1997 Ford F-250

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY FOR TECHNICAL DETAILS

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the fuel strap failed and there was a hole in the fuel tank. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V385000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 00V231000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ID

11610939

Incident

Aug 26, 2024

Mileage

133,000 mi

TIRE BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY CALIFORNIA I-5 AT 210 INTERCHANGE BFGOODRICH LT235/85 R16 LTR M+S 1655 MILES ON THE TIRES INSTALLED 05-20-2019 OF LAST YEAR

NHTSA ID

11316921

Incident

Mar 8, 2020

Mileage

134,560 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT DISCONNECTS RANDOMLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN PARK, DRIVING AND WHILE REVERSING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS AS WELL AS FREEWAY/HIGHWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING A U-TURN AS WELL AS DRIVING FORWARD. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE RADIO STATIONS. AS IT STANDS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE TRUCK THE SEATBELT WILL DISCONNECT AT LEAST 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11232638

Incident

Jun 10, 2019

Mileage

112,000 mi

FUEL TANK 1 SEEMS TO PUMP FUEL INTO TANK 2. FUEL SWITCH ON "FRONT" SEEMS TO INDICATE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL. FUEL SWITCH ON "REAR" ALWAYS READS FULL. SOMETIMES FUEL WILL FLOW OUT OF REAR TANK AS SOON AS FUEL CAP IS REMOVED. I DROVE ABOUT 75 MILES WITH THE FUEL SWITCH ON "REAR". WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, I UNSCREWED REAR TANK CAP AND FUEL SPEWED OUT.......MAYBE A GALLON OR SO.

NHTSA ID

11100615

Incident

May 4, 2018

Mileage

130,745 mi

I HAVE HAD MY 1997 FORD F-250 FOR A FEW YEARS AND BESIDES AN ABI'S I'VEW PREVIOUS OWNER IT HASN'T GIVEN ANY ISSUE. THAT IS UP UNTIL A MONTH AGO WHEN MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER UP AND QUIT WORKING. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO FUSES OR RELAYS FAULTY EITHER, I SPOKE WITH FRIENDS OF MINE WHO OWN SIMILAR MODEL YEARS OF MY TRUCK AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11051871

Incident

Nov 4, 2017

Mileage

253,400 mi

THE TRUCK WOULD STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, NOT START AFTER DRIVING, STOP SHUT OFF AND THEN WOULD NOT START. SOME TIMES IT MAY NOT START FOR SEVERAL DAYS THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD START UP AGAIN AND BE FINE FOR WEEKS THEN WOULD START THE WHOLE PROCESS OVER AGAIN. IT MAY STOP AT ANY TIME ANY WHERE WHETHER HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE SHUTS OFF. I HAD MANY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHER VEHICLES CAUSING THEM TO MAKE EVASIVE ACTIONS. THIS VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURES BUY BACK FROM ORIGINAL PURCHASER WHEN, NEW BUT NO EXPLANATION COULD BE FOUND. I SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THE BUY BACK. IT IS ON THE TITLE ALSO.

NHTSA ID

10810623

Incident

Aug 28, 2015

Mileage

127,000 mi

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE SPARK PLUG SHOOTS OUT OF THE BLOCK AND SHORTLY AFTER YOU CAN SMELL GAS FUMES WITH IS AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD. NOT ONLY IS IT EXPENSIVE TO FIND A MECHANIC WHO CAN COIL THE PLUG BACK INTO THE BLOCK, AFTER READING ABOUT IT THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPENS TO MANY OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME TRUCK AS I DO. YET, THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10715974

Incident

Apr 20, 2015

Mileage

207,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA ID

10679367

Incident

Jan 28, 2014

Mileage

168,000 mi

For 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty, or 2002-2003 Blackwood vehicles Safety Recall 11S21 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where one or both fuel tank straps could potentially fracture. Strap fracture may result in the fuel tank contacting the ground. If the fuel tank contacts the ground and develops a leak while driving, there is a potential for fire.

Safety recall 11S21 - Fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action

FORD/LINCOLN: SAFETY RECALL REGARDING HIGH CORROSION AREAS FOR OPERATING, FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, VEHICLES WHERE BOTH OR ONE STRAP OF FUEL TANK CAN FRACTURE, AFTER CONTACTING GROUND. MODEL 1997-99 F250 LD, 1997-03 F150, 2004 F150 HERITAGE, 2002-03 BLACKWOOD. *PE

FORD/LINCOLN: SAFETY RECALL ISSUED DUE TO ONE OR BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURING DUE TO BEING IN HIGH CORROSION AREAS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD AND DISLODGING FUEL TANK. MODEL 1997-99 F250, 1997-03 F150, 2004 F150 HERITAGE, 2002-2003 BLACKWOOD. *PE

SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE

INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE - NON-COMMANDED EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE) FLOW. *TT