2000 Ford F Series

Defect. CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Risk. THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

Regarding NHTSA Recall Number 05V017000; * Component: Speed control deactivation switch. Available for inspection. * Safety Risk: Spontaneous fire occurred on 07/20/2026 at apx 1am destroying the vehicle, damaging two other vehicles, and nearly burning down our home. *Problem Reproduced: Unknown * Component Inspected: Yes, by HOI claims adjuster. * Any warning lamps/ messages?: I had been dealing with a engine light about 1 year earlier that popped up again about 3 months ago. The codes indicated "Lean bank-Right" and "Lean bank-Left". Facts: On July 20, 2026, at approximately 1:00 AM, my 1997 Ford F-150 spontaneously caught fire while parked in my garage. The vehicle had not been started for well over a week. The fire raged directly under our bedroom for over 40 minutes before the fire department was able to attempt containment, nearly burning our house to the ground. There were also two other vehicles in the garage at the time. We are currently in the early stages of a major Homeowners Insurance (HOI) restoration claim. Fortunately, the fire scene in the garage remains intact as of this date while the HOI conducts their investigations. We have learned that the likely cause is a poorly designed, defective cruise control system—a known Ford issue that has resulted in many spontaneous fires. Despite owning this vehicle since 1999, I never received notice from Ford, and was unaware of the associated manufacturer recall (NHTSA #05V017000).

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE GAS TANK FELL OFF AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. THE STRAPS WERE CORRODED. I HAVE ONE OF THE STRAPS.

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS ROT OUT BREAK OFF AND THE GASKETS START LEAKING. I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 4.6 AND THE 5.4 TRITON ENGINE AS THERE ARE ABOUT 8 OF THEM IN MY WORK PARKING LOT THAT HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. I OWNED A 1999 E150 THAT DID THE SAME THING AND THE EXHAUST SMELLS IN THE CAB WERE SO BAD I HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED. COST AROUND 1800.00 TO DO THIS REPAIR. MY LOCAL EXHAUST SHOPS SAY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND USUALLY HAPPENS BEFORE 100K MILES SO I SHOULD FEEL LUCKY I HAVE 138K. FORD SHOULD REALLY OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT OR DIES FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. *TR

ON MARCH 30, 2014, AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. (PST) MY 2000 FORD F-150 UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY BLACK SMOKE AND FIRE COULD BE SEEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE ENGULFED THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTING ALL THE PLASTIC, WIRING AND THE AIR INTAKE AREA. THE FIRE MELTED EVERYTHING NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HOUSING. *TR

I HAVE A COMPLAINT AS FORD WITH THERE SHIFTERS I HAVE ALSO SEEN IT ON SOME OLDER AND NEWER MODELS IS THE TWO BOLTS ON THE BRACKET ON THE END OF THE SHIFTER ROD ON THE STEERING COLUMN COME LOOSE AND OR MISSING BOLT AND THERE FOR HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS AS I DID ONE MORNING WITH MY 2000 F 150 WENT TO START THE TRUCK EARLY IN THE MORNING TRUCK WAS I THOUGHT WAS IN PARK ALL THE WAY AS I LEFT IT WENT INSIDE TO GET SOMETHING COME BACK OUT TRUCK WAS AC-CROSS THE STREET ESTIMATED 3100 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK WITH A SIMPLE MISSING BOLT ON THE SHIFTER CAUSED THIS ISSUE AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN I FIXED THE PROBLEM MY SELF BUT I SURE THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED SO NO ONE ELSE GETS HURT OR KILLED I HAVE PICS TO PROVE THE DAMAGE I CAN EMAIL THEM IF NEEDED. *TR

TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS SNAPPED AND THE FUEL TANK DROPPED TO THE GROUND IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER, UNAWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED, HEARD A NOISE AS SHE WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. THE NOISE CEASED AFTER STOPPING. THE DRIVER THEN MADE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED AT WHICH TIME THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEXT AVAILABLE PARKING LOT AND UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, SMELLED GAS AND FOUND THE FORWARD PART OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE GROUND WITH GASOLINE LEAKING. NO RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED BY THE DRIVER OR THE SPOUSE OF THE DRIVER AT THEIR HOME ADDRESS IN SPITE OF BEING TOLD LATER, AFTER THE INCIDENT, THAT SEVERAL WERE SENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 MODEL FORD F-150. MY CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT AND MAYBE A MONTH OR LESS LATER I CAME HOME ONE NIGHT AND ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER I WENT INTO THE HOUSE I HEARD A LOUD BANG. WHEN WE LOOKED OUT THE DOOR MY TRUCK WAS A BALL OF FLAMES. THE LOUD BANG I HAD HEARD WAS THE TIRE POPPING. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT SHORTLY AFTER I GOT THE TRUCK I HAD IT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME NOTHING ABOUT THIS RECALL WHEN I ASKED IF THE TRUCK HAD ANY. ALL I WAS TOLD IS THAT THERE WAS ONE ON THE PARKING BRAKE. *TR

