Ford F-150 Complaints (1997)

2,758 consumer complaints on file.

#10191535May 23, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE'S HOOD. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ONCE HE SHUT IT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT COOLANT WAS FOUND IN THE CYLINDERS DUE TO A CRACKED HEAD GASKET OR A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE AND THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY MORE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 99,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,780.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190978May 17, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE THREW ROD, JUST LIKE THE FEW THOUSAND OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET. TREATED THIS TRUCK LIKE A BABY, HEARD FROM A FORD MASTER MECHANIC THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALREADY ,AND HE ACTUALLY LAUGHED AS HE TOLD ME I WAS SCREWED. HAPPENED ONE MORNING WHEN TO START IT AND BAM BLEW ROD. WAS FULL OF OIL, FULL COOLANT, WET SPARK PLUG AMAZING I COME FROM A 4 GENERATION FORD FAMILY AND BECAUSE OF THIS I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191128May 17, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RECALL OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IN THE 1997 FORD F-150 SONS TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE IN THEIR GARAGE FORD DECLINED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY**CC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE RECALL. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER NEVER SENT A RECALL NOTICE TO THE CURRENT ADDRESS AND FURTHER STATES THEY MOVED TO THE LOCATION IN 2006 SO FORD COULD NOT HAVE MAILED THE NOTICE IN 2005 AND THE CONSUMER DID NOT OWN THE VEHICLE IN SEPT. 2005. THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL NOTICE DATE WAS LISTED AS DEC 2006, THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED NOTICE UNTIL SPRING 2007. THE CONSUMER STATED FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF PUTTING A CHILD'S LIFE IN DANGER AND FABRICATING THE TRUTH AFTERWARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190344May 9, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FORD F150 FIRE CAUSED BY CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. VEHICLE IN GARAGE, VEHICLE TOTALED AND GARAGE DAMAGED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190122May 8, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1997 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCK, THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE. THE INSURED STATED TO THE FIREMEN THAT IT LOOKED ELECTRICAL . THIS MODEL OF TRUCK HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BURN DUE TO A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THEY INCLUDED A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD. THE INSURED WAS NOT SURE IF THE RECALL WAS EVER COMPLETED. THEY STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT WORKED IN SOME TIME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189834May 4, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY FORD F150 1997 WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE ALARMS SOUNDED. I CHECKED AND THOUGHT AT FIRST SOMEONE MIGHT BE TRYING TO STEAL THE TRUCK THEN. I THEN SAW IT WAS ON FIRE. I GOT THE WATER HOSE AND TOLD MY WIFE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT. SHE ALSO CALLED A COUPLE OF OUR NEIGHBORS TO HELP. THE VFD CAME ALONG WITH THE SHERIFF AND DEPUTY SHERIFF. NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189403May 1, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT WORKED FOR A FEW MONTHS. JUST BACKED TRUCK INTO DRIVEWAY FROM PARKED ON STREET. WENT INTO THE HOUSE. WITHIN 5 MINUTES, MY NEIGHBORS ALERTED ME TO THE FIRE. I PUT IT OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS AT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT THE MASTER CYLINDER. VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING FIXED AT THIS TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189172April 28, 2007
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
A COOPER DOMINATOR SPORT A/T TIRE OF THE TYPE THAT IS CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF EA 06 -021 EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE MOUNTED ON THE REAR AXLE OF A FORD F150. THE TREAD SEPARATION LED TO A LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE ROLLOVER THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ONE MAN AND INCAPACITATING BRAIN INJURIES TO ANOTHER. THE TIRE HAD 7/32 OF TREAD AND WAS IN GOOD CONDITION BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ABUSE OR MISUSE. THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2004 AT COOPER'S FINDLAY, OHIO PLANT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#10188379April 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND A SIGNIFICANT LOST OF COOLANT RESULTED DUE TO A RESERVOIR FAILURE. AT 80,000 MILES, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE OIL PRESSURE FAILURE, WHICH THE DEALER STATED WAS CAUSED BY A BENT PISTON ROD ON THE CRANK CASE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT BECAUSE THE VIN EXCLUDED THE VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL. FORD CLAIMED TO HAVE ONLY ISSUED A PARTIAL LEVEL B RECALL. THE FAILURE ORIGINATED 6 WEEKS AGO, BUT HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE JUNE OF 2006. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTING WAITING UNTIL THE ENGINE FAILS TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 850 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188183April 17, 2007
