE CLEANED AND AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. A TOTAL ENGINE REBUILD WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM

FAULTY FORD F150 4.2 6 CYL ENG LOWER MANIFOLD GASKET. *AK

(1) CAR WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING LIKE A DEAD BATTERY. I JUMPED THE CAR AND HEARD A LOUD CLATTERING SOUND FROM ENGINE. (2) LEAKING FRONT COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS IN A 4.2 L V-6 ENGINES CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. (3) CURRENTLY REPLACING ENGINE.*AK

FORD F150 1998 4WD 4.2L ENGINE 102,0000 MILES - WHEN STARTING TRUCK ENGINE IT WOULD RUN ROUGH THEN SMOOTH OUT. TODAY I HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND. NOW IT DOESN'T START AT ALL. AFTER CHECKING SEVERAL WEB SITES I REALIZED MY TROUBLE IS NOT UNIQUE. LOOKED AROUND THE INTERNET BUT NEVER FOUND A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD RELATING TO THIS ISSUE. FURTHER RESEARCH SEEMS TO IMPLY A MAJOR DEFECT THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT FROM CLOSE TO THE BEGINNING OF MANUFACTURING WHICH THEY NEVER HAVE DONE ANYTHING ABOUT. ACCORDING TO A COUPLE OF WEB FORUM SITES, FORD PUT OUT TWO TECHNICAL BULLETINS TO THEIR SERVICE PEOPLE BUT NOT TO THE END USERS/BUYERS (TSB #99-20-7) (FOLLOW UP TSB #99B209) THAT PRETTY MUCH ADMITTED THERE WAS A FAULT WITH A GASKET AND COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE, AS MINE SEEMS TO HAVE DONE. THE RESOLUTION IS FOR THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO STAND BEHIND THEIR FAULTY MANUFACTURING & FIX THEIR ERRORS. *NM

1998 FORD F-150; FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEXT TO THE FIREWALL AREA. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR, BUT IT SAID PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR UNTIL AFTER FEBRUARY 2006. FIRE MARSHALL OF CYPRESS CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT WAS AT THE SEEN AND WROTE A REPORT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE IS STRETCHED OUT AND WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE IN PLACE. THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OFF OF A JACK WHILE A TIRE WAS BEING CHANGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ALSO, THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE, AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS.*AK UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

I AM ONE OF MANY OWNERS OF THE FORD F-150 4.2 ENGINE TRUCKS (OURS IS A 1998) THAT HAS ENCOUNTERED ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE DUE TO LEAKING HEAD GASKET. IT APPEARS FROM INFORMATION GATHERED FROM NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND FROM SPEAKING TO OTHERS THAT THIS IS A VERY OBVIOUS AND COMMON ISSUE THAT FORD HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE. WE ARE ASKING THAT YOUR AGENCY TAKE ACTION TO HELP INITIATE A CLASS-ACTION SUIT OR SOME HOW FORCE FORD TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. *JB

I HAVE A 1998 FORD F-150 4.2 V6 4X4 TRUCK, WHICH HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANIC HOW NOTORIOUS THIS MOTOR IS FOR THE PROBLEM THAT HAS ERUPTED WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OR ACTION. THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A LOUD- KNOCKING SOUND ONE MORNING IMMEDIATELY AFTER I STARTED THE TRUCK FOR WORK. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED TO ME THAT FORD HAD A BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH ALLOWED COOLANT(ANTI-FREEZE) TO LEAK INTO THE OIL AND SPARK-PLUGS CAUSING THIS LOUD-KNOCKING NOISE WHICH IS A SPUN ROD BEARING. I KEEP REGULAR CHECK-UPS ON ALL ASPECTS(OIL LEVEL,COOLANT,ETC.) IF IT WERE A PROBLEM THAT I CAUSED, I WOULD ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS NOT MY LACK OF MAINTENANCE , BUT A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG THE 4.2 V6 FORD MOTOR. FORD MOTOR CO. HAS MADE MY LIFE PURE HELL. I DO NOT HAVE $4,$5 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE THEIR MISTAKE. I NOW STRUGGLE TO KEEP A JOB AND MAKE PAYMENT ON A VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T RUN. ALSO,MY WIFE AND KID WHO DEPEND ON DADDY ARE READY TO LEAVE HOME BECAUSE HE IS A FAILURE( NO VEHICLE+NO MONEY=DIVORCE) ( NO TRUCK=NO JOB) !!!! ENOUGH OF MY PROBLEMS, BUT I'M NOW READY TO START LOSING WHAT MEANS MORE THAN ANYTHING IN LIFE TO ME AND THAT IS MY FAMILY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM BY SPEAKING WITH FORD MECHANICS ,REVIEWING WEBSITES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. FORD HAS FAILED AND NOW THIS INTERNAL DAMAGE IS LEADING TO MY PERSONAL LIFE. I'M GOING TO LOSE EVERYTHING. I HOPE YOU WILL HELP ME AND THE OTHER TH