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON 2000 F150 5.4 TRITON ENGINE. DAMAGING COIL AND HEAD. RELEASING FUEL MIXTURE INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR POTENTIAL EXPLOSION. *TR

2000 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW MOTORHOME WITH FORD TRITON V10 ENGINGE: AT 32,000 BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD. FORD DEALER QUOTED ME $6,000 TO REPLACE WITH NEW/IMPROVED HEAD. I CAN REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE FOR LESS THAN $3,000. THIS IS INCREDIBLE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. EVEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT TOWED ME TO THE DEALER SAID HIS FORD TRUCK WITH A V10 RECENTLY BLEW A PLUG AS WELL. I OWN FOUR MOTORHOMES ALL WITH THE FORD TRITON V10 ENGINE. THE COMPANY I USED TO WORK FOR HAD SIX MOTORHOMES WITH THE FORD TRITON V10 AND HAD FOUR SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT INCIDENCES WHILE I WAS WORKING THERE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. IT IS UNTHINKABLE THAT A COMPANY CAN GET AWAY WITH PEDDLING CRAP TO CUSTOMERS AND THEN CHARGING THEM $6,000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM!!! CONTACT OSCAR AT DON KOTT FORD IN CARSON, CA TO CONFIRM MY ESTIMATE. DO SOMETHING, DO SOMETHING DO SOMETHING! THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *NM

I HAVE HAD 3 SPARK PLUGS EJECT FROM MY 2000 F150 5.4L IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. SO FAR, REPAIRS HAVE TOTALED $150, BUT THE LAST ONE TOOK THE THREADS WITH IT. ESTIMATE TO FIX THIS ONE IS $400 WITH A SPECIALLY MADE REPAIR KIT. AS MOST KNOW, THIS IS "THE PROBLEM THAT MUST NOT BE NAMED". EVERYONE KNOWS IT EXISTS, FORD DOESN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT. *NM

A CRACK WAS NOTICED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AT THE REAR OF THE WINDOW MOLDING. UPON INQUIRY WITH A BODY REPAIR SHOP, THEY TOLD ME FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I COULD GO TO THE DEALER TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE CRACK IS RUSTING AND MAY HAMPER THE INTEGRITY OF THE DOOR, ESPECIALLY IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION.. UPON CONTACTING FORD, THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A COPY OF THE BULLETIN THEY SENT TO ALL DEALERSHIPS DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM. *JB

ON JUNE 26 2005 AROUND 8:15 PM MY 2000 FORD 150 HAD A UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE TRUCK WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY PROGRESSIVE THE NEXT DAY. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID TO CALL MY INSURANCE CO.

ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSIS WAS FAULTY HYDRAULLIC CONTROL UNIT. SINCE IT OCCURED AT 61,615 MILES AND STILL ON ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS/LININGS AND TIRES I FEEL FAILURE WAS PREMATURE. HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER RECAL FOR SPEED CONTOL DISTURBED BRAKE SYSTEM. REPAIR COST FOR DIAGNOSIS AND EXTIMATE FOR REPAIR $475+ SO REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN DONE.

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS SEEMS TO LOCK AND DRAG WHEN IT RAINS. *AK

MY ODOMETER DISPLAY GOES OFF FROM TIME TO TIME.*AK

DOOR METAL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXHIBITS 1/2" CRACK WITH RUST. DEALER NOT RESPONSIVE TO REPAIR. *JB

OUR 2000 FORD PICKUP, HAVING ONLY 19000 MILES ON IT. THE BALL JOINT CAME APART WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 15 MPH. THE FRONT TIRE CAME OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIE RODS AND TIE ROD ENDS , SAID THEY WERE ALL BAD. KWR. *AK

