Ford F-150 Complaints (1997)

2,758 consumer complaints on file.

#10461686June 13, 2012
ENGINE
4.2L F150 HAD A SLOW LOSS OF COOLANT AND NOT BEING NOTIFIED THAT THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHICH COULD LEAD TO ENGINE DESTRUCTION, I WOULD SIMPLY ADD MORE COOLANT. THIS CONDITION RESULTED IN COMPLETE HYDRO LOCK AND DESTROYING #5 ROD BEARING. WHILE I CAN WELL UNDERSTAND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLES OF 1997 VINTAGE I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND AT ALL FORD NOT ADVISING CONSUMERS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES BEFORE THEY SPEND 4K$ IN REBUILDING AND INSTALLING THIS LONG BLOCK AND FINDING OUT THEY HAD SQUANDERED THEIR MONEY ON TRYING TO RESURRECT A DEAD HORSE WITH 86069 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458730May 16, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE CORROSION LOCKED REAR WHEELS (RIMS LOCKED TO HUBS) FOR BALANCING AND ROTATING, WHILE VEHICLE WAS SUPPORTED ON HYDRAULIC LIFT, THE MAIN REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED. VEHICLE WAS OPERATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL NY STATE FOR 10 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MECHANICALLY INOPERATIVE SINCE THAT TIME, THOUGH NUMEROUS NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE VISIBLY CORRODED BRAKE LINE FAILED DURING ATTEMPTS TO "COAX" THE CORROSION LOCKED RIMS FROM THE WHEELS BY APPLYING LATERAL (90 DEGREE) PRESSURE TO THE SIDES OF THE PICKUP'S BED, WHILE THE TIRES WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE GARAGE FLOOR BUT WITH THE VEHICLE STILL SUPPORTED BY THE LIFT. POINT OF FAILURE WAS JUST IN FRONT AND ABOVE THE REAR AXLE. THIS WAS VEHICLE'S 2ND BRAKE LINE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR, THE FIRST HAVING OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE JUST BEHIND THE CALIPER/WHEEL CYLINDER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458004May 10, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION, STEERING
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM TOWN WHEN ALL THE BALL BEARINGS FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, IT WAS CONTROLLABLE AT THE LOW SPEED I WAS GOING BUT THANK GOD I WASN'T ON AN INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY AT A HIGHER SPEED I COULD HAVE RUN OFF THE ROAD OR WORSE HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION ! THE TRUCK HAS NOT LEFT MY PROPERTY SINCE BUT I STILL HAVE TO KEEP FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE AND TAGGED FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES AND A LIEN FROM MY BANK ON IT,I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE STARTER ON IT EIGHT (8) TIMES THE PARTS ARE VERY CHEAP BUT IT HAS AN AIRBAG AND MY LOCAL FORD DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF 200.00 TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE TWO SIX AND SEVEN DOLLAR BEARINGS. WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED SINCE THE BALL BEARINGS ARE VERY TINY AND ARE HARD TO SEE AND IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED MY TRUCK JUST SITS THERE ALL THIS TIME BECAUSE IM AFRAID OF SOMEONE GETTING HURT SERIOUSLY OR KILLED BECAUSE IM AFRAID OF LOSING CONTROL ON THE STEERING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE I WAS SIXTEEN AND WAS A BIG TRUCK DRIVER FROM 1979 TO 1996 TILL I BECAME ILL BUT I WOULD NEVER DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH STEERING PROBLEMS, THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457670May 7, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FORD RECALL 99B29. FRONT COVER GASK UNABLE TO HOLD COOLANT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455792April 19, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING ON BY ONE OF ITS STRAPS. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS FRACTURED AND THE SECOND STRAP WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE STRAPS HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455460April 17, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TRUCK HAS A 4.2 LITER, V-6 ENGINE. A WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN THEN PARKED IN A MY GARAGE. ON THE INCIDENT DAY I TRIED TO START THE TRUCK BUT HEARD ONLY A LOUD, HARD KNOCK WHEN THE STARTER ENGAGED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE BATTERY VOLTAGE CHECKED OUT OK. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE STARTER WAS REMOVED AND CHECKED OUT OK ELECTRICALLY. THE MECHANIC MANUALLY ROTATED THE ENGINE BACKWARD 1-1/2 TURNS (HE COULD NOT ROTATE IT FORWARD) THEN TRIED TO START IT BUT THE ENGINE AGAIN MADE A LOUD, HARD KNOCK SOUND. THE MECHANIC THOUGH THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED OR A PUSH ROD WAS BENT. HOWEVER, SINCE THE TRUCK RAN FINE THE LAST TIME IT WAS USED I FELT THE PROBLEM DEVELOPED DURING ITS LAST USE AND LAST COOLDOWN. I CONCLUDED A GASKET FAILED (OR A HEAD CRACKED) ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS DURING ITS LAST COOLDOWN. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED BACK TO MY GARAGE. I REMOVED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND FOUND COOLANT DRAINING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CYLINDER WHICH WAS CAUSING HYDROLOCK. I ROTATED THE ENGINE BACKWARD 4-1/2 TURNS THEN FORWARD 9 TURNS. THE ENGINE NOW TURNED FREELY. A TOTAL OF 4 TO 6 OUNCES OF COOLANT CAME OUT OF THE CYLINDER. I SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE FORD ALERT SYSTEM AND FOUND A POSTING FOR THE 1997 4.2L V-6 ENGINES THAT INDICATED THEY ARE PRONE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD O-RING FAILURES. I FOUND MANY REPORTS OF SIMILAR FAILURES FOR THIS YEAR AND ENGINE TYPE. I INTEND TO CHECK IN WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET THEIR TAKE ON THIS PROBLEM AND FIND OUT WHY I WASN'T NOTIFIED ABOUT A "RECALL". *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454207April 5, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
