1999 Ford E-150 Owner Complaints

While turning into a parking space the bolts to the steering box sheared off with complete loss of steering. Further inspection showed severe cracking and loss of metal in the steering box area. After doing some searches I found that this is common issue in the E series vans. I did do a recall search and a CSA search to see about having this problem resolved safely by a certified shop. Unfortunately I haven't found any recall information on what is obviously a serious safety issue. Apparently the bolts shear off at low speeds while turning. The real concern is should one bolt only crack and not let the steering box become useless the vehical may be at highway speed when the failure does occour causing complete loss of control of the vehicle. I've read hundreds of emails on this subject and none had a resolution provided by the Ford Motor Company. I would think that something this critical would have been addressed by now. Concidering the recalls for comparatively much lesser safety issues. Thank you for reviewing this matter.

NHTSA ID

11448477

Incident

Jan 22, 2022

MY MARK III CONVERSION VAN HAS A FUEL LEAKING FROM THE MID-SHIP TANK. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FROM FORD, BUT WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER ENFIELD FORD IN ENFIELD CT THEY RAN THE VIN AND STATED MY VAN WAS EXCLUDED. THE ONLY TIME IT LEAKS IS WHEN I AM PUMPING GAS, IF I PUMP SLOWLY THERE IS LESS FUEL SPILLING ON THE GROUND

NHTSA ID

10905028

Incident

Sep 25, 2015

Mileage

86,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL STRAP BENEATH THE FUEL TANK ON THE REAR AXLE WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WELDING ON THE TAIL PIPE WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID

10733578

Incident

Jun 26, 2013

Mileage

128,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID

10627978

Incident

Aug 11, 2014

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID

10627975

Incident

Aug 11, 2014

Mileage

135,000 mi

THE GAS IS LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10583980

Incident

Mar 3, 2014

Mileage

124,000 mi

WHEN FILLING WITH FUEL, GASOLINE LEAKS ONTO GROUND. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I SEE ON LINE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10567400

Incident

Jan 20, 2014

Mileage

91,888 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL STARTED TO SPEW OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID

10563950

Incident

Feb 11, 2014

Mileage

132,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AS A RESULT OF POSSIBLE RUST CORROSION. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO REMOVE THE FUEL TANK TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,300.

NHTSA ID

10552861

Incident

Nov 18, 2013

Mileage

120,300 mi

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A FINDING ON MY 1997 F-150. AFTER READING ABOUT THE PROB INTO THE GAS TANK STRAPS IN THE DETROIT NEWS. I FOUND THAT ONE OF MY STRAPS HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE NOTIFIED AS SOON AS A RECALL IS MADE AS THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10399497

Incident

May 8, 2011

Mileage

153,000 mi

THE 3 MOUNTING BOLTS ATTACHING THE STEERING BOX TO THE FRAME BROKE/SHEARED OFF AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. 1999 FORD E150 VAN. A LOUD POPPING NOISE OR BANG WAS HEARD AND TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING WAS THE RESULT OF THE STEERING BOX DANGLING FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPOSITIONED ON A FLAT DRIVEWAY, NO INCLINE AT ALL. NO INJURIES RESULTED , BUT IF THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DURING OPERATION, STEERING WOULD HAVE BEEN INOPERABLE LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH EASILY COULD HAVE LED TO SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES AND THEIR OCCUPANTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10397225

Incident

Apr 6, 2011

Mileage

141,537 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FRACTURE IN THE TANK WHICH CAUSED THE LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,790.

NHTSA ID

10397123

Incident

Apr 21, 2011

Mileage

139,790 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE I94 FREEWAY IN MICHIGAN WITH MY WIFE, 2 CHILDREN, 7 AND 5,GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AND HEARD A NOISE LIKE A MUFFLER DRAGGING OR SOMETHING. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND FOUND MY GAS TANK DRAGGING UNDER THE TRUCK. FRONT STRAP RUSTED AND BROKE OFF AND TANK WAS BEING PUSHED FORWARD, ALMOST GRINDING ALL THE WAY THROUGH! THE TANK WAS BEING HELD UP BY THE PLASTIC REAR STRAP HOLDER AND THE GAS FILLER TUBE. THE BACK STRAP WAS ALSO RUSTED THROUGH! HAD TO JACK UP THE TANK WITH BOTTLE JACK AND PIECES OF 2X4 FOUND ALONG THE FREEWAY. WAITED FOR FATHER IN LAW TO BRING RATCHET STRAPS TO LIFT UP VERY HEAVY FULL TANK WHILE LYING ON MY BACK ON THE FREEWAY. MY FAMILY WAS TERRIFIED! *TR

