1997 Ford F-150 Driver assistance Problems

1997 Ford F150, had recall 25527072 05S28 performed in March of 2006. The switch installed as part of the recall has failed and brake fluid has leaked from the switched and the harness. It is not apparent that the switch is leaking until the harness connector is removed from the switch. The integrity of the brake system is compromised and the previous recall was for fires because of brake fluid in the wire harness. UPDATE 5/11/23 BRAKE SWITCH HARMESS RECALL 05S28 WAS REPLACED WITH A MITORCRAFT PART SW6350 AND CONSUMER IS REQUESTUING REFUND FOR PARTS FROM FORD.

NHTSA ID

11517479

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

MY TRUCK WAS TURNED OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. A NEIGHBOR CAME TO TELL US AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME PUT OUT THE FIRE.

NHTSA ID

10904737

Incident

Aug 25, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

ON AUGUST 16, 2015, MY 1997 FORD F150 TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE IN MY SON'S DRIVEWAY WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND CAME OUT, HOWEVER MY SON MANAGED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. ONE OF THE FIREMEN SAID IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE ENTIRE CAB IS BURNED UP; OPERATOR AND PASSENGER SIDE, DASH, STEERING WHEEL, SEATS, WINDOWS BLOWN OUT, ETC. IT IS UNREPAIRABLE. SINCE THIS IS AN OLDER TRUCK, I HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE ONLY, NO COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TELLS ME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY FORD OWNERS. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, AND I AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TRUCK. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CORPORATION, AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THEY FORWARDED THE INFORMATION TO THE FORD'S OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL. THE "AFFECTED PARTS" ARE MANY MORE THAN IS LISTED. THE ENTIRE CAB WAS AFFECTED BY THE FIRE.

NHTSA ID

10761141

Incident

Aug 16, 2015

Mileage

134,530 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION TO 90 MPH. THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FISH-TAILED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A NEARBY MEDIAN BARRIER. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FOR ANOTHER 5 MILES. THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL REPEATEDLY, AND THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED AND WAS MANEUVERED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS TRAPPED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING THE ABNORMAL ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS NEVER POSITIONED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ID

10542844

Incident

Sep 3, 2013

Mileage

119,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT OPERATING WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE DEALER WAS CONTACT WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 12/5/12 *CN THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ID

10481576

Incident

Oct 12, 2012

Mileage

35 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEXT TO A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. LATER THAT NIGHT, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10430464

Incident

Oct 14, 2011

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS YET, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ID

10418247

Incident

Sep 13, 1996

Mileage

1,000 mi

ON JANUARY 8, 2011, 1997 FORD F150 XLT LARIAT BURNED AND TOTALLY DESTROYED OUR HOME AND TOYOTA TACOMA IN CARPORT.FIRE MARSHALL AND FIREMEN STATED APPEARED TO ORIGINATE FROM F150 IN CARPORT. FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR FROM STATE FARM (REPRESENTATIVES FROM FORD PRESENT AFTER DEMAND FROM STATE FARM) STATED FIRE STARTED BY DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL COMPONENT (CONFIRMED BY X-RAY) AFTER LOCATING IN DEBRI UNDER VEHICLE. FORD ACTED AS IF THEY COULD CARE LESS - GUESS NOT SINCE NOT EVEN AN APPOLOGY FOR OUR LOSS AS MUCH CANNOT BE REPLACED. STATE FARM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SUING FORD TO RECOOP THEIR LOSS. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD OF THIS DEFECT AND NEARLY LOST OUR LIVES. *TT

NHTSA ID

10417768

Incident

Jan 8, 2011

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONTACT'S HOME, GARAGE, A SECOND VEHICLE AND OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TIO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN WITHIN THE CRUISE CONTROL SAFETY SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10389691

