1997 Ford Econoline Problems & Complaints

The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-150. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a parking lot, the contact leaned over to the passenger’s side to pick up the cell phone. The contact stated that after sitting back straight in the seat, the air bag deployed unintendedly and without impact. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s eyes and jaw were injured and required medical attention. The contact’s vision became blurry but has since started to improve. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The rear passenger compartment outside and inside door handles broke such that rear seating passengers cannot exit the vehicle and are trapped inside. In case of an accident, the emergency responders will have to resort to drastic time consuming measures such as ripping the doors off to save the trapped passengers. Apparently all years of Ford Econoline vans have this dangerous problem because there are numerous fix it videos all over the internet showing how to replace the cheap handle-latch failure prone plastic parts with non-breakable METAL parts.

This vehicle was made by Ford as a partially complete vehicle and converted to 4 wheel drive by Quigley Motor Company Inc. The Quigley torque arms installed appear to commonly fail from some of the earlier years and a design change has been made (from C-channel arms to tubular). The design and construction of the C-channel torque arm (connecting the front axle to the frame of the vehicle) is prone to failure from low cycle fatigue near the welds. Upon failure, the structural integrity of the vehicle is compromised which results could range from handling issues to loss of control of the vehicle (if more than one torque arm fails or failure of one leads to cascading failures in other components, the front axle could become disconnected from the vehicle while in motion leading to an accident.

The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-150 equipped with Milestar Tires, Tire Line: Grantland, Tire Size: 235/75/R15, DOT number: TB20R028. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 mph, the tires were bouncing. The contact stated upon checking the tires, his son noticed that the tires were cracked and had holes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the tires were defective. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate vehicle mileage was 150,258. The approximate tire failure mileage was 800.

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON

12/11/2019

MY HUSBAND HAD JUST STARTED UP HIS E150 ECONOLINE VAN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE AIRBAG JUST DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO REASON HE WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT HE DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING HE DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. IF HE HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE THAT HE DRIVES EVERY DAY HE COULD HAVE DIED OR KILLED SOMEONE.

THIS YEAR BOTH THE AIRBAGS IN MY 1997 FORD E350 VAN HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS--EACH OCCURRING WHILE THE VAN WAS IN 'PARK'. ON 1/31/18 THE DRIVER'S BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE VAN WAS WARMING UP IN A PARKING LOT. MY ADULT DAUGHTER STARTED THE VAN, PLUGGED HER PHONE INTO THE TOP CAR ADAPTER, AND ABOUT A MINUTE LATER (THE VAN WAS STILL PARKED) THERE WAS A BIG 'BOOM' FROM UNDER HER SEAT AND HER SEATBELT TIGHTENED. WITH THE SEATBELT STILL ON, SHE LEANED TO HER RIGHT TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMOKE FROM UNDER HER SEAT WHEN SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THANKFULLY SHE WAS SPARED ANY INJURY. SHE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM SO I DID NOT HAVE THEM DO ANY WORK ON IT [THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND A FEW OTHER THINGS WHICH I FELT WAS A 'BAND-AID' SOLUTION SINCE THEY ADMITTED THEY WERE GUESSING]. WE DROVE THE CAR HOME. ON 4/13/18 MY ADULT DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE FIRST BENCH ROW IN THE VAN TO HAVE A QUIET PLACE TO TALK ON THE PHONE. AFTER A WHILE ON THE PHONE, SHE PLUGGED HER PHONE INTO THE SAME CHARGER AND LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG EXPLODED. THIS OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THERE WAS NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NO ONE WAS SITTING IN EITHER FRONT SEAT! AGAIN, MY DAUGHTER ESCAPED INJURY, BUT NOW THE VAN WILL NOT EVEN START. AT THIS POINT, MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (A DIFFERENT ONE) AND MY PERSONAL REPAIR SHOP ARE REFUSING TO TOUCH THE VAN BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL LIABILITY REGARDING THIS KIND OF MALFUNCTION. MY INSURANCE CAN'T HELP BECAUSE THE VAN WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND "ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS ARE EXCLUDED FROM COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE." FORD CUSTOMER CARE SERVICE HAS TOLD ME REPEATEDLY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A PROTOCOL FOR THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME.

MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AND I WENT TO START IT UP TO RUN THE ENGINE AND CHARGE THE BATTERIES AS I DID NOT PLAN TO USE IT FOR ANOTHER FEW WEEKS. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND HIT ME HARD. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE PRETENSIONER FIRED OFF BREAKING THE HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE INCIDENT. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND I CAN SEE NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT ASSIGN A CASE NUMBER UNTIL IT IS INSPECTED AND CHECKED BY A FORD DEALER. THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER THAT SAID THEY WERE CAPABLE OF DOING THIS IS BOOKED UP AND CAN NOT LOOK AT IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEY DID MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 10/25/17. THE DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT 35 MILES AND I WILL HAVE TO DRIVE IT THERE WITH THE AIRBAG HANGING OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM SO THANKFUL THIS HAPPENED WHILE PARKED IN STORAGE AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS I THE RESULT MAY HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MY SELF AND/OR OTHERS. MY INJURIES ARE SOME BRUISING, HEADACHES, AND A SORE NECK. THE MILES I ENTERED ARE APPROXIMATE, I WILL VERIFY THE EXACT NUMBER LATER. *TT CONSUMER'S STATEMENT "MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE SENSORS CHECK GOOD WITH NO OPEN CIRCUITS. THE ONLY OPEN CIRCUITS ARE THE ITEMS THAT DEPLOYED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE PASSENGER SIDE BELT TENSIONER. UPDATED 7/25/18*JB

WHILE BACKING OUT OF TIGHT PARKING SPOT 9/1/17, WITH MULTIPLE TURNS OF THE WHEEL, TURNED WHEEL ONE LAST TIME TO PULL FORWARD INTO PARKING SPOT DRIVE AREA BUT AT THAT POINT, HEARD A CLUNK AND ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS GONE. CALLED FOR A TOW. TOW TRUCK DRIVE ASSISTED IN THE DIAGNOSIS NOTING THAT THE STEERING BOX HAD DISCONNECTED FROM VAN FRAME RENDERING STEERING WHEEL CONNECTION LINES USELESS. HAD VAN TOWED HOME. AFTER ONLINE READ, LOOKED AT FRAME THROUGH LEFT FRONT TIRE ACCESS AND SAW THE 3 BOLTS WE READ ABOUT. GRABBED THE TOP BOLT AND IT CAME RIGHT OUT. SAME WITH SECOND BOLT. LAST (THIRD) BOLT WAS A BIT JAMMED DUE TO THE STEERING BOX DROP, BUT ALL 3 BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND ALL STEERING WAS LOST. HAD WE NOT STOPPED AT A STORE FOR LABOR DAY HOLIDAY SUPPLIES ON OUR WAY TO CAMPSITE, WOULD HAVE LOST STEERING SOMEWHERE ELSE, LIKE ON THE FREEWAY, POSSIBLY DURING A SIMILAR TURN SITUATION. WE COULD HAVE KILLED OTHERS OR OURSELVES. FOUND THAT THIS FORD E150 STEERING BOLT ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN DOCUMENTED. WHY WHEN WE HAD THE VAN SERVICED AND SAID THE STEERING HAD FELT "LOOSE", WHY DIDN'T ANY MECHANIC FIND THIS POTENTIAL?? UN-EXCUSABLE SITUATION. OUR PARENTS, CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN ARE CURRENTLY DEPENDENT ON US. HAD WE DIED DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING, WHAT A NIGHTMARE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN. GRANTED, THE 20-YR-OLD VAN IS RUSTY, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW TO LOOK UNDER THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AREA AND APPARENTLY, MULTIPLE (NON-FORD DEALERSHIPS) MECHANICS DIDN'T EITHER !!

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-250. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FAN SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE FAN SPEED MELTED AND BURNED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PULLED THE COVER FOR THE DASHBOARD, AND REMOVED THE WIRES THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BURNED WIRES SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,092.

GEARBOX BOLTS BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. *TR

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. *TR

1997 FORD ECONOLINE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE ISSUES AND REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT.* LD THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE TIRES ON HER VEHICLE WERE RECALLED. HOWEVER, SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. RECALL #12T007000. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E150 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPARK PLUG BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,000.

CRUISE CONTROL STUCK ON WHEN TURNED OFF, THEN WOULD WORK ONLY SOMETIMES & STEERING VIBRATED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-350 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER ADVENTURE HT TIRES (N/A), SIZE 265/75/16R. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WITH FOUR OTHER TIRES, WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRE #8 WENT BAD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE REPLACEMENT ALSO WENT BAD.

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR WHEN AN EXPLOSION INCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRUCK BURNING UP. THE MOTOR AREA, FRONT WHEELS AND COMPLETED CAB WERE DESTROYED. GAS TANK DID NOT BLOW UP. *TR

THIS IS THE EXACT SAME SITUATION OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED ON NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01V114000 RELATING TO CRACKS/LEAKS TO THE 'MID SHIP' STYLE FUEL TANK. MY VAN IS A 1997 E-150 CONVERSION VAN. UNFORTUNATELY, I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION AS MANY OTHERS IN THE FACT THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER IS AFFECTED IN THIS RECALL. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED WITH VEHICLES MYSTERIOUSLY CATCHING ON FIRE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. VERY DISTURBING THAT A MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT AGREE TO REPLACE A LEAKING/DAMAGED FUEL TANK. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 52 MPH (PULLING A SMALL U-HAUL TRAILER) THE LEFT REAR TIRE ON MY VAN SUFFERED COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TREAD SUBSEQUENTLY WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE AND HAD TO BE PRIED LOOSE. THE TREAD WAS WHOLE AND INTACT (A COMPLETE CIRCLE), BUT THE CARCASS OF THE TIRE SHREDDED. THE TIRE IS (WAS( A UNIROYAL LT 245/75 R16 APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS OLD. I MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY ON MY RIM. THIS OCCURRED ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 25. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION 600 MILES FROM HOME I EXPERIENCED A WELL KNOWN FAILURE TO FORD TRITON ENGINE OWNERS KNOWN AS A SPARK PLUG EJECTION FAILURE. I WAS TRAVELING @ 65 MPH AND UP TO THE FAILURE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING NORMAL THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL SOUNDS. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE IT SOUNDED AS IF THE EXHAUST OR THE INTAKE WAS COMING APART. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND REMOVED THE DOGHOUSE AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE TO DISCOVER THE RIGHT BANK AND 2ND CYLINDER FROM THE REAR HAD EJECTED THE SPARK PLUG AND DESTROYED THE IGNITION COIL. I UNPLUGGED THE IGNITION COIL AND THE POWER CABLE FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR FROM THAT CYLINDER AND NURSED THE VAN TO A FRIENDS HOUSE 40 MILES AWAY WHICH TOOK OVER 3 HOURS. I CALLED SEVERAL FORD DEALERS TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY FINISHED THE STORY FOR ME, THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES AND THE FIX WOULD COST $1000.00 PER CYLINDER NEEDING REPAIRED. THIS IS A KNOWN FORD TRITON FLAW AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD WITH A RECALL. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THE SPARK PLUG LET GO THERE WAS A EXTREME LOSS OF POWER IF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT, AND THE RAW FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER ALONG WITH SPARK FROM A LIVE IGNITION COIL IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE ABS CONTROLLER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 172,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. WE PULLED OVER AND IMMEDIATELY GOT THE CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS BLAZING. *TR

1997 FORD ECONOLINE VAN. THE SPARK-PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ALUMINUM TRITON ENGINE DESTROYING THE EXISTING THREADS. FIRE HAZARD. EXPOSED FUEL TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

I HAVE AN 1997 FORD F150 THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK AND BOTH STRAPS THAT SECURED THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE. THE STRAPS WORE AWAY AT THE GAS TANK WHICH IN TURN CAUSED A FUEL LEAK IN THE TANK ITSELF. *TT

I LOOKED OVER MY 1997 FORD E-350 CLUB WAGON BEFORE INSPECTION LAST YEAR AND NOTICED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE INADEQUATE AND RUSTING HEAVILY. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND CITED FOR THE SAME RECALL THE FORD F150'S WERE THIS WEEK. THE TWO STRAPS ARE THIN AND OF POOR QUALITY -- MY TANK IS 35 GALLONS AND I AM AFRAID TO FILL IT MORE THAN HALF FULL UNTIL I GET NEW STRAPS INSTALLED OR REINFORCE THE EXISTING ONES. EVERY TRIP, I WORRY ABOUT IT FALLING OUT AND CATCHING FIRE OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH AND CAUSED HIM TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 1/19/2011 THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHT LENSES BECAME CLOUDY OVER TIME WHICH CAUSED POOR LIGHTING WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 03/25/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY WOULD ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER, WHEN CALLED, STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,400. UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE BLOCK WAS BAD. UPDATED 01/11/11.*JB

