Ford F-150 Complaints (1997)

2,758 consumer complaints on file.

#10296677December 22, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD, F150 PICKUP. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE ACTIVATED HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, AND THEN PRESSED RESET, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS, HE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,901.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293236November 23, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
A 1997 FORD PICKUP WAS PUT INSIDE THE GARAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
9
#10292995November 20, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE FRONTAL HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING. ALSO HE HEARS KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CONNECTION ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HE WAS REFUSED SERVICE BECAUSE HE PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A DIFFERENT DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR THE FAILURE. HE WAS THEN ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 219,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289313October 22, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1997 F-150 4.6 V8 WITH APPROX 270,XXX MILES ON IT. AROUND THREE YEARS AGO I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL RADIATOR AT AROUND 190,XXX MILES, SEEMED FAIR THAT'S A DECENT LIFE I THOUGHT FOR A RADIATOR. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. SINCE THEN I AM NOW NEED OF MY FOURTH RADIATOR, THE LAST RADIATOR WAS REPLACED IN JAN 2008. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER CARE FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT THE PART IS OUT OF THEIR 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. ALL REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AT THIS DEALER FOR THE PAST FIVE OR SO YEARS. MY CONTENTION IS THAT CLEARLY THESE PARTS ARE SUSPECT AND THE REPAIR AND FAILURE HISTORY SEEMS TO SUPPORT THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288733October 17, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
1. REGULAR BRAKING WAS DISABLED BY MALFUNCTIONING ABS FIRING. FOR NO APPARENT REASON, IN DRY AND SLOW CONDITIONS ON CITY STREETS, BRAKES WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY, RESULTING IN THE TRUCK ROLLING FORWARD AS THE ABS SYSTEM FIRED. 2. IN TRYING TO STOP THE TRUCK, WITH THE BRAKES FULLY ENGAGED TO THE FLOOR, THE PEDAL VIBRATED FROM ABS ACTIVITY AND THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD INTO INTERSECTION. AT FIRST THIS ONLY HAPPENED ON THE FIRST STOP OF THE DAY, EVERY FEW MONTHS OR SO. LATER IT HAPPENED FREQUENTLY. I FOUND THAT IF I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE IGNITION THE (ELECTRONIC) ABS WOULD BE DEACTIVATED AND THE TRUCK WOULD STOP NORMALLY. 3. CHANGING FRONT BEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED SPEED SENSORS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. DEALER PART AND INSTALLATION WAS AROUND $1200, BUT GENERIC PARTS WERE AVAILABLE THAT SHAVED SEVERAL HUNDRED OFF THIS TOTAL REPAIR COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286378October 5, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1997 FORD F150, WE WERE ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY FROM 30 MPH OUT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE BACK TO HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH). THE TRUCK HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE CONTROL. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STUCK INTO FULL ACCELERATION MODE. SHARPLY APPLYING THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE FOOT ACCELERATOR WAS DOWN FULLY, THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT INVOLVED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO LIFT THE FOOT ACCELERATOR WITH HER TOE, BUT IT WAS STUCK DOWN FULLY. IT COULD NOT BE LIFTED. WITHIN 2 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WELL PAST 100 MPH. CARS AHEAD WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IN DESPERATION WE REPEATEDLY HIT THE BRAKE HARD AND SUDDEN WITH FULL EFFORT. THERE WAS A POP AND THE ACCELERATOR CAME BACK UP. THE TRUCK WAS PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THERE WAS NO APPARENT ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PETAL. IT MOVED EASILY AND NORMALLY. THE TRUCK WAS STARTED AND TEST DROVE, AND EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED NORMALLY. WE CONTINUED DRIVING WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INCIDENT. I ASSURE YOU IT WAS NOT DRIVER FAULT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT ACTIVELY PULLS THE ACCELERATOR DOWN EVEN WHEN THE CRUISE IS NOT ACTIVATED. HITTING THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE ACTIVATION. THIS WAS A CLOSE CALL AND WE HAVE VERY CREDIBLE WITNESSES AND DRIVERS TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL WHAT HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 189000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE THAT WE KNOW OF. WE BOUGHT IT USED, AND IT IS IN ORIGINAL CONDITION, NO AFTER MARKET GASKETS OR ALTERATIONS. JAMES GIBSON *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285813September 30, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HE WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY OTHER DRIVERS WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE WIRING ASSEMBLY IN THE BRAKE LAMP CONTROL AT AN EXPENSE OF $115.11. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED , BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 163,000. UPDATED 10/27/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHTS ONLY COME ON WITH EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. UPDATED 10/28/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283703September 11, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1997 FORD F150 WITH 4.2L ENGINE. STARTED CAR IN THE MORNING. MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND STOPPED IT. RESTARTED THE MOTOR AND IT RATTLING LOUDLY AND STOPPED IT AGAIN. THE NUMBER ONE PISTON BENT THE CONNECTING ROD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280108August 11, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PULL GEAR SHIFTER DOWN TO D1 AND SMOKE AND FIRE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN: ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE TRUCK WAS UNABLE TO USE THE OVERDRIVE FUNCTION. REPLACED SEVERAL FUSES AND TRIED AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I DISMANTLED THE STEERING COLUMN AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IS TWO SHORT AND ROUTED AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING IT TO BREAK EVERYTIME THE TRUCK IS PUT INTO D1. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOR ANY AUTO STORE HAVE ANY PARTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY RECOMMEND THAT I NOT USE D2/D1/OVERDRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277346July 19, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275643July 2, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 2 MILES AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE STARTED ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272802June 3, 2009
