2003 Ford F-150 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN BEGAN TO BLOW ON ITS OWN AND BLACK SMOKE BEGAN TO ESCAPE FROM THE WINDOWS. THE FIRE ALSO BEGAN NEAR THE FUSE BOX. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD NOT CONCLUDED THERE INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THE TANK. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS HAD FRACTURED AND WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. APPROXIMATELY ONE FOURTH A TANK OF FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TANK AND STRAPS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED BODY REPAIRS FROM THE CONTACT DRIVING OVER THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 141,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH SHE BEGAN TO HEAR THE VEHICLE DRAGGING AN OBJECT UNDER IT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL TANK WAS PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED ONE OF THE STRAPS WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.

GAS TANK STRAP ON 2003 F-150 XLT 4X4 BROKE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSING THE TANK TO FALL AND RATTLE ON SKID PLATE. BOUGHT NEW STRAPS FROM LOCAL AUTO SUPPLY AND REPLACED BOTH OF THEM SINCE THE SECOND STRAP WAS CLOSE TO BREAKING ALSO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING FUEL WHILE HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND CAUSED A HOLE TO OPEN IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,404.

STRAP HOLDING MY GAS TANK ON MY 2003 FORD 150 RUSTED THRU AND BROKE IT WAS NOTICED BY ONE OF MY FELLOW EMPLOYEES FORTUNATELY BEFORE THE OTHER STRAP BROKE. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER IN MY AREA AND HAD IT REPAIRED ASKING IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND THEY SAID NO. I WAS CHARGED $195 TO REPAIR IT. *TR

FUEL TANK STRAP RUSTED THROUGH AND FAILED. *TR

I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING RUSTED OUT FUEL TANK STRAPS ON THE FORD F 150 PICKUP TRUCK, MODEL YEARS 1997 - 2001. I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT THE REAR STRAP FAILED ON MY 2003 F 150 LAST YEAR. I PAID TO HAVE THE STRAPS REPLACED. THE NEW STRAPS WERE FORD PARTS AND WERE STAINLESS STEEL, UNLIKE THE ORIGINALS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK WITHIN THE DOOR PANELS AND WINDSHIELD. DUE TO THE LEAK, WATER WAS GETTING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 05/13/11 *BF

DRIVING ON I-95 IN FLORIDA, WHEN I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK SWERVED SIDE TO SIDE ALMOST RESULTING IN A CRASH. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE TRUCK AND BRING IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I DISCOVERED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE HAD THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. IT WAS COOPER TIRE DISCOVERER H/T 265/70R17. SO FAR, COOPER TOOK MY INFORMATION AND IS GOING TO SEND PAPERWORK ON THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD F150 WITH A 4.6L TRITON V8 ENGINE , WHILE DRIVING IT STARTED MAKING A POPPING NOISE, LIKE A MINI BACKFIRE. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY FOUND THE COIL PACK ON THE #3 CYLINDER WAS MELTED. THEY REPLACED THE COIL PACK, AND WE DROVE DOWN THE ROAD TO TEST DRIVE THE TRUCK, WITHIN 2 MILES THE POPPING NOISE RETURNED, BUT EVEN LOUDER THIS TIME. WE GOT IT LIMPED BACK TO THE SHOP, AND HAD TO LET IT COOL DOWN OVERNIGHT, SO THE MECHANIC COULD INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. HE HAD A TIME GETTING THE MELTED "BRAND NEW" COIL PACK OUT OF THE SPARK PLUG RECESS IN THE ENGINE HEAD, AND AN EQUALLY DIFFICULT TIME GETTING THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF OUT OF THE HOLE. APPARENTLY THE PLUG HAD COME LOOSE IN THE SHORT THREADED ALUMINUM HEAD, THEN THE COIL PACK MELTED AROUND THE PLUG SEALING IT IN PLACE , AND THE ENGINE BURNT A HOLE THE SIZE OF A PENCIL RIGHT THROUGH THE ALUMINUM HEAD NEXT TO THE SPARK PLUG HOLE. THE COIL PACK WAS STILL PUTTING OUT SPARK, BUT NOT TO THE PLUG, AS THE BOOT THAT HELD IT ON THE PLUG WAS GONE, IT WAS JUST SPARKING AGAINST THE SIDES OF THE RECESS IN THE HEAD. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE EITHER CAUGHT FIRE OR BLOWN UP, I GUESS THAT IS LUCKY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME NOT SO NICE FOR ME WITH THE REPAIRS STARTING AT $2600 TO REPLACE THE HEADS ON THE SAME ENGINE, OR PUT IN A USED ENGINE IF WE CAN FIND ONE FOR $3900, OR PUT IN A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE FOR $5200, THAT HAS SUPPOSEDLY HAS ADDRESSED THE ISSUE WITH THESE FORD ENGINES BLOWING OUT SPARK PLU

