231 of the 3,285 complaints about the 1997 Ford F-150 are about the body and structure — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 130,000 miles.
231
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
6
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side subframe near the axle of the vehicle was severely corroded. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,788.
NHTSA complaint #11435115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DECEMBER 3, 2020...MY HUSBAND DROVE THE TRUCK OVER TO A FRIENDS HOUSE. AFTER BEING THERE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS HIS FRIEND WALKED IN THE BUILDING WHERE HE WAS AND SAID, 'HEY MAN, YOUR TRUCK IS ON FIRE!' EVERYONE RUSHED OUTSIDE TO SEE THE TRUCK WAS IN FACT ON FIRE. THEY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO CAME AND FINISHED EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE. IT APPEARS THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEAR THE TIRE, OR BEHIND THE DASH. I DID NOT EVEN THINK TO CHECK FOR A RECALL, BUT A FRIEND TOLD ME TO CHECK BECAUSE HE WAS AWARE THERE WAS A RECALL. SURE ENOUGH, THERE IS A RECALL AND IT DESCRIBES WHAT HAPPENED TO MY TRUCK EXACTLY. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 05V017000 DATE: JAN 27, 2005 FORD RECALL NUMBER: 05528
NHTSA complaint #11387331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 3RD DOOR WON'T OPEN AND IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE KIDS AND IT'S THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE TO TRANSPORT THEM AROUND. I WENT TO YOUTUBE AND FOUND THAT SOME CHEAP PLASTIC RETAINERS THAT'S CLIPPED TO CABLES ARE BROKEN. THE RETAINERS OPEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. PLEASE HELP. THANKS
NHTSA complaint #11298962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WENT TO OPEN MY 3RD DOOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY F 150 AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I TRIED BOTH LATCHES ON THE OUTSIDE AND IN INNER DOOR FRAME BUT NO LUCK. I WAS PARKED AT THE TIME WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME ITEMS OUT OF MY BACK SEAT. I HAVE NOTHING TO UPLOAD AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11298839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT TO REAR FUEL STRAPS FRACTURED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FUEL LINES AND FUEL TANK TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL STRAPS, FUEL LINES, AND FUEL TANK DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE DEALER (REINEKE FORD LINCOLN OF LIMA, 419-223-3673, 1360 GREELY CHAPEL RD, LIMA, OH 45804) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT THE CONTACT WELDED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR FUEL STRAP. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11130058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SECTIONS THAT WERE RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE BUMPER AND STEPS NEAR THE DOORS WERE ALSO RUSTED AND SLIGHTLY DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,582.
NHTSA complaint #10906372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CABLE THAT STRAPPED THE SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. UPDATED 04/07/16
NHTSA complaint #10806545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAMEWORK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,303.
NHTSA complaint #10664429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME AND RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,166.
NHTSA complaint #10617619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I NOTICED EXTREME RUST THAT HAS EATEN AWAY PARTS OF FRAME AND SUSPENSION.
NHTSA complaint #10547540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
AFTER CHECKING MY VEHICLE OVER I NOTICED THAT THE FRAME IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED THRU. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A CONDITION COMMON WITH THIS YEAR OF TRUCK AND STYLE. IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY VEHICLES THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM? I HAVE DRIVEN FORDS FOR YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS EXTEND OF RUST IN ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10505142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FRAME FRACTURED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE BROKEN AND THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKING ABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST AND CORROSION ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRAME, BUT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF CRACKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE DRIVER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 205,000.
NHTSA complaint #10462046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT, WHO WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE CABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 314,000.
NHTSA complaint #10451232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE, EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD, FUEL TANK STRAP, BRAKE LINE, BOLTS, ERG VALVE, AND THE FRAME WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK OR PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 322,000.
NHTSA complaint #10441062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10437527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS 5 MPH AND ABOVE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS FRACTURED FROM THE HARNESS AND A CABLE WAS ALSO FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND HE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 84,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE SPARE TIRE FELL TO THE GROUND. UPDATED 01/19/12
NHTSA complaint #10434738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
OWN A 1997 FORD F-150 RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE GAS TANK STRAPS HAVE RUSTED OUT. THE CENTER STRAP HAS COMPLETELY BROKE IN TWO DUE TO RUST CORROSION TILTING THE TANK, AND CAUSING GAS SPILLAGE DURING FUELING CREATING A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSIVE DANGER.
NHTSA complaint #10413544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 1997 F-150 WITH JUST OVER 150,000 MILES AND LOST BOTH STRAPS JUST AFTER FILLING UP AND GOING OVER TRAIN TRACKS @ 25 MPH. THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT ON WAS THE FUEL LINES, HOPE THERE IS NOT MAJOR DAMAGE THERE. I HAD THE TANK REPLACED ABOUT 3 YEARS PRIOR. UPDATED 08/01/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO FUEL SPILL. BOTH OF THE STRAPS BROKE, DUE TO RUST. UPDATED 08/02/11
NHTSA complaint #10392686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1997 F-150 WAS FUELING UP VEHICLE AND HEARD POP AND LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND THE REAR GAS TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN FREE OF THE SLIDE IN ATTACHMENT ON THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE TANK. THE STRAP WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION BUT THE REAR SLIDE IN MOUNTING POINT ON THE CROSS MEMBER HAD ROTTED OUT COMPLETELY. THE FRONT SLIDE IN POINT DID NOT HAVE ANY CORROSION ON IT. DEALER DID NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A LARGE CAR DEALER IN JUNE 2010.