A FEW WEEKS BACK, I NOTICED A SLIGHT TICKING SOUND. IN CHECKING INTO THIS, IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A LIFTER OR ROCKER ARM. TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55 MPH, I BLEW THE #4 PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUTTON FORD IN MATTESON, IL, WHERE I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $3668 PLUS TAX TO FIX THE ENGINE. THIS IS LUDICROUS! I AM EXPECTED TO PAY THIS MUCH MONEY FOR A FORD DESIGN ISSUE! I CAN GET ANOTHER ENGINE FOR SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THAT! HECK, I CAN GET A DECENT COMMUTER CAR FOR THAT MUCH MONEY! IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS TRITON ENGINES. I ALSO FOUND AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF FIXING THE ENGINE WHICH ONLY COST ME $350, OF WHICH $300 WAS IN THE COST OF THE TOOLS. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT FORD WILL NOT ADMIT TO THIS ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM AND ASSIST THOSE OF US WHO HAVE LOYALLY SUPPORTED THEM FOR YEARS. I GUESS IF PEOPLE ARE NOT DYING, IT IS JUST SEEN AS AN EASY WAY TO OVERCHARGE PEOPLE AND MAKE EXTRA MONEY VIA THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENTS!*AK

I HAD A CLUNK NOISE AT APRROX 15,000 MILES WHEN I WOULD SLOW DOWN AND BEGIN A TURN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY ASSURED ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. I THOUGHT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK END. PERHAPS IT WAS AND THAT WAS UN-RELATED. RECENTLY I TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED BECAUSE OF SOME VIBRATION. I WAS INFORMED OF THE TIE ROD FAILURE AND IDLER ARM FAILURE. THESE WERE BOTH SEVERE AND I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK UNTIL THIS WAS REPAIRED. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THIS REPAIR I WAS MAILED AN INSPECTION ADVISORY REGARDING THE TIE ROD ENDS. *JB

LEFT TIE-ROD FELL OFF WHILE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY, WHICH WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT I WAS GOING SLOWLY AND NOT INJURED WHEN IT HAPPENED. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND TIE-RODS REPLACED. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, BUT I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD (ONE MONTH LATER) THAT SAYS I SHOULD BE REGULARLY HAVING MY TIE-RODS INSPECTED, CAUSING ME TO WONDER IF THIS IS A DEFECT. *JB

HAD ABS REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES ON MY 2000 F-150 COME TO FIND OUT THE WIRING HARNESS HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE THE WHOLE TIME AND HAS JUST BEEN DISCOVERED TO BE THE CULPRIT. FORD HAS AGREED TO PAY 50% OF COST BUT I CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE WITH A DEFECTIVE HARNESS, RIGHT?*AK

I HAVE A CRACK IN THE DOOR SKIN OF MY DRIVERS DOOR I THINK FORD NEEDS TO BE MADE TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. *AK

FAILURE OF TIE RODS ON FORD F150'S. *AK

FAILED TIE ROD END AT 57,000 MILES CAUSIING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. NO WARNING. LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY. *AK

1. BRAKE ROTORS SERVICED 7 TIMES(THE 3RD. NEW SET OF ROTORS IS CURRENTLY ON FRONT). 2. EXTERIOR PAINT FAILED AND REQUIRED REPAINTING. 3. FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED. 4. FRONT HUBS FAILED. 5. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. 6. WATER PUMP FAILED. 7. SUSPENSION BUSHING FAILED. 8. 3 OF 4 STOCK TIRES DEVELOPED BULGES. 9. CURRENTLY THERE ARE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS DEVELOPING IN THE FRONT AND THE HUBS DO NOT ENGAGE AUTOMATICALLY.

