1997 Ford F-250 complaints

1997 FORD F25. THIS WAS THE SECOND SPARK PLUG TO BLOW OUT OF HEAD. FIRST REPAIR COST $450.00, THIS TIME IT COST ME MY TRUCK, 2 CAMERAS, GPS, LAPTOP COMPUTER AND SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS AS THE TRUCK COUGHT ON FIRE WHEN SPARK PLUG HIT FUEL INECTION RAIL AN STARTED A FUEL FIRE THAT BURNT THE TRUCK TO GROUND. TOTAL LOSS. BURNED MY HANDS TRYING TO SAVE ITEMS IN CAB. HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES SPRAYED FIRE TO FAST. MY GIRL FRIEND, HER DOG, AND I HAD 30 SECONDS TO GET OUT. IN 2 MINUTES THE CAB WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I WILL BE DISMANTLING THIS ENGINE AS I AM A MECHANIC AND MACHINIST AND PLAN TO PROVE THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH THREADS SECURING SPARK PLUGS IN THEE ALUMIN UM HEADS. THERE WERE STANDARDS OUTLINED FOR MACHINING THREADS.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED AND OFF, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE INSURANCE AGENCY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

THIS IS THIRD CAM POSITION SENSOR THIS TRUCK HAS HAD (140000 MILES ON TRUCK). HAS DIED TWICE WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, VERY DANGEROUS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT BOTH TIMES. THIS IS A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS WITH ALL OF THESE 7.3 POWERSTROKES. I CARRY, AS A LOT OF PEOPLE DO, AN EXTRA ONE IN THE GLOVE BOX FOR THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS! *NM

1997 F-250 CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. *JB

MY WIFE DRIVING VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35 MPH, AFTER COMING OUT OF A SLIGHT CURVE IN ROAD AND SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN, SHE LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE HITTING A GUARDRAIL AND GOING INTO A DITCH. INSPECTION BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE OUTPUT FROM THE STEERING BOX BROKE BETWEEN GEAR BOX AND PITMAN ARM CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. TRUCK IS TOTAL. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT LUCAS CHEVROLET, MT. HOLLY NJ. *NM

CRUISE CONTROL SETTING ON MY TRUCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. I WAS DRIVING AND HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 62 MPH AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF USING THE BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR BY USING THE BRAKES. *NM

ATTEMPTING TO PASS ON A TWO LINE HIGHWAY WHEN SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE. VEHICLE IS A 1997 FORD F250 4WD 80K MILES. REPAIRS INVOLVE REMOVING HEAD. COST IS $2800. VEHICLE WORTHLESS SINCE DON'T KNOW WHEN ANOTHER PLUG WILL BLOW! *JB

ALL FOUR MICHELIN BRAND TIRES HAD SIDEWALL CRACKS. 2.5 YEARS OLD WITH @ 30,000 MILES ON THEM. THESE CRACKS DEVELOPED IN A MATTER OF TWO TO THREE WEEKS. HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR REPLACED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER MULTIPLE USES, THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN PULLING AN RV IN TOWN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BRAKE FLUID IS BOILING AND THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE FLUSHED, THEN A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BRAKE FLUID PUT IN TO HANDLE THE WEIGHT OF THE RV.

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED 360 DEGREES AND THE TIRES DID NOT REACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WERE IT WAS DETERMINED THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN NHTSA RECALL # 03V196000, REGARDING THE SHAFT SECTOR. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE. *NM

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON RT 295 DURING A RAIN STORM AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONETS IN MY TRUCK. I DRIVE A 97 FORD F250 4X4 XLT. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO BE FIXED WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY GEM MODULE AND FUSE BOX. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE MODEL OF MY TRUCK IS KNOWN TO LEAK AND DAMAGE THOSE COMPONETS. I COULD OF GOT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT DAY, RESULTING IN DEATH OF ME OR OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V171000 CONCERNING THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.*AK

