Ford F-150 Complaints (1997)

2,758 consumer complaints on file.

#10016636April 28, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INCIDENT = IN 2000 FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON FORD F-150 PICKUPS TO COVER A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM INVOLVING A GASKET THAT KEPT COOLANT FLUIDS FROM LEAKING INTO THE CRANKCASE AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THEY ONLY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING GASKET TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T LEAKING AND THEN EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER 12 MONTHS. JUST AS THEY KNEW IT WOULD, APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS LATER (APRIL 27) THEIR REPLACEMENT GASKET CRACKED AND COOLANT FLUID LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE CRANKCASE, AND MY ENGINE SEIZED UP. DAMAGE RESULTING = MY ENGINE BEGAN TO CLATTER, AND I DROVE STRAIGHT TO A DEALERSHIP. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ($3,600.00 PLUS TAX). IN TALKING WITH THE AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER IN CLARKSVILLE, TN WHERE THE TRUCK BROKE DOWN AND MY USUAL AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER HERE IN NASHVILLE, APPARENTLY THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY OF THE F-150'S THAT RECEIVED A NEW GASKET AND AN EXTENDED 12 MONTH WARRANTY. AGAIN, FORD KNEW THERE WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM (WHICH BY THE WAY BOTH PLACES TOLD ME FORD CORRECTED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS) AND ONLY OFFERED A BAND-AID APPROACH TO DEALING WITH IT. IN TALKING WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I HAVE REQUEST THAT THE COST, OR AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE COSTS, OF MY NEW ENGINE BE PAID BY FORD. THE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TOMORROW, APRIL 29. NEEDLESS TO SAY, FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED OR OFFERED TO PAY FOR MY NEW ENGINE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016572April 27, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR CRACKING ON BOTH FRONT DOORS, 1997 F150 PICKUP. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED, BUT WITH THE ESP WARRANTY, THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX IT...SAYS NOT COVERED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016525April 26, 2003
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF
ON APRIL 12, 2003 WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 FORD F 150 SUPER CAB PICKUP VIN [XXX] I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING TO INVESTIGATE I DISCOVERED THE MIDDLE LEAF OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING HAD BROKEN IN HALF AND THE FORWARD HALF WAS DANGLING IN THE AIR HELD THERE BY THE CLAMP THAT WAS INSTALLED AT THE DEALER (BONNELL MOTORS) WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK AS PART OF NHTSA RECALL 98V16000. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION I NOTICED THE MIDDLE LEAF ON THE LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING APPEARS TO HAVE SHIFTED AS IT IS NO LONGER EVEN WITH THE OTHER TWO LEAFS. I ALSO TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BROKEN MIDDLE LEAF FROM THE RIGHT SIDE AND IT APPEARS THAT A MAJOR FRACTURE EXISTED FOR SOME TIME BEFORE THIS FINALLY DECIDED TO FAIL. MY FIRST ACTION WAS TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO INFORM THEM AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT OF WHAT HAPPENED AND TO SEE IF THIS TYPE PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED AND IF SO WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE. I ADVISED THEM OF THE RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA (98V16000). HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT RECALL WAS ISSUED BY A THIRD PARTY NOT FORD AND THERE HAVEN'T BEEN COMPLAINTS RECEIVED OR RECALLS ISSUED FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BY FORD. NEXT I WAS ADVISED BY FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BONNELL MOTORS AND TALK THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THEY WOULDN'T MAKE ANY ASSURANCES FORD WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS THEY WORK ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS BETWEEN FORD AND DEALERS TO DETERMINE IF THE SITUATION WARRANTS IT. UPON MEETING WITH A SERVICE WRITER AT BONNELL MOTORS I WAS ADVISED THEY NEVER SAW THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE, IN FACT THEY HAVE NEVER HAD TO ORDER LEAF SPRINGS BEFORE. THE SERVICE WRITER ADVISED ME THAT FORD'S STATEMENT ON SPRINGS WAS IF THE VEHICLE IS OVERLOADED OR UNDER LOADED CAN RESULT IN LEAF SPRINGS BREAKING. THE SERVICE WRITER LOOKED UP HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT LEAF SPRINGS. THAT COST WOULD BE $615.00, AND IF HAD 2,000 FEWER MILES FORD WOULD HAVE PAID ALL BUT A $250.00 DEDUCTIBLE. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017585April 25, 2003
STEERING
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONSUMER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, AND IT CONTINUED TO TURN WITHOUT STOPPING. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING BOX. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016485April 25, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
I HAVE CRACKS IN BOTH MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ABOUT 2" ABOVE THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOWS. I LOOKED AT 24 OTHER F-150'S AND FOUND THAT 21 OF THEM HAD THE CRACKS AS WELL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017528April 24, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014466April 16, 2003
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
MY RIGHT SIDE WHEEL/THE LUG/NUTS ARE RUSTED OFF AND THE LUG CAP COMPLETELY MELTED OFF FROM WHERE THE EXHAUST COMES OUT FROM IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL. THE LUGS WILL NOT TIGHTEN ON THE WHEEL. I PURCHASED THE F-150 TRUCK USED AND NEVER WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL ON THE LUG/NUTS. THE OWNER BEFORE ME PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM JOHN MEGAL DEALERSHIP IN DAHLONEGA GEORGIA. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015930April 15, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE TRUCK HAD A KNOCKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT COVER GASKET AND MANIFOLD SIDE GASKET FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDER. AT COLD START, THE COOLANT IN THE CYLINDER CAUSED THE PISTON ROD TO BREAK. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD COST $4000. TO REPLACE. *NLM *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015937April 15, 2003