MY V10 FORD E-350 MOTOR HAD A HEAD FAILURE AND A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE EXPLOSION SOUND CREATED A PANIC AND STARTLED RESPONSE THAT ALMOST LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THEY WORK ON FLEET VEHICLES REGULARLY AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE. THE ALUMINUM HEAD OF THE ENGINE WAS TOO WEAK TO HOLD ON TO THE SPARK PLUG AND THAT LEAD TO THE EXPLOSION, FIRE, AND DAMAGE. THE SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THIS COULD VERY LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE AND IF I AM TRAVELING WITH MY FAMILY I COULD BE LEFT STRANDED, POSSIBLE A VERY DANGEROUS PART OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING STEEP OR DANGEROUS ROADS. IF THE VEHICLE CATCHES ON FIRE AGAIN IT COULD EXPLODE IF THE GAS LINE IGNITES. THIS ONE CYLINDER COST $800 TO FIX BUT NOW I HAVE 9 OTHER ONES TO WORRY ABOUT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A CURRENT RECALL BUT THERE WILL HAVE TO BE ONE ISSUED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ANY AMERICAN DRIVING A FORD VEHICLE WITH THIS ENGINE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE STATING SIMILAR SCENARIOS. *TR

HI, THE PART FAILURE IS A FUEL TANK CRACK THAT OCCURS IN THE MID90'S TO EARLY 2000S FORD VANS. THIS DESIGN PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO BY FORD, AND IS ADDRESSED ON A VERY LIMITED LIST OF CERTAIN MODELS AND YEARS UNDER A RECALL NOTICE 01V114000. HOWEVER, THIS TANK CRACK OCCURS ON OTHER NON LISTED VIN NUMBERS AS WELL, SUCH AS MINE. THIS IS THE PROBLEM, THE DOCUMENTED AND COVERED RECALL GROUP VIN NUMBERS PRECEDE MINE AND OCCUR SUBSEQUENT TO MINE, BUT SKIP SEVERAL VINS INBETWEEN. MY CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL TANK, AND THE RESULTING GASOLINE LEAKAGE, OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE TANK DESIGN, WHICH DESIGN FORD HAS REVISITED FIVE TIMES NOW. SO, THERE IS A GASOLINE LEAK THAT RESULTS FROM METAL FATIGUE, AS THE LONG "HOTDOG" SHAPED FUEL TANK FLEXES AND TWISTS, IN FORD'S WORDS, WITH THE FRAME, AND FAILS WHERE IT RUBS STRAPS OR CROSSMEMBERS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET A REPLACEMENT TANK FROM FORD, BUT ALL ARE SPOKEN FOR AND BACKORDERED AS THEY ARE BEING SUPPLIED TO THE DEALERS FOR THE VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT LIST OF DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. SO, NO TANKS ARE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE LIKE ME, WHO HAVE THE PROBLEM, BUT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD'S EXISTING RECALL LIST. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD FOR RESOLUTION, FORD CASE 599552380, FOR SOURCING A TANK AT LEAST FOR NOW. FORD WILL STILL NOT ADMIT TO OWNERSHIP OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PARTICULAR TANK--YET. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DOT, CASE #290654, TO HAVE THE RECALL GROUP EXPANDED TO COVER ALL OF US WHO NEED THIS HELP. AS AN ASIDE, THE LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANYTHING I NEED OR SUPPLY ME ANY SUPPORT SINCE WE COME TO THIS IMPASS AND SITUATION. THEY DO ALSO ADMIT HOWEVER, TO BEING UNABLE TO ASSIST ME BECAUSE OF THE LENGTHY BACKLOG OF PEOPLE NEEDING REPLACEMENT TANKS AND THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THESE TANKS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED AND RAPIDLY LEAKING GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A POTENTIAL RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BY HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V114000) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,289.

MY 97 FORD CLUB WAGON HEATER LINES TO THE REAS HEATER DISINTEGRATED. I FOUND THE LEAK AND DISCONNECTED THE LINES TO FIND THEM DETERIORATED 3/4 THE LENGTH. I KEPT THE LINES FOR INSPECTION. CONTACTING FORD THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY HAD NO INFORMATION OR RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE THIS OLD. MY FRIEND [XXX] , PASTOR AT CHURCH OF[XXX] , FREEPORT, ILLINOIS WAS NOT AS FORTUNATE. THE 97 FORD VAN THE CHURCH USES HAD LEAKED ENOUGH COOLANT OUT UNNOTICED THAT THEY ALMOST RUINED THE ENGINE FROM OVER-HEATING. THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING TO ALL VAN OWNERS TO WATCH FOR CORROSION AND LEAKS SO THEY DO NOT RUIN ENGINES AND A SOLUTION SHOULD BE GIVEN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I HEARD A LOUD POP AND DROVE ANOTHER 100 YARDS TO MY SONS HOUSE AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT WITHIN ONE MINUTE. IT HAS STEEL BANDS STICKING OUT OF A SPLIT IN THE TIRE. IT HAS A DIP IN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL WHERE THE STEEL BAND HAS BROKE. THE TIRE IS NOT CUT IT IS SPLIT. THIS WAS ONE OF TWO ON THE REAR , THE OTHER IS STILL ON. I HAVE THE TIRE./ I PUT ON THE SPARE, AND CAME HOME. *TR

AS I TYPE THIS COMPLAINT, I AM LISTENING TO SECRETARY LAHOOD,....IF WHAT HE SAYS IS TRUE I SHOULD HEAR SOMETHING BACK FROM YOU FAIRLY SOON!! I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE V10 FORD ENGINE.....IF YOU GO TO THE INTERNET AND TYPE IN "FORD V10 ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTING" OR ANYTHING SIMILAR TO THAT INQUIRY YOU WILL GET A HOST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING. MY 1997 FORD (MOTORHOME) SPIT OUT A SPARK PLUG SEVERAL MONTH AGO. CALLED FORD, THEY SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE MY MECHANIC INSTALL AN "INSERT" TO REPAIR THE STRIPPED OUT HEAD OR REPLACE THE HEADS.....OFFERED NO OTHER HELP. THE INSERT "FIX COST" $1,000. NEW HEADS WOULD HAVE COST $3,000 EACH. WORK WOULD BE GUARANTEED FOR A WHOPPING "90 DAYS". I OPTED FOR THE $1,000. FIX. AFTER THE FIX, MY WIFE (FIGHTING LUNG CANCER) AND I (RETIRED AIR FORCE-MILITARY) HEADED TO FLORIDA FROM MICHIGAN. WE MADE IT TO INDIANAPOLIS....APPROX 350 MILES. THE NEWLY REPAIRED "HEAD INSERT" ALLOWED THE PLUG TO SPIT OUT AGAIN!! LONG STORY SHORT, WE RETURNED HOME AND HAD A NEW ENGINE (REMANUFACTURED) ENGINE INSTALLED AT A COST OF $5,000. MY MILITARY PENSION CANNOT AFFORD THESE KIND OF MONETARY HITS. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A FIRE. WE WERE LUCKY IN THAT REGARD. FORD REPS, BOTH AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE (THEIR PHONE # LOCATED IN THE FORD SERVICE MANUALLY) DENIED ANY PROBLEMS....YET THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS. PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE TRYING TO FIND SOME RECOURSE FOR THE FORD CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEMS AND EXPENSE THAT I HAVE. ALL THE MECHANICS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THAT ONLY ADDS TO MY DISMAY. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN MORE PUBLIC INFO ON THIS PROBLEM....WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD MOTOR CO. OR AT LEAST FAIRLY HANDLED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME RECOGNITION THAT YOUR AGENCY IS AWARE AND LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH! *TR

THE BRAKE LINES HAVE FAILED IN THREE SEPARATE LOCATIONS OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS. FORTUNATELY, IT HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. NO CONFIDENCE IN THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VAN. *TR

SUDDEN TIRE TREAD SEPARATION OF THREE TIRES IN THREE WEEKS. TWO IN LESS THEN 15 MILES. TIRES ARE ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD AND ONLY 6000 MILES ON THEM. THEY ARE THE CORRECT SIZE AND LOAD E RATING KUHMO VENTURE HT FOR THE MOTORHOME THAT THESE TIRES ARE MOUNTED ON. THE TREAD SEPARATION HAD NO WARNING. THE MANUFACTURE CALLED THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE AS A BLOW OUT AND DID NOT TRY TO REPLACE OR INSPECT THE TIRE FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. I DO NOT LONGER HAVE THE FIRST FAILED TIRE. I DO HAVE THE OTHERS TWO REARS THAT FAILED IN THE 15 MILE SPAN AND THE REAR THAT HAS NOT FAILED. THEY WERE ALL REAR TIRES IN THERE ORIGINAL LOCATIONS IN THE TIME FRAME. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED AT LEAST TWO MORE YEARS OUT OF THE TIRES BEFORE ANY FAILURE OF THIS TYPE WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

ABS FAILURE WHEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 15 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. WHILE PLACING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A HUGE PUDDLE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A CRACK ON THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

OUR 1997 FORD F350 TRUCK WAS PARKED IN OUR BARN AND CAUGHT FIRE YESTERDAY MORNING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE TRUCK AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BARN AND ALSO CAUGHT OUR ATV ON FIRE. I LEFT FOR WORK AT 7 A.M. AND HAD BEEN IN THE BARN BEFORE LEAVING. THE FIRST DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AT 8:04 AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE, THE TRUCK WAS BASICALLY GONE. WE HAD OTHER DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIS FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E350. THE CONTACT AWOKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO FIND HIS VEHICLE ON FIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND SUCCESSFULLY EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIREFIGHTER STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE OVER 250,000.

SPARK PLUG EJECTION. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. FOR A MONTH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE WHEN ENTERING, EXITING, AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A FUEL STATION AND GASOLINE SPILLED TO THE GROUND WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO THE TANK. THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT FILL UP PAST HALF A TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

THE #3 SPARK PLUG ON MY '97 FORD E-350 VAN BLEW OUT (ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER THE PLUGS WERE CHANGED) WHILE STARTING TO DRIVE SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS COMMON ON THIS ENGINE (5.4 L 8-CYLINDER) AND THAT IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED YET (ESTIMATED BY MECHANIC TO BE $1500 TO PULL THE HEAD AND REPAIR). I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY OF FIRE WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ALTHOUGH THAT DID NOT HAPPEN IN OUR CASE (WE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE RIGHT AWAY AND HAD IT TOWED HOME). *TR

1997 FORD E350 V-10 ENGINE VAN BLEW OUT THE NUMBER 4 SPARK PLUG. LOUD POPPING SOUND FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF POWER AND STRONG FUEL SMELL. ALSO HAD A NEIGHBOR WITH AN F-150 THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM AND TRUCK BURNED TO THE GROUND IN UNDER 5 MINUTES. *TR

FORD POWERED MOTORHOME WAS DESTROYED BY AN ENGINE FIRE MAY 24 2008 THERE WAS A RECALL IN SEPTEMBER 2007 STATING THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD CAUSE A FIRE. DURING A PHONE CALL WITH A DEALER I WAS TOLD PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. FOUR DAYS AFTER THE FIRE MAY 24 2008 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD APOLOGIZING FOR THE LACK OF PARTS BUT THAT THEY WERE NOW AVAILABLE. *TR

I HAVE MICHELIN XPS 235-83/R16 TIRES ON MY MOTORHOME, LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. FOR NO REASON, I HAVE HAD 3 FAILURES OUT OF 4 TIRES. THE LAST FAILURE WAS IN THE RV LOT, WHERE I HAVE BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS, AND THE TIRE JUST BLEW OUT, SAME WITH THE OTHER 3 TIRES. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FILED ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE RECALL ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES.. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DISCOVERER A/T TIRES, SIZE P235/70R25. ANOTHER DRIVER NOTICED A BUBBLE ON THE CONTACT'S TIRE. THE TIRE THEN BLEW OUT ON THE WAY TO THE TIRE SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF

IN MY 1997 FORD F-150 4.6 LTR. AUTO TRANSMISSION I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH SELECTING DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH MY GEAR SHIFT. ALSO THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING ON OCCASION BECAUSE THE SHIFTER WASN'T ALL THE WAY IN PARK. WHEN YOU SHOVE IT IN PARK IT WOULD WORK, I FIGURED I WAS GOING TO BE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION SOON. TONIGHT THE TRUCK WILL NOT GO IN PARK AND I AM HAVING TO START THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL AND KEEP THE EMERGENCY BREAK ON. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IF THE EMERGENCY BREAK IS NOT ON OR FAILS THEN IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE. I HAVE NOT YET FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT WILL HAVE IT DONE TOMORROW! *TR

1997 FORD ECONOLINE WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE ANY PARTS IN SEPTEMBER. HE STATES THAT THEY STILL HAD NO PARTS IN DECEMBER. AS OF APRIL THEY STILL HAVE NO PARTS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *KB

PURCHASED USED 1997 FORD 150 IN EARLY 2005. DROVE TRUCK TO WORK IN SEPTEMBER 2007. SMOKE ENGULFED CAB. TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT TO GROUND. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS ALONG WITH CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT. LIABILITY INSURANCE DID NOT COVER EXPENSE. STILL PAYING FOR A TRUCK THAT I DO NOT HAVE. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE UNTIL AFTER TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007. HE HAS BEEN INFORMED EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER IN APRIL OF 2008 AND WAS INFORMED TO CHECK BACK IN MAY. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V051000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL) IN DECEMBER OF 2007. SHE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,887.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY PARTS; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAVE SENT SOME PARTS TO ALL OF THE DEALERS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

