87 of the
1,311 complaints filed about the Ford E-150
are about the suspension —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
Front end camber toe in has been adjusted but keeps toeing in makes tires wear. Hard to keep going straight allways sways. Dashboard stops working and windows don't work. Started doing this at around 100,000 miles. Will turn back on and off. Sometimes gas pedal stops working Can't tell speed. There are a lot of these happening to this model
NHTSA complaint #11589518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 1993 Ford E-150. The contact stated that upon attempting to pull into a parking space and turning the steering wheel, she heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the front driver's side seat and the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact contacted AAA who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the gear box had detached from the subframe. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side subframe had three holes and one of the holes had expanded significantly and needed to be welded prior to fastening the gear box to the subframe. The independent mechanic informed the contact that they could not weld the subframe. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that the next availability was in approximately two months. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11472754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PREMATURE LOWER BALLJOINT FAILURE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. WHILE DRIVING FORWARD OR REVERSE AND TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT OR WHEN BRAKING YOU WOULD HEAR POPPING AND TIRE RUBBING SOMETHING UNDERNEATH. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 55,000 MILES DISPLAYED ON THE ODOMETER. THIS OCCURRED AT WHEN VAN WAS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11382903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY AS IF IT WERE BEING DRIVEN OVER ROCKY TERRAIN. IN ADDITION, THE AIR PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA complaint #11195891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING ON BESTBUY PARKING LOT, WENT OVER A SPEED BUMPER HEARD A LOUD CLUNK COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. DROVE HOME, STOPPED VAN, GOT HELP, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING TO LEFT, LOUD METAL CLUNK FROM THAT DRIVER SIDE, HELPER ON FLOOR NOTICED THAT BOTTOM BOLT HOLDING POWER STEERING BOX IS GOING IN AND OUT, RUSTED ON FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME, THIS BOX SHOULD BE MOUNTED ON REINFORCED BRACKETS FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME THEN WELDED TO FRAME TO PROTECT OCCUPANTS FROM POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF BOX AND FRAME WITH CONSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT (COULD BE FATAL WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE). SO, WITH THE ENGINE ON, IN PARK, IF THE STEERING IS TURN TO THE LEFT, DRIVER WILL FEEL AND HEAR THE CLUNK.
NHTSA complaint #10933940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE TIRES AND THE STEERING DAMPER WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #10825092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE JUST RECENTLY LOST THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT DUE TO TOO EXTREME RUST OF THE FRAME, FORD DOES NOT MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS. AND THE FRAME IS NOW CRACKING IN TWO. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BUY A NEW FRAME REALLY. WELL IT WILL NOT BE LONG TILL THE OTHER SIDE GOES. OR MY FRAME BREAKS IN TWO AND CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY TO ME OR OTHERS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR TRUCK AND FORD DON'T SEEM TO CARE. IF THE FRAME NEEDS REPLACED IT SHOULD BE AT THEIR EXPENSE NOT MINE RECALL TIME. THEIR ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS STILL ON THE ROAD I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10671451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, HE HEARD A LOUD DRAGGING NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. ALSO, HE STATED THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE 30,000 MILES BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHAT HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,578.
NHTSA complaint #10586149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE CAUSING PREMATURE WEARING OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END SPRINGS WERE COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS REGARDING THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 05/05/14
NHTSA complaint #10579555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING THIS VAN IS VERY DIFFICULT, IT WILL NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE ,WHEN YOU PASS BIG TRUCKS GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ,THE VACUUM SUCKS IT UP ,AND IT GETS MORE UNCONTROLLABLE,CAUSING A MINOR FISH TALE. OF COURSE FORD CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG .M---KS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM..DO NOT DRIVE THIS VAN IF IS AT ALL WINDY,COULD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNSAFE . THE WANDERING IN THE STEERING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE .I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS VAN FOR ANYONE. OR ANY BUSINESS.
NHTSA complaint #10524465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD REGENCY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS RIDING ON THE ROTOR, WHICH STARTED A SMALL FIRE, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE C-CLAMP WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10490603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE TRACKS DOWN ROAD SIDEWAYS BY 6 INCHES. THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND STEERING PROBLEMS. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND FORD CUSTOMER CARE HAS NOT RETURNED CALLS SINCE INITIAL CONTACT.
