Owner-reported complaints naming the interior system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 55 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 55, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE LATCH ON THE DRIVER SEAT FRACTURED, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACKWARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
PULL GEAR SHIFTER DOWN TO D1 AND SMOKE AND FIRE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN: ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE TRUCK WAS UNABLE TO USE THE OVERDRIVE FUNCTION. REPLACED SEVERAL FUSES AND TRIED AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I DISMANTLED THE STEERING COLUMN AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IS TWO SHORT AND ROUTED AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING IT TO BREAK EVERYTIME THE TRUCK IS PUT INTO D1. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOR ANY AUTO STORE HAVE ANY PARTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY RECOMMEND THAT I NOT USE D2/D1/OVERDRIVE. *TR
DOORS HAVE STRESS CRACKS ON UPPER FRAME,I'VE PAID TO HAVE REPAIRED ONCE,WHEN I APPROACHED DEALER THEY SAID O RECALL ON THAT PROBLEM, WOULD NOT HELP,NOW DOOR SWITCHES KEEP INTERIOR LIGHTS ON TILL IT GOES OFF ON POWER SAVER,DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN MOISTURE CONDITION/RAIN,SNOW SLEET AND SO ON. *TR
FORD F150 WINDSHIELD LEAKS, LEADING TO GEM AND FUSE MODULE FAILURE. RANDOM ELECTRONICS CLICKING AND TURNING THEMSELVES ON DUE TO LEAKING WINDSHIELDS DAMAGING THESE ELECTRONIC MODULES. *TR
I AM NOW HAVING THE WATER LEAK ISSUE INTO THE GEM DUE TO FAULTY WINDSHIELD SEAL. IT IS STARTING TO CAUSE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. THE FOLLOWING IS A TSB RELEASED BY FORD: FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 VARIOUS ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING FROM WATER INTRUSION INTO THE GEM/CJB SOME 1997-2002 EXPEDITION AND 1998-2002 NAVIGATOR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FRONT OR REAR BLOWER OR EATC STAYING ON WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, RADIO STAYING ON AFTER DOORS OPENED AND KEY OUT OF IGNITION, WIPER CIRCUIT FAILURE CODES, AND MULTIPLE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS WITH 'SHORT TO POWER' OR 'LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE' DTCS. THESE SYMPTOMS MOST OFTEN OCCUR AFTER A RAIN OR SNOW. THIS MAY BE DUE TO GEM/CJB WATER INTRUSION RESULTING FROM A WINDSHIELD WATER LEAK. TO SERVICE, REMOVE THE GEM AND CJB FROM THE VEHICLE, SEPARATE THEM AND INSPECT FOR WATER CONTAMINATION OR CORROSION. IF FOUND IN EITHER COMPONENT, REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS AND COMPLETELY RESEAL THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY SOUL EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES. APPARENTLY FORD IS NOT FIXING THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AT THEIR EXPENSE BUT PASSING IT TO THE CUSTOMERS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FORD ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR QUITE SOME TIME. PLEASE HELP WITH RESOLVING THIS ISSUE AS SOME PEOPLE HAVE SPENT IN THE THOUSANDS FIXING ISSUES THAT THIS WATER INTRUSION ISSUE HAS CAUSED. *TR
THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS. THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE/LOCK GETS STUCK AND THE DOOR SOMETIMES DOES NOT OPEN OR IT IS HARD TO OPEN, AND OPENS AFTER TRYING REPEATEDLY. *NM
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1997 FORD F150 XLT. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT OVER A YEAR AGO, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVERS SEAT WITH ANOTHER BRACKET. THE SEAT BROKE AGAIN. WHEN SITTING IN THE SEAT THE BACK OF THE SEAT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHILE THE FRONT OF THE SEAT RAISED UP. THE BRACKET HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *AK
THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE TRUCK SAT FOR A DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE MELTED THE ENGINE COMPONENTS, DESTROYED THE ENTIRE HOOD, AND TOTALED THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *AK
WHEN USING THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER THE WHOLE LIGHTER GOT TOO HOT AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE DASH. IT BURNED THROUGH PLASTIC AND WIRE BURNED IN HALF. VERY DANGEROUS. THIS COULD HAVE BURNED UP THE WHOLE DASH. BURNED MY WIFE'S HAND AFTER IT WENT THROUGH THE HOLDER. *AK
CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT ELECTRICAL LIGHT,WINDOWS, AND LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. CONSUMER WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION THIS WEEK. *AK THE A/C UNIT, DOME LIGHT, AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *SC
HOOD PRIMARY LATCH MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
ELECTRICAL LIGHTS/WINDOWS, AND LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO COME ON. CONSUMER WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION THIS WEEK. *AK
I AM SENDING IN A FULL LETTER TO EXPLAIN THE "FAILURES". IT CENTERS AROUND TSB 99B29 AND LACK OF OWNER NOTIFICATION OF A BAD FRONT COVER DESIGN THAT CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH OCCURRED IN THIS CASE. ADDITIONALLY, I HAD A TIE ROD FAILURE THAT WAS NOT ADDRESSED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT LATER BROKE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, MY CRANK SHAFT PULLEY / DAMPENER ASSEMBLY FELL OFF WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING (70 MPH). THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING DOOR LOCK / KEY STICKING.*AK CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V196000 COMPONENT: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR. THE ENGINE COVER GASKET FAILED. *TC THE SERPENTINE FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN AKWARD SHIFT, THE WIPERS OPERATED PERIODICALLY BY THEMSELVES ON HIGH SPEED, THERE WAS LITTLE HEAT COMING FROM THE VENTS THROUGH THE FLOOR. *JB
HOOD POPS UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING.SEAT BELTS ON FRONT SEATS DO NOT RETRACT FULLY WHEN UNBUCKLED, HANG ON FLOOR BETWEEN SEAT AND DOOR. UPON OPENING OF DOOR, THE LOOSE BELT LOOP FALLS PAST THE DOOR SEAL AREA AND UPON DOOR CLOSURE BECOMES LODGED BETWEEN DOOR AND JAMB. WHEN VEHICLE RE-ENTRY IS MADE BY DRIVER OR PASSENGER, AND BELT IS PUT ON, A FALSE TENSION IS ACHIEVED BY DOOR JAMB SEAL. THIS LEAVES UP TO 10 TO 14 INCHES OF LOOSE BELT THAT FEELS LIKE IT IS ACTUALLY TENSIONED AS TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANT. THIS LOOSE BELT SLACK CONTINUES AS THE BELT EXTENDS AND RETRACTS IN NORMAL, NON INERTIA LOCKED MODE. ONLY UPON HEAVY BREAKING, OR FORWARD FORCE BY OCCUPANT DOES THE BELT SLIP PAST THE LOWER DOOR JAMB SEAL AND EXTENDS THE BELTS REACH. THIS CAN CAUSE A FATALITY FOR ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR REASONS. FIRST, ON FRONTAL IMPACT, THE BELT ALLOWS THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER TO BE THRUST FORWARD AND EITHER COME INTO UNDUE CONTACT WITH THE DASH OR STEERING WHEEL. SECONDLY, THE FALSELY TENSIONED BELT ALLOWS THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER TO BE PROPELLED TOO CLOSE TO A DEPLOYING FRONT AIRBAG, CAUSING UNDUE FRONTAL CONTACT WITH AIRBAG WHICH CAN RESULT IN INCREASED INJURY OR DEATH. THIRDLY, ON PICKUP TRUCK MODELS EQUIPPED WITH KEY DEACTIVATED FRONT SEATS OCCUPIED BY CHILDREN, THE LOOSENING BELT CAN REACH THE YOUTH PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT RIGHT INTO WINDSHIELD. AND FOURTH, IN PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCK MODELS, WITH THE AIR BAG TURNED OFF BY KEY SWITCH, UNTENSIONED BELT DOES NOT RESTRAIN A BABY / CHILD CAR SEAT, LIKELY CAUSING THE SEAT TO BE RENDERED INEFFICTIVE AND POSSIBLY MORE HAZARDOUS IF IT WERE NOT USED AT ALL.HE BELT ASSEMBLIES MADE FOR FORD BY TRW. THIS CONDITION WAS EVIDENT WHEN VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN YEAR OLD , GOT PROGRESSSIVELY WORSE , FIRST INCIDENT FALL 1997. I WAS FIRST TITLED OWNER, BOUGHT DEMO. ELBOW INJURY IN 2003. I'M A FORMER MI. LIC.MASTER MECHANIC .I HAVE TESTED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN SIMILAR FORD VEHICLES ON USED CAR LOTS AND HAVE OBSERVED SAME EFFECT IN MANY FORD F-150'S. *AK
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
THE DOME LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYED ON.*JB
AFTER CLOSING DOOR, INTERIOR LIGHT, CARGO LIGHT ALONG WITH DOOR AJAR LIGHT SOMETIMES WILL NOT SHUT OFF AFTER GETTING INSIDE VEHICLE. THIS MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH A LOT OF FORD PICKUPS.
INTERIOR PANEL INSTRUCTION LIGHTS COME OFF EVERY OTHER DAY, WITHOUT WARNING. UNABLE TO READ PANEL.*AK
A BURNING/SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER DASH, UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK
PASSENGER'S AREA DOME LIGHT WILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED OR REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE HAS REPLACED THE PART THAT HOLDS THE PLUGS TWICE AND IT COSTS 450 DOLLARS EACH TIME, CONSUMER STATES HE THINKS HE MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN, THE INTERIOR LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AT TIMES. WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES. *SLC
CONCERNED ABOUT ME AND OTHERS ITS PRETTY EVIDENT THAT THESE DOORS ARE WEAK STRUCTURLY OR THEY WOULD NOT DO THIS, AND I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY HAVE FIXED EVEN IF I DID IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURE I CA'NT AFORD A NEW DOOR ON FIXED INCOME. COMPLAINT #2 WHEN THE BOLTS ON THE CRANK PULLEY SHEARED OFF LOSS OF CONTROL MAKING IT VERY DIFFCULT TO STEAR ,THANK GOD I WAS'NT ON A SHARP CURVE WHEN THE BOLTS BROKE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO READ THIS NHTSA. *AK
I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. BY PHONE & EMAIL AND THEY SAY THEY WILL GET BACK W/ME AND NEVER DO. THERE IS NO FOLLOW UP ON THEIR PART. NO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NO SATISFACTION. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ENDED AT THE SIGNING OF THE BILL OF SALE. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
I HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER THE DASH CAUSED BY MOISTER IN THE FUSE BOX , WHICH WAS CAUSED BY WATER LEAKING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS NOT TO CONCERNED UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS 13 PAGES OF SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT MOISTURE GET INTO THE FUSE BOX. IT DOES THING AS WIPER NOT WORKING WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE BUT WILL WORK ANY OTHER TIME. RADIO NOT TURNING OFF, BLOWER MOTOR NOT SHUTTING OFF. TRYING TO ENGAGE THE STARTER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING.
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR WILL NOT ALIGN CORRECTLY WHEN CLOSING IT. THIS RESULTS IN DOOR REMAINING OPEN, WHICH KEEPS DOME LIGHT ON, DRAINING BATTERY. *AK THE DOOR SWITCHES FOR BOTH DOORS WERE REPLACED. *YH
DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND REAR CARGO LIGHT WOULD MOMENTARILY STAY ON AFTER CLOSING THE VEHICLE DOORS FROM 1/2 HOURS UP 2 HOURS BEFORE TURNING ITSELF OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *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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