FaultScore

FaultScore report

1999 Ford F Series problems

Owners have filed 44 complaints about the 1999 Ford F Series with NHTSA between 2000 and 2015. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 9 worst.

C

FaultScore 54/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford F Series.

How this is worked out

The numbers

44

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

100,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

9%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 60 vs 50 Severity 70 vs 50 Early failure 15 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 60
Against the median year of the Ford F Series. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 70
13.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 15
9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Ford F Series

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1999 Ford F Series

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 14 31.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 84,500 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 8 18.2%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

Brakes 4 9.1%

Median failure at 78,000 miles

Electrical System 4 9.1%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 80,000 mi

Tires 3 6.8%

Median failure at 102,970 miles

Body & Structure 3 6.8%

Median failure at 42,555 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 4.5%

Median failure at 52,000 miles

Lights 2 4.5%

Median failure at 6,600 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 2.3%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 137,000 mi

Suspension 1 2.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 137,000 mi

Airbags 1 2.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 137,000 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 2.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 5.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 4 11.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 8.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 7 20.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 8 22.9%
150,000+ miles 10 28.6%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Apr 2000 peak 3 Dec 2015

NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Ford F Series

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP05005 Opened 22 Sep 2005 Closed 4 Jan 2006 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

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 A...

RQ02002 Opened 14 Jan 2002 Closed 19 Aug 2002 TIRES

TIRE VALVE STEM

SQ00002 Opened 4 May 2000 Closed 22 Jan 2001 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PULLS UNDER HARD BRAKING

Recalls on the 1999 Ford F Series

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1999162 169 units in Canada

Emissions

Certain CNG vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1105 - Evaporative Emissions. The natural gas fuel fill valve may leak due to flaking of the nickel plating inside the valve. This will allow natural gas to escape into the atmosphere at a rate that exceeds the limits prescribed in the standard. Correction: Valve will be replaced with one of an alternative design.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 137,000 miles Soddy Daisy, TN Crash

AIR BAGS

ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED.

NHTSA complaint #10617878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Soddy Daisy, TN Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED.

NHTSA complaint #10617878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Soddy Daisy, TN Crash

SUSPENSION

ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED.

NHTSA complaint #10617878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,988 miles Lorain, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAD JUST GOT OFF WORK AND WAS LEAVING THE PARKING AREA AND BLEW OUT THE NUMBER 4 SPARKPLUG ON THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD. I SHUT OFF THE MY TRUCK AND PARKED IT. I CALLED A FRIEND THAT LIVES CLOSE FOR A RIDE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I DROVE BACK TO THE PLANT AND TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT I SHOULD REPLACE THE HEAD OR INSTALL A HELICOIL AND ALSO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK. SO I HAD THEM INSTALL THE HELICOIL AND REPLACE THE DAMAGED PARTS. LESS THEN A MONTH LATER I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE I 90 AND I BLOW OUT THE NUMBER 5 CYLINDER SPARK PLUG AND THIS TIME IT TOOK OUT THE PLASTIC SHIELD AND RIPPED THE SPARK PLUG AND THE COIL PACK OFF HE TRUCK. I HAVE NOT DONE ANY THING BUT CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS AT THIS TIME. THERE SUGGESTION WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADS MY SELF AT A COST OF 6,000 DOLLARS.

NHTSA complaint #10331893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1999 FORD F-150 CAUGHT FIRE AND BURT TO THE GROUND IN A PARKING LOT. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMANT STATED BY A WITNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ABOUT 2 HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. FOUND NUMEROUS RECALL ARTICLES ON THE WEB ABOUT A SWITCH CATCHING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10173858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Bellevue, WA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AUGUST 24 MY F150 TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE NEARLY KILLING ME AND DESTROYING MY HOUSE. I NOTIFIED FORD THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME WHEN THEY DID THE LETTER STATES THAT I OWNED A WINDSTAR VAN AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME BECAUSE THE WINDSTAR HAS NO INVESTIGATIONS..I DO NOT A WINDSTAR THEY HAD THE CORRECT VIN NUMBER AND THIS DID DOT GET REPORTED TO YOU IN THE INVESTIGATIONS TRUCK IS 100% LOSS AND I NEED CORRECT COMPENSATION FOR MY LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10137502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 219,210 miles Lancaster, CA

