44 of the
3,285 complaints about the 1997 Ford F-150 are about the
equipment — 1% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
140,500 miles.
A
44
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Carrier/Rack
1431.8%
AIR Conditioner
1022.7%
Equipment
715.9%
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
49.1%
Trailer Hitches
24.5%
Electrical
24.5%
Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
24.5%
Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
12.3%
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
12.3%
Wrecker AND Wheel Lift Devices
12.3%
Equipment & Accessories across every Ford F-150 year
1997 FORD F-150. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REPAIRED WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF AN A/C PROBLEM. THE A/C CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS TURNED OFF. AS THE DEALER WAS PREPARING TO INSTALL A NEW A/C CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, THE COMPRESSOR FELL APART WHEN THEY REMOVED THE CLUTCH. SO, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW COMPRESSOR AS WELL. THE CONSUMER GAVE APPROVAL FOR THE REPAIRS, THINKING THE DEALER WAS GOING TO USE NEW PARTS. ON JUNE 25, 2011, AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE A/C COMPRESSOR SUDDENLY SEIZED AND BROKE THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT, WHICH TOOK OUT THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT AND IT ALMOST TOOK HIM HALF WAY INTO THE LANE OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE NEXT THE DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR AND DRIVE BELT FREE OF CHARGE. THAT IS WHEN THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED RE-MANUFACTURED PARTS HAD BEEN USED. ON JUNE 114, 2012, THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN AT NO CHARGE. ON OCTOBER 16, 2012, THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN, BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10485685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesNorth Richland, TX
EQUIPMENT
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.
at 125,000 milesDoddridge, ARFire
EQUIPMENT
ON JANUARY 8, 2011, 1997 FORD F150 XLT LARIAT BURNED AND TOTALLY DESTROYED OUR HOME AND TOYOTA TACOMA IN CARPORT.FIRE MARSHALL AND FIREMEN STATED APPEARED TO ORIGINATE FROM F150 IN CARPORT. FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR FROM STATE FARM (REPRESENTATIVES FROM FORD PRESENT AFTER DEMAND FROM STATE FARM) STATED FIRE STARTED BY DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL COMPONENT (CONFIRMED BY X-RAY) AFTER LOCATING IN DEBRI UNDER VEHICLE. FORD ACTED AS IF THEY COULD CARE LESS - GUESS NOT SINCE NOT EVEN AN APPOLOGY FOR OUR LOSS AS MUCH CANNOT BE REPLACED. STATE FARM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SUING FORD TO RECOOP THEIR LOSS. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD OF THIS DEFECT AND NEARLY LOST OUR LIVES.
NHTSA complaint #10417768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGreenfield, WI
EQUIPMENT
I SAW THE NOTICE ON THE F-150'S. I JUST CALLED FORD LAST WEEK RE: THIS SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME DUE TO AGE AND MILES ON VEHICLE THEY COULD DO NOTHING. IT BECAME LOOSE AND HANGING WHILE POURING GAS ALL OVER THE EXPRESSWAY ON SEPT 3RD. I WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR RESPONSE, AS I DON'T FEEL THIS SHOULD BE AN ISSUE ANYONE NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT. MY CASE NUMBER WITH THEM IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10355391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 308,854 milesVance, AL
EQUIPMENT
GAS PEDAL IS STICKING WIDE OPEN EVEN IF NOT PRESSED TO FULL THROTTLE WHEN YOU TAP BRAKE PEDAL OR THE OFF SWITCH FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL IT RELEASES THE ACCELERATOR. DOES THIS NO MATTER IF CRUISE CONTROL IS OFF OR ON. TRUCK HAS BEEN IN AND REPAIRED FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTING FIRES. BUT NOW CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT DEACTIVATING. HAS DONE THIS 11 TIMES SO FAR.
NHTSA complaint #10344816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 308,854 milesVance, AL
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
GAS PEDAL IS STICKING WIDE OPEN EVEN IF NOT PRESSED TO FULL THROTTLE WHEN YOU TAP BRAKE PEDAL OR THE OFF SWITCH FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL IT RELEASES THE ACCELERATOR. DOES THIS NO MATTER IF CRUISE CONTROL IS OFF OR ON. TRUCK HAS BEEN IN AND REPAIRED FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTING FIRES. BUT NOW CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT DEACTIVATING. HAS DONE THIS 11 TIMES SO FAR.
NHTSA complaint #10344816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesMarion, IN
EQUIPMENT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE GROUND FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CABLE TO THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
NHTSA complaint #10220115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
EQUIPMENT
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.