ON MY 2003 FORD F-150 XLT REGULAR CAB, SHORT WIDE BED PICK-UP I NOTICED A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED FOR A SHORT PERIOD THEN WENT OFF AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. SOMETIMES WHEN I WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND NOT REAPPEAR AGAIN FOR A FEW DAYS TO WEEKS. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT STAYED ON. THIS TIME I ALSO NOTED THAT AFTER I TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF I COULD STILL HEAR WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE SOUND OF SMALL ELECTRIC MOTOR CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND DETERMINED THE NOISE WAS ORIGINATING FROM THE ABS BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. I FELT THE MODULE AND IT WAS WARM. I PHONED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SOMETIMES IF THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED THE MODULE WILL RESET ITSELF. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR A MOMENT THEN RECONNECTED IT AND THE ABS BRAKE MODULE LIGHT ON THE DASH WENT OFF SO I ASSUMED IT HAD RESET ITSELF AND WAS NOW OK. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK FOR APPROX 1 1/2 WEEKS WITH NO TROUBLE THEN SUDDENLY THE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH AGAIN CAME ON. AS BEFORE WHEN I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE THE NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF A SMALL ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING WAS AGAIN HEARD. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A HOT SMELL WAS NOTED ALSO. I VISITED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACED AT A PRICE OF SOMEWHERE AROUND $700.00 UP TO POSSIBLY $1200.00 SINCE WHEN

THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN (> 75 MPH). CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. THE BREAK WAS EFFECTIVE AT MITIGATING INCREASING SPEED UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE STOPPED SAFELY ON THE SIDE OF HWY 85S. DISTANCE TRAVELED WITH UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION WAS APPROXIMATELY 2.5 MILES. PRIOR TO STOPPING AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, AN ATTEMPT TO PUT THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL WHILE SPEEDING WAS FRUITLESS -- THE ENGINE RACED TO MAXIMUM RPM WHEN PUT IN NEUTRAL. FOR FEAR I WOULD BLOW THE ENGINE, I PUT THE TRANSMISSION BACK INTO "DRIVE" AND CONTINUED TAMPING ON MY BREAKS TO CONTROL MY SPEED. HEAVY BREAKING WAS UTILIZED ONCE I WAS IN SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES, EACH TIME WITH THE SAME RESULT - - THE ENGINE RED-LINED AT MAXIMUM RPMS. I CONTACTED AAA FOR ROADSIDE SERVICE. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A RALEIGH FORD DEALER. THE FORD DEALER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE RED-LINED AT MAXIMUM RPMS. THEY TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE. THEY FOUND A PLASTIC COVER FOR THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY HAD COME LOOSE AND LODGED ITSELF IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PUT TENSION ON THE THROTTLE CABLE/LEVER. A SAFETY CLIP THAT HOLDS THE COVER IN PLACE WAS MISSING. THEY RE-SECURED THE COVER WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SAFETY CONNECTOR, AND THEN RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WAS NORMAL. THE FORD DEALER REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE ON A MUSTANG, BUT NOT OF F-150. THE FORD DEALER REPRESENTATIVE TRIED TO DO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND EASILY TURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. ONCE THE VEHICLE BEGAN STEERING TOWARDS THE LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE FAILURE CEASED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V349000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NOTHING CAUSED THIS FAILURE OTHER THAN FACTORY DEFECT. I PROBLEM I HAVE HAD IS THE SPARKPLUG BLOW OUT OF MY VEHICLES CYLINDERS IT HAS HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. LEAVING ME STRANDED. ALSO ALL 3 TIMES I HAVE HAD TO BUY NEW SPARK COILS AND SPARK PLUGS, THIS LAST TIME IT RUINED THE TREADS IN THE BLOCK COSTING OVER $800 TO REPAIR. I DO HAVE THE OLD PARTS *TR