ON MONDAY DEC 19 2005 WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND GRANDDAUGHTER, AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 1998 FORD F150 VIN: [XXX]. SMOKE CAME OUT THE HOOD AND THROUGH THE AIR VENTS INTO THE CAB. THE FORD DEALER SAID THE PLASTIC PLENUM IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED ALLOWING RAW GASOLINE TO ENTER WHERE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE AND EXPLODED. THEY REPLACED THE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY WITH THE NEW STYLE ALUMINUM MANIFOLD AND PLENUM. THIS COST ALMOST $1,100.00. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT FORD SETTLED A LAWSUIT 12/16/2005 IN WHICH THE PLASTIC PLENUMS CRACKED. BUT THIS ONLY COVERS A SMALL NUMBER OF FORD CARS AND NOT TRUCKS. THE DEALER SERVICE MGR TOLD ME THAT FORD HAS DEVELOPED A NEW ALUMINUM PLENUM THAT REPLACES THE OLD PLASTIC ONE AND I SHOULD HAVE NO MORE TROUBLE. MY QUESTION IS WHY I CANNOT BE REIMBURSED FOR A PLASTIC PLENUM THAT CRACKED, THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THEY ARE BAD, AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1998 FORD F150 RIGHT WHEEL FELL OFF. *TS THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DELINEATER POST THEN A EMBANKMENT ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT FRONT A-ARM BROKE, THE LOWER RIGHT DOOR BENT, THE FRONT BUMPER GRILL WAS DAMAGED, REAR GLASS BROKE, POSSIBLE FRAME TWIST/UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V3880000. CONCERNING CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER, JUST T TO HE DEALERSHIP. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V017000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE . *AK

UNDERHOOD FIRE ON 1998 FORD F-150 WHILE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED SEVERAL HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE. WAS AWAKEN BY FIRE DEPARTMENT STATING THEY PUT OUT FIRE. TWO DAYS AFTER FIRE WE RECEIVED A NOTICE ON A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. EVERYTHING LETTER STATES IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR VEHICLE. WE SUBMITTED CLAIM TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CLAIM STATING "THAT DUE TO EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THEY WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. THEY MADE THIS DETERMINATION BY OBSERVING PICTURES THAT WE SENT VIA EMAIL TO THEM. WE ASKED HOW THEY COULD MAKE THIS DETERMINATION WITHOUT SOMEONE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND ONLY LOOKING AT PICTURES AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE ON MOST ALL COMPLAINTS MADE TO THEM OF VEHICLE FIRES OF THIS NATURE AND THAT OUR CASE WAS CONSIDERED CLOSED. WHEN I ASKED MR KELLAR TO LET ME SPEAK WITH HIS BOSS HE STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT TRANSFER ME TO HIS BOSS BECAUSE HE CONSIDERED OUR CASE CLOSED AND THAT I DID NOT NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO HIS BOSS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V388000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER , WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE .*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 05V170000 CONCERNING CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IT ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES, SHIFTED INTO LOW, AND ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A PEDESTRIAN, A RAMP, AND KNOCKED THE TRAILER THROUGH THE TAILGATE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE RAMP AND THE VEHICLE. THE PEDESTRIAN RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES, MOSTLY BRUISES TO HER SIDE. BECAUSE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.*AK