ST Petersburg, FL
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
WHILE PULLING INTO GARAGE AND WITHOUT WARNING, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. RAN OVER SPARE TIRE. TIRE WAS HELD UP BY A WIRE WHICH BROKE OFF AND RELEASED THE TIRE.*AK CONSUMER ADDS THE WIRE SERVED AS THE SPARE TIRE RACK ASSEMBLY AND WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #8011518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magnolia, TX
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING STATE SPEED LIMIT WITHOUT WARNING THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE WIRE ASSEMBLY ON TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY.*JB CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CABLE HOLDING THE TIRE ASSEMBLY SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #8008935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Britt, MN
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
SPARE TIRE FELL OFF FROM UNDER PICKUP BED, DAMAGING TRAILER BEING TOWED. FORTUNATELY, NO ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BEHIND THE VEHICLE WHEN THE TIRE FELL OFF. I CALLED FORD AND THEY INDICATED IT WAS 'NOT A SAFETY ISSUE'. CAN THIS BE TRUE, GIVEN THAT A 60LB TIRE AND RIM ARE ALLOWED TO JUST FALL OFF A VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS? THANK YOU. GT
NHTSA complaint #752733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanicsburg, PA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #562381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE Woodlands, TX
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
SPARE TIRE HOLDER FAILED AND SPARE TIRE FELL OFF OF THE TRUCK ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND INTO TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #744353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newton, KS
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
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.
NHTSA complaint #743768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuckerton, NJ
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE, AND SPARE TIRE FELL OUT. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAD HAPPEN ON HIGHWAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #884614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bemidji, MN
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE HAS RUSTED. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #872947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detriot, MICrash
TRAILER HITCHES
CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT & THERE WAS A THUMP. MAKING A LEFT TURN VEHICLE WAS SWAYING LEFT & RIGHT. CONSUMER GOT OUT AND FOUND THAT TRAILER HAD HIT THE GROUND AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE ON PASSENGR'S SIDE. REAR HAD BOTH ARMS CLOSEST TO THE BUMPER COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF. MANUFACTURER NEVER MEASURED THE PARTS TO FIX TRAILER. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT SINCE IT WAS NOT ON RECALL, AND IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #872379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarendon, NY
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1) AIR CONDITIONER HOSE SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED LEAK AT START-UP CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF FREON AND REQUIRING 800+ DOLLAR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS. NO WEAR AREAS ON PART, NO RUB SPOTS PRESENT AND PER SERVICE TECHNICIAN, NO REASON FOR PART TO HAVE FAILED. 2) DISC BRAKE ROTOR FAILED AT 57,000 MILES WITHOUT APPARENT REASON, CAUSING NEED FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR OF DISK BRAKE ASSEMBLY. SERVICE TECHNICIAN AGAIN NOTED NO REASON FOR FAILURE, NO CALIPER FAILURE, A RECENT PAD REPLACEMENT AND HIGHWAY DRIVING PATTERN.
NHTSA complaint #725810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kelso, WA
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILED CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. YH
NHTSA complaint #552648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Forks AFB, ND
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION ON I-29 ON-RAMP FROM GATEWAY DRIVE, SWEDGE HOLDING TIRE CRADLE PIECE TO CABLE LET GO RELEASING TIRE CRADLE PIECE AND SPARE TIRE FROM VEHICLE. SPARE TIRE BOUNCED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ON-RAMP INTO THE GRASS. TIRE CRADLE PIECE FELL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRAFFIC LANE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES FOLLOWING AT THE TIME AND NO PERSONAL INJURIES, THE POTENTIAL EXISTED FOR A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY HAVE RESULTED FROM IMPACT WITH THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #721671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cutchogue, NY
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE RADIO IS DEFECTIVE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beckley, WV
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #719271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crowley, LA
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE SNAPPED ALLOWING TIRE TO FALL FROM THE CARRIER UNDER THE TRUCK. THE DEALER WAS PHONED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #853730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cadiz, KY
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ENGINE KNOCK AT COLD START UP--FORD TO REPLACE ENGINE.-A/C HAS A MUSTY SMELL AT START UP, DEALER HAS SPRAYED IT 4 TIMES, AND STILL HAS THE SAME SMELL.
NHTSA complaint #715429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon, OH
TRAILER HITCHES
TRAILER TONGUE DISCONNECTED FROM THE BALL ON PICK UP TRUCK DUE TO MISSING SAFETY PIN, THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO TRAILER DUE TO DISCONNECTION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS
NHTSA complaint #547432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE JACK IS 3-4 INCHES TOO SMALL FOR VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #840915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Osos, CA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TAPE DECK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escondido, CA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
CIGARETTE COVER FOR LIGHTER FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #606945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parkton, MD
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
SPARE TIRE WHEEL MOUNT CABLE FAILED RESULTING IN SPARE TIRE FALLING OFF OF VEHICLE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #545881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT IN THE 1997-1999 MODEL F-150S SUFFERS DAMAGE FROM THE CROSSFRAME MOUNT. THE FRAME CUTS GROOVES INTO THE TIRE SIDEWALLS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND CAN CAUSE THE TIRE TO FAIL IF USED. THIS CAN ALSO RESULT IN A PERSON BEING STRANDED IF THE TIRE FAILS COMPLETELY, OR CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE DAMAGE WAS NOT NOTICED AND THE TIRE FAILED WHILE IN USE. THIS AFFECTS ALL 1997 TO 1999 MODEL F-150S, AND THE DAMAGE WORSENS WITH TIME, USUALLY BECOMING NOTICEABLE AFTER 10-15K MILES. FORD MOTOR HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SITUATION BUT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 255/70R16 )
NHTSA complaint #706850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.