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 2003 F 150 AND HEARD A KIND OF TAPPING NOISE AND STRONG VIBRATIONS COMING FROM ENGINE.. PULLED OVER AND HAD TRUCK TOWED TO MY HOUSE... AS A FRIEND OF MINE IS A MECHANIC HE CAME OVER AND HAD ME START THE TRUCK... AS I DID SO THE #3 SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE AND BOUNCED OFF THE HOOD.... I STARTED TO RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ABOUT THE FORD F150'S DOING THIS EXACT SAME THING AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO COME FROM THE #3 PLUG... SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE SPENT 100'S OF DOLLARS TO UPGRADE AT THE DEALERSHIPS... ONLY 3 THREAD ON MY HEAD AND ALL TRUCKS NOW HAVE 7 THREADS... WHY DID FORD CHANGE IT? MUST HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS LIL PROBLEM....*TR

LEFT DEALERSHIP AFTER LO-JACK INSTALLATION. ENTERED TRAFFIC LANE AND BEGAN LIGHTLY BRAKING FOR APPROACHING SIGNAL. I FELT TWO FORWARD SURGES AND THEN INCREASINGLY RAPID ACCELERATION. I CHECKED REAR VIEW MIRROR AND THEN PRESSED ON BRAKES WITH THE SOUND OF THE RACING TURBO CHARGED ENGINE FILLING THE CAB. I THEN MOVED THE GEAR OUT OF DRIVE AND IN MY HASTE SAW I HAD IT BETWEEN REVERSE AND PARK. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO NEUTRAL AND THEN THE SOUND SUBSIDED. THE ENTIRE ACCELERATION INCIDENT LASTED LESS THAN 10 SECONDS. THE TRUCK WAS IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEN REPORTED INCIDENT TO THE MANUFACTURER.

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 FORD F 150, TRITON V8 FROM A LOCAL REPUTABLE DEALER. IT IS IN FOR REPAIRS DUE TO ENGINE CONCERNS. IN RESEARCHING THE TRITON V8 I FIND THAT I AM NOT ALONE AND THERE IS A CONCERN WITH BLOWING SPARK PLUGS OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. I WANT TO DOCUMENT MY PROBLEM AT THIS POINT SO IF THE NEED TO LEGALLY SEEK REPAIRS I HAVE A PAPER TRAIL. AT THIS POINT I AM TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WILL BE $550.00, BUT IN READING OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS I SEE THAT MOST BEGAN THE SAME WAY. *TR

MY FORD F150 SUPER CREW HAS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THAT IT CONTINUOUSLY BLOWS A CERTAIN 5 AMP FUSE. THIS FUSE DISABLES THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND THE OVERDRIVE SYSTEM. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE AND CHARGED ME $52.50. THEY DID NOT FIX ANYTHING. I FOUND AN IDENTICAL COMPLAINT ON YOUR WEBSITE FROM NOV 30, 2008.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150 4WD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE OVER SNOW AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT THEN ENGAGED THE ACCELERATED AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE BUT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,200.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FWD ENGAGEMENT GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PLACE WHEN DRIVING IN ICY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ACTUATOR FOR THE GEAR SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000. UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 05/06/11

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT IN USE. OWNER RETURNED HOME WHILE AWAY WITH HIS SON TO FIND THAT VEHICLE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE EXTENT OF FIRE WAS THE FRONT ENGINE AREA. VEHICLE WAS USED NIGHT BEFORE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT.