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY 1998 FORD F-150 HAD STEAMY WHITE EXHAUST UPON START AND IT WOULD LAST UNTIL SUFFICIENT WARM-UP. AT THAT POINT, I DID NOT THINK ABOUT IT MUCH. AT ANY RATE, I WENT OUT OF TOWN FOR TWO WEEKS AND UPON MY RETURN FROM MY TRIP, I GOT IN MY TRUCK AND TRIED TO START IT AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY SO, I TRIED TO JUMP START IT TO NO AVAIL. NEXT, I TRIED PUSH STARTING IT AND INITIALLY THE WHEELS LOCKED UP BUT EVENTUALLY IT STARTED. FROM THAT POINT IT WAS FINE HOWEVER, IT WASN'T UNTIL FRIDAY THAT I TRIED TO START IT AND AGAIN IT WAS HARD TO START. WHEN IT DID IT STARTED RATTLING INDICATING A POSSIBLE BENT PUSH ROD. UPON CALLING AN ENGINE MECHANIC, HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RISE IN 4.2 LITER V-6 ENGINE FAILURES BECAUSE OF A KNOWN DEFECT. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT I STARTED DOING INTERNET RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS TSB 99-20-7 AND ONP 99B29. AT THIS POINT, MY TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP BEING DIAGNOSED AND I'M SURE THE MECHANIC IS GOING TO TELL ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE. *JB

CONSUMER TURNED FORD F150 ON AND VEHICLE HESITATED THEN CRANKED AND BEGAN RATTLING. HEAD GASKET LEAD WATER INTO THE CYLINDER. *TS REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN# DP05005. *SC

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON I-95 THE REAR TIRE THREAD SEPARATED AND LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF TRUCK WHICH CAUSE IT TO HIT THE WALL IN THE MEDIAN TWICE. AS A RESULT WE BOTH SUSTAINED INJURIES IN WHICH WE ARE CURRENTLY UNDER DOCTORS CARE ALONG WITH THERAPY. BOTTOM LINE WE ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES. THE TIRE HAD BEEN PURCHASE ALMOST 6 MONTHS PRIOR OF ACCIDENT TO REPLACE ANOTHER ONE WE TOLD WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS A P275/70R16 CONTINENTAL TIRE ON OUR 1998 F-150 TRUCK. *NM

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150 PICKUP. WHIILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. NO WARNING AT ALL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED 650 MILES BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. *AK

DT: THE CALLER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING STILL FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN'. THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, AND BURNED THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. NO OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 1998 FORD F-150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. THIS HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR AROUND SIX HOURS. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN USED THE DAY OF THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO MALFUNCTIONS ON THE TRUCK. EVERYTHING WAS IN WORKING ORDER. THE CONSUMER WAS AWAKENED BY A NEIGHBOR WHO SPOTTED THAT THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE GARAGE, THE TRUCK AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT. THERE WAS A FIRE INVESTIGATOR ON HAND TO EXAMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK. THIS WAS BEFORE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 05V170000 CONCERNING THE SCDS ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEALT WITH FORD, WHO TOLD THE INSURANCE AGENT THAT SOMEONE WOULD COME AND EXAMINED THE REMAINS. THEY WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE SCENE UNDISTURBED, AND IT MAY BE A MONTH OR SO BEFORE THEY WOULD EVEN COME AND CHECK. FORD TOLD THE INSURANCE AGENT TO PAY THE CONSUMER, AND FORD WOULD DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY LATER. THERE WAS AN INSURANCE AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT AVAILABLE TO ANY INVESTIGATOR.*AK UPDATED 12/07/05.*JB