Incident

Mar 6, 2011

Mileage

170,000 mi

GEM MODULE FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED. CAUSED 4X4 TO ENGAGE AT HIGH SPEED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, DURING TURNS, CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING. DID SOME RESEARCH OF SEVERAL FORD F150 WEB SITES AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR OR THE SAME PROBLEMS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THE GEM MODULE WAS THE CULPRIT AND THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION IN THE ADJACENT FUSE JUNCTION PANEL. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFESSED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THESE KINDS OF CONDITIONS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF THESE GEM MODULES AND FUSE PANELS BECAUSE OF LEAKS IN THE WINDSHIELD OR HOOD COWLING. THEY FURTHER TOLD ME THAT UNLESS I REPLACED THESE COMPONENTS AND ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, AT MY EXPENSE, THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY ANY REPAIRS. AFTER A REPAIR BILL OF $1000.00, FORD REFUSED TO HELP CLAIMING IT WAS NOT A DESIGN OR COMPONENT PART PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTRICAL FAILURES IN THE FUTURE OR EVEN DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS.

NHTSA ID

10374331

Incident

Oct 29, 2010

Mileage

148,200 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATING. THE REAR WHEEL BEGAN SPINNING AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 120 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE STOPPED REVVING. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DEALERS WHO ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,021. UPDATED 01/06/11 *BF UPDATED 01/24/11*JB

NHTSA ID

10358389

Incident

Sep 30, 2010

Mileage

132,021 mi

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 18 HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10353304

Incident

Jul 18, 2010

Mileage

163,434 mi

GAS PEDAL IS STICKING WIDE OPEN EVEN IF NOT PRESSED TO FULL THROTTLE WHEN YOU TAP BRAKE PEDAL OR THE OFF SWITCH FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL IT RELEASES THE ACCELERATOR. DOES THIS NO MATTER IF CRUISE CONTROL IS OFF OR ON. TRUCK HAS BEEN IN AND REPAIRED FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTING FIRES. BUT NOW CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT DEACTIVATING. HAS DONE THIS 11 TIMES SO FAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10344816

Incident

Jul 4, 2010

Mileage

308,854 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON MAY 22, 2010, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS LOCATED. THE FIRE SPREAD UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,528.

NHTSA ID

10334226

Incident

May 23, 2010

Mileage

62,528 mi

MY FORD TRUCK ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY JUST LIKE THE TOYOTAS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH YOU GUYS, TWICE, AND NEVER HEARD BACK. I CAN MAKE MY TRUCK DO THIS!!! IF SOMEONE WANTS TO LOOK AT MY TRUCK, WHILE IT'S DOING THIS, PLEASE DO!!!MY NEXT STEP IS TO CALL MY CONGRESSMAN. THANK YOU. UPDATED 03/09/10 UPDATED 03/26/10.*JB

NHTSA ID

10316221

Incident

Mar 1, 2007

Mileage

155,100 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD, F150 PICKUP. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE ACTIVATED HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, AND THEN PRESSED RESET, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS, HE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,901.

NHTSA ID

10296677

Incident

Dec 21, 2006

Mileage

193,901 mi

A 1997 FORD PICKUP WAS PUT INSIDE THE GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10293236

Incident

Jan 6, 2000

1997 FORD F150, WE WERE ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY FROM 30 MPH OUT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE BACK TO HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH). THE TRUCK HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE CONTROL. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STUCK INTO FULL ACCELERATION MODE. SHARPLY APPLYING THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE FOOT ACCELERATOR WAS DOWN FULLY, THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT INVOLVED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO LIFT THE FOOT ACCELERATOR WITH HER TOE, BUT IT WAS STUCK DOWN FULLY. IT COULD NOT BE LIFTED. WITHIN 2 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WELL PAST 100 MPH. CARS AHEAD WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IN DESPERATION WE REPEATEDLY HIT THE BRAKE HARD AND SUDDEN WITH FULL EFFORT. THERE WAS A POP AND THE ACCELERATOR CAME BACK UP. THE TRUCK WAS PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THERE WAS NO APPARENT ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PETAL. IT MOVED EASILY AND NORMALLY. THE TRUCK WAS STARTED AND TEST DROVE, AND EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED NORMALLY. WE CONTINUED DRIVING WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INCIDENT. I ASSURE YOU IT WAS NOT DRIVER FAULT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT ACTIVELY PULLS THE ACCELERATOR DOWN EVEN WHEN THE CRUISE IS NOT ACTIVATED. HITTING THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE ACTIVATION. THIS WAS A CLOSE CALL AND WE HAVE VERY CREDIBLE WITNESSES AND DRIVERS TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL WHAT HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 189000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE THAT WE KNOW OF. WE BOUGHT IT USED, AND IT IS IN ORIGINAL CONDITION, NO AFTER MARKET GASKETS OR ALTERATIONS. JAMES GIBSON *TR

