1997 Ford E-150 Problems

THIS IS THE EXACT SAME SITUATION OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED ON NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01V114000 RELATING TO CRACKS/LEAKS TO THE 'MID SHIP' STYLE FUEL TANK. MY VAN IS A 1997 E-150 CONVERSION VAN. UNFORTUNATELY, I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION AS MANY OTHERS IN THE FACT THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER IS AFFECTED IN THIS RECALL. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED WITH VEHICLES MYSTERIOUSLY CATCHING ON FIRE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. VERY DISTURBING THAT A MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT AGREE TO REPLACE A LEAKING/DAMAGED FUEL TANK. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. WE PULLED OVER AND IMMEDIATELY GOT THE CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS BLAZING. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION 600 MILES FROM HOME I EXPERIENCED A WELL KNOWN FAILURE TO FORD TRITON ENGINE OWNERS KNOWN AS A SPARK PLUG EJECTION FAILURE. I WAS TRAVELING @ 65 MPH AND UP TO THE FAILURE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING NORMAL THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL SOUNDS. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE IT SOUNDED AS IF THE EXHAUST OR THE INTAKE WAS COMING APART. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND REMOVED THE DOGHOUSE AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE TO DISCOVER THE RIGHT BANK AND 2ND CYLINDER FROM THE REAR HAD EJECTED THE SPARK PLUG AND DESTROYED THE IGNITION COIL. I UNPLUGGED THE IGNITION COIL AND THE POWER CABLE FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR FROM THAT CYLINDER AND NURSED THE VAN TO A FRIENDS HOUSE 40 MILES AWAY WHICH TOOK OVER 3 HOURS. I CALLED SEVERAL FORD DEALERS TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY FINISHED THE STORY FOR ME, THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES AND THE FIX WOULD COST $1000.00 PER CYLINDER NEEDING REPAIRED. THIS IS A KNOWN FORD TRITON FLAW AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD WITH A RECALL. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THE SPARK PLUG LET GO THERE WAS A EXTREME LOSS OF POWER IF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT, AND THE RAW FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER ALONG WITH SPARK FROM A LIVE IGNITION COIL IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

HAVE 1997 F-150,WENT ON VACATION, TRUCK RAN FINE. CAME BACK AND WENT TO PICK UP DOG FROM KENNEL, AND BOOM, HYDRO-LOCK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE ABS CONTROLLER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 172,000.

THE BRAKE LINES HAVE FAILED IN THREE SEPARATE LOCATIONS OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS. FORTUNATELY, IT HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. NO CONFIDENCE IN THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VAN. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR WHEN AN EXPLOSION INCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRUCK BURNING UP. THE MOTOR AREA, FRONT WHEELS AND COMPLETED CAB WERE DESTROYED. GAS TANK DID NOT BLOW UP. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION 600 MILES FROM HOME I EXPERIENCED A WELL KNOWN FAILURE TO FORD TRITON ENGINE OWNERS KNOWN AS A SPARK PLUG EJECTION FAILURE. I WAS TRAVELING @ 65 MPH AND UP TO THE FAILURE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING NORMAL THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL SOUNDS. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE IT SOUNDED AS IF THE EXHAUST OR THE INTAKE WAS COMING APART. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND REMOVED THE DOGHOUSE AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE TO DISCOVER THE RIGHT BANK AND 2ND CYLINDER FROM THE REAR HAD EJECTED THE SPARK PLUG AND DESTROYED THE IGNITION COIL. I UNPLUGGED THE IGNITION COIL AND THE POWER CABLE FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR FROM THAT CYLINDER AND NURSED THE VAN TO A FRIENDS HOUSE 40 MILES AWAY WHICH TOOK OVER 3 HOURS. I CALLED SEVERAL FORD DEALERS TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY FINISHED THE STORY FOR ME, THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES AND THE FIX WOULD COST $1000.00 PER CYLINDER NEEDING REPAIRED. THIS IS A KNOWN FORD TRITON FLAW AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD WITH A RECALL. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THE SPARK PLUG LET GO THERE WAS A EXTREME LOSS OF POWER IF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT, AND THE RAW FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER ALONG WITH SPARK FROM A LIVE IGNITION COIL IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-150 equipped with Milestar Tires, Tire Line: Grantland, Tire Size: 235/75/R15, DOT number: TB20R028. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 mph, the tires were bouncing. The contact stated upon checking the tires, his son noticed that the tires were cracked and had holes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the tires were defective. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate vehicle mileage was 150,258. The approximate tire failure mileage was 800.

