Ford F-150 Complaints (1998)

1,381 consumer complaints on file.

#10141826November 5, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY 1998 FORD F-150 HAD STEAMY WHITE EXHAUST UPON START AND IT WOULD LAST UNTIL SUFFICIENT WARM-UP. AT THAT POINT, I DID NOT THINK ABOUT IT MUCH. AT ANY RATE, I WENT OUT OF TOWN FOR TWO WEEKS AND UPON MY RETURN FROM MY TRIP, I GOT IN MY TRUCK AND TRIED TO START IT AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY SO, I TRIED TO JUMP START IT TO NO AVAIL. NEXT, I TRIED PUSH STARTING IT AND INITIALLY THE WHEELS LOCKED UP BUT EVENTUALLY IT STARTED. FROM THAT POINT IT WAS FINE HOWEVER, IT WASN'T UNTIL FRIDAY THAT I TRIED TO START IT AND AGAIN IT WAS HARD TO START. WHEN IT DID IT STARTED RATTLING INDICATING A POSSIBLE BENT PUSH ROD. UPON CALLING AN ENGINE MECHANIC, HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RISE IN 4.2 LITER V-6 ENGINE FAILURES BECAUSE OF A KNOWN DEFECT. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT I STARTED DOING INTERNET RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS TSB 99-20-7 AND ONP 99B29. AT THIS POINT, MY TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP BEING DIAGNOSED AND I'M SURE THE MECHANIC IS GOING TO TELL ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142144November 2, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER TURNED FORD F150 ON AND VEHICLE HESITATED THEN CRANKED AND BEGAN RATTLING. HEAD GASKET LEAD WATER INTO THE CYLINDER. *TS REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN# DP05005. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140140October 18, 2005
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON I-95 THE REAR TIRE THREAD SEPARATED AND LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF TRUCK WHICH CAUSE IT TO HIT THE WALL IN THE MEDIAN TWICE. AS A RESULT WE BOTH SUSTAINED INJURIES IN WHICH WE ARE CURRENTLY UNDER DOCTORS CARE ALONG WITH THERAPY. BOTTOM LINE WE ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES. THE TIRE HAD BEEN PURCHASE ALMOST 6 MONTHS PRIOR OF ACCIDENT TO REPLACE ANOTHER ONE WE TOLD WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS A P275/70R16 CONTINENTAL TIRE ON OUR 1998 F-150 TRUCK. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10140045October 17, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150 PICKUP. WHIILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. NO WARNING AT ALL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED 650 MILES BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134462October 14, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CALLER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING STILL FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN'. THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, AND BURNED THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. NO OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138762October 6, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 1998 FORD F-150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. THIS HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR AROUND SIX HOURS. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN USED THE DAY OF THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO MALFUNCTIONS ON THE TRUCK. EVERYTHING WAS IN WORKING ORDER. THE CONSUMER WAS AWAKENED BY A NEIGHBOR WHO SPOTTED THAT THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE GARAGE, THE TRUCK AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT. THERE WAS A FIRE INVESTIGATOR ON HAND TO EXAMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK. THIS WAS BEFORE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 05V170000 CONCERNING THE SCDS ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEALT WITH FORD, WHO TOLD THE INSURANCE AGENT THAT SOMEONE WOULD COME AND EXAMINED THE REMAINS. THEY WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE SCENE UNDISTURBED, AND IT MAY BE A MONTH OR SO BEFORE THEY WOULD EVEN COME AND CHECK. FORD TOLD THE INSURANCE AGENT TO PAY THE CONSUMER, AND FORD WOULD DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY LATER. THERE WAS AN INSURANCE AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT AVAILABLE TO ANY INVESTIGATOR.*AK UPDATED 12/07/05.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138439October 4, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD F-150 4.2L XLT. A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION UPON STARTING MY ENGINE. ONCE THE ENGINE STARTED, IT STRUGGLED A LITTLE AND THEN SMOOTHED OUT ONCE I BEGAN TO DRIVE. THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO RUN FINE, ONCE STARTED, BUT CONTINUED WITH THE SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY TRUCK AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER RIGHT AWAY. I LET THE TRUCK REST A MOMENT THEN AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. THE TRUCK STARTED UP, THEN I HEARD THE SLIGHT HESITATION AND ALL OF SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHEREUPON I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A ROD KNOCK, WHICH SHOT DOWN THROUGH THE OIL PAN. HE FOUND COOLANT ON THE PLUGS AND WATER INTRUSION THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO THE BLOCK. HE INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE HAD HYDRO-LOCKED. THROUGH RESEARCH I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THIS IS AN APPARENTLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I FOUND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUED A RECALL ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IN 1999. I NEVER RECEIVED SUCH NOTIFICATION, ALTHOUGH I HAVE, IN FACT RECEIVED INFORMATION FOR OTHER RECALLS. I WAS NEVER SENT ANYTHING IN THE MAIL AND HAD NO IDEA OF THIS PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, I AM INFORMED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THIS MATTER WITH CUSTOMERS. I CURRENTLY HAVE 117,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND HAD TO PAY OVER $4,000.00 TO REPLACE THE LONG BLOCK. I HAD TO PAY TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT FORD OBVIOUSLY KNEW EXISTED. SINCE FORD WAS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF DAMAGING THE ENGINE AND DID LITTLE, IF NOTHING, TO INFORM ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS POTENTIAL DANGER, I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD, AT LEAST IN PART, LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGE INCURRED TO MY TRUCK AND TO MANY OF THOSE, LIKE MYSELF, WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138447October 4, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I CHANGED MY SPARK PLUGS AT THE RECOMMENDED MILEAGE AND SINCE THAT TIME THEY DO NOT STAY TIGHT IN THE CYLINDERS. THEY LOOSEN UP AND I HAVE TO RE-TIGHTEN THEM EVERYDAY SO THAT THEY DO NOT BLOW OUT OF MY CYLINDER HEAD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138215September 30, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1998 FORD F-150 VIN # [XXX], PARKED AT 9:00 PM ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. AT 4:30 AM ON SEPTEMBER 28 NEIGHBOR NOTICED VEHICLE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPT UNABLE TO SAVE THE VEHICLE, IT COMPLETELY BURNED UP. ALSO DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE IN FRONT OF WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TO A 1990 FORD TAURUS PARKED BESIDE OF THE VEHICLE.*JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137689September 26, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1) STARTER WENT OUT, TRUCK WAS SURGING WHILE DRIVING, GASOLINE WAS RUNNING OUT OF TAILPIPE. 2) WIRING HARNESS WAS RUBBING THE AC DRYER WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL INJECTORS TO STAY OPEN, WHICH FILLED THE CYLINDERS UP WITH GAS AND LOCKED THE MOTOR UP, BENDING THE RODS. 3) MOTOR AND STARTER WERE REPLACED BY SMITH FORD IN CONWAY, ARKANSAS. THIS COST US $5,500.00. ORIGINALLY, TRUCK WAS SENT IN FOR STARTER REPLACEMENT ONLY. THE NEXT DAY THE MOTOR WENT OUT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137548September 25, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
98 FORD F-150 WITH 4.2L WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALMOST ALL OF THESE ENGINES AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137407September 23, 2005
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK WAS SHAKING. WHEN THE DRIVER STOPPED. THE LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS SNAPPED OFF THE WHEEL. THE SPEED WAS 35 MPH. THE TIRE WAS READY TO FALL OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE TRUCK. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CALLED, AND A COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE COMPANY. THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO BE REPAIRED. THE TRUCK IS A 1998 FORD F150 TRUCK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128746September 19, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: CALLER SAID THAT ON JULY 11, 2005 AFTER 8 HOURS OF SITTING STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE TRUCK. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE AND ANOTHER CAR. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE FIRE DEPTARTMENT. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136865September 18, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE WERE NOT RIGHT SPONGY. WEARING OUT BAKE PAD'S NOTHING HAPPENED YET BUT NOT WORKING RIGHT AS OF NOW. I REPLACED CALIPER AND PAD'S. AND BRAKES ARE STILL DRAGGING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136362September 13, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FORD DEALERSHIPS IN RALEIGH NC AREA ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR 1998 F150 UNDER SPEED CONTROL RECALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136294September 12, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED MY TEMP GAUGE IN THE RED AND MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AT ZERO. THE "CHECK OIL" LIGHT WAS LIT AS WELL. THE TRUCK AT THE TIME WAS RUNNING FINE, NO NOISES FROM THE ENGINE AND NO SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP WHICH HAPPENS TO BE A FORD DEALER; DIABLO FORD IN PITTSBURGH, CA. ON 09/12/05, THE FIRST DAY THE SERVICE DEPT WAS ABLE TO GET TO IT, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER TELLING ME THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE PULLED AND DISASSEMBLED TO CHECK ENGINE BEARINGS, CONNECTING RODS, VALVES AND PISTONS TO SEE IF THERE IS MORE DAMAGE THAN JUST BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. SO FAR THE QUOTE WITH INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS NOT DAMAGED IS $3200. THAT QUOTE COULD RISE VERY EASILY IF INTERNAL DAMAGE IS FOUND. SINCE THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ON THE FIGHTBACK.COM WEBSITE AND HAVE FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH 1997 TO 1999 F150 FORD TRUCKS WITH 4.2 LITER ENGINES. APPARENTLY, FORD HAS CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD GASKETS IN MID 1999, DUE TO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOR THESE PARTICULAR ENGINES. MY UNDERSTANDING IS FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, AND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE SHELLING OUT $3000+ TO REPAIR THEIR TRUCKS. IN SOME CASES, ENTIRE ENGINES WERE REPLACED FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD RECALL AND COVER THE COSTS ON THE ENGINES. IF I'M NOT MISTAKING, THE 3.8 LITER V6 SHARES THE SAME BLOCK AND HEADS AS THE 4.2. THE 3.8 IS FOUND IN A LOT OF FORD WINDSTARS AND TAURUS'. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAKING FAULTY ENGINES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135972September 9, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: 1998 FORD F150. COOLANT IN THE OIL, AND SERIOUS ENGINE NOISE. THE ARE WHITE VAPORS FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION YET. UNABLE TO DRIVE AUTOMOBILE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135883September 8, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
TURN SIGNAL WORKED AS EXPECTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS NEW,THEN SOON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BECAME SPORADIC AS TO WHEN IT WOULD WORK. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY COULD DISCOVER. HOWEVER,NOW THE RIGHT SIGNAL DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. I DON'T MEAN THE BULB-- I MEAN THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. LEFT WORKS FINE;RIGHT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO LET OTHER DRIVERS KNOW WHERE I'M GOING,COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135680September 7, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER UNTIL THE STORM PASSED. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND HE REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED TWICE TO DATE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135659September 7, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER'S REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN GETTING FORD TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR REPAIRS FOR FAULTY GASKET ON THEIR 1998 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCK.*MR WATER LEAKED INTO THE OIL BECAUSE OF A FAULTY GASKET WHICH THEN CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW. THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THE GASKET WAS RECALL IN 1999. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED AND NOTICE OF A GASKET RECALL. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT FORD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE FAULTY ENGINE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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