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD F-150 4.2L XLT. A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION UPON STARTING MY ENGINE. ONCE THE ENGINE STARTED, IT STRUGGLED A LITTLE AND THEN SMOOTHED OUT ONCE I BEGAN TO DRIVE. THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO RUN FINE, ONCE STARTED, BUT CONTINUED WITH THE SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY TRUCK AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER RIGHT AWAY. I LET THE TRUCK REST A MOMENT THEN AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. THE TRUCK STARTED UP, THEN I HEARD THE SLIGHT HESITATION AND ALL OF SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHEREUPON I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A ROD KNOCK, WHICH SHOT DOWN THROUGH THE OIL PAN. HE FOUND COOLANT ON THE PLUGS AND WATER INTRUSION THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO THE BLOCK. HE INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE HAD HYDRO-LOCKED. THROUGH RESEARCH I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THIS IS AN APPARENTLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I FOUND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUED A RECALL ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IN 1999. I NEVER RECEIVED SUCH NOTIFICATION, ALTHOUGH I HAVE, IN FACT RECEIVED INFORMATION FOR OTHER RECALLS. I WAS NEVER SENT ANYTHING IN THE MAIL AND HAD NO IDEA OF THIS PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, I AM INFORMED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THIS MATTER WITH CUSTOMERS. I CURRENTLY HAVE 117,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND HAD TO PAY OVER $4,000.00 TO REPLACE THE LONG

I CHANGED MY SPARK PLUGS AT THE RECOMMENDED MILEAGE AND SINCE THAT TIME THEY DO NOT STAY TIGHT IN THE CYLINDERS. THEY LOOSEN UP AND I HAVE TO RE-TIGHTEN THEM EVERYDAY SO THAT THEY DO NOT BLOW OUT OF MY CYLINDER HEAD. *JB

1998 FORD F-150 VIN # [XXX], PARKED AT 9:00 PM ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. AT 4:30 AM ON SEPTEMBER 28 NEIGHBOR NOTICED VEHICLE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPT UNABLE TO SAVE THE VEHICLE, IT COMPLETELY BURNED UP. ALSO DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE IN FRONT OF WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TO A 1990 FORD TAURUS PARKED BESIDE OF THE VEHICLE.*JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1) STARTER WENT OUT, TRUCK WAS SURGING WHILE DRIVING, GASOLINE WAS RUNNING OUT OF TAILPIPE. 2) WIRING HARNESS WAS RUBBING THE AC DRYER WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL INJECTORS TO STAY OPEN, WHICH FILLED THE CYLINDERS UP WITH GAS AND LOCKED THE MOTOR UP, BENDING THE RODS. 3) MOTOR AND STARTER WERE REPLACED BY SMITH FORD IN CONWAY, ARKANSAS. THIS COST US $5,500.00. ORIGINALLY, TRUCK WAS SENT IN FOR STARTER REPLACEMENT ONLY. THE NEXT DAY THE MOTOR WENT OUT. *NM

98 FORD F-150 WITH 4.2L WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALMOST ALL OF THESE ENGINES AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK WAS SHAKING. WHEN THE DRIVER STOPPED. THE LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS SNAPPED OFF THE WHEEL. THE SPEED WAS 35 MPH. THE TIRE WAS READY TO FALL OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE TRUCK. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CALLED, AND A COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE COMPANY. THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO BE REPAIRED. THE TRUCK IS A 1998 FORD F150 TRUCK.*AK

DT: CALLER SAID THAT ON JULY 11, 2005 AFTER 8 HOURS OF SITTING STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE TRUCK. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE AND ANOTHER CAR. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE FIRE DEPTARTMENT. *AK *JB

BRAKE WERE NOT RIGHT SPONGY. WEARING OUT BAKE PAD'S NOTHING HAPPENED YET BUT NOT WORKING RIGHT AS OF NOW. I REPLACED CALIPER AND PAD'S. AND BRAKES ARE STILL DRAGGING. *NM

FORD DEALERSHIPS IN RALEIGH NC AREA ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR 1998 F150 UNDER SPEED CONTROL RECALL. *NM

ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED MY TEMP GAUGE IN THE RED AND MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AT ZERO. THE "CHECK OIL" LIGHT WAS LIT AS WELL. THE TRUCK AT THE TIME WAS RUNNING FINE, NO NOISES FROM THE ENGINE AND NO SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP WHICH HAPPENS TO BE A FORD DEALER; DIABLO FORD IN PITTSBURGH, CA. ON 09/12/05, THE FIRST DAY THE SERVICE DEPT WAS ABLE TO GET TO IT, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER TELLING ME THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE PULLED AND DISASSEMBLED TO CHECK ENGINE BEARINGS, CONNECTING RODS, VALVES AND PISTONS TO SEE IF THERE IS MORE DAMAGE THAN JUST BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. SO FAR THE QUOTE WITH INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS NOT DAMAGED IS $3200. THAT QUOTE COULD RISE VERY EASILY IF INTERNAL DAMAGE IS FOUND. SINCE THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ON THE FIGHTBACK.COM WEBSITE AND HAVE FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH 1997 TO 1999 F150 FORD TRUCKS WITH 4.2 LITER ENGINES. APPARENTLY, FORD HAS CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD GASKETS IN MID 1999, DUE TO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOR THESE PARTICULAR ENGINES. MY UNDERSTANDING IS FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, AND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE SHELLING OUT $3000+ TO REPAIR THEIR TRUCKS. IN SOME CASES, ENTIRE ENGINES WERE REPLACED FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD RECALL AND COVER THE COSTS ON THE ENGINES. IF I'M NOT MISTAKING, THE 3.8 LITER V6 SHARES THE SAME BLOCK AND HEADS AS THE 4.2. THE 3.

DT: 1998 FORD F150. COOLANT IN THE OIL, AND SERIOUS ENGINE NOISE. THE ARE WHITE VAPORS FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION YET. UNABLE TO DRIVE AUTOMOBILE.*AK

TURN SIGNAL WORKED AS EXPECTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS NEW,THEN SOON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BECAME SPORADIC AS TO WHEN IT WOULD WORK. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY COULD DISCOVER. HOWEVER,NOW THE RIGHT SIGNAL DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. I DON'T MEAN THE BULB-- I MEAN THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. LEFT WORKS FINE;RIGHT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO LET OTHER DRIVERS KNOW WHERE I'M GOING,COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *NM

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER UNTIL THE STORM PASSED. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND HE REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED TWICE TO DATE. *JB

CONSUMER'S REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN GETTING FORD TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR REPAIRS FOR FAULTY GASKET ON THEIR 1998 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCK.*MR WATER LEAKED INTO THE OIL BECAUSE OF A FAULTY GASKET WHICH THEN CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW. THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THE GASKET WAS RECALL IN 1999. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED AND NOTICE OF A GASKET RECALL. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT FORD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE FAULTY ENGINE. *NM

DT: THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH WHICH WAS OVER THE MASTER CYLINDER ON A 1998 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO CATCH ON FIRE. IT BURNT TWO FUSES AND UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OFF, AND IT WAS AT THE MECHANIC. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER SITTING FOR A WEEK. THE MECHANIC HAD CHANGED THE MOTOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE MECHANIC WAS THE ONE WHO DETERMINED THAT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 21, 2005. *AK *JB

CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUSED TRUCK TO CATCH FIRE. *NM

I HAVE A 1998 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK WHILE IN MY DRIVEWAY. I EXAMINED THE FORD OWNERS MANUAL AND IT ADVISED HOW TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND TO CHECK THE FUSE TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AND I REPLACED THE FUSE AS INSTRUCTED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I OBSERVED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH PLUGS INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ON FIRE. I PULLED THE WIRE FROM THE MELTED SWITCH AND THE FIRE WENT OUT. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AS FORD SAYS MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER RECALL. NO DAMAGE OTHER THAN THE SWITCH AND WIRING, I WAS LUCKY. *JB

