Ford F-150 Complaints (1997)

2,758 consumer complaints on file.

#10378787January 26, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 1997 F150, ONE GAS TANK STRAP BROKE, JORDAN FORD IN MISHAWAKA INDIANA1/22/11 . IT WILL COST $250.00 WHEN THE PARTS COME IT 1/26/11, WHEN IS THERE A RECALL? *TR UPDATED 08/01/11 *BF UPDATED 2/02/2012 *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376992January 18, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND LEFT AND WHEN I RETURNED IT WAS ON FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD RIPPED THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN AND DRAGGED IT OUT THE GARAGE.. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE SWITCH. I FIND THAT INTERESTING SEEING HOW O HAD CALL FORD LAST SUMMER AROUND JULY2010 FOR I HAD JUST MOVED TO THIS ADDRESS I AM AT NOW. AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO OPEN RECALLS... HMMM... SO, I DO STILL HAVE THE TRUCK AT THIS POINT BUT DO PLAN TO HAVE IT TOWED OUT AT END OF THIS WEEK.. WOULD BE GREAT IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE TO THIS. I AM OUT A VEHICLE AND NO MONEY TO REPLACE IT... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375411January 10, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I HAVE A 1997 FORD F-150, I WAS CHANGING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND NOTICED A LOT OF RUST ON THE FRAME AND BASICALLY EVERY THING ELSE UNDER THE BODY. I TOOK A SCREWDRIVER AND PUSHED IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SUSPENSION TRAVEL STOP. THERE ARE BIG CHUNKS OF RUSTY METAL FALLING OFF OF IT AT LEAST EVERY THREE OR FOUR MONTHS APART. I CAN TAKE MY FINGER AND PUSH THROUGH THE FRONT BUMPER. ALL THE BOLTS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND COLLECTORS ARE RUSTED OFF OR ALL MOST RUSTED OFF. TO FIX THE EXHAUST IT WILL COST AROUND $700.00, IF THE DEALER DONE THE REPAIRS IT WOULD COST MUCH MORE. THE GAS TANK STRAPS LOOKS REAL RUSTY ALSO. IN MY 54 YEARS OF LIFE I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME AND THE UNDERSIDE OF A VEHICLE RUST SO BAD. I LIVE IN THE SOUTH SO THE TRUCK DID NOT SEE MUCH SALT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375128January 7, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE, ENGULFED INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS THE AREA WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374626January 4, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE
1997 F150 FORD LARIAT SUPER CAB 4X4 WITH 83,262 MILES, THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON PANELS, FRAME, FRAME SUPPORTS AND UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS; SOME OF THE FRAME/ FRAME SUPPORTS HAVE SIGNIFICANT HOLES AND HAS NO STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. THE SAFETY DESIGN INTENT OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED DUE TO THE SEVERE RUST; IN A CRASH CONDITION THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS' SAFETY WOULD BE JEOPARDIZED. DECEMBER 3, 2010 THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN THE VILLAGE OF OXFORD, MI. APPROXIMATELY 25 MILE PER HOUR AND THE FRONT GAS TANK STRAP FAILED (RUSTED-OUT). THE GAS TANK FELL TO THE PAVEMENT AND LEFT THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANT INJURIES, BUT GASOLINE CONTAINMENTS WERE LEAKED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY FLATBED TRUCK TO SKALNEK FORD, LAKE ORION, MI FOR REPAIRS COSTING $773.42. *TR UPDATED 1/12/2012 *LN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374331January 1, 2011
STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), POWER TRAIN
GEM MODULE FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED. CAUSED 4X4 TO ENGAGE AT HIGH SPEED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, DURING TURNS, CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING. DID SOME RESEARCH OF SEVERAL FORD F150 WEB SITES AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR OR THE SAME PROBLEMS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THE GEM MODULE WAS THE CULPRIT AND THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION IN THE ADJACENT FUSE JUNCTION PANEL. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFESSED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THESE KINDS OF CONDITIONS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF THESE GEM MODULES AND FUSE PANELS BECAUSE OF LEAKS IN THE WINDSHIELD OR HOOD COWLING. THEY FURTHER TOLD ME THAT UNLESS I REPLACED THESE COMPONENTS AND ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, AT MY EXPENSE, THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY ANY REPAIRS. AFTER A REPAIR BILL OF $1000.00, FORD REFUSED TO HELP CLAIMING IT WAS NOT A DESIGN OR COMPONENT PART PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTRICAL FAILURES IN THE FUTURE OR EVEN DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373368December 29, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1997 FORD F150 4.2 LITER ENGINE LEAKED WATER INTO THE ENGINE FROM A FAULTY BOTTOM INTAKE MANIFOLD SIDE GASKET. THE REPAIRS COST 1486.00. NOTICED THAT MANY PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND BECAME AWARE THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372737December 20, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON 11/20/2010 WHEN I WENT TO GAS UP - THE GAS RAN ON THE GROUND - THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN AND THE TANK DROPPED DOWN - PULLING THE FILLER NECK LOOSE. UPDATED 08/01/11 *BF APPROXIMATELY TEN GALLONS FAILED ONTO THE ROAD WAY. THE REAR STRAP FAILED IN THE MIDDLE FAILED. UPDATED 08/02/11 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371593December 17, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON OCTOBER 4 2010 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE 1997 FORD F-150 TO SCHOOL FOR VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE WHEN THE FRONT STRAP HOLDING THE FUEL TANK BROKE FREE THUS CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN ONTO THE CEMENT ROADWAY THUS WEARING A HOLE IN THE FRONT CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK AND RELEASING GAS ONTO THE CEMENT ROADWAY. SHE CALLED ME RIGHT AWAY TO TELL ME OF THE INCIDENT AND SAID THERE WAS A LITTLE SMOKE BUT NO FIRE AND THAT GAS WAS RELEASING. I THEN TOLD HER TO HANG UP AND CALL 911. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND HANDLED THE SITUATION. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TOWED THE PICKUP TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND ALSO DID THE REPAIR WORK OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370497December 13, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1997 FORD 4.2L F150 - 91,000 MILES VEHICLE PROPERLY MAINTAINED, "BABIED" IT. IT NEVER HAD OIL, COOLANT, OR ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. STARTED VEHICLE AND HEARD AN ENGINE SOUND "POP", AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM TAILPIPE. THE GAUGES WERE READING ALL NORMAL, AS WELL AS OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY SHOP, THEY SAID WITHOUT TAKING ENGINE APART IT SOUNDS LIKE A ROD OR BENT CRANKSHAFT. THEY MENTIONED THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD 4.2 ENGINES. IT IS NOW AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER - THEY HAVE NOT EXPLAINED HOW THIS HAPPENED BUT THAT I NEED AN ENGINE REBUILT. REALLY. THANK YOU FORD FOR STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. CHEAPER TO BUY A REBUILT ENGINE? DOES IT HAVE THE ORIGINAL ENGINE GASKETS? THEN I CAN EXPECT TO SPEND ANOTHER $4000,00 IN THREE YEARS OR JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. IF YOU HAVE AN ENGINE PROBLEM WITH THE FORD F150 4.2L JUST DO AN INTERNET SEARCH! WHERE IS THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369413December 6, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PURCHASED A USED 1997 FORD F-150 TRUCK FROM A PRIVATE ONE OWNER PERSON, THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 58,000 ORIGINAL MILES, THIS TRUCK HAS A 4.2 LITER V-6 ENGINE, WHICH WAS WELL MAINTAINED. AFTER DRIVING THE TRUCK FOR LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OF OWNING IT THE ENGINE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A DEFECT IN ENGINE GASKET, TORQUE SEQUENCE AND OTHER SPECIFIC SPECS, HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM FROM FORD MOTOR CO. AS OF YET. THE ENGINE SUFFERED WHAT IS CALLED HYDRAULIC-LOCK AND WHEN THE ENGINE CRANKED UP IT BENT PISTON RODS IN THE MOTOR AND THE PISTON SKIRTS ARE NOW HITTING THE CRANKSHAFT, REQUIRES A TOTAL ENGINE REBUILD OR NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368532December 1, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED SMOKING COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY WATER PENETRATING INTO THE ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX. THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 0470421440, AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,511 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157, 000. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 11/30/2011 *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368251November 29, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS TANK FELL OFF 1997 FORD F150 WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT. GAS TANK STRAPS HAD RUSTED THROUGH, LUCKY THE TANK DID NOT IGNITE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367064November 22, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN A FIRE BEGAN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367103November 22, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TILT TOWARDS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE TACK WELDING MARKS ON THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366621November 17, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A FORD F 150 PICK UP 1997. THE STRAPS THAT SUPPORT THE FUEL TANK BROKE AND THE TANK FELL ONTO THE ROADWAY. THE TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED OFF THE ROAD, I WAS VERY LUCKY THE TRUCK DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366397November 16, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150 XLT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER 18 HOURS AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DESTROYED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365622November 14, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE ON 1997 F150 30-GALLON TANK DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. TANK DROPPED, CAUSING THE FILLER HOSE TO DISCONNECT FROM THE FITTING AT THE TANK. DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WHEN FUEL STARTED POURING ONTO THE PAVEMENT AT THE GAS STATION. LAST FILL-UP WAS A WEEK PRIOR WITH OVER 200 MILES OF DRIVING SINCE, SO STRAP COULD HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR UP TO A WEEK. WILL REPLACE THE TANK AND STRAPS, WILL RETAIN THE STRAPS FOR 1 MONTH BEFORE DISCARDING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363845November 3, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
THE FRONT STRAP SUPPORTING THE FUEL TANK ON MY 1997 F150 FAILED DUE TO CORROSION, BROKE AND ALLOWED THE TANK TO DROP FROM THE FRAME AND DRAG ALONG THE GROUND. THE REAR STRAP WAS STILL INTACT. SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS 30 MPH. FUEL WAS POURING OUT OF THE TANK BY THE TIME I STOPPED AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE TANK WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY (APPROXIMATELY 20 GALLONS). A WRECKER WAS CALLED TO PICK UP THE TRUCK AND BROUGHT TO A REPAIR GARAGE. ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR IS $600.00, WHICH INCLUDES THE TOWING FEE. THE OLD PARTS WERE RETAINED AND IN MY POSSESSION. THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO THE ODI FOR ANALYSIS IF DESIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362878October 29, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 17 YEAR OLD A HONOR STUDENT WAS GOING TO VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE WHEN THE FRONT STRAP OF THE FUEL TANK LET GO RESULTING THE FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN, GRINDING ON THE CEMENT SURFACE OF THE ROAD WEARING A HOLE IN THE FRONT BOTTOM CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK RELEASING THE FULL 24 GALLONS OF GAS THAT WAS FILLED INTO THE FUEL TANK THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT/FIRE DEPT/FORD DEALER WERE CALLED TO HANDLE THE SITUATION. LUCKILY FOR MY DAUGHTER -NO FIRE. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOK A PICTURE OF THE FUEL TANK WHILE IT WAS STILL PARTIALLY INTACT WITH GAS FLOWING FROM THE FUEL TANK, THE FIRE DEPT. WAS ABLE TO CONTAIN SOME OF THE 24 GALLONS OF GAS AND THEN CLEAN UP. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TOWED THE 1997 F-150 TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE NEW FUEL TANK, STRAPS AND SENSOR WERE REPLACED. MY INSURANCE WOULD NOT COVER ANY LOSS ON THIS ISSUE. MY TOTAL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR THIS -NEW TANK, STRAPS, LABOR, SENSOR, AND TOWING CHARGE-$523.27- GAS REPLACEMENT OF 24 GALLONS-$68.40- TOTAL = $591.67- THE FORD DEALER KEPT THE OLD PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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