NOTICED GAS PORING FROM TANK AS I WAS REFILLING. LOOKED UNDER TO SEE STRAP ROTTED AND BROKEN. SCHEDULED TO HAVE STRAP FIXED FRI 4/6/12 BUT FROM WHAT I READ,THEY WONT FIX LEAK CAUSED BY STRAP. SO TANK WILL CONTINUE TO LEAK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454221April 5, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED AND THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY. THE FUEL TANK DETACHED AND SPILLED NINETEEN GALLONS OF FUEL ONTO THE GROUND. A HAZMAT TEAM WAS NOTIFIED TO ASSIST WITH THE CLEAN-UP AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, SENSORS, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND THE FUEL TANK HOSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING) DUE TO THE STATE THE CONTACT RESIDED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,429.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453603March 30, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FUEL STRAPS UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING), BUT THE DEFECTIVE STRAPS CREATED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81000. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452959March 26, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS PER CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V385000, I FOUND THAT WHEN I WAS REFUELING THE GASOLINE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR AT ABOUT 1.5 GALLONS. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I THE PROBLEM WASN'T PRESENT TILL THE STRAPS WERE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW FUEL FILLER NECK WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALL, SO I WENT TO PRIVATE SHOP FOR A LESS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. UPON INSPECTION IN REPLACING THE FUEL FILLER NECK, MY MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME THAT I ALSO NEEDED A NEW GAS TANK BECAUSE OF CORROSION OF BOTH THE FILLER NECK AND THE TANK. THIS TANK STRAP RECALL COST ME MORE IN PARTS AND LABOR THAN THE STRAPS ALONE COST FORD. WOULD I HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF LETTING THE TANK DROP AND CATCH ON FIRE IN MY FULLY COVERED 1997 VEHICLE? THE INSURANCE MONEY ALONE WOULD'VE GOTTEN ME A BETTER VEHICLE, BUT I LOVE MY TRUCK! HOPING ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WILL INITIATE AND INVESTIGATION AND RECALL SO I CAN GET MY REIMBURSEMENT. FOR NOW, I WILL HOLD ONTO THE OLD TANK AND ALL THE PARTS IN CASE I NEED PROOF OF PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453097March 26, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD THE HORN SOUNDING OFF. THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES SOON THEREAFTER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE CHIEF STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452801March 23, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING) THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL STRAPS WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REMEDY DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION ON THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL REPAIR AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER THE FUEL TANK MOUNT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME BRACKET HAD ROTTED AND THE RECALL COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A SLIGHT HESITATION, THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE, THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY, THE BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES, CALIPERS AND HOSES. UPDATED 04/17/12 UPDATED 04/25/12*LJ UPDATED 05/02/12 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451937March 16, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. NO ONE WAS INJURED FROM THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND TOOK A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451232March 12, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT, WHO WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE CABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 314,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449665February 29, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO ASSIST. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448373February 17, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447944February 14, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL STRAPS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO LEAK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE STORAGE TANK: ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000. UPDATED 03/14/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TANK FELL OFF IN JUNE AND HAS BEEN LEAKING EVER SINCE. THE STRAPS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE LEAK CONTINUED. UPDATED 03/19/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447127February 8, 2012
STEERING, STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING BOX. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BOLT THAT HELD THE STEERING SHAFT IN PLACE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V196000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447013February 7, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 211,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446252February 2, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT REPLACED BECAUSE THAT REPAIR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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