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER DETACHED FROM THE END OF THE SPARE TIRE RETAINER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH ,AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANY BUMPS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,000.*AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RETAINER WAS AT THE END OF THE CABLE ASSEMBLY USED TO LOWER AND RAISE THE SPARE TIRE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE TIRE BOUNCED 6FT IN THE AIR AND ALMOST HIT THE CARD BEHIND HIM. UPDATE 05/04/07*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187604April 11, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING WHILE CLIMBING A GRADE. SPEED CONTINUED TO INCREASE WELL PAST 70 MPH SET POINT. I TAPPED BRAKE TO DISENGAGE SPEED CONTROL WITH NO SUCCESS. I HAD TO BRAKE AGAINST ACCELERATING ENGINE WITH SPEED CONTROL STILL ENGAGED. THE ONLY WAY I COULD BRING VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL WAS TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, TURN OFF ENGINE, AND COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. I DISCONNECTED RECENTLY INSTALLED , FORD RECALLED, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WIRING HARNESS, AND ACTIVATED THE SPEED CONTROL ON/OFF STEERING WHEEL SWITCH. COMBINATION OF ACTIONS DISENGAGED SPEED CONTROL WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT. ON 4/11/07 HAD VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY FORD SERVICE CENTER; NOTHING OUT OF ORDINARY WAS FOUND. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187052April 4, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY NON-COMMERCIAL TWO WHEEL DRIVE, 1997 F-150 WITH 59747 MILES WITH 4.2 V-6 ENGINE BLEW ITS 4R70W AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION . I WAS NOT ABLE TO GO FORWARD BUT COULD GO IN REVERSE. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF FAILURE AND THE TRANNY FILTER AND FLUID HAD BEEN SERVICED TWO TIMES. IT COST $ 2121.52 TO REBUILD THE TRANNY AT A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND DID NOT WANT TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH ME OR THE TRANNY SHOP TO FIND OUT MORE. ALSO THE TIMING CASE COVER GASKET,BRAKE CALIPERS AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALSO. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186776April 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I JUST GOT MY 1997 FORD F150 XLT WITH THE 4.2L ENGINE BACK YESTERDAY, AFTER PAYING $1430 FOR ENGINE REPAIRS. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 47,700 MILES ON IT. I WENT OUT TO THE TRUCK ONE DAY AND TURNED THE KEY, AND - NOTHING. TURNS OUT TO BE HYDRO LOCK BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IT AT THE TIME. I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED, & GOT IT INTO THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN THOUGHT IT NEEDED TO BE TUNED UP, PLUS I WAS HAVING THE HEAT FADE AT STOPS SO HE FLUSHED & REFILLED THE COOLANT. I MENTIONED THAT I WAS HAVING TO TOP OFF THE COOLANT ABOUT ONCE A MONTH, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE COOLANT WAS GOING, AND IT WASN'T SHOWING UP IN THE OIL. I GOT IT BACK, AND IT WAS STILL RUNNING REALLY BAD, SO I DROPPED IT OFF AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. THIS TIME HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE COIL PACK. THEY HAD IT AGAIN FOR ANOTHER DAY, REPLACED THE COIL PACK AND A SENSOR. I GO OUT TO THE LOT AND START IT, AND IT WAS STILL RUNNING REALLY BAD. SO, I GO BACK IN & GET THE TECHNICIAN, AND HE CAME OUT TO CHECK IT HIMSELF, AND HE WAS AMAZED AT HOW BAD IT WAS RUNNING. WE TOOK IT FOR A RIDE, AND IT SMOOTHED OUT A LITTLE, BUT IT WAS STILL NOT RIGHT. I TOLD HIM I WOULD LET HIM CONSULT HIS BOSS, AND CALL THEM BACK ON MONDAY. MONDAY COMES, AND I GO TO START IT TO GO TO WORK, AND - HYDRO LOCK AGAIN. SO, I TAKE MY WIFE'S CAR TO WORK, AND CALLED THEM FROM THERE, AND TOLD THEM WHAT IT WAS DOING. THEY WERE THERE WITHIN A HALF HOUR TO GET IT. THIS TIME I GET A CALL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE PUT HIS BEST TECHNICIAN ON IT, AND WOULD CALL. WHEN HE CALLED, HE TOLD ME THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING, AND LETTING COOLANT INTO THE CYLINDERS. I SAID TO GO AHEAD & FIX IT. THEN THEY CALLED ME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD ME THAT THEY FOUND THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED, AND LETTING COOLANT POUR INTO THE CYLINDERS. I ASKED ABOUT GETTING A USED INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND HE SAID THEY WOULD LOOK FOR ONE, AND THEY DID FIND ONE. PLUS, THEY PUT IN A NEW THERMOSTAT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185918March 22, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1997 