I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. I HEARD A POP. THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE. IT COMPLETELY RIPPED THE THREADS OUT WITH IT. UPON DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ONCE THEIR FORD HITS 100,000 MILES. MY 2003 FORD F150 V8 4.6L HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 F150 THAT HAS 135K MILES. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK SERVICED REGULARLY AND HAVE HAD NO MAJOR ISSUES UNTIL TODAY. I AM IN THE NAVY AND WAS DRIVING INTO WORK FOR DUTY WHEN MY SPARK PLUG WAS EJECTED FROM MY ENGINE. THE EXPLOSION WAS SO GREAT THAT IT BROKE THE COIL PACK IN THREE PIECES AND WHEN I PULLED OVER IN INVESTIGATE THE NOISE I TURNED ON THE ENGINE WITH THE HOOD OPEN TO SEE THE SPARK COIL ACROSS THE PORT WHERE THE PLUG HAD BEEN AND IT WAS SPARKING (IT'S A WONDER THAT IT DIDN'T CATCH THE VAPORS ON FIRE FRON THE CYLINDER) THE PLUG ALSO SEVERED ONE OF THE VACCUUME HOSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN TOWN AND THE MECHANINC TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL FOR TRUCKS OVER 100K MILES, AND THAT THEY WOULD 'START POPPING OUT LIKE POPCORN'. THIS SEEMS OUTRAGOUS! I TRIED TO FIX IT MYSELF BUT NOW AM HAVING TO CONCEDE TO LETTING FORD DO THE WORK SINCE THEY HAVE THE REPLACEMENT KIT ( "BECAUSE THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS" - THEIR OWN WORDS). THERE IS A POTENTIAL THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE! PLEASE FORCE FORD TO DO A RECALL. *TR

2003 FORD F150 BURNS WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY - TOTAL LOSS - STARTS IN ENGINE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150 PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCATION OF THE SEAT BELT WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND WAS PLACED IN AN AWKWARD POSITION. HE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CAUSING THE SEAT BELT HOLDING MECHANISM TO JAM IN HIS SIDE AND TIGHTEN AROUND HIS SHOULDERS AND LAP. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO HIS RIGHT LEG, RIGHT HIP AND LOWER BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WERE SORRY FOR HIS LOST AND HE SHOULD HAVE HIS LAWYER CONTACT THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150 PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE FIVE MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO ASSIST AND ADVISED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PART OF THE UTILITY BUILDING, THE CARPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN, ALL OF ITS CONTENTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED 11/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/19/10.*LJ UPDATED 11/26/10

COMING HOME TO VA FROM OHIO WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AND HAD TO KEEP FLOORING THE TRUCK. THE SPARK PLUGS ACTED LIKE THEY WERE FOULING AND THE TRUCK SPUTTERED HOME. WE CAME HOME AND OUR MECHANIC SAID WE BLEW OUT OR EJECTED TWO SPARK PLUGS ON OUR TRITON 4.6L 2003 PICK UP TRUCK. HE SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED BY FORD AND IT WOULD PROBABLY COST ABOUT $900. WE FOUND OUT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON THE NEW NON-PLUG WIRES TRUCKS USING A SERIES OF COIL, OVER PLUG COIL CONNECTORS SPECIFICALLY ON THE TRITON FORD TRUCK MOTORS. WHY HASN'T NHTSA CONTACTED FORD. WE SMELLED GAS THE WHOLE WAY HOME; ABOUT 500 MILES AFTER IT HAPPENED. IF THE GAS FUMES IGNITED IT WOULD HAVE BURNED MY TRUCK UP BUT COULD HAVE HURT MY WIFE AND THREE GRANDCHILDREN RIDING WITH US. [XXX] I BOUGHT THE MECHANIC EIGHT SPARKPLUGS *$6.99 EACH, THEN EIGHT COILED/SLEEVES $52 EACH AND A NEW COIL UNIT $163, HE IS HAVING A COMPANY HELIARC-COILS TO REPAIR THE SPARKPLUG SEATS. THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN, AND HAD I KNOWN THIS WHEN WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK, WE WOULDN'T HAVE. I SENT FORD MOTOR A CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPLAINT AS WELL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT. DRIVING 10-20 MPH THE FIRST TIMES AND 25-35 THE SECOND. 2 SPARK PLUGS EJECTED OUT OF THE ENGINE TWICE IN 4 DAYS 1ST TIME WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND IT WAS REPLACED 2ND TIME TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND IT WAS REPLACED. *TR