ENGINE

NUMBER 3 SPARKPLUG AND COIL FLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE

NHTSA complaint #10810098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Rising SUN, MD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE INSPECTING MY VEHICLE FOR FUEL STRAP RECALL 11S21, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FRAME OF MY F150 WAS RUSTED THROUGH AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE NEW STRAP WOULD BE INSTALLED. MY FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE RECALLED STRAP UNTIL THE FRAME WAS REPAIRED (AT MY EXPENSE). FORD DOES NOT REPAIR THE FRAME UNDER THE RECALL, ONLY REPLACES THE STRAP. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD DO THE FRAME REPAIR AS PART OF THE RECALL, AS THE STRAP WAS LESS RUSTY THAN THE FRAME. THE STRAPS, IN MY OPINION, WERE OF SIMILAR QUALITY AS THE FRAME, ONLY THINNER METAL. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED, BUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS BEEN RUSTING EXCESSIVELY SINCE NEW. I OWN MUCH OLDER FORD VEHICLES WITH NO SUCH ISSUE; MY OPINION IS THAT FORD SOURCED POOR QUALITY MATERIALS WHEN BUILDING THESE MODEL YEAR TRUCKS. I ALSO HAVE RUST HOLES IN THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. NO REASON FOR THIS EXCESSIVE CORROSION, SINCE I HAVE BEEN DILIGENT ABOUT MAINTAINING THIS TRUCK. MY 1982 FORD VAN HAS NO SUCH ISSUES, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN CARED FOR AS WELL AS THIS TRUCK. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10761834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Dover, FL

TIRES

DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION AFTER APX 1 HOUR AROUND 70 MPH. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED / INFLATED TO MAX COLD PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. AIR TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE LOW 80S. I AM PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION IN CASE YOU TRACK SUCH INCIDENTS. NO RESPONSE IS REQUIRED. COOPER DISCOVERER H/T 255/70 R16 DOT UPCU C5U 2808.

NHTSA complaint #10693605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Soddy Daisy, TN Crash

AIR BAGS

ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED.

NHTSA complaint #10617878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Soddy Daisy, TN Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED.

NHTSA complaint #10617878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Soddy Daisy, TN Crash

SUSPENSION

ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED.

NHTSA complaint #10617878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Citruss Springs, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I TOOK MY F-150 IN FOR A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTING, THE DEALERSHIP WAS NICK NICHOLAS FORD IN INVERNESS, FLORIDA. THEY TOLD ME MY FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FROM RUST. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING IT. MY COMPLAINT IS IF THE STRAPS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE TANK TO RUST AND LEAK AT THE AREA WHERE THE STRAPS TOUCH THE TANK. WHY ISN'T THE TANK INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? THE RUSTED TANK LEAKING IS A CLEAR DANGER TO ME, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND OTHER DRIVERS. THE GAS NEVER DRIPPED ON THE GROUND SO I NEVER KNEW IT WAS LEAKING UNTIL I TOOK IT IN.

NHTSA complaint #10549669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,036 miles Chesterfield, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL TANK NOW LEAKS AFTER THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE STRAPS (11S21 RECALL). THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE TANK REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH THE TANK DID NOT LEAK BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE STRAPS!

NHTSA complaint #10497627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES BECAME MUSH, THEN LINES BURST IN BACK OVER TANK. MASTER CYLINDER WAS BONE DRY.

NHTSA complaint #10493483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,098 miles Conway, SC

TIRES

INSIDE OF TIRE IS SEPARATING. LARGE BUBBLE , 4" X 6" IN SIZE. NO OTHER LEAKS OR PUNCTURES OR PATCHES/PLUGS IN TIRE. CAUSES EXTREME VIBRATIONS. HAD TO REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES FOR SAFETY REASONS. 265 70R 17 WRANGLER AT/S

NHTSA complaint #10481266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Angola, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FAILURE OF GAS TANK STRAP CAUSING FUEL TANK TO FALL.