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN A RAINSTORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REINSTALLED THE GEM MODULE, AS WELL AS INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. THE WIPERS FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE HE INSTALLED FROM FORD WAS DEFECTIVE. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE MECHANIC CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND DETERMINE IF THE AIR BAGS WORK. PRIOR TO THE GEM MODULE FAILURE, SEVERAL COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. AT 30,000 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264381April 7, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 10 MPH, THE PIN IN THE STEERING COLUMN FELL OUT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND MANAGED TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE STEERING SHAFT COUPLER SHEERED OFF. UPDATED 05/29/09*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264232April 6, 2009
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD KICK IN AND OUT OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THEY REPLACED UNKNOWN MODULES IN THE TRANSMISSION AT THE COST OF $607. THE DEALER ALSO INSTALLED A NEW DASHBOARD SWITCH AT NO COST DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN THERE FOUR TIMES WITH THE EXACT SAME FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 53,000. UPDATED 04-24-09 *BF UPDATED 04/27/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262453March 19, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND WAS STRIKING AGAINST THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V161000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: SPRINGS: LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY). IF THE CONTACT REPAIRS THE VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER WILL OFFER A TWO MONTH WARRANTY FOR THE REAR SPRING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 06/12/09 *BF UPDATED 06/16/09
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261561March 11, 2009
VISIBILITY
BACK WINDOW LEAKS, PLASTIC FRAME THAT HOLDS GLASS ONTO CAB BRAKES WITH TIME. VARIOUS GLASS COMPANIES HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT'S A COMMON THING WITH THE 97-2000 FORD F-150'S IT'S NOT THE RUBBER NOR A WEATHER STRIP IT'S THE PLASTIC FRAME THAT BRAKES WITH TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258711February 15, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY F-150 WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND HAD A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, PLUG WIRES, AND IGNITION COIL FOR A COST OF OVER $500. THEY STATED THAT THE #5 PLUG HAD BEEN FOULED WITH ANTIFREEZE. IT RAN FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH, THEN UPON STARTING MY TRUCK, A LOUD BANGING OR RATTLING NOISE COULD BE HEARD AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. UPON DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO CLAIM THAT A FAULTY GASKET DESIGN CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO ONE OF THE CYLINDERS INSPECTION OF THE CYLINDERS SHOWED COOLANT TO BE POOLED IN THE FRONT, PASSENGER-SIDE CYLINDER. CERTIFIED MECHANICS ATTRIBUTE COOLANT IN THE CYLINDER TO BE DUE TO A PREMATURE GASKET FAILURE. IF NOT CORRECTED, THE PROBLEM LEADS TO MAJOR ENGINE DESTRUCTION. DOCUMENTED EFFECTS OF THE COOLANT LEAK ARE WORN OUT BEARINGS AND SURFACES, AND BROKEN OR BENT CONNECTING RODS, NECESSITATING AN ENGINE REBUILD. FORD SENT A TSB TO SOME OWNERS OF THESE ENGINES TO REPLACE THE FAULTY GASKET BUT NOT TO OTHER OWNERS. THE KNOWLEDGE OF A FAULTY GASKET DESIGN WAS WITHHELD FROM SOME 1997 4.2L F150 OWNERS. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION, AND LIKE MANY PEOPLE, HAVE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AVERAGE REPAIR COSTS ARE AROUND $4500 DOLLARS. FORD DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF KNOWN DEFECTS AND FORD TECHNICIANS WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN ANYONE, DID NOT NOTIFY ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257120February 1, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I RECENTLY NOTICED A LOSS OF COOLANT AND FOAMY ENGINE OIL. I FOUND AN ONLINE FORUM EXPLAINING THIS AS A PROBLEM CALLED HYDROLOCKED.FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1999 AN HAS ISSUED A TSB 99-20-7 AND ONP 99B29.WHY HAS FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOT BEEN HELD FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256564January 28, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, IT MADE A CRACKING AND POPPING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BE LIFTED UP FROM THE ANCHORAGE AND TILTED TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V196000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR), ALTHOUGH HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN 2008. HE WAS INFORMED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER (FORD OF AMERICA) THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255837January 21, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 1997 F-150 4.2L V6 WITH 128,000 MILES STARTED EXPERIENCING AN UNACCOUNTABLE FOR WATER LOSS THAT QUICKLY TURNED INTO A ROUGH IDLE ON COLD STARTS AND THEN VERY NOTICEABLE STEAM FROM THE EXHAUST AT WHAT TIME IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR WITH A SUSPECTED BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DISMANTLING THE ENGINE, THERE WAS WATER IN THE TOP END BUT THERE IS NO INDICATION OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND THE HEADS HAVE BEEN PRESSURE TESTED FOR LEAKS AND TURNED OUT OK. IT APPEARS THAT THE INTAKE OR INTAKE GASKET IS THE PROBLEM AND UPON ONLINE RESEARCH IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS HAD PRIOR COMPLAINTS OF INTAKE AND GASKET FAILURES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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