FORD F150 2003, 5.4 ENGINE. THE SPARK PLUG ISSUE HAS JUST BITTEN ME, NOW I HAVE A 10,000 DOLLAR PEICE OF STEEL IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I AM NOT PAYING 5400 AND SOME CHANGE TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED, THE PLUG GETTTING HIT BY THE PISTON OR SHOOTING OUT OF THE HOLE CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS BY ALLOWING FUEL TO COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL SPARK THEREFORE STARTING A FIRE, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AND YET NOTHING IS DONE I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE PLACED FOR THE ISSUE. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

FORD F-150 SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT, COMMON IN F-150'S. *TR

FUEL TANK FELL OFF VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF RUSTED MOUNTING IS A ONE OWNER WELL MAINTAINED FORD F150 PURCHASED NEW IN 2003 AND MILEAGE IS ONLY 100,222. NEW STRAPS WERE LOCATED AND INSTALLED 6/29/2010 AND OLD STRAPS WERE LABELED AND KEPT. *TR

PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE ON 2003(2004 BODY STYLE) F150 LARIAT. REGULATOR FAILED ON ROAD TRIP IN 95 PLUS DEGREE WEATHER IN EASTERN NC ON JUNE 26, 2010. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE. *TR

I HAD MY 2003 FORD F-150 SHOOT SPARK PLUGS OUT OF THE HEADERS I DON"T KNOW WHY BUT THIS IDS THE 3RD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED AND IF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO START A RECALL ON THE HEADERS TO CHANGE THEM TO A 8 THREAD INSTEAD OF 4. *TR

BLOW OUT OF SPARK PLUG ON 2003 FORD F-150 4.6L TRITON V8. *TR

2003 FORD F-150 CREW CAB , 4.6 TRITON ENGINE. SPARK PLUG BLEW WHILE ON HIGHWAY. NORMAL DRIVING WITH NO LOAD IN TRUCK. NO WARNING BEFORE FAILURE. THE TRUCK HAS JUST OVER 100,000 MILES. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD F150, WITH A 5.4L ENGINE. I FOUND OUT THAT MY WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING AND SEEPING WATER ONTO MY GEM/CJB AND MAKING IT SO IN RAIN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHUT OFF, MY HEATER BLOWER TO STAY ON OR GO ON WHEN THE KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION, AND HAS DRAINED MY BATTERY. HERE IS A COPY OF THE NOTICE FORD SENT TO THERE DEALERSHIPS IN 2004, *FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 VARIOUS ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING FROM WATER INTRUSION INTO THE GEM/CJB SOME 1997-2002 EXPEDITION AND 1998-2002 NAVIGATOR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FRONT OR REAR BLOWER OR EATC STAYING ON WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, RADIO STAYING ON AFTER DOORS OPENED AND KEY OUT OF IGNITION, WIPER CIRCUIT FAILURE CODES, AND MULTIPLE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WITH 'SHORT TO POWER' OR 'LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE' DTCS. THESE SYMPTOMS MOST OFTEN OCCUR AFTER A RAIN OR SNOW. THIS MAY BE DUE TO GEM/CJB WATER INTRUSION RESULTING FROM A WINDSHIELD WATER LEAK. TO SERVICE, REMOVE THE GEM AND CJB FROM THE VEHICLE, SEPARATE THEM AND INSPECT FOR WATER CONTAMINATION OR CORROSION. IF FOUND IN EITHER COMPONENT, REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS AND COMPLETELY RESEAL THE WINDSHIELD. EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/05/2002 SO THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THEY ARE CHARGING BETWEEN $900 - $1500+ FOR REPAIRS AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT CHARGING FOR THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED. THE HAZARDS OF THIS POTENTIALLY SHORTING OUT AND HAVING A FIRE IS A RISK THAT I THINK SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CONSUME

MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE THROTTLE STUCK, THE BRAKES DID NOTHING. HE HAD TO THROW THE VEHICLE IN PARK. *TR

THE BRAKE LINE FROM CAB AREA TO REAR WHEEL ON MY 2003 FORD F150 CORRODED AND EMPTIED THE MASTER CYCLINDER OF BRAKE FLUID. IT IS SIGNIFICANT TO NOTE THAT NO OTHER BRAKELINES OR CONNECTIONS SHOWED SIMIILAR CORROSION- MORE LIKE YOU WOULD EXPECT ON A 7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE CORROSION IS A MATERIALS PROBLEM AND MAY BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM IN OTHER VEHICLE OF THIS TYPE. I ALSO NOTED EXCESSIVE SCALING OF THE FRONT WHEEL HUBS AND STEARING ARMS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. THIS I BELIEVE IS THE RESULT OF INFERIOR PARTS- I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS LEVEL OF DETERIOATION OF VEHICLE COMPONENTS LIKE THIS. WHETHER THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM OR NOT I DON'T KNOW. PLEASE ACCEPT THIS INFORMATION AS A COUPLE OF DATA POINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. I JUST FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO ADVISE NHTSA OF THE SITUATION.

NORMAL DRIVING WHEN THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE MOTOR LEAVING ME AND MY KIDS STRANDED STILL TRYING TO CORRECT PROBLEM THIS IS THE SECOND TIME REPAIR BILL APPROXIMATELY $3000. *DT

2003 FORD F150 KING RANCH 4X4 PICKUP ALL FOUR DOORS ARE ROTTING OUT ON THE BOTTOM. *DT 2/20/10 THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE DRAIN HOLES OR WEEP HOLES WERE PLUGGED PROBABLY FROM RUST AND ROAD MATERIAL THUS TRAPPING WATER INSIDE THE DOORS CAUSING THEM TO RUST OUT. WHEN THE CONSUMER LOOKED AT THE WEEP HOLES, THEY WERE NOT CLOGGED UP, BUT PLUGGED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED PLUGS THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLUGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED BEFORE THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE. . *JB UPDATED 04/06/10.*JB

I OWN A FORD F150 WITH A TRITON V8 ENGINE. ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE ON 2/25/10 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. AFTER LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM THEY SENT ME TO A FORD DEALER. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME IT IS A $1000 FIX AND THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY DUE TO THE PERSON WHO REPLACED THE PLUGS FOR ME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE ROAD WAS SLIPPERY AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, IT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE DEALER LOCATED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FRONT SHIFT FORK AND THE SUB SHIFT FORK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $ 1,009 TO HAVE THE FRONT AND SUB SHIFT FORKS REPLACED. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DIDN"T TAKE A REPORT OR OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,879 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,921.