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COULD BE TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND AND AROUND. THE CONSUMER POPPED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE ROD THAT ATTACHED TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND GEAR BOX DETACHED DUE TO A BOLT THAT HAD COME OFF. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014363April 14, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FORD F150 V6 TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE THREW A ROD ON THE #1 CYLINDER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR AND NOT DRIVEN HARD AT ALL. THE INTERNET IS ABUNDANT WITH COMPLAINTS OF THIS ENGINE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015033April 8, 2003
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A TIE ROD FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE FRONT ENGINE SEAL AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN AND ANTIFREEZE LEAK. SOME OF THE VEHICLES LIGHTS (DOME LIGHT AND DASH LIGHT) STAYED ON ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. *AK *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014034April 6, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD PURCHASED THIS TRUCK ON DEC 19, 2002. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT TO TAMPA FL. WHILE ON THE WAY THERE AND WHILE IN TAMPA I HAD A FEW BRAKE FAILURES. WHEN I WAS COMING TO A STOP THE PEDAL SEEMED TO GET SOFT, THEN THEY WOULD GET REALLY HARD AND START PULSATING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I WOULD HAVE TO LET OFF THE BRAKES, AND TRY AGAIN. I WAS LUCKY THAT IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND MOST OF THE TIME I WAS NOT IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ON DEC 29,02. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. IN JANUARY IT MUST HAVE HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT A 12 TIMES, ALL WITH THE SAME EFFECTS. IN FEB 03, I TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM WAS BACK AGAIN NOW HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, NOW MARCH AND THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPEN TO ME JUST ABOUT EVERY WEEK AT LEAST 4 TO 5 TIMES A WEEK. ON THE MORNING OF MAR 28 03, I WAS TAKING MY CHILD TO DAY CARE WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT. I COULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK, I LET OFF THE BRAKES ABOUT 2 MORE TIMES, THEN I FINALLY JUST APPLIED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD AND GOT IT TO STOP A FEW INCHES FROM THE CAR THAT WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AT THAT POINT I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID BRING IT IN. I DROPPED IT OFF THE SAME DAY. WHEN I CALLED THEM THE FOLLOWING WEEK ON APRIL 1 2003. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, BUT THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER AND A CHECK VALVE. THEY TOLD ME THAT WITH ALL THE INFORMATION THAT I HAD GIVEN THEM AND FROM WHAT OTHER MECHANICS SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE THREE COMPONENTS THEY REPLACED. THAT NIGHT MY TRUCK WAS READY. I WAS VERY CONFIDENT THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT I WAS WRONG ON APR 06 03. WHILE OUT AND ABOUT AND COMING HOME I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE TRUCK THEN SEEM TO SLOW DOWN, THEN THE BRAKES GOT HARD AGAIN AND STARTED PULSATING AT THE BOTTOM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015228April 4, 2003
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10013800April 1, 2003
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR COURTESY LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR LIGHT WILL STAY ON AFTER CLOSING THE VEHICLE DOORS. STAYS ON FROM 1 TO 30 MINUTES BEFORE TURNING ITSELF OFF, WHILE "DOOR OPEN" ALARM SOUNDS. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED. ORIGINAL DATE OF PROBLEM AUGUST 2000 (RANDOM OCCURRENCES). CURRENTLY EVERY TIME DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10013696March 30, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
BOTH FRONT DOORS ARE CRACKED AT THE LOWER REAR OF THE WINDOW OPENING. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IF THERE IS A RECALL PLANED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10013558March 27, 2003
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON MY 1997 FORD F150, 98V161000, RELATING TO FRACTURED LEAF SPRING. ACCORDING TO FORD, THIS SAFETY RECALL WAS APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE IN 2001. I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE BACK OF MY TRUCK WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, AND BEGAN LOOKING AROUND. I SEE THAT THE CENTER LEAF SPRING ON THE REAR OF MY TRUCK IS BROKEN, EXACTLY THE PROBLEM THAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 98V161000 (98S18 PER FORD). I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY SHOW NO OUTSTANDING CAMPAIGNS AGAINST MY VIN. AFTER ABOUT 5 ATTEMPTS TO GET SOMEONE AT FORD TO EXPLAIN THIS RECALL TO ME, I FINALLY GOT IN TOUCH WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE NAMED TISHA. SHE INFORMED ME THAT THIS RECALL HAD BEEN APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE BY LEIGH FORD, AND THAT FORD WILL NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS. 1. SAFETY CONCERN. THE LEAF SPRING IS BROKEN, AND MAY CONTACT THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSE A LEAK AS DESCRIBED. FORD DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. WAS THIS RECALL APPLIED CORRECTLY? WAS THE FRACTURE THERE TO BEGIN WITH, AND JUST OVERLOOKED? I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO EVEN DRIVE THIS UNTIL THIS IS REPAIRED. 2. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE REPAIRED CORRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10011860March 27, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW TWICE AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK. THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED FOR SOME 1997 F150'S BUT NOT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. *NLM *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10012519March 26, 2003
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE VEHICLES REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WITHIN TWO DAYS OF EACH OTHER. *NLM *SCC *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10010978March 25, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE FRONT COVER GASKET LEAKED-REPLACEMENT AT 350.00 IN LINE WITH RECALL 99B29. FORD DOES NOT INCLUDE MY TRUCK IN THIS RECALL. AFTER REAIRING THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE FAILED AND IS NOW BEING REPLACED AT 3500.00 DOLLARS. FORD'S RECALL IS INADEQUATE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10012248March 21, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS CRACKED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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