NHTSA complaint #10473618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Redmond, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, THEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND LOUD. MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN, THE #7 SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN SHOT FROM THE ENGINE, DAMAGINE THE IGNITION COIL AND ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY FROM THE INJECTORS ONTO THE NOW LOOSE SPARK PLUG. MECHANIC STATED I WAS LUCKY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. ENGINE IS FORD 5.4L V8. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE MEANS THAT THE ALUMINUM HEADS HAVE APPROX. HALF AS MANY THREADS AS A NORMAL SPARK PLUG, MEANING THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE FIRE RISK BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA complaint #10470515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Redmond, WA

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, THEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND LOUD. MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN, THE #7 SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN SHOT FROM THE ENGINE, DAMAGINE THE IGNITION COIL AND ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY FROM THE INJECTORS ONTO THE NOW LOOSE SPARK PLUG. MECHANIC STATED I WAS LUCKY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. ENGINE IS FORD 5.4L V8. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE MEANS THAT THE ALUMINUM HEADS HAVE APPROX. HALF AS MANY THREADS AS A NORMAL SPARK PLUG, MEANING THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE FIRE RISK BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA complaint #10470515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Redmond, WA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, THEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND LOUD. MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN, THE #7 SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN SHOT FROM THE ENGINE, DAMAGINE THE IGNITION COIL AND ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY FROM THE INJECTORS ONTO THE NOW LOOSE SPARK PLUG. MECHANIC STATED I WAS LUCKY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. ENGINE IS FORD 5.4L V8. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE MEANS THAT THE ALUMINUM HEADS HAVE APPROX. HALF AS MANY THREADS AS A NORMAL SPARK PLUG, MEANING THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE FIRE RISK BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA complaint #10470515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Washington, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I'VE HAD TWO PLUGS BLOW OUT ON MY 99 F150. IT HAS LESS THAN 100,000 ON IT. IF THEY KNOW ITS A DEFECT WHY NOT STEP UP AND FIX THE PROBLEM? IT COST $300 A PLUG!!!! LEFT ME STRANDED AT NIGHT WITH MY FAMILY ALONG THE ROAD!! MAKES ME WONDER IF I WANT TO STAY WITH FORD OR GO ELSEWHERE.

NHTSA complaint #10435214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,970 miles East Greenville, PA

TIRES

MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10341471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,988 miles Lorain, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAD JUST GOT OFF WORK AND WAS LEAVING THE PARKING AREA AND BLEW OUT THE NUMBER 4 SPARKPLUG ON THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD. I SHUT OFF THE MY TRUCK AND PARKED IT. I CALLED A FRIEND THAT LIVES CLOSE FOR A RIDE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I DROVE BACK TO THE PLANT AND TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT I SHOULD REPLACE THE HEAD OR INSTALL A HELICOIL AND ALSO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK. SO I HAD THEM INSTALL THE HELICOIL AND REPLACE THE DAMAGED PARTS. LESS THEN A MONTH LATER I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE I 90 AND I BLOW OUT THE NUMBER 5 CYLINDER SPARK PLUG AND THIS TIME IT TOOK OUT THE PLASTIC SHIELD AND RIPPED THE SPARK PLUG AND THE COIL PACK OFF HE TRUCK. I HAVE NOT DONE ANY THING BUT CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS AT THIS TIME. THERE SUGGESTION WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADS MY SELF AT A COST OF 6,000 DOLLARS.

NHTSA complaint #10331893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 154,000 miles Kearney, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 FORD F150 4X4 WITH 5.4L ENGINE HOME FROM WORK AND STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED TO GO AND THEN "POW" THE TRUCK BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD "POPPING" NOISE AND LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO KEEP IT RUNNING LONG ENOUGH TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND ON A SIDE ROAD. I HESITATED TO OPEN THE HOOD BECAUSE OF THE STRONG GASOLINE SMELL BUT IT WASN'T ON FIRE "YET" SO I OPENED IT AND FOUND ONE OF MY IGNITION COILS (COIL PACKS) LOOSE ON TOP OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I REALIZED THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD. I WAS ABLE TO CATCH A RIDE TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE WITH COIL AND PLUG IN HAND. THE SALESMAN AT THE STORE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND EVEN KNEW THE ENGINE WAS A 5.4L BEFORE BEING TOLD. HE SAID THAT IF I WAS LUCKY I WOULD PROBABLY JUST HAVE TO INSTALL A HELICOIL OR THREADED INSERT IN IT. THE OTHER OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD. I PURCHASED NEW COIL AND PLUG THEN DROVE BACK TO MY TRUCK. I TRIED TO CLEAN THE THREADS WITH A SPARK PLUG THREAD CHASER BUT THERE WERE NO THREADS LEFT TO CLEAN. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. SOME PEOPLE SAID THEY HAD MULTIPLE SPARK PLUGS BLOW OUT OR "SPIT OUT" ON THE SAME VEHICLE. WHY DOESN'T FORD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS? THE GASOLINE SMELL WAS DUE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR STILL SPRAYING WHILE THE PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD. WHAT IF IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE? I HAVEN'T REPAIRED IT YET BUT WILL TRY THE "REPAIR KIT" THAT WAS HANDED TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE COIL AND PLUG. I THINK FORD SHOULD RECALL ALL THE 5.4L ENGINES THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND INSTALL THE HELICOIL OR INSERT TO PREVENT A CUSTOMER BREAKDOWN OR A POTENTIAL VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10306206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Russellville, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABS FAILURE ON A FORD 1999 F-150. I HAVE HAD THE ABS FAIL TWICE AND THIS TIME IT HAS BEEN IN THE FORD DEALERS SHOP FOR OVER 30 DAYS. IT IS AT MORRISTOWN FORD IN MORRISTOWN,TN.37814. EACH TIME MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS TIME THIS REPAIR WAS NOT AT MY FAULT, SERVICE WRITER STATED IT HAD MOISTURE IN THE MODULE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? MORRISTOWN REPLACED THIS MODULE IN AUG. 2007, I FEEL I WAS SOLD A DEFECTIVE PART AND NOW THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $600.00. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE THE PART THAT WAS REPLACE MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME IT WAS MISSING GREASE THAT SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED MOISTURE. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #10258001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Cohutta, GA

VISIBILITY

THE BLEND DOOR THAT SEPARATES THE COLD AIR FROM THE HOT AIR BREAKS CAUSING NO HOT AIR TO BE RELEASED. THEREFORE NOT LETTING YOU DEFROST YOUR WINDSHIELD. THE WHOLE DASH HAS TO BE COMPLETELY REMOVED TO REPLACE THIS FREQUENTLY BREAKING PART. APROX $1100 IN DEALER REPAIRS. I HAVE FOUND IN NUMEROUS FORUMS AND ASKING DEALER TECH'S THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IF FORD PRODUCTS.

NHTSA complaint #10248746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,000 miles Memphis, TN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

BLEW OUT SPARKPLUGS AND BROKE BRACKET ON THE SIDE OF COIL PACKS. DON'T LIKE PAYING $85 A POP FOR FORD'S POOR DESIGN. PLUS THE HEALY COILS OR MAYBE THAT'S THE MOTIVE. THIS HAPPENED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10219634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,000 miles Memphis, TN

STRUCTURE

BLEW OUT SPARKPLUGS AND BROKE BRACKET ON THE SIDE OF COIL PACKS. DON'T LIKE PAYING $85 A POP FOR FORD'S POOR DESIGN. PLUS THE HEALY COILS OR MAYBE THAT'S THE MOTIVE. THIS HAPPENED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10219634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Center Barnstead, NH

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

MY CONCERN IS THE TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR ON THE 1999 FORD EXPEDITION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE PLASTIC ON THE DOOR CRACKING, CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. LAST WINTER I COULD NOT GET MY HEAT ON TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD, AND WAS ALMOST IN A WRECK BECAUSE I HAD TO WIPE THE WINSHIELD MYSELF WITH A PAPER TOWEL. THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THIS DOOR WAS TO SEPARATE THE COLD FROM THE HOT AIR. FORD QUOTED ABOUT $1100.00 TO FIX THIS PART SINCE THE WHOLE DASHBOARD HAS TO BE REMOVED TO GET ACCESS TO THE PART. I HAVE NOT HAD TIME OR THE MONEY TO GET THIS PART FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10196758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1999 FORD F-150 CAUGHT FIRE AND BURT TO THE GROUND IN A PARKING LOT. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMANT STATED BY A WITNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ABOUT 2 HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. FOUND NUMEROUS RECALL ARTICLES ON THE WEB ABOUT A SWITCH CATCHING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10173858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OLD Bridge, NJ

INTERIOR LIGHTING

DASH LIGHTS DON'T ALWAYS WORK MILEAGE LIGHT MOSTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10173218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.