2003 FORD F150 5.4L #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE'S HEAD AND STRIPPED OUT ALL THREADS. INSERT WAS PUT IN TO REPLACE DAMAGED THREADS AT A COST OF $500 FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING AND ENTERING ONTO INTERSTATE 80 AT A SPEED OF 50MPH I HEARD A LOUD POP AND LOST POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT WITH A GREAT LOSS OF POWER. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT A MODERATE SPEED UNTIL I COULD GET TO A MONROE SERVICE CENTER APPROX. 20 MILES. THE #7 PLUG FOR THE SECOND TIME BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD. THE REPAIR COST THIS TIME WAS $294.38 AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. IT'S BEEN EIGHT MONTHS SINCE I HAD IT REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME. THE #7 CYLINDER IS NOW MISFIRING EVEN THOUGH THE PLUG HAS BEEN REPLACED. MILEAGE TO DATE IS 200,892. *TR

I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY TRUCK FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES AND AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE SPARK PLUG BLEW. I GOT MY TRUCK TO START UP AND DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE THIS OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS REPEATED UNTIL I MANAGED TO GET TO MY HOME WHICH WAS ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED. THEN I CALLED VENUS, A TOWING AND REPAIR SHOP, TO HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED FROM MY HOUSE TO THEIR SHOP. THE TOWING SERVICE COST $80.00. WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED. THEY FIXED MY TRUCK AND CHARGED $250.00. *TR

ON APRIL 20, 2009, SPARK PLUG #7 BLOWOUT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. APPROX. SPEED 25 TO 35 MPH. ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION, DAMAGED THE IGNITION COIL, BUT I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A FIRESTONE REPAIR GARAGE WITHIN 10 MILES. THE SPARK PLUG #7 WAS REPLACED WITH THE HELI COIL AND THE IGNITION COIL DAMAGE WAS ALSO REPLACED. TOTAL COST OF LABOR AND PARTS WAS $352.81. *TR

WINDSHIELD LEAKS AND IS FRYING MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2003 F150. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ARTICLES ON FORD NEEDING TO FIX THESE ISSUES. *TR

1. NORMAL OPERATION 2. SPARK PLUGS ARE BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD; THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE; ENGINE FAILURE. HAD THE OCCURRENCE BEEN 200 MILES EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF PEAK TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON I405 NEAR BELLVUE WASHINGTON STATE, HEAVY RAIN WITH POOR VISIBILITY - CONSEQUENCES WOULD HAVE BEEN DIRE. 3. FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD A "TON" OF THESE REPAIR JOBS. AT $400+ PER OCCURRENCE, I QUESTION WHY THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER? WHY NO NOTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM. I'M TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN SERVICE ADVISORY'S ISSUED, BUT SHOPS AND SERVICE COUNTERS SHARE NONE OF THIS WITH ME. NOW THAT MY VEHICLE IS 5 YRS OLD WITH 129K MILES, WHAT WILL THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM BE. AS THE F150 FLEET AGES, HOW MANY MORE OCCURRENCE WILL THERE BE PRIOR TO FOOD ISSUING A SOLUTION? I'M TOLD BY DEALERSHIPS THAT THE SPARK PLUG SEAT ONLY CONSISTS OF A FEW THREAD TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUG IN. PLUGS DO NOT HAVE A SEAT RING (COMPRESSION RING) TO ASSIST IN THE PLUG TO STAY SEATED. AS THE PLUG LOOSENS, BLOW BY OCCURS AND EVENTUALLY BLOWING THE PLUG OUT THROUGH THE TREADS IN THE ENGINE HEAD. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM, LET ALONE HAVING THIS OCCUR TO MY TWICE. PARTS HOUSES HAD CONCURRED THAT THE PROBLEM IS PREVALENT AND THEY LAUGH ABOUT IT. WHO IS GOING TO LAUGH WHEN THIS KNOWN UNSAFE ENGINEERING FLAW CAUSES DEATH OR INJURY? THEIR REPAIR HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLE

1. NORMAL OPERATION, NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM 2. SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE AS MY WIFE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN OUR DRIVEWAY; 1ST OF 2 OCCURRENCES; REPAIRED WITH HELICOILED PLUG. APPROX $400 REPAIR EXPENSE. I'M NOW TOLD THAT A BULLETIN WAS ISSUED ADVISING NOT TO USE THIS REPAIR METHOD. HAVING TROUBLE VERIFYING IF THAT IS FACT OR FICTION. *TR