STRONG VEHICLE VIBRATION DURING BRAKE APPLICATION, ESPECIALLY DURING DOWN HILL BRAKING. CALLED CORNING FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE I BOUGHT TRUCK NEW. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR ANY WARRANTY WORK ON BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THAT MANY MILES ON TRUCK. CALLED CUSTOMER 800# - THEY ALSO REFUSED REPAIR COVERAGE. TOOK TRUCK TO SCHWAB TIRE IN REDDING, CA.( IT'S THIRTY+ MILES TO SCHWAB TIRE FROM MY HOME. IT?S ALMOST EIGHTY MILES ONE WAY TO CORNING FORD FROM MY HOUSE.)SCHWAB TELLS ME THAT VEHICLE VIBRATION ON BRAKE APPLICATION INDICATES WARPED ROTORS. AFTER FIVE TRIPS TO SCWAB TIRE FOR ROTOR TURNS, THEN COMPLETELY REPLACING ALL FOUR ROTORS....NOTHING STOPPED VIBRATION. BY NOW THE VIBRATION IS MUCH MORE SEVERE THAN WHEN IT FIRST STARTED. DURING THE WHOLE HISTORY, FROM 43,958 MILES TO THE PRESENT 74,762 THE VIBRATION/SHAKING HAS NEVER GONE TOTALLY AWAY. THE LAST THING SCHWAB DID WAS REPLACE ALL FOUR SETS OF BRAKE PADS, EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T NEED IT. BY THEN SCHWAB WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF IDEAS. I FINALLY TOOK THE TRUCK TO CORNING FORD, HOPING IT WAS POSSIBLY COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT WAS. CORNING FORD SERVICE MANAGER, STEVE LOWERY, SAT ME DOWN AND EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT WAS WRONG!!! FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO ADMIT THEY HAVE A DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR BRAKE SYSTEM. CORNING FORD DOES NOT DENY THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING DESIGN. FIRST, THE BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. THEN, AND MORE IMPORTANT, THE PROBLEM IS THE FRONT WHEEL HUBS/BACKING PLATES ARE TOTALY SEALED AFTER ASSEMBLY. THERE ISN'T ANY WAY T

I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE PAINT IN THE (RAIN GUTTERS?) IN THE ROOF OF THE TRUCK HAS CRACKS FROM FRONT TO BACK. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN MAY AND THE DEALER STATES THEY WERE NOT IN THERE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER ALSO STATES THAT THE FORD COMPANY WILL NOT FIX IT. THEY STATED THAT THE IT IS IN FACT A FACTORY DEFECT BUT SINCE I AM PAST MY 3 YEAR 30,000 MILE WARRANTY IT IS MY PROBLEM NOW..

MY F150 HAS A DOOR CRACK ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. 80 TO 90% OF 1997 THROUGH 2000 F150/250 PICKUP WILL DEVELOP THIS PROBLEM ON ONE OF BOTH OF THE FRONT DOORS. AS I DIDN'T NOTICE THIS UNTIL TWO WEEKS AFTER MY WARR. RAN OUT, FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I HAVE FOUND TWO INTERNET SITES WITH PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THOUSANDS OF TRUCKS INVOLVED. THERE ARE SEVERAL TSBS FROM FORD ON THIS PROBLEM.

I HAVE A 2000 FORD 150 EXT.CAB TRUCK A FREIND OF MINE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE DOORS ARE CRACKING. HE HAS A 1998 EXT CAB F-150 THAT DID THE SAME THING. HE GOT HIS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER WHO TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO REPAIR THIS. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN COME OUT AND LOOK AT IT. THEY DID TELL ME THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY DON?T HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS. I WENT TO SEVERAL LOCAL DEALERS AND CHECKED 1997 TO 2000 FORD TRUCKS AND FOUND 8 OUT OF 8 HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD. AGAIN THEY GAVE ME THE SAME STORY. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN CHECKING OTHER TRUCKS IN PARKING LOTS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE GOT TO TALK TO WERE NOT AWARE THEIR DOORS WERE CRACKING. I REALLY THINK FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE DOORS AFTER PAYING 25,000.00 FOR AN AUTOMOBILE AND HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN TO IT. THEY KNOW THERE?S A FIX FOR IT BUT WON?T PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM

THE TRANS ALWAYS FELT FUNNY BUT THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL.I HAVE HAD THE DEALER SERVICE THE TRANS EVERY 30,000 MILES AND BETWEEN SERVICES TRANS WAS DRAINED EVERY 15,000 MILES AND HAD NEW TRANS FLUID . I HAVE A ORANGE TAGED TRANSMISSION AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT HAD TO BE REPLACED.THE 4R100 TRANS AND THE E40D HAVE HAD A HIGH PREMATURE FAILURE AND FORD IN MY OPINION IS OPERATING UNDER DECEPTIVE PRACTICES BY KEEP SELLING TRUCKS WITH A KNOWN DEFECT. I WAS TOLD BY ONE DEALER THE TRANS HAS A 90% CHANCE OF FAILURE. FORD WANTS BETWEEN $3,200 AND $3,800 TO REPLACE THE TRANS.

