Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. 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. 149 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 149, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WASHER INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED, BUT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ENGAGED. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WINDOWS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.
HEATER MALFUNCTION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN A RAINSTORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REINSTALLED THE GEM MODULE, AS WELL AS INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. THE WIPERS FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE HE INSTALLED FROM FORD WAS DEFECTIVE. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE MECHANIC CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND DETERMINE IF THE AIR BAGS WORK. PRIOR TO THE GEM MODULE FAILURE, SEVERAL COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. AT 30,000 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
BACK WINDOW LEAKS, PLASTIC FRAME THAT HOLDS GLASS ONTO CAB BRAKES WITH TIME. VARIOUS GLASS COMPANIES HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT'S A COMMON THING WITH THE 97-2000 FORD F-150'S IT'S NOT THE RUBBER NOR A WEATHER STRIP IT'S THE PLASTIC FRAME THAT BRAKES WITH TIME. *TR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DURING RAIN, MANAGED TO PULL OFF ROAD SAFELY. (OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES FAILED AS WELL) WIPERS NO LONGER WORK. VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL REPAIRED. FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. SEE FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 98-9-13 AND FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 . *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WATER LEAK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OR A FIREWALL THAT CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSE BOX OR THE GEM MODULE. THE FAILURE OCCURS DURING THE RAIN. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RPM, THE FUSE BOX WOULD SHORT OUT. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND NO LONGER LEAKS. AN IMPROPER SEAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LEAKAGE. UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB
1997 FORD F-150, WIPERS QUIT WHILE USING THEM IN RAIN, HEAD GASKET LEAKS OIL ON EXHAUST WHICH INTERN SMOKES AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE FIRE. *TR
HVAC BLEND DOOR FAILURE, CAN NOT HEAT/AIR CONDITION OR DEFROST CAB. *TR
LOSS OF ANTI-FREEZE OR COOLANT BOTH DOORS STARTING TO CRACK REAR SLIDING WINDOW LEAKING. *JB
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
REAR WINDOW LEAKS WATER AROUND WINDOW SEAL.*AK
I PURCHASED A 1997 FORD F-150 JUNE 11, 2001 FROM TWO RIVERS CHEVEROLET ON 2/04/02 A HOLE WAS PATCHED IN THE RADIATOR OF THE VEHICLE. ON 9/02/02 THE RADIATOR HAD ANOTHER HOLE IN IT AND THIS TIME HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON 9/27/02 THE HEATER CORE BEGAN LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT THAT TIME I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICAL BACK TO THE RADIATOR SPECIALIST AND HE SUGGUESTED THAT THE VEHICAL MIGHT HAVE ELECTRYOLISIS, SAID TAKE THE VEHICALE TO THE FORD . I DID THEY REPLACED THE HEATER CORE AND I HAD SUGGESTED TO THE SERVICE TECHNIAN THAT IT COULD HAVE ELECTROYLISIS. THE SERVICE TECH. SAID THAT, THAT WAS NOT VERY POSSIBLE. ON 12/03/02 I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME FORD GARAGE FOR LEAKING OF ANTIFREEZE, THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ON 3/10/03 I WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY AND THE HEATER CORE WENT AGAIN I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD GARAGE IN THE AREA THAT I WAS IN AND THEY REPLACE THE HEATER CORE AGAIN. ON 5/21/03 THE HEATER CORE WENT AGAIN AT THIS TIME I WAS IN A DIFFERENT PART OF THE COUNTRY AND AT EVERY FORD GARAGE I WENT TO I TOLD THE STORY TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED. ON 10/29/03 THE HEATER CORE AGAIN FAILED AND I TOOK IT BACK THE SAME FORD GARAGE THAT I LAST HAD IT AT. AGAIN THEY REPLACED THE HEATER CORE AND THIS TIME TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ELECTRYOLISIS IN THE VEHICALE. THEY REPLACE HEATER CORE. ON7/12/04 THE HEATER CORE WENT AGAIN I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME FORD GARAGE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE HEATER CORE AND THIS TIME THE RADIATOR HAD A HOLE IN IT AGAIN. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD PROABLY NOT GO AWAY AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I TOOK IT TO A RADIATOR SPECIALIST AND THEY TOLD ME IF THEY HAD HAD THE VEHICALE WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. BUT NOW ITS BEEN GOING ON TOOK LONG AND THERE WAS A SLIM CHANCE THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM. NOW WITH NO HELP FROM THE (FORD).*AK
REAR SLIDING GLASS WINDOW LEAKING IN THE INSIDE TOP LEFT SECTION. TAKEN TO FORD DEALER WHO IN TURN SUBCONTRACTS OUT TO A LEAK SPECIALIST. I WAS INFORM BY THE SERVICE DESK THAT HE INFORM THEM THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE REAR WINDOW AT A COST ESTIMATE OF A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS. I IN TURN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND OF COURSE MY VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I OWN A 1997 FORD F-150 WITH 82,000 MILES. I WAS INFORMED BY FORD MOTOR CO. THAT THE DEALERS ARE FRANCHISED AND WHAT EVER POLICY THEY HAVE IN PLACE FORD CO. CAN'T CONTROL. *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
REAR WINDOW OF 1997 F150 LEAKS. DEALERSHIP REPLACED WINDOW, AND NEW UNIT LEAKS. PROBLEM SEEMS TO EXIST IN 1997-2003 F150'S.*AK
1997 F-150 REAR WINDOW LEAKING - TOOK IN TWICE DURING WARRANTY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT HEARING WATER IN TRUCK THEM CHECKED DRAIN IN DOOR AND SAID NOTHING WRONG - ONLY HAVE 62000 ON TRUCK SO I DID NOT DRIVE IT MUCH BUT NOW I FOUND WERE WATER WAS COMING IN THROUGH GASKET AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM AND DEALER SHIP ARE HAVING OUTSIDE VENDORS DOING WORK I THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THEY KNEW THIS PROBLEM AND CHANGED DESIGN
1/28/03 - HEATER CORE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. 11/29/03 - HEATER CORE FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED. FORD DIDN'T CHARGE ME FOR ANOTHER CORE BUT I DID HAVE TO PAY AGION FOR THE LABOR, $400.00. THIS PART SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER 11 MONTHS. *AK
THE TOP OF THE BACK WINDOW LEAKS, CAUSING WATER TO DRIP INTO THE CAB OF VEHICLE. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE WINDOW AND THE TRACK NEED TO BE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A STRONG ANTI FREEZE ODOR, AND THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS NO LONGER WORKING.*AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE PROBLM. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND HAS FIXED IT ON DIFFERENT TIMES.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
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
REAR WINDSHIELD LEAKS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*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
Data on this page last refreshed .