I HEARD A LOUD POP AND DROVE ANOTHER 100 YARDS TO MY SONS HOUSE AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT WITHIN ONE MINUTE. IT HAS STEEL BANDS STICKING OUT OF A SPLIT IN THE TIRE. IT HAS A DIP IN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL WHERE THE STEEL BAND HAS BROKE. THE TIRE IS NOT CUT IT IS SPLIT. THIS WAS ONE OF TWO ON THE REAR , THE OTHER IS STILL ON. I HAVE THE TIRE./ I PUT ON THE SPARE, AND CAME HOME. *TR

DRIVING ON BESTBUY PARKING LOT, WENT OVER A SPEED BUMPER HEARD A LOUD CLUNK COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. DROVE HOME, STOPPED VAN, GOT HELP, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING TO LEFT, LOUD METAL CLUNK FROM THAT DRIVER SIDE, HELPER ON FLOOR NOTICED THAT BOTTOM BOLT HOLDING POWER STEERING BOX IS GOING IN AND OUT, RUSTED ON FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME, THIS BOX SHOULD BE MOUNTED ON REINFORCED BRACKETS FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME THEN WELDED TO FRAME TO PROTECT OCCUPANTS FROM POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF BOX AND FRAME WITH CONSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT (COULD BE FATAL WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE). SO, WITH THE ENGINE ON, IN PARK, IF THE STEERING IS TURN TO THE LEFT, DRIVER WILL FEEL AND HEAR THE CLUNK. *TR

I HAVE JUST RECENTLY LOST THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT DUE TO TOO EXTREME RUST OF THE FRAME, FORD DOES NOT MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS. AND THE FRAME IS NOW CRACKING IN TWO. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BUY A NEW FRAME REALLY. WELL IT WILL NOT BE LONG TILL THE OTHER SIDE GOES. OR MY FRAME BREAKS IN TWO AND CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY TO ME OR OTHERS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR TRUCK AND FORD DON'T SEEM TO CARE. IF THE FRAME NEEDS REPLACED IT SHOULD BE AT THEIR EXPENSE NOT MINE RECALL TIME. THEIR ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS STILL ON THE ROAD I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. *TR

WHILE BACKING OUT OF TIGHT PARKING SPOT 9/1/17, WITH MULTIPLE TURNS OF THE WHEEL, TURNED WHEEL ONE LAST TIME TO PULL FORWARD INTO PARKING SPOT DRIVE AREA BUT AT THAT POINT, HEARD A CLUNK AND ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS GONE. CALLED FOR A TOW. TOW TRUCK DRIVE ASSISTED IN THE DIAGNOSIS NOTING THAT THE STEERING BOX HAD DISCONNECTED FROM VAN FRAME RENDERING STEERING WHEEL CONNECTION LINES USELESS. HAD VAN TOWED HOME. AFTER ONLINE READ, LOOKED AT FRAME THROUGH LEFT FRONT TIRE ACCESS AND SAW THE 3 BOLTS WE READ ABOUT. GRABBED THE TOP BOLT AND IT CAME RIGHT OUT. SAME WITH SECOND BOLT. LAST (THIRD) BOLT WAS A BIT JAMMED DUE TO THE STEERING BOX DROP, BUT ALL 3 BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND ALL STEERING WAS LOST. HAD WE NOT STOPPED AT A STORE FOR LABOR DAY HOLIDAY SUPPLIES ON OUR WAY TO CAMPSITE, WOULD HAVE LOST STEERING SOMEWHERE ELSE, LIKE ON THE FREEWAY, POSSIBLY DURING A SIMILAR TURN SITUATION. WE COULD HAVE KILLED OTHERS OR OURSELVES. FOUND THAT THIS FORD E150 STEERING BOLT ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN DOCUMENTED. WHY WHEN WE HAD THE VAN SERVICED AND SAID THE STEERING HAD FELT "LOOSE", WHY DIDN'T ANY MECHANIC FIND THIS POTENTIAL?? UN-EXCUSABLE SITUATION. OUR PARENTS, CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN ARE CURRENTLY DEPENDENT ON US. HAD WE DIED DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING, WHAT A NIGHTMARE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN. GRANTED, THE 20-YR-OLD VAN IS RUSTY, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW TO LOOK UNDER THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AREA AND APPARENTLY, MULTIPLE (NON-FORD DEALERSHIPS) MECHANICS DIDN'T EITHER !!

DRIVING ON BESTBUY PARKING LOT, WENT OVER A SPEED BUMPER HEARD A LOUD CLUNK COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. DROVE HOME, STOPPED VAN, GOT HELP, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING TO LEFT, LOUD METAL CLUNK FROM THAT DRIVER SIDE, HELPER ON FLOOR NOTICED THAT BOTTOM BOLT HOLDING POWER STEERING BOX IS GOING IN AND OUT, RUSTED ON FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME, THIS BOX SHOULD BE MOUNTED ON REINFORCED BRACKETS FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME THEN WELDED TO FRAME TO PROTECT OCCUPANTS FROM POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF BOX AND FRAME WITH CONSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT (COULD BE FATAL WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE). SO, WITH THE ENGINE ON, IN PARK, IF THE STEERING IS TURN TO THE LEFT, DRIVER WILL FEEL AND HEAR THE CLUNK. *TR

PURCHASED USED 1997 FORD 150 IN EARLY 2005. DROVE TRUCK TO WORK IN SEPTEMBER 2007. SMOKE ENGULFED CAB. TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT TO GROUND. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS ALONG WITH CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT. LIABILITY INSURANCE DID NOT COVER EXPENSE. STILL PAYING FOR A TRUCK THAT I DO NOT HAVE. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE UNTIL AFTER TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