FORD F150 4.2 V6 OIL PRESSURE FALLS TO ZERO AFTER WARM UP... WITH WARNING. I WAS DECEPTIVELY SOLD THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT WARRANTEE JUST LAST MONTH. MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 66K MILES AND NOW I DISCOVER A BIG ONGOING PROBLEM... JUST BY PLACING THIS TOP LINE IN ANY SEACH ENGINE YOU'LL REACH... HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=224 THAT IS 400 HITS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH LEADS TO ENGINE FAILURE. EVEN IF ITS REPAIRED PRIOR TO FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185311March 16, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 1997 FORD F-150 HAS HAD 3 UNCOMMANDED THROTTLE SURGES THAT I COULD NOT STOP UNTIL I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I RODE THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 55 MPH BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND OFF 3 TIMES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT JUST FINE. THEY SEEM TO THINK I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL...THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON DURING ANY OF THESE EPISODES. THERE WAS AN ARTICLE ON THE INTER NET WHERE A POLICE CROWN VICTORIA DID THE SAME THING AND THE END RESULT WAS AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183119February 21, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER 1997 FORD F-150 XLT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON COLD DAYS WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STAYED DOWN AND BECAME STUCK WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT THIS SPEED AND TRYING TO COME TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUED TO GO AT A HIGH SPEED. THERE WAS RECALL 96V251000 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE VEHICLE ,AND SHE THOUGHT THAT SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE FAULTY THROTTLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 11500.*AK UPDATED 04/05/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182865February 17, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HYDRO LOCK 1997 FORD 4.2 V6 44,000 MILES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181490February 3, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1. FAILURE OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND DEALER WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, FAMILY FORD SALES INC., FLORENCE, AL TO NOTIFY CUSTOMER OF DEFECT WITH 1997 4.2 L V6 ENGINE AS PUBLISHED IN FORD SERVICE PROGRAM, NUMBER 99B29 WHICH COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE THROUGH ENGINE FRONT COVER GASKET FAILING AND POLLUTING THE OIL WITH COOLANT, RESULTING IN DESTROYED ENGINE. FURTHER FAMILY FORD SALES INC. DIAGNOSED THIS PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE 11/20/02 AND REPAIRED IT FOR $432.08 COST TO OWNER. NO MENTION OF THE FORD NO-CHARGE SERVICE PROGRAM OR POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE WAS GIVEN AT THIS TIME. 2. FAILURE OF 1997 FORD F150 ENGINE WITH 87,522 MILES DUE TO A KNOWN FAILURE TO FORD MOTOR OF FAULTY GASKETS (LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD (FORD TSB 99-20-7) AND ENGINE FRONT COVER GASKET FAILING AND POLLUTING THE OIL WITH COOLANT (FORD SERVICE PROGRAM, NUMBER 99B29) NEITHER OF WHICH WERE COMMUNICATED TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ACTION CAUSED $3,061.20 OF DAMAGE DUE TO REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE LONG BLOCK 1/26/2007 THE BABBITT WAS REMOVED FROM ENGINE BEARINGS, RESULTING IN LOW OIL PRESSURE AND ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMING ON WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED BY FAMILY FORD ON 1/5/2007 (COST $73.50). AGAIN FORD SERVICING DEALER/OEM SELLING DEALER DID NOT INFORM CUSTOMER OF ANY ISSUES WITH THIS ENGINE OR EARLIER NO-CHARGE SERVICE PROGRAM. FAILURE TO NOTIFY OR FRAUDULENT ACTIONS BY THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAVE COST ME OVER $3,500 AND THE LOST TIME ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FAULTY PRODUCT. VEHICLE VIN IS [XXX]. DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE ALL CLAIMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SUBMITTAL. *NM UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181415February 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1997 FORD 150, 144,000 MILES. ENGINE KNOCKS AND IS LOOSING COOLANT. AFTER DOING RESEARCH JUST FOUND OUT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 4.2L V6 ENGINE. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL FROM FORD STATING A PROBLEM WITH THE MANIFOLD GASKET. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181305February 1, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE 1997 FORD F-150 WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE ENGINE, ELECTRICAL WIRING, PIPING ,AND ANYTHING THAT WAS MADE OF PLASTIC MELTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD PROVIDE PICTURES OF DAMAGED VEHICLE, AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT.*AK UPDATED 02/28/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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