FORD RECALL 05S28 SPEED CONTROL RECALL; MY LETTER IS DATED AUG 2007 STILL WAITING FOR DEALERSHIP TO RECEIVE THE PART FOR THIS RECALL TRIED MANY DEALERSHIPS IN THE MILWAUKEE AND MADISON AREA WITH NO STOCK AND NO ETA OF PART CALLED FORD WITH NO ANSWER AS WELL. *TR

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SERVICE TO REMEDY THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL SPECIFIED IN ODI ID NUMBER : 10056190. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIPS IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA & BLACK MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA MONTHLY SINCE I WAS ADVISED OF THE RECALL AUGUST, 2007. EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS UNAVAILABLE FROM FORD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN FORD WILL HAVE THE PARTS TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 01/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

HAVE 1997 F-150,WENT ON VACATION, TRUCK RAN FINE. CAME BACK AND WENT TO PICK UP DOG FROM KENNEL, AND BOOM, HYDRO-LOCK. *TR

I EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR RECALL WHICH AFFECTS E-SERIES VANS. ON 05NOV07 MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY ENGINE BEGAN TO HESITATE, AS IF IT WOULD STALL. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE FORD DEALER ON 06NOV07. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY RESET THE CODES AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. ON 09NOV07 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN SLUGGISHLY. I DID NOT DRIVE THE VAN OVER THE WEEKEND BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD STALL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ON 12NOV07 THE DEALER REPLACED THE DPFE SENSOR AT A COST TO ME OF $364.04. I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATION ON 06DEC07 REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. MY REQUEST WAS DENIED. FAILURE OF DPFE SENSOR HAS THE SAME RESULTS AND THE SAME SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AS THE FAILURE OF THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. FORD SHOULD INCLUDE THIS FAILURE IN THE RECALL AS WELL, OR SOMEONE WILL BE HURT EVENTUALLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO SAFETY RECALL NOTICES FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. WHEN HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO FORD ON AUGUST 28, 2007, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER. HE THEN RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE ON OCTOBER 9, 2007, STATING THAT BECAUSE OF UNFORESEEN PART SHORTAGES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL NOVEMBER OR LATER. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH COULD BE DISCONNECTED. HE WANTS THE SWITCH REPAIRED, NOT DISCONNECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,747. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF

1997 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE WILL IT WAS PARKED AT MY SONS WORK. *AK

INCIDENT LIKE MANY OTHERS I HAVE HAD MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION XLT BLOW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE AND TROUBLE FREE WHEN A POP FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND A LOUD BANGING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP ; WHO IN TURN CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE REPLY WAS THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. MY LOCAL SERVICE TECH SAID THE REPAIR KIT ALONE WOULD COST $1,000,00. TO REPAIR IT HE SAID THAT FORD HAD ONLY USED 3 THREADS IN THE HEAD THAT FAILED, BUT ARE NOW REPLACING THEM WITH A 7 THREAD HEAD., THIS TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT ARE WILLING TO LEAVE THEIR CUSTOMERS OUT TO DRY.. I GUESS THE SCARY PART ABOUT THAT IS I STILL HAVE 4 MORE 3 THREAD SPARK PLUG HOLES TO WORRY ABOUT BLOWING OUT,.I ABSOLUTELY FEEL THIS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO IS LOOKING FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TO BUY IT'S TRUCKS. DAMAGE RESULTING IT WILL COST ME AS LITTLE AS $2,500.00 TO REPAIR THE CURRENT PROBLEM ( AND NO GUARANTY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN). OR UP TO $5,500.00 TO REPLACE THE BUILT TOUGH 5.4 TRITON ENGINE. *TR

GAS SPILLED OUT OF THE ORIGINAL FUEL TANK WHILE FILLING UP ON FLAT GROUND. DEALER SAID THE TANK HAD RUBBED ON A CROSS MEMBER AND HAD A HOLE IN THE TANK.*AK

ENGINE HYDRO-LOCK. I OWN A 1997 E-150 CONVERSION VAN. IT HAS THE 4.2L V-6 ENGINE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED ALONG WITH THE WATER PUMP AND GASKET AND ALSO TIMING GEAR GASKET. ALL DUE TO A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. FORD REPLACED THIS IN THE V-8 MODEL CARS DUE TO READING A LAWSUIT ABOUT IT ON THEIR SITE. I HAVE READ IN MANY FORUMS THAT I'M NOT ALONE IN THIS COSTLY REPAIR. I CONTACTED FORD TO BE TOLD THAT THE LAWSUIT DID NOT PERTAIN TO MY VAN. SINCE I'M NOT ALONE, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IF ANYTHING CAN I DO? HTTP://WWW.FORDMANIFOLDSETTLEMENT.COM/INDEX.HTML HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-224.HTML

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT IN A 1997 FORD F 150 PICK UP TRUCK WITH A 5.4 V8. *JB

MY VAN HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME I NEED TO CLEAN THE INJECTORS. WELL IT HAS BEEN STARTING SLUGGISH FROM DAY ONE. TODAY IT WILL NOT START. SAME SYMPTOMS AS EVERYBODY ELSE. WEAK BATTERY AND SMOKE STILL WILL NOT START. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. I THINK IT'S GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE. *JB

1997 ECONOLINE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER ON ITS SIDE. *TS *JB

ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED INTO CYLINDER DUE TO GASKET FAILURE CAUSING PISTON ROD TO BEND. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS ALL TO COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1997 4.2 V6. I AM UNABLE TO HAVE MY TRUCK REPAIRED AT THIS TIME .THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED $4,000.00. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE A LOUD CLANGING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED A PISTON ROD WAS BENT DUE TO ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING INTO THE PISTON CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

MY 97 FORD E150 HAS THE 5.4 MOTOR IN IT. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS SPARK PLUG BLOW OUTS. THIS IS MY SECOND IN A YEARS TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE DUE TO RAW FUEL COMING OUT OF THE SPARK PLUG HOLE AND THE COIL LAND ON THE HEAD COULD CASE A SPARK AND BOOM BAD FIRE. *NM

CRASH RIGHT FRONT,WHEEL BEARING NUT SHEERED OFF, ROTOR BROKE, WHEEL, TIRE ,AND HUB ASSEMBLY CAME OFF VEHICLE. WHEEL AND TIRE UNDAMAGED. *NM. *AK UPDATED 06/22/06 *JB

VEHICLE IS A FORD E-350 CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH A UNICEL BOX BODY. THE FAILURE IS THE MOUNTING OF THE TRUCK BODY TO THE CHASSIS. THE DESIGN OF THE BOX ATTACHING MECHANISM IS INFERIOR RESULTING IN A SEPARATION OF THE BODY FROM THE CHASSIS. THE BODY IS ATTACHED ONLY TO THE PLYWOOD FLOOR OF THE BOX ONLY WITH NO OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS. THE ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE ALSO INACCESSIBLE FOR INSPECTION RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO INSPECT THE CORROSION OF THE BOLTS AND THE ULTIMATE FAILURE OF THE MOUNTING TO THE CHASSIS. *NM

FORD'S RECALL NUMBER IS 01S14. MY E150 FILLS THE REQUIREMENTS OF "NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH ... ROUGH ROAD... THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK ... CRACK ... " FORD TELLS ME THAT MY VIN IS OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF COVERED VANS. THE RECALL COVERS 1997 THROUGH 2001 MODELS. I SEE NO WAY THAT FORD WOULD KNOW WHICH VANS ARE USED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED MANNER. THIS PROBLEM APPEARED FROM THE BEGINNING OF MY OWNERSHIP. ANY FILLING OF MORE THAN 3/4 TANK, RESULTED IN STRONG GASOLINE SMELL AND LEAKAGE. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. EVEN THOUGH I TRIED TO NOT FILL PAST 3/4, SOMETIMES I WOULD EXCEED THAT. EXPLOSION AND FIRE WERE CONSTANT THREATS. MY FORD DEALER TELLS ME THAT IT CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE MY VAN SHOULD BE INCLUDED. I AGREE. I HAVE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BELOW INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. I BOUGHT THE VAN IN DECEMBER 2001. *JB

SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM CYLINDER HEAD AND REPEATEDLY STRUCK PRESSURIZED FUEL RAIL. *JB

I HAD A FUEL TANK LEAK ON MY FORD E150 CONVERSION VAN IN 2001. THE VAN HAD 85000 MILES ON IT. HAD THE TANK REPLACED AT A DEALER; ORIGINALLY HE ORDERED THE WRONG TANK, THINKING I HAD THE SMALLER ONE, BUT I HAVE THE 35 GAL. MIDSHIP TANK LISTED IN 01V114000. THEY REPLACE THE TANK ABOUT THE TIME THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED. THEN, 85000 MILES LATER, I HAVE THE SAME LEAK, EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE VISITED TWO DEALERSHIPS, EVEN SPOKEN TO THE ORIGINAL SERVICE MANAGER WHO HANDLED THE REPAIR IN 2001; ALL DENY THAT THE RECALL APPLIES TO THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED FORD AT THE NUMBER LISTED IN 01V11400; THEY DENY THAT I HAVE THIS FUEL TANK, EVEN THOUGH THEY INSTALLED IT SPECIFICALLY, ALTHOUGH OBVIOUSLY NOT ACCORDING TO THE RECALL INSTRUCTIONS. I FIGURE BECAUSE IT WAS A CONVERSION VAN THEY MAY NOT THINK IT WAS THE "ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT". I HAVE NOW HAD THIS PROBLEM TWICE, AND PAID FOR IT THE FIRST TIME. I WANT THEM TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE ORIGINAL REPAIR UNDER THIS RECALL, AND THEN TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR CORRECTLY, SINCE OBVIOUSLY THAT WASN'T DONE. I'M SURE THIS FUEL TANK LEAK HAS COST ME A LOT IN EVAPORATED GASOLINE TOO, PARTICULARLY AT TODAY'S PRICES. *NM

1997 FORD ECONOLINE 150 UNIVERSAL CONVERSION VAN. GAS TANK ROTTED OUT AT FILLER TUBE. GAS RUNS OUT ON GROUND WHILE FILLING. GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

BRAKES LINES BURST AND BRAKES ON VAN FAILED. ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROTTED AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PUTTING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE IT WAS LEAKING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED HE THOUGHT THE PUMP DID NOT CUT ITSELF OFF. THE NEXT TIME HE PUMPED FUEL IT CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY FOUND THE HOSE THAT CONNECTED TO THE TANK WAS DRY ROTTED. AT THAT TIME, HE HAD THE HOSE REPLACED.*AK UODATED 12/27/05. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E150. ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOST THROUGH THE REAR BRAKE LINES. THE MECHANIC DESCRIBED IT AS CORRODED, RUSTED LINES. THE CONSUMER REPORTED HAVING NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. HE NOTICED THIS TODAY.*AK

1997 FORD ECONOLINE 150 UNIVERSAL CONVERSION VAN. GAS LEAKS AT GAS TANK WHEN FILLING UP. THE MAIN FILLER TUBE ( HOSE) SEEMS TO BE LEAKING. GAS RUNS OUT ALL OVER THE GROUND. GAS TANK MUST BE DROPPED TO REPLACE HOSE. *JB

DRIVER SIDE TIE-ROD SEPERATION '97 FORD EXPEDITION WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON HIGHWAY. LOSE OF STEERING CONTROL. SERIOUS ACCIDENT AVOIDED ONLY BECAUSE OF EMERGENCY BRAKING.

DT: CONTACT STATES BECAUSE OF HIS DISABILITY THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO PUT INTO GEAR, ALSO IT IS HARD TO START THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.*AK *JB

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.*AK

MY FORD 150 WAS PURCHASED WITH THE 504 LITER ENGINE AND ALTHOUGH IT IS A 1997 MODEL HAS ONLY 19000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK THAT HAS BEEN ROUGHLY DIAGNOSED AS THE MAIL SEALS BOTH FRONT AND REAR. I HAVE SPENT $300.00 TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAL AND THE REAR SEAL HAS BEEN QUOTED TO ME AS ANOTHER $600.00. I FEEL FORD SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR ME AS I DOUBT MINE IS THE ONLY OCCURANCE OF THIS TYPE.