NHTSA complaint #10384509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I HAVE A 1997 FORD F-150, I WAS CHANGING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND NOTICED A LOT OF RUST ON THE FRAME AND BASICALLY EVERY THING ELSE UNDER THE BODY. I TOOK A SCREWDRIVER AND PUSHED IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SUSPENSION TRAVEL STOP. THERE ARE BIG CHUNKS OF RUSTY METAL FALLING OFF OF IT AT LEAST EVERY THREE OR FOUR MONTHS APART. I CAN TAKE MY FINGER AND PUSH THROUGH THE FRONT BUMPER. ALL THE BOLTS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND COLLECTORS ARE RUSTED OFF OR ALL MOST RUSTED OFF. TO FIX THE EXHAUST IT WILL COST AROUND $700.00, IF THE DEALER DONE THE REPAIRS IT WOULD COST MUCH MORE. THE GAS TANK STRAPS LOOKS REAL RUSTY ALSO. IN MY 54 YEARS OF LIFE I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME AND THE UNDERSIDE OF A VEHICLE RUST SO BAD. I LIVE IN THE SOUTH SO THE TRUCK DID NOT SEE MUCH SALT.
NHTSA complaint #10375411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
1997 F150 FORD LARIAT SUPER CAB 4X4 WITH 83,262 MILES, THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON PANELS, FRAME, FRAME SUPPORTS AND UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS; SOME OF THE FRAME/ FRAME SUPPORTS HAVE SIGNIFICANT HOLES AND HAS NO STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. THE SAFETY DESIGN INTENT OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED DUE TO THE SEVERE RUST; IN A CRASH CONDITION THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS' SAFETY WOULD BE JEOPARDIZED. DECEMBER 3, 2010 THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN THE VILLAGE OF OXFORD, MI. APPROXIMATELY 25 MILE PER HOUR AND THE FRONT GAS TANK STRAP FAILED (RUSTED-OUT). THE GAS TANK FELL TO THE PAVEMENT AND LEFT THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANT INJURIES, BUT GASOLINE CONTAINMENTS WERE LEAKED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY FLATBED TRUCK TO SKALNEK FORD, LAKE ORION, MI FOR REPAIRS COSTING $773.42. *TR UPDATED 1/12/2012 *LN
NHTSA complaint #10374626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TILT TOWARDS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE TACK WELDING MARKS ON THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10367103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN 1997 FORD F-150 PICKUP ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY. HEARD NOISE TOWARDS REAR OF VEHICLE. NO COLLISION SPARE TIRE EXITED BOTTOM OF BED . BOUNCED ON ROADWAY ACROSS TRAFFIC ON OTHER SIDE OF 4 LANE ON COMING TRAFFIC BEHIND THEN AND IN FRONT OF VEHICLES. SOMEHOW NO ONE COLLIDED WITH THE ROLLING SPARE TIRE AS IT EXITED THE ROADWAY TO THE SHOULD OF ROADWAY. TIRE NOW IN BED OF TRUCK NOT UNDERNEATH UNTIL I CAN REPAIR DUE TO BROKEN CABLE THAT SUPPORTED TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10326073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE FRAME ON MY 1997 FORD F150 HAS RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE SHOCK AND SPRING MOUNTS TO BREAK. FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10251707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #10214637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
1997-F-150 SUPER CAB WITH FACTORY INSTALLED REAR SLIDING WINDOW. THE WINDOW HAS FLOWED WATER/RAIN EVERY TIME. IT SEEMS TO BE COMING IN AROUND THE SEAL WHERE IT MEETS THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER 97 F-150 OWNERS AND THE SAME THING WAS HAPPENING TO THEIR TRUCKS. ISN'T THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE?
NHTSA complaint #10193536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ON MY 1997 FORD F-150 I NOTICED THAT I HAVE CRACKS ON THE DOORS BY THE WINDOWS, WHILE RESEARCHING THIS I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TRUCK. WHEN I CALLED FORD SERVICE CENTER FOR HELP THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE DOORS (AT MY COST) AND IF A RECALL COMES OUT I WOULD GET MY MONEY BACK. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CRACKS AT "F150ONLINE.COM" AND IT SEEMS THAT FORD HAS REPLACED SOME DOORS BUT MOST (AND THEIR ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS) ARE NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF. CAN YOU HELP?
NHTSA complaint #10136915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
LOSS OF ANTI-FREEZE OR COOLANT BOTH DOORS STARTING TO CRACK REAR SLIDING WINDOW LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10109964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ON THE 1997 FORD F-150 BOTH THE DRIVER DOOR AND PASSENGER DOOR ARE COMMING APART, AND I HAVE SEEN THIS ON OTHER FORD F150'S OF THE SAME YEAR, ITS WERE THE DOOR MEETS THE WINDOW FRAME,.
NHTSA complaint #10104253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A SEVERE SHAKE IN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO COME LOOSE. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR RIGHT FRAME BROKE ABOVE THE TIRE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10099377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.