NHTSA ID

10286378

Incident

Oct 4, 2009

Mileage

189,000 mi

WATER INTRUSION INTO GEM MODULE CAUSING FAILURE OF WIPERS, ELECTRIC WINDOWS, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND ENGAGEMENT OF ELECTRONIC 4WHEEL DRIVE TO WORK. USUALLY TRIGGERED AFTER RAIN AND LASTING FOR DAYS. SEE TSB 98231 NHTSA 603715. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10252339

Incident

Oct 1, 2008

Mileage

43,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. WE WERE AWAKENED BY OUR LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, ALERTING US TO THE FACT THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN ON FIRE. THEY WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY PUT OUT THE FIRE PRIOR TO IT SPREADING TO OUR HOME. THE FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, UNDER THE HOOD, AROUND THE WHEEL WELL. THIS WAS DOCUMENTED BY OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK AND THE DRIVEWAY HAVE BEEN MELTED, AND THE TRUCK IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE OR FIXABLE. COINCIDENTALLY, WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD THIS WEEK STATING THAT THE RECALL ON THIS TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DONE AND THAT IT COULD RESULT IN FIRE. WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FROM A PRIVATE PARTY ON MAY 11, 2008 AND THIS WAS OUR FIRST NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL. OF COURSE IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK WE REGISTERED IT WITH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO OBTAIN PLATES IN OUR NAME, AND WE WERE ISSUED OUR REGISTRATION. WE OWNED THIS TRUCK EXACTLY 6 MONTHS TO THE DATE WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. IF WE HAD BEEN SENT A NOTIFICATION PRIOR TO THE FIRE, RATHER THAN AFTERWARDS, WE COULD HAVE HAD THIS CRUISE CONTROL RECALL ADDRESSED. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE IS SCRAP. WE ARE HOLDING ON TO THE TRUCK, UNTIL WE CAN REACH A DETERMINATION OF FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10251975

Incident

Nov 11, 2008

Mileage

113,000 mi

BOUGHT 97 FORD F-150 TRUCK FROM PRIVATE PARTY.. IT HAD RECALL ON IT WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT IT AND MY TRUCK ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245297

Incident

Oct 7, 2008

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE. A CASE NUMBER WAS OBTAINED AND POLICE REPORT NUMBER PD080825409115 WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS LISTED AS THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10239758

Incident

Aug 25, 2008

1997 FORD F-150 WITH RECALL ON THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER CHARGED HIM $68.00 FOR A DIAGNOSIS FEE FOR STATING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED THE $68.00. *KB THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER TO REPAIR THE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE WIRING AND OTHER COMPONENTS THAT WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY SWITCH THAT WAS RECALLED. THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT STAY ON WHEN MAKING A TURN . *JB

NHTSA ID

10233949

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

MY F150 TRUCK WAS PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT WHEN THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE AS OUR FAMILY WAS SLEEPING. MY DAUGHTER'S CAR, PARKED BESIDE THE TRUCK, BEGAN TO BURN AS WELL AND THE CAR ALARM SYSTEM SOUNDED. MY FAMILY AWOKE AS THE WINDOWS OF THE HOUSE UNDER THE CARPORT WERE BREAKING OUT AND THE HOUSE FIRE ALARM BEGAN TO SOUND. EVERYONE GOT OUT OK, THANK GOODNESS, AND THE HOUSE WAS SAVED, ALTHOUGH DAMAGED. WE LOST THE TRUCK, CARPORT, RIDING LAWN MOWER, 4 WHEELER AND SEVERAL OTHER SMALL ITEMS. THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE SUFFERED MAJOR SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE. THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE STARTED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL PART WHICH FORD HAS A RECALL ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10231868

Incident

May 6, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #08V051000) IN JUNE 2007. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVDE A DATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. AS OF MAY 2, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131, 298 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.

NHTSA ID

10226518

Incident

Jun 1, 2007