WE HAE A 2000 FORD F350 THAT WAS RECENTLY IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE BODY SHOP FOUND THAT IT HAD PRIOR DAMAGE. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD PRIOR DAMAGE. THE PRIOR DAMAGE MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IT HAS THE WRONG CAB ON IT AND THE WRONG CAB HAS BEEN WELDED ON, AS YOU CAN SEE THE WELDING MARKS UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK, AND ALSO THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN BOLTED IN AND NOT DRILLED IN, BUT THEIR ARE MANY DRILLED HOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK CAB. THE BODY SHOP FEELS THAT THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE WELDING COULD COLLAPSE. WE HAVE PICTURES OF THE PREVIOUS DAMAGE ALONG WITH TWO WITNESSES. WE HAVE NOTIFIED MID STATES FORD AND ALSO FORD MOTOR COMPANY WITH A LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE JUNE 9TH, 2003. MID STATES FORD HAS NOT CONTACTED US SINCE DENNIS CONTACTED THEM ON JULY 8TH AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET RIGHT BACK TO US. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOT CALLED US BACK SINCE OUR LAST NOTE TO THEM LAST WEEK. WE JUST WANT SOME ANSWERS BEFORE SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS. WE ALSO WOULD LIKE SOME RESOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM.

2000 FORD F-150 4.6L V-8. BLOWN SPARK PLUG. FORD DEALER CLAIMS THAT FORD WILL NOT APPROVE A A REPAIR AND EITHER THE HEAD ($3,000) OR THE MOTOR ($5000) NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NO OFFICIAL TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT UNOFFICIALLY, IT SEEMS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE THE DEALER PUT A "SPECIAL NOTE" ON THE QUOTE FROM FORD REGARDING THE UNAPPROVED REPAIR WORK ABOVE. FROM VARIOUS INTERNET SEARCHES, OTHERS HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH FORD 4.6, 5.4 OR V-10 MOTORS WITH SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF ALUMINUM HEADS.

DRIVING UP TO INTERSECTION, APPLIED BREAKS NEXT THING AWARE OF WAS THE CAB WAS SMOKEY AND AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED AND VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AGAINST A TREE IN THE DITCH. NO KNOWLEDGE OF TIRE FAILURE, POTHOLE, OR ANYTHING LEADING TO A DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. CONCERN WITH UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG VERSES STEERING/BREAKING/TIRE PROBLEM. THE AIR BAG KNOCKED ME UNCONSCIOUS AND I WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING TO AVOID THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED TO THE TRUCK. *NLM

I HAVE A WELL MAINTAINED 2000 F-150 5.4L WITH 69,800 MILES THAT SPUN A BEARING LAST WEEK. AFTER PULLING THE MOTOR AND REMOVING THE OIL PAN, IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE 'BROKEN RODS' THAT ARE USED IN THIS MOTOR ARE OF VERY POOR QUALITY. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS, "I AM SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK, BUT YOUR VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY". PLEASE ADVISE. *LA

WHILE DRIVING ON I-35 SOUTH OF FT WORTH, THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY FORD F-250 BLEW WITHOUT WARNING, DISINTEGRATING AND CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE LR FENDER AND FENDER LINER. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE STEELTEX ATS WITH APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES. I HAVE FRIEND WHO HAD A SIMILAR EVENT WITH HIS FORD EXPEDITION. THESE ARE NOT GOOD TIRES! *LA

RIGHT SIDE HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL. REPLACED BY FORD AT 24,000 MILES (JAN 2002). TRUCK NOW HAS 49,000 AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. RIGHT SIDE HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL AGAIN. COMMON PROBLEM WITH 5.4L FORD DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM AND SAY THEY HAVE COMPLETED NUMEROUS REPEAT REPAIRS AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE DUE TO FORD'S UNWILLINGNESS TO RECALL. *LA

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED 1,700 MILES OVER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. PULLED OUT OF STOP STREET, NO 3RD GEAR, VEHICLE RACED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. FIRST AND SECOND GEAR OK, REVERSE OK. PULLED TRANS OIL DIPSTICK, NO DARK DEPOSITS ON STICK, OIL NOT BURNT.*JB

BRAKE HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE OR MORE TIMES FOR A KNOCKING AND GRINDING NOISE. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH

FORD TRUCK WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THEN BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER HOOD

DOOR CRACK IN DRIVER SIDE DOOR, NEAR THE WINDOW, NEAR PLASTIC MOLDING.

AT APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES ENGINE WILL STALL WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES CLUTCH AND WHEN BRAKING FOR A STOP. RPM'S DROP IN VEHICLE, AND ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 4 TIMES, AND CONTINUED TO RESET COMPUTER FOR A CALIBRATION ERROR. BUT, FAILED TO REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK