Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words
I am unsure of what happened. This truck was sitting in my driveway and caught fire. While on fire it kept trying to start even though no one was in it and the keys were no where near it. The fire truck was called out due to the trucks proximity to the home and the fire was put out. There has not been any insoection done on the vehicle since it is burnt to a crisp.
The contact owns a 1996 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started to shutoff and restart independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the rear tank’s fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no open recall associated with the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The contact stated there is an issue with the front fuel tank feeding fuel into the rear tank when the rear tank pump is not operational and having to switch the fuel supply over to the front tank. When the rear tank is full from the front tank feed, it spills over out of the rear tank fill spout, and runs out on the ground.
ABOUT THREE MINUTES AFTER I PARKED AND SHUT OFF THE TRUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, STEPPED OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD ACCOMPANIED BY BILLOWING SMOKE. THE FIRE LASTED 15-20 MINUTES, WENT THROUGH THE FIREWALL, ENTERED AND MELTED DOWN THE CAB. DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE IN ORDER TO PREVENT IT FROM SPREADING TO THE GARAGE AND THE PROPANE TANK. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO BE TREATED FOR MODERATE SMOKE INHALATION BY THE FIRST RESPONDERS ON THE SCENE. THE TRUCK WAS PART OF THE 2005 RECALL CONCERNING THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND ITS CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. I BROUGHT THIS TRUCK TO COPPER COUNTRY FORD IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL NOTICE, WHICH, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, WAS PERFORMED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FIRE BALLS UNDER THE VEHICLE, NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND FLOOR BOARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ABS LIGHT FUSE WAS REPLACED CONTINUOSLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140000.
MY FORD F-150 PICKUP TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE DAMAGE WAS SEVERE AND IF NOT FOR A VIGILANT NEIGHBOR, WOULD HAVE SPREAD TO MY HOUSE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. ON OCTOBER 4, 2007, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. A TREE AND SOME OF THE GRASS CAUGHT FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO RECALL NUMBER 05S28 BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,934. UPDATED 01/02/08 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. FORD STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE THAT THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. UPDATED
CONSUMERS 1996 F150 BURNED WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF. *TS THE FIRE REPORT STATED THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER DROVE THE TRUCK FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AND PARKED IT AT THE HOUSE. AFTER ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE HOURS, THE NEIGHBOR CAME OVER SAYING THAT THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. *TT THE FIRE OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD. *SC *JB
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB *TT
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE(04V35700)FOR A CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. DEALER WAS NOT IN OPERATION. *JB BRAKELINE RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK. *SC
CONSUMER STATES HE NOTICE THAT THE OIL PAN RUSTED CAUSING A LEAK. TS THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. SCC
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL PAN WAS CORRODING AND IN DANGER OF LEAKING, THE OIL PAN GASKET BLEW OUT AND WAS LEAKING OIL. *SLC
OIL PAN IS DETERIORATING, CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE.*AK THE OIL PAN GASKET IS NOT SEATED PROPERLY. THIS ALLOWS THE OIL TO SEEP. THE PROBLEM WAS EVALUATED BY CONSUMERS PERSONAL MECHANIC. *JG
OIL PAN RUSTED THROUGH VERY CORRODED $500.00 REPAIR NOT WARRANTED. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL FUMES IS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. NLM *MR
OIL PAN RUSTED OUT. I COMPLAINED 1 OTHER TIME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FORD IS VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I SPOKE TO THEM AND THEY DENY KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY ARE LIARS. MY DAD IS RETIRED AND IS VACATIONING NEXT TO A RETIRED FORD WORKER. HE HAS TOLD MY DAD THAT FORD DID A COST REDUCTION IDEA ON THE PAINT THAT THEY USE ON OIL PANS ON THE TRUCKS IN THE 96 RANGE. THEY TOOK OUT AN ANTI CHIP COMPOUND THAT WAS USED IN THE PAINT TO SAVE MONEY. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. IT COST ME $500.00 TO GET THE REPAIR FIXED AT FORD. FORD HAS CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND KNOW IS MAKING A SMALL FORTUNE BY CHARGING THE PEOPLE FOR REPAIRS. THIS IS MORALLY WRONG. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I SPOKE TO ONE OF THE VP'S AT FORD IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN. SHE LIED THROUGH HER TEETH. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING CHEATED. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I CONTACTED SUTTON FORD AND QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP. I THEN CONTACTED [XXX] AT FORD IN DEARBORN, MICHAGAN. HER PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX] ASK FOR THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND THEN FOR [XXX]. SHE MADE ME BRING THE TRUCK IN SO A FORD MECHANIC COULD DO THE INSPECTION. SUTTON CHARGED ME 29.95 FOR LOOKING AT THE OIL PAN AND AGREEING THAT THE PAN HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I WAS TOLD OUT IN THE SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A 96 TRUCK. [XXX] AT FORD THEN INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IS NOT FORDS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR. I EXPLAINED THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD AN OIL PAN RUST THROUGH, EVER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 70-75,000 MILES ON IT. I ASKED WHAT I SHOULD PUT ON THE OIL PAN ON MY $30,000.00 WINDSTAR TO MAKE SURE THAT OIL PAN DOES NOT RUST THROUGH, SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SHE REFUSED TO ANSWER. MY NEIGHBOR JUST HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS TRUCK. THE REPAIR AT FORD IS 625.00. I HAVE CALLED AROUND AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. ONE MAN WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE AT THE EXECTIVE OFFICE TOLD ME HE HAS DEALT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MANY TIMES. AN OIL PAN SHOULD NOT RUST OUT LIKE THIS. I JUST SOLD A 90 TEMPO WITH 175,000 MILES ON IT AND THE OIL PAN IS JUST FINE. FORD IS PULLING A FAST ONE ON A LOT OF PEOPLE. I TOLD [XXX] THAT I WOULD BE WRITING TO HER BOSS. SHE ADVISED ME THAT SHE WOULD INTERCEPT THE LETTER AND HER BOSS WOULD NOT SEE IT. HER WORD IS FINAL. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CALL. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS *TR
COPY OF EMAIL TO FORD: I WROTE TO YOU A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO REGARDING AN EXTREME LEVEL OF CORROSION OCCURRING ON MY 1996 F150 WHICH RESULTED IN THE OIL PAN RUSTING THROUGH ONLY TO BE REBUFFED. WELL NOW THE LEVEL OF CORROSION IS EVEN WORSE. THE BRAKE LINES ARE SO CORRODED THAT ONE OF THEM BURST AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CLEARLY THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY USED FOR PERSONAL USE AND IS ONLY USED ON THE HIGHWAY FOR TRANSPORTATION. I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE, A JEEP, WHICH SITS NEXT TO IT THAT IS 5 YEARS OLDER THAT IS NOT EXHIBITING THE CORROSION FOUND UNDER YOUR VEHICLE. AS I MENTIONED IN MY PREVIOUS LETTER, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE VEHICLES MILEAGE IS LESS THAN 60K. CLEARLY THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE BUT YOUR EARLIERRESPONSE TO ME INDICATES THAT YOU DONT CARE. THEREFORE, YOU HAVE LOST MY WIFE AND I AS CUSTOMERS AND I FEEL OBLIGATED TO TELL ANYONE I KNOW OF YOUR POOR QUALITY AND CONCERN FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATHTRAP LOOKING FOR ITS FIRST VICTIM AND I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT SELL THE VEHICLE AND SEND A COPY OF THIS LETTER TO THE NHSTA SO THAT ITS ON RECORD THAT FORD WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT.
BOLTS FOR THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAS SHREADED OFF, AND WERE MISSING WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED FAN TO FLY AWAY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHE INFORMATION.*AK
ENGINE OIL PAN WAS LEAKING DUE TO SEVERE RUST/CORROSION.MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND COMING TO A STOP AND WITHOUT NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, AND THE CONSUMER CAN'T STEER VEHICLE. *AK
THE OIL PAN IS RUSTING OUT AND THE AGE OF THE TRUCK IS VERY YOUNG, (1996) AND THE MILEAGE IS MODERATE. MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE OIL SEEPING THOURGH THE OIL PAN. A FAILURE WILL CAUSE OIL TO SPILL IN THE ROADWAY HAZARDOUS TO ALL VEHICLES.
WIRES FOR THE FUEL TANK GAUGE WERE TOO SHORT AND WERE NOT CONNECTED.
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED THERE IS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MUFLER ASSEMBLY AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
LEASED TRUCK T,HE MOTOR IS ROUGHED THE/BODY IS CRACKED, PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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