DT: FORD EXPEDITION. NOTHING WAS APPARENT BEFORE THE FAILURE. TWO MINUTES AFTER ARRIVING HOME THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONTACTED FORD, THE POLICE, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT, AND SAID IT WAS IN THE ENGINE AREA WITH ELECTRICAL ARCING. FORD SAID THEY WERE GOING TO SEND AN INSPECTOR ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT NOW SAID THE CASE WAS CLOSED AND WILL NOT BE SEND AN INSPECTOR. *AK

I WAS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE FORD BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH STARTING FIRES IN EXPLORES AND RANGERS I BELIEVE. OUR COMPANY OWNS 17 ECONOLINE CHASSIS VEHICLES AT THIS DIVISION. I WAS JUST CONCERNED WHEN I FOUND A BLOWN FUSE IN THE 4-WAY FLASHER CIRCUIT OF OUR 97 E-SUPER DUTY VAN. WHICH THIS CIRCUIT ALSO CONTAINS THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. WHEN REINSTALLING THE FUSE THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH STARTED TO SMOKE AND GET HOT ENOUGH TO GET THE BRAKE FLUID TO ITS FLASH POINT. THE BRAKE FLUID PROCEEDED TO SMOKE AND PUSH ITS WAY PAST THE SWITCH. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE OTHER THAN A NEW SWITCH. IWAS JUST CONCERNED THAT THE FUSE DID NOT BLOW AND IF I WAS NOT THE THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE.

FORD ECONOLINE ( 25V) 1997, ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. *BF PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE FIRE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT ARE IN FORD VEHICLE. *JB

FORD MOTOR CO. HAD KNOWLEDGE OF FAILURE OF THE FRONT COVER GASKET AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IN 97 & 98 E-150 AND F-150 VEHICLES. FAILURE OF ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE ITEMS WILL END THE LIFE OF A ENGINE. FORD WILL NOT ACKKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH NUMEROUS TSB'S HAVE BEEN PUT OUT. THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM THAT A WEB SITE IS DEDICATED TO IT. (LEAKINGFORDS.COM) ANOTHER SITE THAT HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IS HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=224&PAGE=4&PP=15 PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS FAILURE END UP NEEDING A ENGINE REPLACED. *AK

HEATER TEMP CONTROL FAILS. *AK

1997 EXPEDITION SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY 45 MINUTES AFTER IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE CAME AND PUT OUT WHAT WAS ALMOST A CATASTROPHIC HOUSE FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TO REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING COMPARABLE WE BOUGHT A 99 EXPEDITION. WE WERE OUT $8000 IN THE TRADE. THE OLDER EXPEDITION HAD ONE CAR PAYMENT LEFT ON IT BEFORE THE FIRE. NOW I AM HORRIFIED THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER ON IN THE DRIVEWAY.*AK

APPROXIMATELY EVERY 15,000 TO 20,000 MILES I NEED TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. THE ROTORS ARE BADLY WARPPED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPERS, BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. THE REAR DRUMS ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAS LITTLE WEAR. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE REAR DRUMS ADJUSTED REGULARLY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE THE LONGEVITY OF THE FRONT BREAKS. I HAVE ABOUT 140,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES 7 OR 8 TIMES. I DID HAVE ONE ACCIDENT DUE TO POOR BREAKING, AND THE NEXT DAY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS.*AK

UPON FILLING THE GAS TANK THERE IS EXTERNAL GAS LEAKAGE.THE GAS RUNS BACK OUT ONTO THE GROUND. CONSUMER REPAIRED IT. *AK 1 1/2 INCH DIAMETER HOSE AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK CRACKED. *TC

FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK ON BOTH SIDES. RECALL 01V114000 WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

I HAVE A 97 FORD E-350 AND THE FUEL LINE DEVELOPED A LEAK DUE TO THE PLASTIC OUTER COATING RUBBING AGAINST THE LINE. I CONSIDER THIS A FIRE HAZARD AS IT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST.*AK

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO MY COMPLAINT FROM LAST YEAR (ODI 10038825). I REMOVED THE GAS TANK FROM MY VAN AND FOUND THE LEAKS (SEVERAL) WERE CAUSED BY THE METAL TANK RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME CROSS RAILS. *AK THE TANK IS METAL TO METAL CONTACT WITH THE FRAME OF THE VAN, THERE IS NO ISOLATION OF ANY KIND. THIS SEEMD TO BE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW (TO ME ANYWAY) AND I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO LET THEM KNOW. FORD EXPRESSED NO CONCERN, SINCE THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY DEATHS OR INJUIES REPORTED. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I AM THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS CONDITION. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FRAME AND TANK, PRIOR TO HAVING IT REPAIRED. I TOOK THE TANK TO A SHOP AND HAD THE LEAKS WELDED, I ALSO CUT UP AN INNER TUBE AND PLACED IT BETWEEN THE TANK AND FRAME RAILS, TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. I THINK THERE ARE LOTS OF FORD VANS ROLLING ON THE ROADS OF THIS COUNTRY THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ONE OF THEM BLOWS UP!

1) ENGINE BEGINS TO RUNS ROUGH. ) EGR PORTS BECOME CLOGGED 3) INTAKE HAS TO BE REMOVED AND PORTS CLEANED AND INJECTORS FLUSHED. WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FORD 6 CYL. ENGINE, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT IT. IT WILL HAVE TO BE DONE AGAIN PERIODICALLY. *AK

THE MOTOR HOME ENGINE OPERATED FINE WHILE WE WERE ON AN EXTENDED 1700 MILE TRIP. THE GAUGES REGISTERED NORMAL. WE CHECKED THE OIL & ANTIFREEZE & THEY WERE AT THE NORMAL LEVELS. AFTER WE RETURNED: AT MILEAGE 48526 WE STARTED THE ENGINE ON MAY 6, 2004 THE ENGINE STARTED WITH A LARGE KNOCKING NOISE & THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE OUT THE TAILPIPE. 2. ANTIFREEZE HAD GOTTEN INTO THE OIL SO THE ROD BENT & #1 CYLINDER WAS SCORED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. 3. THE HEAD GASKETS & HEAD WAS NORMAL - THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED!*JB

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RETURN LINE FAILED AS I WAS READY TO DEPART FOR THE DAY. I HAD STOPPED AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 300 FEET; UPON EXITING I SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND NOTICED A FUEL TRACK LEADING FROM MY VEHICLE. FUEL WAS LEAKING BADLY ONTO THE HEAT SHIELD ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR MUFFLER. HAD THE FAILURE OCCURED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS HOT, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE BOMB. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER. THEY REPLACED PART [XXX], A $143.39 TUB ASSEMBLY-FUEL LINE, WHICH IS A COMPOSITE METAL AND HIGH PRESSURE PLASTIC FUEL LINE. TOTAL BILL WAS $443.93 AND A TWO DAY DELAY IN DEPARTURE. I HAVE THE FAILED PART WHICH, WHEN RETURNED TO ME, WAS BENT (BY THE MECHANIC) AT THE POINT OF FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC LINE 1 INCH FROM WHERE IT WAS BONDED TO THE METAL SEGMENT. 1997 FORD ECONOLINE E350 VAN CONVERSION VIN [XXX] (V-10 ENGINE). FORD WEB SITE SHOWS NO RECALL FOR THIS VIN. CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I DROPPED A ROD TODAY IN MY 1997 FORD-F150 WITH 77,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON EVERY 1000 MILES. HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT I WOULD NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT. MAYBE 1997 MODEL WAS A PROBLEM WITH FORD ACKNOWLEDGING PROBLEM. *NM

WHILE FILLING THE FUEL TANK ON MY 1997 E-150, GASOLINE BEGIN LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WHERE THE FILLER TUBE AND TANK MEET, A TEAR HAD DEVELOPED IN THE RUBBER HOSE. THE REPAIR SHOP CONTACTED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ON ANY POSSIBLE RECALL INFORMATION. THE DEALER INDICATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS, BUT THIS WAS A "COMMON" PROBLEM. THIS IS AND CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, ENGINE SPED UP, LOSS OF BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE NOISE WAS HEARD, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING PIN BOX NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO HAVE THIRTEEN SETS OF TIRES REPLACED. *JB

WE PURCHASED A 1997 FORD E150 RAISED ROOF CONVERSION VAN FROM JIM O'NEAL FORD IN SELLERSBURG, INDIANA JUST ACROSS THE BORDER FROM LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. THE CONVERSION WAS BY SUPERIOR IN LOUISVILLE. WE PURCHASED THAT PARTICULAR VAN BECAUSE IT WAS HIGHLY RATED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS A CONVERSION COMPANY. WE DROVE THE VAN FOR SIX YEARS AND JUST RECENTLY TRADED IT IN. IT HAS 97,000 MILES ON IT. THE MAJOR PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE VAN WAS WITH THE FRONT END. BOTH FORD AND OUR LOCAL TIRE DEALER HAVE TOLD US THAT BECAUSE THE VAN IS RAISED ROOF AND HEAVIER THAN NORMAL, WE SHOULD EXPECT EXCESSIVE TIRE AND BRAKE WEAR. HOWEVER, WE OFTEN WOULD HAVE TO PUT BRAKES ON THE VAN MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR AND REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES YEARLY. THE FRONT TIRES WOULD GET ABNORMAL WEAR (CUPPING) WHICH WOULD DESTROY ALL FOUR TIRES EVENTUALLY WITH NORMAL ROTATION. AT 60,000 MILES, A FORD REPAIR SHOP IN JOPLIN, MO TOLD US THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY FELT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG. ONLY 30,000 MILES LATER, WE WERE ONCE AGAIN TOLD THE BALL JOINTS WERE DESTROYED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. ANY TIME WE ASK IF THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, WE WERE TOLD (WITH A SHOULDER SHRUG) THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE RAISED ROOF. I THINK FORD SHOULD WARN POTENTIAL BUYERS OF THEIR CONVERSION VANS THAT THEY WILL EXPERIENCE ABNORMAL BRAKE, TIRE AND FRONT END WEAR AND SHOULD EXPECT TO HAVE $6-800 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS YEARLY. IF THEY CANNOT MANUFACTURE A FRONT END CAPABLE OF HANDLING A HEAVIER LOAD FROM THE RAISED ROOF, THEY SHOULD NOT BE SELLING RAISED ROOF VANS.

CONSUMER NOTICED A FUEL PUDDLE UNDER VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN DRIVE WAY. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED FUEL TANK WITH CRACKS IN TWO PLACES. ALSO, FILLER WAS CRACKED. *AK

BLOWN SPARK PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE HEAD, TOOK THE THREADS WITH IT COSTING OVER $3000.00 FORD WILL NOT EXCEPT RESPONSABILITY FOR THERE NEGLIGENCE IN THERE MACHINE SHOP CAN YOU HELP?

VEHICLE'S ROOF SEPARATED FROM CHASSIS WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH. *MR WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VAN'S ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS AND FELL ONTO THE ROADWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE SEPARATED SECTION INCLUDED THE FIBERGLASS SHELL AD DOME WIRING. PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE, THE WOOD FRAME SUPPORT WAS STRENGTHENED TO CORRECT THE LOOSE FITTING INTERIOR FRAME. *NLM

I TOOK MY 1997 FORD E150 CONVERSION VAN IN FOR SERVICE, WITH THE COMPLAINT OF THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE, WHICH SEEMS TO BE WORSE AFTER I FILL IT UP. THE TECHNICIAN STATED IN HIS REPORT THAT THE TOP OF THE TANK WAS WET WITH GASOLINE AND HE SUSPECTS THAT IT IS CRACKED. HE ALSO TOLD ME A SEARCH CAME UP WITH A FORD RECALL FOR 1997 E150 VANS WITH THIS ISSUE. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL FOR MY VAN. I LOOKED ON YOUR WEB SITE AND FOUND RECALL #01V114000, WHICH SEEMS TO PERTAIN TO MY VAN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VAN, WITH GAS LEAKING AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THE TANK WOULD BE $400 + LABOR TO REPAIR. *JB WHAT NOW? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP SINCERELY, BRIAN HOLGATE. *JB

THE BALL JOINTS AND TIRES WORE OUT FASTER THAN NORMAL. DRIVER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM EVERY 5000 MILES. THE CAUSE WAS LACK OF LUBRICATION. *AK BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE FRONT RIM AND THE ROTORS. *PH *JB

PROBLEMS WITH RUBBER HOSE, RUST AND CORROSION TO THE METALLIC BRAKE LINES.*MR *CB

A FIRESTONE TIRE ON THE FRONT OF OUR COMPANY VAN DELAMINATED. IT WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD AND IS NOT ON ANY RECALL LIST. I HAVE PICTURES ALONG WITH THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE TRUCK. LUCKLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DOING 65 MPH AT THE TIME. THE TIRE NEVER WENT FLAT.*AK

A TIRE BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE MOTOR HOME. FIRESTONE LT 225/75/16. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.

STEERING BOX FAILURE. SET SCREW ON RACE NUT BACKED OUT CAUSING GEAR RACE NUT TO COMPLETELY BACK OUT CAUSING GEAR INPUT SHAFT TO MOVE AND BIND ON GEAR VALVE HOUSING. THIS CAUSED MY STEERING TO LOCK UP TO THE RIGHT AND FORCE ME OFF THE FREEWAY AT 45 MPH.