HEAD GASKET/ HEAD BOLT FAILURE AT 66,000 MILES. MECHANIC REPORTED IT DURING ROUTINE SERVICE. SAID 3 THINGS CAUSE THIS FAILURE. 1. LACK OF COOLANT (OVERHEATING), 2. DEFECTIVE GASKET OR 3. FACTORY DEFECT DURING THE MILLING THE HEAD. MECHANIC REPORTED THIS AS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF FORD TRUCK. SINCE THE COOLANT LEVEL HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED, THAT LEAVES THE OTHER TWO POSSIBILITIES. SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED, PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT RIGHT AWAY. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM BEFORE HAND. NO TSB ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT SOME FOR OTHER FORD VEHICLES IN SAME MANUFACTURING YEAR. SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER FORD 150S' WITH PREMATURE BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. REPAIRS AT FORD DEALER WERE $2300 WITH LITTLE CHOICE TO GO ELSEWHERE. PROBLEMS WITH DEALER IN GETTING REPAIR DONE CORRECTLY, BUT THAT IS A DIFFERENT COMPLAINT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER RECALLS FOR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS OVER THE YEARS, THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *NM

FORD F150 HEAD GASKET LEAKED WATER INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING BENT RODS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *JB

I HAVE A 1998 F-150 AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW MY DOORS ARE SPLITTING AND STARTING TO RUST I KNOW ITS HAPPENING QUITE A BIT I WORK IN THE INDUSTRY AND SEE THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS ALSO THE FORD DEALERS DO HAVE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER PAYS IT IS NOT COVERED WHY?*JB

DT: WATER INFILTRATION AROUND THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. WHEN IT RAINED WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AND SOAKED THE INTERIOR PANEL WHICH HOLDS THE FUSES. THE FUSE PANEL ALSO RUSTED. THE OWNER WAS NOT SURE ABOUT OTHER DAMAGE. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO A GLASS COMPANY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THAT PROBLEM BEFORE. OWNER MADE HIS OWN TEMPORARY PATCH FROM SILICONE. THE PATCH WORKED. OWNER CALLED FORD AND FILED A COMPLAINT. *AK WHEN IT RAINED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS LIKE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, POWER WINDOWS , HEADLIGHT ETC WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT STRAPS ON THE GAS TANK BROKE, CAUSING THE FRONT TANK TO HIT THE GROUND AND RUPTURE. CONSUMER HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK AND GASOLINE SPILLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY WERE ON THE SCENE WHERE THIS OCCURRED. THERE WAS A REPORT FROM THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE, BUT FOR THE CONSUMER TO KEEP HIS RECEIPTS IN CASE THERE WAS A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS RUSTED. *AK

1. DRIVING WITH MY FIANCEE TO GO OUT TO EAT IN EVANSVILLE 2. LOSS OF REAR BRAKES(FOUND OUT LATER A PINHOLE IN BRAKELINE) 3. DAMAGE FRONT IN DUE TO TRAFFIC STOP QUICKLY AND I COULD NOT, SO I WENT OFFROAD TO AVOID A CAR IN A SOYBEAN FIELD. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE I AM NOT INSTALLING THE RECYCLED BRAKE LINES THAT I THINK WAS USED WHEN THE F150 WAS MADE SHOULDN'T THEY LAST MORE THAN 7 YEARS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY FOR THE DRIVER,ALL PASSANGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS, I HAVE HAD A GARAGE ORDER STAINLESS STEEL, AND THE FRONT BODY PARTS. I DON'T KNOW THE COST OF THE BILL YET..BUT I'M WITHOUT MY TRUCK..FOR AWHILE. AND A HONEY THAT HAS HAD A HEADACHE ALL DAY AND A SPRAIN WRIST...HOPE IT GOES AWAY(THE HEADACHE).

FORD F-150 1998. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT WARNING IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK THE MAJORITY OF THE FIRE WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS INCIDENT ALSO DAMAGED A NEIGHBORING VEHICLE DUE TO THE FIRE. *SC *JB