NHTSA complaint #10484095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS VEHICLE, A 2011 E-150 FORD VAN WAGON. STEERING BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE STARTING AT 50 MPH AND BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES TO 75 MPH. THE 2 PRIOR INCIDENCES REFERENCED ABOVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 50-75 MPH. ANY SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS BY DRIVER, ESPECIALLY AT 70 MPH, CREATES SWAY CONDUCIVE TO ROLLOVER. IT SEEMS AS IF THE "POWER ASSIST" INTERFERES WITH DRIVER'S CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL. AT HIGHER SPEEDS, OVER-STEER IS CREATED AND WHEN THE DRIVER MAKES A CORRECTION, A SWAYING EFFECT IS CREATED. AS SPEED INCREASES, THE POWER ASSIST FUNCTION IS SUPPOSED TO DIMINISH, GIVING DRIVER FULL CONTROL. TECHNICIANS AT DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED ABOVE SYMPTOMS AND STATED AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM BECAUSE ALIGNMENT WAS ACCORDING TO SPECS. THEREAFTER WHAT IS DESCRIBED OCCURRED EVERY TIME IN THE RANGE BETWEEN 55-75 MPH. STEERING AND HANDLING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SWAY BAR IS UNDERSIZED WHICH TENDS TO SHIFT TO THE RIGHT CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT. SWAY BARS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SHIFT, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO REMAIN IN PLACE. UPDATED 08/05/11 THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SHOCK ABSORBER BUSHING WAS CRACKED. UPDATED 08/24/11 THE SUSPENSION IS INADEQUATE AND THE BODY TOP ON TOP OF THE WHEEL FRAME MOVES WHEREAS THE BODY TRACKS. WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE SUSPENSION CAN NOT HANDLE THE WIND RESISTANCE OF ANY CROSS WIND AT ALL. THE BODY OF THE VAN SHIFTS. UPDATED 09/08/11.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A BODY ROLL ISSUE. UPDATED 09/13/11.*JB UPDATED 09/20/11.*JB UPDATED 09/27/11.*JB UPDATED 10/03/11. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED A RE-CERTIFIED ASE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE WITH HIM AND THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THE METAL TO METAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE SWAY BAR AND THE FRAME BRACKET WAS THE RESULT OF THE SWAY BAR SHIFTING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE LAST SHIFT MOVEMENT WAS SO STRONG, THAT THE BAR REMAINED SKEWED, JAMMED AND LOCKED UP. THE TOP OF EACH LINK WAS SEVERELY ANGLED TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPDATED 11/17/11
NHTSA complaint #10409490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD E150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE SUCH AS A SPRING POPPING, WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE FLAT PLATE THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING MOUNT WAS MOUNTED ON HAD RUSTED, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10379322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
12/1/2010 EXPLANATION OF TWO LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS SITUATION ONE: ON MAY 4, 2010, I THE CONSUMER, WAS DRIVING FROM JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA TO CHATTANOOGA, TENN. THE TRIP WAS ON GEORGIA HWY 400 SOUTH FROM OLD MILTON PKWY TO I-285 WEST AND NORTH ON I-75. THE TIME WAS BETWEEN 3:30 PM AND 5:30PM. THE VAN WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND WAS MOVING FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT SIDES OF THE TRAFFIC LANE. THE TRAFFIC WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL FOR I-75 WITH 18 WHEEL TRUCK AND PASSENGER CAR TRAFFIC. THE VAN WAS DRIVEN WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 65 AND 75 MPH. IN THE DALTON, GEORGIA AREA OF I-75 THE VAN WAS APPROACHING AN OVERPASS. AT THE OVERPASS THE PAVEMENT MUST HAVE CHANGED IN LEVEL BECAUSE THE VAN JUMPED IN THE AIR AND TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT APPROACHING THE LEFT GUARD RAIL. FORTUNATELY, THE CONSUMER DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE HITTING THE GUARD RAIL OR THE TRUCK ON THE RIGHT. THE VAN WAS RETURNED TO CHEROKEE FORD ON MAY 5, 2010 FOR CORRECTION OF THE DIFFICULT CONTROL PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO DATE. SITUATION TWO: ON OCTOBER 15, 2010 I THE CONSUMER, WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON GEORGIA HWY 400 FROM OLD MILTON PKWY TO THE ABERNATHY EXIT. THE TIME WAS BETWEEN 2:30PM TO 2:45PM. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY WITH PASSENGER CAR TRAFFIC AND THE VAN WAS TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LEFT LANE OF THE FOUR LANE HIGHWAY. TRAFFIC SPEED WAS NORMAL FOR GEORGIA 400 ABOUT 65 TO 75 MPH. THE VAN WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND WAS MOVING FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT SIDES OF THE TRAFFIC LANE, SIMILAR WITH SITUATION ONE. FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITH NO CHANGE IN THE STEERING WHEEL DIRECTION THE VAN WENT LEFT INTO THE FAR LEFT LANE. I TRIED TO RETURN TO THE MIDDLE LEFT LANE, BUT THE VAN WOULD NOT RESPOND WITH A SLIGHT TURN TO THE RIGHT. AFTER SOME DISTANCE, UNKNOWN, THE VAN DID RESPOND AND RETURNED TO THE MIDDLE LEFT LANE.