THE RUBBER HOSE ~7/8" DIA. JUST ABOVE THE GAS TANK FILLER TUBE, WHICH RELIEVES PRESSURE AND ALLOWS THE TANK TO FILL PROPERLY, CRACKED AND SEPARATED. WHEN EVER THE TANK WAS FILLED TO THE TOP, FUEL WOULD SPEW ALL OVER THE GROUND. THE LEAK RAN DOWN FRAME RAILS AND WAS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE, I HAD TO CRAWL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, DURING FILLING TO FINALLY LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE FUEL LEAK. ONCE BEFORE THE LEAK WAS LOCATED, I DUMPED ABOUT A GALLON OF FUEL OR MORE ON THE GROUND, BEFORE I COULD SHUT OFF THE PUMP AS I FILLING MY TANK AND CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL AT THE SAME TIME. I DETERMINED WHERE THE FUEL LEAK WAS EMANATING FROM AFTER SEVERAL OTHER FILLS. AS MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I REPAIRED THE RUBBER LINE MYSELF (USING A LENGTH OF RUBBER HOSE FROM NAPA) NOT USING THE FORD PART BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME POTENTIAL FOR THE PART TO PREMATURELY FAIL AGAIN, AND ITS QUITE DIFFICULT TO ACCESS THE ONE CLAMP (REQUIRING A MIRROR) SO I DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE THIS REPAIR AGAIN BY USING A FAULTY FORD PART. THIS PART IS MANUFACTURED WITH A HOSE CLAMP MOLDED INTO ONE END OF THE HOSE. AS IT USES HEAT TO ENCASE PART OF THE HOSE CLAMP WITH RUBBER TO RETAIN IT ON THE END OF THE HOSE, THIS PROCESS HARDENS THE HOSE AND THE HOSE WILL CRACK AT THE CLAMP. MY OPINION IS THAT THIS IS AN EXTREME FIRE POTENTIAL. *NLM

1997 FORD ECONOLINE E-150 VAN. SPARE TIRE STORED UNDERNEATH BODY OF VAN, SUSPENDED BY THIN METALLIC CABLE. CABLE SNAPPED, ALLOWING TIRE AND TWO METAL BRACKET PIECES TO FALL ONTO ROAD SURFACE. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY DOING 2-3 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. HAD I BEEN ON A STREET OR FREEWAY AT A HIGHER SPEED, CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURIES/FATALITIES COULD HAVE RESULTED. *NLM

THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL DUE TO A FUEL TANK CRACK *NLM

THE PARKING CABLE WAS DESIGNED TOO SHORT, AND WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. *JB

THE INSURANCE COMPANY ADVISED THE CHURCH TO REMOVE THE REAR SEAT OF THE VAN OR PAY A HIGHER PREMIUM. THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHURCH REQUESTED INFORMATION OF THE CHURCH HAS REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND IT DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH A FULL COMPLIMENT OF THE 15 PASSENGERS. MR SCC

TEMPERATURE WAS STUCK ON COLD. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET TO MODERATE. *DT

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AT 40 MPH THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A VEHICLE ROLLOVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE ALUMINUM HEAD OF AN E-350 FORD V-8 VORTEX ENGINE. MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAVE REPORTED FAMILIARITY WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHEN VEHICLE REACHES 60,000 PLUS MILES. INDIVIDUAL WITH SAME TYPE AND YEAR (97) TRUCK IS HAVING SAME TROUBLE.

STEERING CONTROL ARM SNAP.

1997 FORD SUPER CLUB WAGON XLT (E350) ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES INAPPROPRIATELY CAUSING TOTAL LACK OF BRAKING POWER. THE ABS CONTROL UNIT DOES NOT RECORD AN ERROR CODE SO MY MECHANIC CANNOT FIND A CAUSE. I HAVE HAD TO REMOVE THE ABS FUSE IN ORDER TO HAVE TRUSTWORTHY BRAKES.

AFTER CONSUMER FILLED THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK WITH GAS THEY SMELT GAS FUMES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD A LEAK. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

ENGINE REPLACEMENT/ I HAVE BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER IN FORD PRODUCTS AND STILL BELIEVE THAT FORD MAKES A GOOD PRODUCT...I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE POSITION I WAS PLACED IN LAST WEEK...I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY FORD TRUCK THE BEST THAT I COULD AND NEVER HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IT FOR THE 6 YRS I HAVE OWNED MY TRUCK...I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW STALL OUTS A FEW TIMES BUT NOTHING THAT I TOOK TO SERIOUS, I FIGURED MAYBE A SPARK PLUG PROBLEM...THE FACT THAT MY ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT AT 86000 IS BEYOND ME. LOOKING INTO THE COMPLAIANCE INVETIGATIONS SUMMARY I REALIZED THAT I AM IN COMPANY WITH MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT...I FEEL THAT THIS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURES ENGINE AND THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT ENGINE. MR

TREAD SEPARATION ON 2 TIRES WITHIN 1,000 MILES OF EACH OTHER. *AK

THESE TIRES HAS TO BE INVESTIGATED! I'VE HAD 3 BLOWOUTS ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. TIRES HAD 15,000 MILES ON THEM. FIRST BLOWOUT OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, TIRE HAD MULTIPLE BELT SEPERATIONS. PUT ON SPARE TIRE OF SAME BRAND AND SIZE AND BARELY GOT HOME BEFORE THE BELT STARTED COMING APART. WENT TO FIRESTONE DEALER, AND THEY SOLD ME ANOTHER STEELTEX FOR REPLACEMENT. 2 MONTHS LATER WENT ON A ROADTRIP TO CALIFORNIA AT ABOUT 75MPH AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF AND BLEW OUT. THE VAN NOSE DIVED OFF THE HIGHWAY OUT INTO THE DESERT AND ALMOST ROLLED. 8 PEOPLE ALMOST WERE KILLED. EVERY TIME THE TIRE SHOWED SAME SYMPTOMS BEFORE FAILURE. VEHICLE WOULD BE ON HIGHWAY CRUISING WHEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THEN BAM! I AM AN MECHANIC BY TRADE AND I KEEP MY VEHICLE IN TOP SHAPE WITH CORRECT AIR PRESSURE AND ROTATION, SO THIS IS NOT HUMAN OR ROAD ERROR. SEVERE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VAN IN THE INCIDENT. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND (BF GOODRICH) AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX HAS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS THIS IS RIDICULOUS ASWELL AS DANGEROUS! I FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRES ASWELL AS THE DAMAGES! *AK

WHILE REFUELING VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION CONSUMER SAW FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED. THERE IS RECALL O1V014000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED, DEALER DETERMINED THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD MELTED ON ONE SIDE, AND MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED.*AK

GAS TANK IS LEAKING FLUID AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

EXHAUST IS SMOKING BAD, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, DEALER STATES ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A TSB REGARDING THIS, TSB 99-20-7. *SLC

PASSENGER REAR TAIL LIGHT BLINKS VERY FAST, DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS TOWED DUE TO ENGINE LOCKING UP, ENGINE WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A TSB REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, TSB99-20-7. *SLC

VEHICLE IS STALLING WHEN BACKING UP AND COMING TO A STOP. THIS BECAME PROGRESSIVLY WORSE. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILLE PULLING OUT INTO THE INCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS HOOKED UP TO A MONITORING DEVICE WHICH HAD DETECTED A FAULTY E DPFE SENSOR (PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, EVEN THREE WEEKS LATER). CONSUMER WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK (AUG 19TH). *SCC

MICHELIN, LTXA/S, P22575/R16 AFTER MARKET 3000, AMBULANCE, RIGHT FRONT INTERIOR SIDEWALL BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO RIM. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, THREE PEOPLE WERE INJURED. *AK *TT

CONSUMER STATES THE 1997 FORD V-10 CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER IS UNSURE OF CAUSE. YD CONSUMER STATES NO FURTHER INFORMATION HAS BEEN AVAILABLE FROM INSURANCE COMPANY OR DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER MENTIONS THAT ON DOG DIED DUE TO THE FIRE. *TT

AFTER VEHICLE WAS STARTED AN UNUSUAL NOISE OCCURRED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDER. *AK *MJ

WHILE HAVING TIRES REPLACED MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. *AK *JG

CABLE WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE FELL TO THE GROUND. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CABLE BROKE AT THE WELD JOINT. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH OR OVER THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER THE DEALER STATED THAT CRANKSHAFT WAS NO LONGER ANY GOOD. NLM

CONSUMER STATED THE AFTER MARKET STEERING COLUMN EXTENSION DEVICE THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE THAT ASSISTS THE DRIVER IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT SAFE, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TAKEN OFF OF THE SPLINED SHAFT AND THE NEW PART IS PUT ON, IT DOES NOT HAVE A SPLINED CENTER TO FIT TIGHT ON THE SHAFT AND THE ONLY THING THAT IS HOLDING IT TOGETHER IS 2 SETS OF SCREWS, IF ONE OF THE SETS OF SCREWS WERE TO BECOME LOOSE, OR IF THE STEERING WHEEL WERE TURNED TOO HARD, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT OR VICE VERSA, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALUMINUM PART IS NO LONGER BEING USED BECAUSE IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE KIND OF STRESS THAT A STEERING WHEEL GOES THROUGH.*JB

CONSUMER STATED THE AFTER MARKET STEERING COLUMN EXTENSION DEVICE THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE THAT ASSISTS THE DRIVER IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT SAFE, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TAKEN OFF OF THE SPLINED SHAFT AND THE NEW PART IS PUT ON, IT DOES NOT HAVE A SPLINED CENTER TO FIT TIGHT ON THE SHAFT AND THE ONLY THING THAT IS HOLDING IT TOGETHER IS 2 SETS OF SCREWS, IF ONE OF THE SETS OF SCREWS WERE TO BECOME LOOSE, OR IF THE STEERING WHEEL WERE TURNED TOO HARD, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT OR VICE VERSA, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALUMINUM PART IS NO LONGER BEING USED BECAUSE IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE KIND OF STRESS THAT A STEERING WHEEL GOES THROUGH.*JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STARTED TREMBLING AND VIBRATING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED.*AK

TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. UPON TRYING TO REPLACE THE LIGHT FOUND OUT THAT HOUSING STRUCTURE FOR BULB HAD BEEN RECONSTRUCTED. CALLED DEALER. PROBLEM WAS NOT REMEDIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

FRONT ENGINE TIMING COVER IS LEAKING COOLANT. HEATER WAS NOT WORKING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO ENGINE, AND SLOWLY DAMAGING ENGINE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. *YD

I AM GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOU TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE AFTER MARKET STEERING EXTENSION DEVICE PUT ON ALOT OF HANDICAPPED VEHICLES, THIS PART IS PUT ON THESE CARS AND TRUCKS TO HELP ASSIST THE DRIVER IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL . THE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART IS THAT IS NOT SAFE . WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TAKEN OFF OF THE SPLINED SHAFT THE NEW PIECE IS PUT ON AND DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A SPLINED CENTER TO FIT TIGHT ON THE SHAFT AND THE ONLY OTHER THING TO HOLD IT TIGHT IS 2 SET SCREWS. IF ONE OF THESE SET SCREWS WOULD WORK LOSE OR IF THE STEERING WHEEL WERE TURNED TO HARD THESE SET SCREWS WOULD WORK LOOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN BUT THE WHEELS WOULDN'T , OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND . I HAVE TALKED TO A AUTO REPAIR SPECIALIST ALONG WITH THE HEAD MECHANIC SUPERVISOR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND BOTH MEN SAID THAT THIS PART IS NOT VERY SAFE AND THEY WOULD NT WANT IT ON THEIR CAR OR TRUCK , I ALSO TALKED TO THE PERSON WHO INSTALLED THIS PART HE NO LONGER USES THIS ALUMINUM PART BECAUSE IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THIS KIND OF STRESS THAT A STEERING WHEEL GOES THROUGH . I HOPE THAT YOU CAN MAKE THESE PARTS REPLACED BY THE COMPANIES SO THAT NO ONE WITH A MODIFIED HANDICAPPED STEERING COLUMN EXTENSION DOES NOT GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE , I WAS LUCKY TO FIND IT EARLY BUT MAYBE SOME ONE ELSE WON'T BE. THANK YOU SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NO HEAT: DUE TO PLASTIC DOOR BROKEN IN AIR PLENUM; POOR DESIGN BY THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REPORTED. *AK

WHEN PUTTING SEAT BELT ON IT IS NOT CLOSE TO BODY, AND SEAT BELT IS LOOSE. IF CONSUMER LEANS FORWARD SEAT BELT WILL NOT CATCH, AND BELT DOES NOT ADJUST TO BODY. PLEASE ADD VIN . *AK

I FIXED THIS ONCE WITH GLUE AND REPLACED. THE ACTUATOR BROKE THE DOOR AGAIN. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM CONSIDERING IF WILL MAKE WINDOW DEFROSTER NON FUNCTIONAL. *AK

I WAS INFORMED BY A CERTIFIED FORD MECHANIC, THE PROBLEM THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED WITH MY VEHICHLE IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THE FORD 4.2L V-6 ENGINES. THE SEAL FOR THE INTAKE OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CRACKS AND CAUSES COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDERS. A CYLINDER WILL EVANTUALLY CONTAIN SO MUCH COOLANT THAT ON START UP OF THE ENGINE THE PUSH ROD OR MAIN BEARING FOR THE PISTON WILL BREAK. THE REASON BEING, COOLANT CAN NOT COMBUST , CAUSING SO MUCH PRESSURE IN THE CYLINDER IT BREAKS EITHER THE PUSH ROD OR MAIN BEARING. I HAD ALSO TALKED TO OTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT MANY OF THE 4.2L V-6 ENGINES IN THESE VANS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED FOR THE SAME REASON.*AK

SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW THE FRONT END AND BRAKES HAS CONSTANTLY GIVEN ME PROBLEMS.VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING OR IF YOU LET THE WHEEL LOOSE. CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS, MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE'S, ROTOR FAILURES, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD FAILURES,CALIPER FAILURES, ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. VEHICLE SHAKES AT 65-70MPH TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 57000 MILES AND BALANCED, THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP SHAKING. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THIS SHAKE. DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY BRAKE PARTS SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW. I JUST HAD ANOTHER BRAKE JOB COMPLETED AT DEBARTOLO'S SERVICE,INC 860/739-6073 AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE FRONT END CAN NOT BE ALIGNED AND THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE REASON WHY THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. MR. DEBARTOLO SAID IT IS POSSIBLE THE VEHICLES FRAME MAY BE BENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND MR. DEBARTOLO SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE A FACTORY PROBLEM SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW. I STOPPED GOING TO PLAZA FORD SINCE THEY COULD NOT FIX THIS VEHICLE CORRECTLY. NO ONE HAS EVER WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE DEALER UNTIL RECENTLY. THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR MY BUSINESS AND BEING WITHOUT IT COSTS ME ALOT OF MONEY AND TIME. NOW I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR MY EMPLOYEE'S SAFETY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.