NHTSA ID

10357355

Incident

Jun 20, 2008

Mileage

110,000 mi

1999, FORD F-150 GAS STRAP FAILURE. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 94 I COULD HEAR A CLINKING NOISE BENEATH THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK, ONE OF THE SUPPORT STRAPS FOR THE GAS TANK WAS BROKEN AND HANGING BELOW THE VEHICLE. THIS STRAP FAILED WITHOUT ANY KNOWN EXTRAORDINARY CAUSE SUCH AS A COLLISION, OR ANY OTHER SUCH INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10355700

Incident

Sep 14, 2010

Mileage

129,722 mi

WE WERE ON VACATION AND SMELLED RUBBER BURNING, PULLED OFF AND REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS SMOKING...APPARENTLY AXLE HAD BROKEN AFFECTING BRAKE LINES WE ENDED UP REPLACING REAR AXLE AND BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10352977

Incident

Jul 9, 2010

Mileage

92,000 mi

DRIVING DOWN ROAD WHEN # 8 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF PLUG HOLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10294140

Incident

Dec 1, 2009

Mileage

99,760 mi

THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT ON MY FORD E150. THIS IS A RIDICULOUSLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD TRUCKS/VANS/ SUVS- WHY IS FORD ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS? JUST GOOGLE "FORD SPAR" AND INSTANTLY "FORD SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT" POPS UP- THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF WEBPAGES ABOUT THIS, YET FORD CONTINUES TO ESCAPE LIABILITY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN. CAN'T SOMEONE MAKE THESE PEOPLE @ FORD DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX IT? *TR

NHTSA ID

10294101

Incident

Nov 16, 1999

Mileage

168,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. HE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FUEL SPECIALIST, AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL #01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) AND WAS ADVISED THAT ALTHOUGH HE EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE, HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10288676

Incident

Oct 16, 2009

Mileage

120,000 mi

I OWN A 1999 FORD E150 THAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR AN UPFITTER WHEN IT LEFT THE FORD PLANT. AN AMBULANCE PREP LABEL IS IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR JAM, HOW EVER IT WAS FINISHED BY EXPLORER VAN COMPANY, WARSAW INDIANA. WHEN REFUELING I NOTICED FUEL SPILL ON THE GROUND. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. FORD SERVICE TELLS ME THAT IT FUEL FILLER NECK IS THE PROBLEM AND IT WILL COST ABOUT $600 TO MAKE THE REPAIR. MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW VALID FOR PROBLEM NHTSA RECALL 11V114000 WHEN REPORTED TO FORD BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO 11V114000. MY VIN IS [XXX] . SHOULDN'T THIS HAVE BEEN A COVERED RECALL? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10277898

Incident

Jul 22, 2009

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150 ECONOLINE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT FILLS THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE WOULD SPILL OUT OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND. WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL AND THE FUEL NOZZLE STOPPED, GASOLINE STILL LEAKED EXCESSIVELY OUT OF THE TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,000.

NHTSA ID

10252518

Incident

Dec 21, 2008

Mileage

59,000 mi

1999 FORD E150 WAGON (CONVERSION VAN - ECLIPSE CONVERSIONS OF IN) HAS A CRACKED FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK IS 35 GALLON, MID SHIP. NHSTA RECALL 01V114000/FORD RECALL 01S14 SHOULD APPLY, HOWEVER WHEN DISCUSSED WITH FORD THEY SAID IT DID NOT APPLY. THEY WOULD ONLY LOOK AT INFORMATION ON THEIR WEBSITE. WHEN I ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT FORD RECALL 01S14 AND TELL ME WHY IT DID NOT APPLY, THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT THE RECALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT I NEED THE WAGON TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10212984

Incident

Sep 10, 2007

Mileage

96,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THEN EXPERIENCED SOME LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SPARK PLUG BLEW OFF. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE IS AN OPENED AND CLOSED INVESTIGATION (DP05005) REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 137,800.

NHTSA ID

10210033

Incident

Nov 21, 2007

Mileage

137,800 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID

10209618

Incident

Aug 27, 2007

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10204468

Incident

Sep 29, 2007

Mileage

138,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE CALLED SEVERAL LOCAL FORD DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER DECEMBER OF 2007. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY FORD ISSUED AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. THE CONTACT IS DISSATISFIED WITH FORD'S LACK OF CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,500. UPDATED 10/10/07 *TR

NHTSA ID

10204047

Incident

Aug 1, 2007

Mileage

107,500 mi