NHTSA complaint #10375895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE WERE ON VACATION AND SMELLED RUBBER BURNING, PULLED OFF AND REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS SMOKING...APPARENTLY AXLE HAD BROKEN AFFECTING BRAKE LINES WE ENDED UP REPLACING REAR AXLE AND BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10352977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR LEFT LEAF SPRING CRACKS, CONSIDERED A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD BY FORD SERVICE TECHS. THIS FAILURE WAS ON A 2000 FORD E-150 VAN. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JAN. 2001 AND ONLY HAS 26,000 MILES. I AM A DISABLED DRIVER AND DO NOT DRIVE FAST OR ANY TYPE OF OFF RODE, ALL CITY DRIVING. IN DEC. 2006 I HAD FORD PERFORM A THOROUGH SAFETY INSPECTION PRIOR TO MY 6 YEAR WARRANTY END. THIS INSPECTION INCLUDED THE SUSPENSION AND IT CHECKED OUT FINE. 9 MONTHS AND ONLY 2,000 MILES LATER 3 OF THE STEEL BARS ARE CRACKED ON THE LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE CRACKS UNTIL IT WAS CAUGHT DURING A ROUTINE MAITAINANCE VISIT AT FORD. I HAD NO ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, OR HIT ANY POTHOLES, BUMPS ETC. IN FACT, I HAD THE FORD SERVICE TECH AND TWO INDEPENDANT TECHS TELL ME THAT CRACKED LEAF SPRINGS NOT RESULTING FROM AN ACCIDENT ARE ALMOST UNHEARD OF. ALL THE MECHANICS SAID IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN QUITE A JOLT TO HAVE CRACKED THE LEAF SPRING. I WOULD HAVE REMEMBERED AN EXTREMELY HARD JOLT AS I DRIVE FROM A WHELCHAIR AND WITH HAND CONTROLS, BELIEVE ME, YOU ARE VERY AWARE OF EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS. THERE IS NO BENT AXLE, TIRE, SHOCK, OR WHEEL RIM DAMAGE, AND EACH MECHANIC WAS LEFT SCRATCHIN THEIR HEAD AS TO HOW THE LEAF SPRING COULD HAVE CRACKED. THE TWO NON FORD MECHANICS SUGGESTED THE POSSIBILITY OF POOR QUALITY STEEL. FORD REPLACED IT, UNFORTUNATELY 7 MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDED. I ASKED THE FORD DEALER IF THEY WOULD SEND THE PART BACK TO THE FORD ENGINEERS TO SEE IF IT WAS DEFECTIVE, THEY SAID THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO IF IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE IT IS 7 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WOULD LOOK INTO SENDDING IT BACK. ANYWAY, ITS FIXED, BUT I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF IT WASN'T CAUGHT AND CRACKED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. ESPECIALLY USING FULL HAND CONTROLS.
NHTSA complaint #10202012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BROKEN FRONT SPRING ON 1996 ECONOLINE VAN APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION ISSUE. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AND STATES THAT BROKEN SPRING MAY OR MAY NOT COME LOSE AND RESULT IN A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10167441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MAJOR SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND STEERING CONTROL GREATLY REDUCED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING, AND THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME IT IS NORMAL. IF THIS IS NORMAL, THAN THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE HIGHWAYS BEFORE DEATH OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10153968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONTACT HAD BALL JOINTS PUT ON THE TRUCK WHEN IT WAS STAKEN TO TO THE DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT. . WHEN DEALER WENT TO ALIGN VEHICLE THEY FOUND A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRAME, ALL THE WAY FROM WHERE THE DRIVE BOX WAS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. ON THE CROSS MEMBER THAT HELD THE FRAME TOGETHER, THE RIVET WAS OUT OF THE FRAME. HE NOTICED THIS ON JULY 1, 2005. HE CALLED FORD TWICE, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEND ANYONE TO LOOK AT VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO 2 AUTO BODY FRAME SHOP AND HAD IT REPAIRED. BOTH BODY SHOPS SAID THE CAR WAS NOT HIT, AND THAT HE SHOULD CONTACT FORD. HE CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY HAD NOT CALLED HIM BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10129680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.