WHILE DRIVING TREAD ON LEFT INNER TIRE SEPARATED. ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT ON A FORD, TRUCK E350, 1997. TIRE MILEAGE 20,000. *AK FIRESTONE STEELTEX, P225/75R16, DOT NUMBER VD1L1XA. *JB

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO REVERSE, ALSO WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH T EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED IT ROLLS BACKWARDS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

RV PULLES TO THE SIDE, ALIGNMENT DID NOT FULLY CORRECT, VEHICLE SHOOK AT HIGHWAY SPEED, DIAGNOSIS AS TREAD SEPARATION WITH DANGER OF TIRE FAILURE AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL

ORIGINAL TIRES. TIRE #1 (SIZE: LT225/75R16, DOT: VD1L1XD267) HAD SIDE SEPARATION AT 9,785 MILES..TIRE #2 (SIZE: LT225/75R16, DOT: VD1L1XD247) HAD BLOWOUT WITH TOTAL TREAD SEPARATIED ON AT 70 MPH WITH NO WARNING WITH 27,572 MILES..TIRE #3 (SIZE: LT225/75R16, DOT: VD1L1DX267) HAD BLOWOUT WITH TOTAL TREAD SEPARTION WIH NO WARNING AT 65MPH WITH 32,981 MILES....TIRES 2 & 3 BLOWOUTS CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH REAR UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE.IE..BREAK SYSTEM, EXHAUST SYTEM, HOLDING TANK AND RUNNING BOARDS..I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CONTACT WITH BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE ..NEITHER ARE WILL TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES. TIRES AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDILIKD267 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO FRONT TIRES OF MY VAN. VAN STARTED TO VIBRATE, AND DEVELOPED A SHIMMY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. VAN WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS TREAD SEPARATION.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 7BAK PDA TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TIRES DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. HE THOUGHT HE HAD A PUNCTURED TIRE. BUT, INSTEAD THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION.*AK CONSUMER HAS SINCE PURCHASED FIVE NEW TIRES. (FIRESTONE TIRES STEELTEX RADIAL LT225/75R16- DOTVDTL1XB426)*JB

ON APRIL 12,2001 I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND MISSING IN THE ENGINE. TOOK THE VAN TO GULF COAST FORD IN CRYSTAL RIVER ,FL . THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE AND SAID TEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD I SHOULD HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM AND GAS FILTER SERVICED. THE VEHICLE RAN OK FOR THE TIME BEING BUT ON MY TRIP TO MICHIGAN THE VEHICLE STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN ONLY MUCH WORSE. I COULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN 35 MPH. THIS BEING A SATURDAY THE DEALERS WERE CLOSED IN GA SO I CHECKED INTO A MOTEL UNTIL MONDAY WHEN I TOOK IT TO TEAM FORD IN MARIETTA, GA. THEY ALSO RAN A DIAGNOSTICS AND CONFIRMED A CRACKED SPARK PLUG WHICH THEY REPLACED AND I HAD NO FURTHER INCIDENTS BACK TO MICHIGAN. MY REAL PROBLEM IS THAT I HAD PURCHASED A SERVICE CONTRACT COSTING A $1,000 DOLLARS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A NORMAL MAINTAINANCE PROBLEM. THESE TWO INCIDENTS COST ME 211.89 FIRST TIME AND 155.02 THE SECOND TIME PLUS A 100.00 DOLLAR MOTEL BILL AND TWO DAYS OF MY TIME. I HAVE WRITTEN TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DEARBORN, MI 3 TIMES AND THEY HAVE YET TO ANSWER ANY OF MY LETTERS. AT LEAST THEY SHOULD HAVE THE COURTESY TO ANSWER MY LETTERS. WHY HAVE A SERVICE CONTRACT IF PROBLEMS ARE DISMISSED AS"NORMAL"*AK

COMPANY OWNS 23 VANS. 14 OF THEM ARE FORD ECONOLINES. ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DEFROSTER WHICH COSTS ABOUR $600.00 TO FIX. ALSO, THE REAR HUBCAPS ON THIS VAN KEEPS FALLING OFF BECAUSE THE CLIPS TO KEEP THEM IN PLACE ARE PLASTIC.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A SUDDEN TREAD SEPARATION , BUT TIRE NEVER WENT FLAT. CONSUMER HAD EPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION ON ANOTHER TIRE IN LEFT REAR WITH SAME BRAND AND TYPE. FORD, ECONOLINE, 1997, P-245/75R16 DOT# MK11JNHV4100. *AK GOOD YEAR TIRES.*JB

WHILE BACKING UP INTO PARKING SPACE,WHEN I STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES DID NOT GRAB. IT SEEMED LIKE THE VAN STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I SQUEEZED BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD AND I HEARD ABS CLICKING. I STILL DIDN'T STOP SO I HAD TO SHIFT CAR INTO PARK. THIS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 3 MONTHS EARLIER.*AK

TIRE BLEW OUT INSTANTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON STRAIGHT AND LEVEL PAVEMENT IN GOOD REPAIR WITH NO ROAD HAZARD OR CROSS WIND OR ANY OTHER APPARENT ADVERSE CONDITION EXCEPT THAT THE AMBIENT OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPRX. 110 DEGREES , AND THE ROAD WAS ALSO VERY HOT.THE TIRE THAT BLEW WAS THE OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND IT'S PARTNER-THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR HELD FINE ALLOWING A SAFE AND CONTROLLED EXIT OF THE ROADWAY.(DUAL REAR WHEELS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XD227 TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)

THE SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS DO NOT RETRACT ADEQUATELY ENOUGH TO REMOVE ANY SLACK ACROSS THE CHEST AND SHOULDER AREA.*YH

THREE FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S M/S TIRES, SIZE: LT225/75R16, DOT: UNKNOWN. MOTORHOMES EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES OF EACH OTHER WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 45 TO 65 MPH. THESE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLES, AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES ON THEM. *AK ALL TIRE FAILURES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, ONE OF THE SEPARATIONS CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *SLC

CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED GOODYEAR. CONSUMER RECEIVED A PARTIAL REBATE ON FOUR TIRES, P23575R15. CONSUMER FEELS THAT GOODYEAR SHOULD REIMBURSE ENTIRE AMOUNT. *AK TIRES WERE MADE IN CANADA, GOODYEAR KEPT TIRES SO DOT NUMBER IS NOT AVAILABLE, GOODYEAR AGREED TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, SEPARATION OF SIDEWALLS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. *SLC

THIS IS TO REPORT A CONTINUAL PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VAN. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON. I HAVE TALKED TO OVER 30 FORD VAN OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. FRONT BRAKES DEVELOP AN INCURABLE "SHIMMY" AND PREMATURE WEAR CAUSING MINOR DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS AND ALSO EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE WEAR. IN MY CASE, REAR BRAKES WERE PREMATURELY WORN TO THE POINT THAT ABS ENGAGED AND CREATED FURTHER "PULSING". THIS HAS BEEN EXPLAINED AS FORD PROBLEM WITH CALIPERS TO FORD PROBLEM WITH ABS ON LATE MODEL VANS. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE POSSIBILITY OF A PROBLEM. FIVE BRAKE REPAIRS IN 30,000 MILES WOULD INDICATE THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS AND IS ALSO DANGEROUS. HAVE YOU HAD ANY COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO THIS ONE? *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

OIL FILTER HOUSING UNIT BOLTED TO LEFT SIDE OF TRITON V-10 ENGINE FELL OFF THE ENGINE AFTER BOLTS WHICH HELD THE HOUSING APPARENTLY VIBRATED LOOSE. THE FAILURE RESULTED DESTRUCTION OF BOTH THE SENDING AND RETURN OIL LINES TO THE OIL COOLER AND ALSO HEAVY DAMAGE TO OIL COOLER AFTER IT TOO ALSO FELL AFTER BEING YANKED BY THE FALLING OIL FILTER MOUNTING UNIT. AT TIME OF FAILURE THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN OIL PRESSURE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENT GAGES WERE STILL READING FULL PRESSURE. ENGINE WAS SAVED FROM DAMAGE AFTER DRIVER SHUT ENGINE OFF AND STEERED MOTOR HOME DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD TO WHERE IT COULD SAFELY PULL OFF. NOTE THERE IS AN EXTREAM FIRE HAZARD ISSUE WITH THIS LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL SPRAYED ON THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE MANIFOLD. TIRES. SIX FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRES AND A NON-FIRESTONE SPARE TIRE WERE REPLACED DUE TO SEVER CRACKING AND EVIDENCE THAT TIRES WERE SHOWING IMMENANT FAILURE. TIRES WERE ONLY LOAD RANGE D. VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE LOAD RANGE E. REPLACED WITH NON-FIRESTONES ON ALL POSITIONS. (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XE127 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

COOLANT LEVEL DROPPED, CONSUMER FOUND TIMING COVER LEAKING, ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK IN OIL.*AK *JB

HEATER FLAP BROKE WHICH THEN DIDN'T ALLOW THE DEFROSTER TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS - NO HEAT WAS APPLIED THROUGHOUT THE VAN.*AK

FUEL LINES LEAK OVER HEATSHIELD ONTO MANIFOLD. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

DUE TO FREQUENT FAILURES(DEALER INFO) PART IS INCORPORATED INTO NEW DESIGN. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

2 TIRES BLEW OUT WITH VERY LITTLE TRED WEAR ON THEM. BOTH TIMES THE SIDEWALLS RIPPED AWAY AT SIDEWALL. *AK (TIRESIZE: 16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )

WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN SPARK PLUGS BLEWOUT ON ENGINE HEAD. ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED. *AK

ONE TIRE BLEWOUT AND THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE OTHER TWO TIRES (16 INCH FIRESTONE TIRES). NLM

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT REAR DUAL FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRE EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL SEPARATION, P225/75R15, DOT VD111XE207. *SLC

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK TIRE (P255/70 R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

VEHICLE SHAKES AND VIBRATES AT 50-60MPH. AT A STEADY SPEED CONSUMER CAN'T FEEL IT, BUT IF BRAKING TO INCREASE SPEED, IT WILL SHAKE. DEALER HAS CHANGED, AND REPLACED SO MANY THINGS ON VEHICLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK

3 OF 4 TIRES THREW TREAD, 1 IS READY TO THROW TREAD. HAVE 2 TIRES FOR INSPECTION. *AK (TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75R16 )

CONTACT PERSON FOR REPORT IS ERNEST CHAMBERS, 512-454-1201,EMAIL ECMAC62256@AOL.COM. THIS THE SECOND TREAD SEPARATION WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTH THAT HAS OCCURRED TO ORIG EQUIP FIRESTONE TIRE ON THIS VEHICLE. AT TIME OF THIS INCIDENT VEHICLE WAS CARRYING 8 ADULTS PLUS LUGGAGE; MAX CAPACITY IS 15. TIRE DID NOT STRIKE ANY OBJECT OR BREAK IN PAVEMENT. TIRE WAS PROPERLY INFLATED. TREAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE TIRE BODY, EXPOSING THE BARE STEEL BELT. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XA406 TIRESIZE: 225/75R16E)

HAD TURNED ON HEATER AND IT FAILED TO WORK. CAN HEAR CLICKING SOUNDS AS IF TRYING TO COME ON. ALSO, VENTS DO NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FOR HEAT.*AK

TIRE DE-LAMINATED AND THEN BLEW OUT. NO OBJECT HIT WITH TIRE. INFLATION VERIFIED AT 80PSI.*AK (TIRESIZE: LT26575R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT26575R16 )