THE TRUCKS ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY STALL WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS LOW ON FUEL AND THE TRUCK COMES TO A QUICK STOP SUCH AS A RED LIGHT OR AT AN INTERSECTION. THE TRUCK WILL ALSO STALL WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS LOW ON FUEL AND THE TRUCK IS SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING ON A DECLINE. THE STALLED TRUCK MUST BE STOPPED, THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE PUT BACK INTO "PARK," AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH TRAVELS. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE TRUCK HAS STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY IN AN INTERSECTION, NEARLY RESULTING IN A COLLISION FROM VEHICLES FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY BEHIND. THE STALLING DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN THE TRUCKS FUEL TANK LEVEL IS ABOVE A QUARTER TANK AND THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO A QUICK STOP, OR SLOWED AND/OR STOPPED WHILE HEADING DOWN A DECLINE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT RECLINED WHICH LEFT THE DRIVER LAYING COMPLETELY DOWN. *JB THE SEAT BASE ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT. *SC THE TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS, BECAUSE THE SHIFTER BOLTS HAD BROKE LOOSE FROM THE DASH MOUNTS, THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. THE HUB/AXLE SEALS WERE REPLACED. *JB

DT: CONSUMER WANTED HIS SWITCH ON FRONT OF VEHICLE FIXED. HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THE PLASTIC MELTED AND ALLOWED THE BRAKE FLUID TO COME OUT AND CATCH ON FIRE. CONSUMER SAID THAT HE KNEW THAT 2000 AND 2001 YEAR MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, AND CONSUMER WANTED HIS VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH THE BED BROKE, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD. SUDDENLY, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO UNPLUG THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO STOP THE FIRE. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS NO AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE FIRE WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURE HAS A RECALL ON F150 PICKUPS BUT NOT THE F250. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE WIRES HAVE BEEN LEFT UNPLUGGED FOR NOW. *BF *NM

WHILE DRIVING ALONG A SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER WITH THE INSUING LOUD BANGING SCARING THE DRIVER AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FORD DEALER RETHREADED SPARK PLUG HOLE AND REPLACED SPARK PLUG.

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR TWO HOURS WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON ITS OWN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER MANAGED TO DRIVE HOME AND REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON HIS OWN. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

FIRE SPEED CONTROL ON MASTER CYLINDER FORD F250 1997 VIN#[XXX]DROVE TO WORK 2 MILES,PARKED TRUCK IN LOT, 5 MIN LATER HEARD POP THEN FIRE PUT OUT QUICKLY, BUT TRUCK HAS MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE. *JB *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE HAD YET TO BEEN DETERMINED. VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS.*AK

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN STEERING WHEEL. THE WIRE WAS TOO SMALL FOR AMPS. *BF THE CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE WIRE. *NM

WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, DAMAGING FUSE BOXES AND WIRING HARNESS. ESTIMATED DAMAGE $3.000. NO INJURIES REPORTED.. *JB.......*AK

I HAVE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HAD SPARK PLUGS COME FLYING OUT OF THE HEAD OF MY TRUCK. I HAVE ASKED AROUND AND HEARD THAT ON MOST FORD TRUCKS AND ECONOLINE VANS ARE BLOWING THESE OUT ON THE REGULAR. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE ALUMINUM HEADS HAVING ONLY 4 WEAK THREADS. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THE FACT THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME AND CAN COST ANYWHERE FROM 200 TO 1700 DOLLARS TO FIX DEPENDING ON HOW SEVERE THINGS ARE. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE SOME RESEARCH INTO THIS SUBJECT AS I AM SURE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WOULD. *AK

WHIEL THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, A MECHANIC NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. AS THE BRAKE FLUID RESEVOIR MELTED BRAKE FLUID IT MADE THE FIRE BIGGER. NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FIRE. NO AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT. PHOTOS AND INVESTIGATION REPORT MAILED TO BRUCE YORK. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 2 DAYS AND A FIRE WAS STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HORN WAS HEARD BLOWING WHEN THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THERE WERE NO AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT. THERE WAS TRAVEL TRAILER WIRING THAT WAS ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS INSURED BY UNITRIN 800-777-4342 JL RAUSIN. *AK

THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHREDDED AND CAME APART WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. THE TIRE STARTED BOUNCING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND STEER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. FIRESTONE WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST.*AK

