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