FORD RECALL 05S28 SPEED CONTROL RECALL; MY LETTER IS DATED AUG 2007 STILL WAITING FOR DEALERSHIP TO RECEIVE THE PART FOR THIS RECALL TRIED MANY DEALERSHIPS IN THE MILWAUKEE AND MADISON AREA WITH NO STOCK AND NO ETA OF PART CALLED FORD WITH NO ANSWER AS WELL. *TR

NO HEAT: DUE TO PLASTIC DOOR BROKEN IN AIR PLENUM; POOR DESIGN BY THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REPORTED. *AK

DUE TO FREQUENT FAILURES(DEALER INFO) PART IS INCORPORATED INTO NEW DESIGN. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-150. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a parking lot, the contact leaned over to the passenger’s side to pick up the cell phone. The contact stated that after sitting back straight in the seat, the air bag deployed unintendedly and without impact. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s eyes and jaw were injured and required medical attention. The contact’s vision became blurry but has since started to improve. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

MY HUSBAND HAD JUST STARTED UP HIS E150 ECONOLINE VAN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE AIRBAG JUST DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO REASON HE WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT HE DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING HE DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. IF HE HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE THAT HE DRIVES EVERY DAY HE COULD HAVE DIED OR KILLED SOMEONE.

DRIVING ON BESTBUY PARKING LOT, WENT OVER A SPEED BUMPER HEARD A LOUD CLUNK COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. DROVE HOME, STOPPED VAN, GOT HELP, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING TO LEFT, LOUD METAL CLUNK FROM THAT DRIVER SIDE, HELPER ON FLOOR NOTICED THAT BOTTOM BOLT HOLDING POWER STEERING BOX IS GOING IN AND OUT, RUSTED ON FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME, THIS BOX SHOULD BE MOUNTED ON REINFORCED BRACKETS FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME THEN WELDED TO FRAME TO PROTECT OCCUPANTS FROM POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF BOX AND FRAME WITH CONSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT (COULD BE FATAL WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE). SO, WITH THE ENGINE ON, IN PARK, IF THE STEERING IS TURN TO THE LEFT, DRIVER WILL FEEL AND HEAR THE CLUNK. *TR

DT: CONTACT HAD BALL JOINTS PUT ON THE TRUCK WHEN IT WAS STAKEN TO TO THE DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT. . WHEN DEALER WENT TO ALIGN VEHICLE THEY FOUND A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRAME, ALL THE WAY FROM WHERE THE DRIVE BOX WAS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. ON THE CROSS MEMBER THAT HELD THE FRAME TOGETHER, THE RIVET WAS OUT OF THE FRAME. HE NOTICED THIS ON JULY 1, 2005. HE CALLED FORD TWICE, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEND ANYONE TO LOOK AT VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO 2 AUTO BODY FRAME SHOP AND HAD IT REPAIRED. BOTH BODY SHOPS SAID THE CAR WAS NOT HIT, AND THAT HE SHOULD CONTACT FORD. HE CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY HAD NOT CALLED HIM BACK.*AK

GEARBOX BOLTS BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E150 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPARK PLUG BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH AND CAUSED HIM TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 1/19/2011 THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHT LENSES BECAME CLOUDY OVER TIME WHICH CAUSED POOR LIGHTING WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 03/25/11

EXHAUST IS SMOKING BAD, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, DEALER STATES ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A TSB REGARDING THIS, TSB 99-20-7. *SLC

AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER IS BLOWING HOT AIR, DUE TO A LOOSE HOSE THAT RUBS AGAINST THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN ON THE LEFT FRONT CORNER CAUSING A ROCKING CHAIR EFFECT. *YH

ELECTRICAL DRIVERS SEAT IS NOT STABLE, WHEN ADJUSTING, IT SLIP OFF TRACK AND INTO THE LOWEST POSITION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

IN MY 1997 FORD F-150 4.6 LTR. AUTO TRANSMISSION I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH SELECTING DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH MY GEAR SHIFT. ALSO THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING ON OCCASION BECAUSE THE SHIFTER WASN'T ALL THE WAY IN PARK. WHEN YOU SHOVE IT IN PARK IT WOULD WORK, I FIGURED I WAS GOING TO BE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION SOON. TONIGHT THE TRUCK WILL NOT GO IN PARK AND I AM HAVING TO START THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL AND KEEP THE EMERGENCY BREAK ON. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IF THE EMERGENCY BREAK IS NOT ON OR FAILS THEN IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE. I HAVE NOT YET FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT WILL HAVE IT DONE TOMORROW! *TR

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO REVERSE, ALSO WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH T EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED IT ROLLS BACKWARDS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

TEMPERATURE WAS STUCK ON COLD. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET TO MODERATE. *DT

AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER IS BLOWING HOT AIR, DUE TO A LOOSE HOSE THAT RUBS AGAINST THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN ON THE LEFT FRONT CORNER CAUSING A ROCKING CHAIR EFFECT. *YH

CABLE WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE FELL TO THE GROUND. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CABLE BROKE AT THE WELD JOINT. *SLC