I OWN A 1997 FORD F250 TRUCK. ON THE BELOW LISTED DATE, WHILE DRIVING AT 0430 HRS IN THE MORNING ON A TWO LANE ROADWAY, THE THIRD SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. I LOOKED UP INFORMATION ON INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING WITHOUT WARNING OR FAULT OF THE DRIVERS/OWNERS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THIS JUST HAPPENED TODAY AND I HAVE NOT CONTACTED ANY REPAIR SERVICE YET. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THE DESIGN FAULT. I WAS LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY DUE TO THE LACK OF ENGINE POWER FROM THIS PROBLEM. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND DONE NOTHING TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT TO MENTION UNWARRANTED COST TO VEHICLE OWNERS THAT COULD POSSIBLY PREVENT THIS IF IT WAS KNOWN. IT IS PERTANANT THAT SOMEONE OR SOME ORGANIZATION WITH STANDING AND POWER DEAL WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON THIS ISSUE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *JB

NHTSA RECALL 03-V-196-000: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT YOKE SEPARATES FROM THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT, THE STEERING SYSTEM BECOMES DISCONNECTED. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER , IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POP AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE DROPPED SEVERAL INCHES. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO INSPECT WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE, AND DISCOVERED THAT DRIVER SIDE TORSION BAR SNAPPED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THAT POWER STEERING HOSE BLEW OFF. NO COLLISION REPORTED. *AK *MR

VEHICLE: FORD F250 V8 TRUCK INCIDENT: DEFECTIVE CAB LIGHT SWITCH IN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, CAB LIGHT STAYED ON CAUSING LIGHT UNIT TO OVERHEAT AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE TRUCK WAS NEW AND GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE. OWNER REPLACE THE CAB LIGHT SWITCH.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. *AK THE ASSEMBLY THAT TIGHTENED THE BELT DRIVE AROUND THE STEEL SHAFT ABOUT ONE INCH IN DIAMETER HAD BROKEN OFF AT THE TIME WHERE THE TRUCK HAD NO BRAKES OR STEERING. *SCC *JB

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS GOING AROUND A BEND THE STEERING FAILED TO RESPOND, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. BOTH MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED. *AK

1997 FORD F-250LD REAR WINDOW LEAKS. YOU GUYS HAVE ALREADY LOOKED INTO THE PROBLEM BUT I THINK IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I AND MANY OTHERS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO WITH THE SLIDING REAR WINDOW HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS DESTROYING THE HEAD LIGHTS IN THESE TRUCKS PLUS OTHER DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AND WHAT'S IN IT. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME IT RAINS HARD OR SOFT AND WHEN I WASH THE TRUCK. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT WORKS AS A MECHANIC FOR FORD AND HE SAID HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS. FORD DOES NOT REALLY HAVE A GOOD ANSWER FOR THE PROBLEM AND WHEN THEY DO FIX IT, IT DOES NOT LAST FOR LONG. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH FORD TRUCKS AND WOULD BUY THEM AGAIN AND I THINK THAT THEY NEED TO FIND HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND FIX ALL THE TRUCKS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEMS. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP. *LA

WHEN DRIVING STEERING WHEEL FEELS REAL LOOSE. IT MOVES VERY EASILY UP OR DOWN WITHOUT USING THE ADJUSTMENT LEVER. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND CAUSE OF PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN CRASH, ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD.*MR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THERE WAS AN AIR BAG IN THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER NO AIR DEPLOYED. *JB *NLM

CRACKS IN THE OUTER SHEET METAL OF BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT DOORS.*JB

REAR SLIDING WINDOW LEAKS WHEN RAINING OR WASHING VEHICLE.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEATBELT WILL NOT STAY CONNECTED. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS NOT BEING MADE ANYMORE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE WITH ENGINE OFF, GEAR WAS SET IN FIRST, THE TRUCK SUDDENLY BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS ACCOMPANIED BY A HORRIBLE CLICKING NOISE. *AK

THE OUTSIDE OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS HAVE A HORIZONTAL STRESS CRACK IN THE METAL. THIS IS NEAR THE AREA OF WHERE THE RUBBER WINDOW MOLDING MEETS. *NLM

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. *JB

THE DRIVERS SEAT PROTRUDED THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARD.*JB

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE STARTED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STARTER COMPONET.*JB

THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK. TS *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS BUCKLES WILL NOT LOCK PROPERLY CAUSING THE CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE A SEAT BELT ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIME DUE TO LEAKAGE. THE HEATER CORE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE DUE TO LEAKAGE. *TS *NLM