THIS IS ONE OF 2 1997 VANS I OWN, THE OTHER VAN ENGINE BLEW AT 78000,THIS ONE DID AT 82000 ,AND IT IS THOUGHT TO BE DUE TO THE REAR SEAL LEAKING ON EXHAUST AND STARTING FIRE AT TANK. *AK

NOTIFIED BY AUFFENBERG FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT TIMING COVER SEAL ALLOWED MOISTURE INTO ENGINE BLOCK RESULTING IN BLOWN ENGINE. ADVISED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS IS A RECALL PROBLEM WITH THE 4.2 LITER ENGINES ON THE F-150 WHICH IS ALSO THE SAME ENGINE INSTALLED ON THE E-150 VAN SERIES. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VANS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE MAINTAINED AS WELL AS THIS ONE WAS WOULD DEVELOPE THIS TYPE OF A MAJOR PROBLEM AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. A SYNTHETIC BLEND WAS USED FOR THE OIL WHICH WAS CHANGED AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS AND MONTHLY DURING THE WINTERS. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL SERVICE DEALERS IN THE AREA, I WAS LEFT WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE PARTS INSTALLED BY FORD MOTOR CO.. TWO OF THE LOCAL INDEPENDANT SERVICE CENTERS INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM RECENTLY ON THE E-150'S WITH FORD DENYING ANY PROBLEMS. *AK

CAN NOT ACTIVATE HORN WHEN INSIDE VEHICLE IS COLD IE FREEZING WEATHER. *AK

THE CONSUMER IS IN CHARGE OF 40 VEHICLES MODEL YEARS 1997 AND 1998 E350 CUTAWAY VANS USED FOR PARATRANSIT WORK, 70% OF THE VEHICLES HAVE HAD DRIVELINE E-BRAKE LEAKS CAUSING GREAT COST IN REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS TO THE COMPANY. *MJS

TIE ROD ENF SNAPPED OFF. VEHICLE HAD NO STEERING. ALSO, THERE WAS LOOSENESS IN FRONT END, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES. MECHANIC SAID NORMALLY IT WAS CAUSED BY BALL JOINTS, BUT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT & HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR IT.*AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED SHORT SUDDENLY. APPLIED BRAKES (ABS) & BRAKES FAILED. REARENDED OTHER VEHICLES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC CHANGED MASTER CYLINDER, BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM.*AK BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WHEN ABS ARE PUMPING. *SLC

AT 65 MPH TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON LEFT REAR OUTSIDE TIRE. PART OF TREAD REMAINED ATTACHED TO TIRE CARCASS, AND THE REST OF THE TREAD RIPPED THROUGH THE MOTORHOME. I HAVE PICTURES WHICH CAN BE EASILY SENT ELECTRONICALLY.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VOLLIXD257 TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)

VAN SHAKES RATTLES, WHILE IN OPERATION. LOUD SOUND WHILE IN OPERATION. REAR END HAS BEEN THUS FAR DIAGNOSED AS PROBLEM. THE ABS BRAKES ARE ALSO MAL FUNCTIONING. PEDAL GOES DOWN TO FLOOR AND BRAKES ARE NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY

COIL SPRING FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE IDLE. *AK

TWO TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BOTH WERE REAR DUALS ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER REAR TIRE FAILED LAST JULY AND WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XA466 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

I WAS TRAVELLING ON HWY.401 NEAR WELCOME, ONTARIO AT APROX. 100 KM/H WHEN I HEARD A LOUND BANG. I SAW LARGE PIECES OF TIRE TREAD FLYING OUT THE REAR OF MY MOTORHOME. ON EXAMINATION I SAW THE ENTIRE TREAD WAS MISSING FROM THE TIRE AND IT WAS STILL HISSING (AIR ESCAPING). I LATER LEARNED THAT THE TIRE DEBRIS HAD HIT MY EXHAUST PIPE AND DISLODGED IT CAUSING IT TO REST ON THE SEPTIC HOLDING TANK. HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST CAUSED SMOKE AND FUMES TO ENTER THE R.V. IT ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE HOLDING TANK WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL AND HAD APROX. 30,000 KM. THE INFLATION HAD JUST BEEN CHECKED. I HAVE CONTACTED FIRESTONE CANADA AND THEY ADVISE THESE TIRES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL. I HAVE LEFT A VOICE MAIL WITH TRANSPORT CANADA BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK AT THIS TIME. I FEEL THAT PERHAPS THIS MODEL TIRE FAILED PREMATURELY AND THE FACT THE TREAD WAS GONE SHOULD PERHAPS BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. THANK YOU. I COULD NOT PROPERLY FILL IN MY CANADIAN ADDRESS. MY PROVINCE IS ONTARIO, AND THE POSTAL CODE IS L5K 1C9 (TIRESIZE: LT225-75R1)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225-75R1 )

CONSUMER BF GOODRICH TIRES (P255/70R15) ARE SPLITTING AND CRACKING. NLM

VEHICLE WILL NOT STEER AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. NLM

ORIGINAL TIRES ON FORD, E150 1997, P23575R15. REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE GOODYEAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, AND TIRE BLEW UP, NO ONE WAS HURT.*AK DOT # PDHLTH4R476. *SLC

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, SLOWING OR STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC , CONSUMER BELIEVES THE STALLING IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY IGNITION. NLM

TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF AT 55 MPH IN NEW ORLEANS, LA. TIRE REPLACED IN SLIDELL, LA. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VMILIXA TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

CONSUMER HAS A 1997, FORD, E350 VAN. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WITH 27,700 MILES. TIRE SIZE LT225/75R16 DOT# UNKNOWN. REAR PASSENGER FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRE TREAD SEPARATED GOING 65MPH. VEHICLE TURNED 180 DEGREES & HIT THE GUARDRAIL FRONT & REAR, AND WAS TOTALLED. FIRESTONE WILL BE CONTACTED.*AK *SLC

INCIDENT HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. TREAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM TIRE AND WAS THROWN, BUT TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE. VEHICLE WAS SAFELY STOPPED ON SHOULDER. TWO MORE TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILURE. FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. (TIRESIZE: 225/75/16R)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/75/16R )

FIRESTONE LT225/75R16 (LOAD RANGE E) TIRE TREAD FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON THE RIGHT REAR (DUAL) OF A FORD CLASS "C" 30 FT MOTORHOME. ALL TREAD CAME OFF. TIRE REMAINED INFLATED BUT LEAKING AND RIDING ON THE STEEL BELTS. TIRE INFLATION CHECKED BEFORE EVERY LONG ROAD TRIP AND ADJUSTED FOR 80 PSI. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. THANKS... (DOT NUMBER: VNIL1XA25 TIRESIZE: 225/75R16)

I HAVE LOST 3 TIRES TO TREAD SEPARATION ONE AT 4000 MILES AND THE OTHERS AT ABOUT 12000 MILES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 OTHERS DUE ABNORMAL TREAD WEAR AND VIBRATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE HAD 16000 MILES ON IT. I THOUGHT IT ODD THAT THESE TIRE WERE GOING OUT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE, BUT THE DEALERS SAID THERE WAS NOT PROBLEM. (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XD TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

TREAD SEPARATION/BLOWOUT AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, ONE OF THE RIGHT REAR DUAL TIRES (TIRESIZE: LT225/75RM)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225/75RM )

1ST TIRE EXPERIENCED A BUBBLE IN THE CENTER OF THE TREAD, 2ND TIRE WAS A CATASTOPHIC FAILURE AT SPEED W/ TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT225/7516)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225/7516 )

HAD TREAD SEPARATIONS ON 4 OF THE ORIGINAL 6 TIRES. AT ADVISE OF DEALER REPLACED OEM TIRES WITH A LARGER SIZE BRIDGESTONE TIRE WHICH HAS NOT FAILED TO THIS POINT. WE WERE TOLD BY THE TIRE DEALER THAT THE BRIDGESTONES HAD A GREATER LOAD CAPACITY THAN THE FIRESTONES. THE PROBLEM IS THE BRIGESTONES ARE LARGER, HAVE A GREATER ROLLING DIAMETER AND AFFECT THE OVERALL GEARING TO A POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH (WELL, IT WAS ALWAYS SLUGGISH, BUT NOW IT'S MORE SO) AND THE TRANSMISSION NOW HUNTS IN AND OUT OF O/D. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER. WE NEED THE OEM SIZE TIRE BACK ON THE VEHICLE BUT IT HAS TO HOLD UP. THE FAILURES STARTED AT 12,00 MILES AND OCCURED AT 14,000 AND THE LAST 2 @ 16,000. TWO TIMES THE TREAD SEPARATION DESTOYED THE STORAGE BOXES ADJACENT TO THE REAR WHEEL WELLS RESULTING IN A DAMAGED PROPANE LINE, THE WIRING TO A PORTION OF THE CABIN WAS SEVERED AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BASEMENT STORAGE BOXES. WHEN WE SAW THE INVESTIGATION INTO STEELTEX TIRES IT ONLY CONFIRMED WHAT FIRESTONE WOULD NOT SAY; THAT IS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES. COPIES OF RECEIPTS FOR THE DAMAGED PARTS AND REPAIRS CAN BE FURNISHED UPON REQUEST. (DOT NUMBER: VN1L1XA176 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

SIDEWALL OF TIRE BLEW OUT. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )

CONSUMER PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT TURN IN ANY KIND OF WAY.*AK

FAULTY ENGINE (NEW) REPLACED WITH REMANUFACTURED ENGINE( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 255/70-15 )

THIS IS THE SECOND FIRESTONE TIRE IN A WEEK THAT HAS HAD THE TREAD COME OFF. WE HAVE OVER ONE HUNDRED OF THESE TIRES ON OUR FLEET AND NEED TO DECIDE IF WE SHOULD REMOVE THEM.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225/75R1 )

THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR DUEL LOST IT'S TREAD WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-70 AT 75 MPH. THIS CAUSED THE INNER FENDER WALL TO ROLL UP OVER THE TIRE'S. UNIT IS A AMBULANCE AND A PATIENT WAS ON-BOARD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A REST-AREA AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURED. IN THE LAST 10 DAYS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY COOPER COUNTY AMBULANCE AND CARROLL COUNTY AMBULANCE , BOONVILLE AND CARROLLTON MISSOURI REPORTING THE SAME TYPE INCIDENT INVOLVING FIRESTONE TIRES OF THE SAME SIZE AND MAKE. I HAVE THE TIRE . I ALSO TRIED TO REPORT THIS TO FIRESTONE, WAS TOLD THAT THESE TIRE'S WERE NOT BEING RE-CALLED. THEY DIDN'T TAKE ANY INFORMATION .*AK( DOT NUMBER: VN1L1XB TIRE SIZE: 225/75R16 )

THE TIRE'S TREAD PEELED OFF AT 55MPH VERY SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE TRUCK AND THE MUD FLAP. THIS TRUCK HAD A DUAL WHEEL REAR AXLE AND I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES BECAUSE I WAS SCARED OF THEM( DOT NUMBER: EJAKDXM TIRE SIZE: LT225/75R1 )

THE TIRE'S TREAD PEELED OFF AT 55MPH VERY SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE TRUCK AND THE MUD FLAP. THIS TRUCK HAD A DUAL WHEEL REAR AXLE AND I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES BECAUSE I WAS SCARED OF THEM( DOT NUMBER: EJAKDXM TIRE SIZE: LT225/75R1 )

FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL TIRE P225/75R16 DOT VD1L1XA406 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING FRONT END TO SHAKE, TIRE REMAINED INFLATED. *SLC

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES PAD & ROTORS. BRAKES WERE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND THERE WAS NO WARNING WHEN FADING. DEALER SAID IT JUST HAPPENED SOMETIMES FROM ALOT OF WEIGHT. CONSUMER REPLACED THEM AGAIN ON 11-AUG-2000. *AK

TREAD SEPERATING FROM TIRE IN CENTER. FIRESTONE INSPECTED TIRE, ADVISED PROBLEM, BUT NOT IN RECALL, DIFFERENT PLANT( DOT NUMBER: 8XHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

SIDE MIRRORS FOLD INWARD AT LEGAL HIGHWAY SPEED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TO THE REAR. DRIVER IS DISTRACTED BY HAVING TO WIND DOWN WINDOW AND PUSH MIRROR BACK. I HAVE COMPLAINED MANY TIMES TO DEALER BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX AND SAY "ALL WINNEBAGO MIRRORS DO THAT". PROBLEM IS CONTINUING.

AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER IS BLOWING HOT AIR, DUE TO A LOOSE HOSE THAT RUBS AGAINST THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN ON THE LEFT FRONT CORNER CAUSING A ROCKING CHAIR EFFECT. *YH

THIS IS THE THIRD SET OF FIRESTONE TIRES I'VE HAD, ALL ON NEW VEHICLES, AND THE THIRD FAILURE OF THIS TYPE (TREAD SEPARATION). I REPLACED THE PREVIOUS SETS AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I REPLACED ALL FOUR REAR TIRES AFTER THIS RECENT FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION, A SECOND TIRE WAS FOUND TO HAVE TWO BULGES IN THE SIDEWALL. I CONTACTED A LOCAL SERVICING SHOP WHO SAID I COULD ONLY GET AN ADJUSTMENT AGAINST ANOTHER FIRESTONE TIRE. UNACCEPTABLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: UNK TIRE SIZE: 22570R16 )

WHILE DRIVING THE WHEEL STUD SHEARED OFF CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE BRAKE FAILURES. BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 36K, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES TWO TIMES. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD THE PADS REPLACED AND/OR ROTORS TURNED AT LEAST THREE TIMES MORE. NOW, ONLY 2K MILES AFTER THE LAST ROTOR REPLACEMENT, THE BRAKES ARE FAILING AGAIN - I.E., THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PARTICULARLY FROM SPEEDS GREATER THAN 45 MPH. *AK

WHILE USING DEFROSTER TO CLEAR WINDOWS HEATER FANS DO NOT RUN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TRIED TO STOP AND VEHICLE WENT THROUGH INTERSECTION. AFTER SEVERAL BRAKE ATTEMPTS THE BRAKES WORKED AGAIN. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE SITS IN RAIN FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS IS ABOUT THE 10TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *AK

BUTTONED CUFF LONG SLEVED SHIRT TENDS TO GRAB DOOR HANDLE AND OPEN DOOR WHEN WINDOW CRANK IS TTURNED COUNTER CLOCKWISE OR CLOCKWISE.

VEHICLE LOSES OF POWER IN COLD WEATHER. ALSO, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER USING IT. HAS TO PULL IT BACK AND FORTH TO GET IT TO RETRACT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, STEERING WHEEL WOULD SWAY LEFT TO RIGHT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO FIGHT WITH STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT DEALER SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *AK *ML

WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY ABOUT 70MPH TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND GOT DOWN TO 20MPH WHEN VEHICLE STARTED FREE WHEELING. ABS LOCKED UP, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER.

WHILE MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE IS A VIBRATION WHICH MAY CAUSE MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TIRE. *AK *ML

WHILE MAKING A TURN AT LOW SPEEDS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES IN ICY CONDITIONS , REAR BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF TWO PASSENGERS. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT :JAMES ENDICOTT)NLM

THE REAR RIGHT TIRE TREAD CAME OFF CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CRUISE CONTROL POSSIBLY STUCK CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RUN OFF THE ROAD,HIT A GUARDRAIL, RETURN TO THE ROAD WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED AND SLID DOWN THE ROAD. ONE PASSENGER WAS EJECTED FORM THE VEHICLE AND DIED ALL OTHER PASSENGER HAD NO EVIDENT INJURIES. *NLM

WHEN TURNING CORNERS OR GOING INTO A DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT END OF THE VAN CRUNCHES AND IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OUT. THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN. *AK

SINCE WE'VE HAD THE VAN. THE BRAKES HAVE GIVEN US PROBLEMS, AND THE DEALER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THEY HAD NO CLUE HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM! THE FIRST MAJOR REPAIR WAS DONE ON 1/28/98 AND 12362 MILES.. THE DEALER HAS NOW BEEN BOUGHT OUT BY CLASSIC, AND THEY HAVE BEEN NO HELP AT ALL!!! I'VE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH E-150S WHO REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS! I'VE REPLACED THE ROTORS/CALIPERS, SHOES ,AND CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING THE VEHICLE ANTILOCK SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY! *AK

VAN ROLLED BACKWARDS FROM PARKED POSITION. IT SEEMED TO POP OUT OF GEAR.

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DIMMER SWITCHES GOING OUT, AND CAUSING AMBULANCE TO BE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS WHILE ON SERVICE CALLS; THIS CAN CAUSE VEHICLE COLLISION WHILE DRIVING. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER ( EIGHT REPLACEMENT ON THIS FLEETS OF VEHICLE ). *AK

BRAKE PEDAL NEEDS TO BE PRESSED HARD TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. THIS RESULTS IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS NORMAL CONDITION OF THAT TYPE OF VEHICLE. SEEKING ANSWERS IN THIS MATTER FROM NHTSA. *AK

VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION PROBLEM, MOST NOTICABLE AT BETWEEN 58 AND 65 MPH. THE DEALER HAS MADE EIGHT ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 30 DAYS. I MET WITH A MANUFACTURE REP AT FLAGLER FORD WHO TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE ME BACK ALL OF THE MONEY PAID ON THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR $700.00 FOR MILAGE USED PROVIDING I BOUGHT ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. DURING MY SEARCH I TEST DROVE THREE OTHER FORD VANS, ALL OF WHICH HAD SIMILAR VIBRATION PROBLEMS. I FINALLY FOUND ONE THAT I WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT, AND WHEN THE MANUFACTURERS REP WAS CONTACTED, SHE DID NOT LIVE UP TO HER COMMITTMENT. I AM NOW ASKING FOR ARBITRATION AND RELIEF UNDER THE LEMON LAW.

THERE IS A LOT OF VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE TIRES ARE WEARING OUT ON THE INSIDE DUE TO WORN BALL JOINTS. DEALER INDICATES VEHICLE NEEDS NEW BALL JOINTS. *AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HARD ON FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS FORM THE TIME WE BOUGHT IT. NOW THE ABS ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY IN MY OPINION. ON WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS AT 15 MPH OR LESS THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO A FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER, THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT THE BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN WET OR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME OUT? THANKS

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER FEELING VIBRATIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. NLM

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I NOTED THE FIST OCCURRENCE ONLY, THERE HAVE BEEN 4 ADDIONAL OCCURRENCES OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES, CLAMPS HARD ONE TIME AND THEN RELEASES. THIS LEAVES YOU FREE ROLLING UNTIL IT DECIDES TO CONTINUE OR YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT UP AND REAPPLY THE BRAKES. WHEN IT DOES CONTINUE ON ITS OWN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. *AK

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING, ALSO, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

AT 29,000 MILES ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS PREMATURLEY BLEW OUT, CAUSING COOLANT LEAK, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE: PULLEY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND APPLYING BRAKES,, THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD,AND CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES UNTIL VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK

ELECTRICAL DRIVERS SEAT IS NOT STABLE, WHEN ADJUSTING, IT SLIP OFF TRACK AND INTO THE LOWEST POSITION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4-5 MPH, MADE A U-TURN AND PRESSED HAND BRAKE AND VAN ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED, CONSUMER REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. ALSO, HAD TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER/ HEATER CORE/PREMATURE WORN OUT TIRES, AND STARTER. *AK

OUR VEHICLE QUIT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON A 2-LANE RURAL HWY. W/NO SHOULDER. IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLUTTERING ON & OFF AND THEN THE OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS STARTED TO FADE. THE ENGINE THEN QUIT TOTALLY. WE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE; IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT FIRE. AFTER APPROX. 10 MINUTES WE TRIED AGAIN AND IT STARTED AND RAN FINE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO THE GALLOWAY FORD DEALERSHIP ON 3/25/99, INV.#FDTS344292, AND THEY SAID THE FOLLOWING ON THE INVOICE: ROAD TESTED 48 MILES AT HWY SPEED AND STOP & GO SEED W/FIRM & SOFT ACCELERATION. 2 DIFFERENT EVENTS DID HAPPEN. AFTER SHORT DRIVE HEADING TOWARDS I-75, TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO NEUTRAL OUT, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO SHOP, BUT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE WAY BACK. TOOK TO TECH. THEY TRIED 1 MORE TIME TO RECORD ON GPS, NEGATIVE RECORDING/TOOK OUT 1 MORE TIME. BEFORE GETTING OFF LOT, THE ENGINE SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHIFT, BUT JUST DIED. STARTED BACK UP. TOOK OUT AGAIN WITH GPS, NEITHER EVEN OCCURRED. AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING OR NOT UP SHIFTING. VERY VERY LOW SPEEDS . . . . BOB BROOKS. THE TECHNICIAN AND SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS OR HOW TO CORRECT IT. I THINK THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IT MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON AN INTERSTATE AND THE ENGINE QUIT? WITH NO ENGINE POWER, DO WE HAVE STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL? I AM AFRAID TO USE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS. ANY HELP YOU CAN BE WITH THIS PROBLEM WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING AND CRACKING, CAUSING LOSS CONTROL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ENTIRE FRONT END VIBRATES. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED ROTORD AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. AFTER ROTORS REPLACEMENT VIBRATION STOPPED FOR A SHIRT PERIOD, AND THEN STARTED AGAIN. *AK

STEERING LOCKS UP ON OCCASIONS DUE TO FAILURE OT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.

ANTI LOCK BRAKES EXPERIENCED CONTINUED FAILURES, ONE INCIDENT RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.

FRONT END SUSPENSION DEFECT CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL WHEN TRAVELLING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES OR BUMBS IN THE ROAD AND CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR.

WHEN APPLYING FRONT BRAKES VEHICLE VIBRATES, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.DEALER HAS TURNED ROTORS AND REPLACED PADS. DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK

4-WHEEL DRIVE HUBS/ AXLE FAILURE. *YC

FRONT BRAKES EXPERIENCING A "GROANING" NOISE. *YC

DESIGN OF FRONT END SUSPENSION IS VERY LOW WHICH CAUSES THE FRONT END TO SCAPE THE CURB WHEN PARKING. *YC

HEATER CORE FAILED. YH

ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. YH

WHEN APPYLING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL TRAVELS TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES, PEDAL TRAVELS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.. *AK

COMPANY VAN. TWO COMPLETE OVERHAULS OF FRONT BRAKES PERFORMED TWICE, ROTORS RESURFACED TWICE. DEALER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. EXCESSIVE BRAKE PROBLEMS, REPAIRS MADE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL TRAVELS TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

MOTOR ACTS LIKE IT IS CHOKING AND WON'T TAKE GAS. IT SOMETIMES DIES AND HAVE TO RESTART. VEHICLE SOMETIMES DIES WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TURN AT INTERSECTION,CAUSING YOU TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. BRAKES ARE NOT GOOD. WHEN APPLIED HARD THEY VIBRATE VERY BAD.

LEFT SIDE BRAKE SHOE WORE THROUGH THE ROTOR, AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOT DAMAGED. NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. A LOUD SCRAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD.DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

THE AMBULANCE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, SUCH AS CRACKED ROTORS/ FROZEN CALIPERS, AND HAD 3 REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS THIS MAY CAUSE NO BRAKING ABILITY OR EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN FRONT END ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

THE HEATER CASE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE HEATER DEFOGGER TO BE INOPERATIVE WHICH MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS. DLR REPLACE HEATER CASE. PROBLEM REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY REARENDED ECONOLINE 250. THE DRIVER'S & PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN OCCUPANTS, RESULTING IN INJURIES. DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO EMERGENCY ROOM FOR TREATMENT. *AK *SLC

SEAT BELTS DO NOT TIGHTEN UP ON DRIVER. A LOT OF SLACK IN THE BELTS. HAS TO HAND FEED THEM INORDER FOR THEM TO TIGHTEN. DEALER REPLACED THE BELTS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

DUE TO FAILURE OF THE PARKING BRAKE WHICH DOES NOT RELEASE CAUSING OVERHEATING OF BRAKE SYSTEM DAMAGING THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS, WHILE BRAKING THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS VERY HARD ALMOST RESULTING IN SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL.

SEAT TRIM FALLING APART CAUSING SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO COME OFF.

SEAT DESIGN IS TOO HIGH FOR CONSUMER TO REACH FLOOR.

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS FAILED. QCAW

CROSS BARS ON LUGGAGED RACK CAME LOOSE AND THE FRONT FASTENERS FELL OUT, CAUSING OBJECTS TO FALL ONTO ROADWAY.

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, DAMAGING DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM.

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM; WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SUDDEN, GRAUDAL OR NORMAL STOP THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS OUT THE CONSUMER'S HAND, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE PULLING TO RIGHT HAND SIDE DUE TO THE REAR BRAKES THAT ARE NOT RELEASING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

BELT BUCKLE TOO LONG & CAN NOT LOCK PROPERLY. BUCKLE STOCK COMES TO MIDDLE OF DRIVER'S STOMACH. THIS CAUSES SHOULDER BELT TO PULL LAP BELT OVER STOMACH AREA & NOT REST ON LAP PROPERLY.*AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT 55 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH DARK SMOKE. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE WHEN IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. EMERGENCY VEHICLE ARRIVED ON LOCATION AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND IS BEING INSPECTED FOR CAUSE. CONDITION IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *AK

BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.

THE OUTSIDE REAR SEATBELT BUCKLES IN FRONT OF THE BODY, CAUSING THE BELT TO RISE TO THE ABDOMEN . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *SLC

CONTINUALLY FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKES.

WAS COMING TO A STOP BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. NO BRAKES. WAS TOWED TO SERVICE STATION. MECHANIC SAID ABS BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. BRAKE PADS REPLACED & ROTORS TURNED. PROBLEM RETURNED. BACK AT DEALERSHP & ROTORS REPLACED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. BACK AGAIN TO DEALER & CALIPERS REPLACED. WAS TOLD THINGS WERE FINE. TOOK VEHICLE AROUND CORNER & NO BRAKES AT ALL. *AK

VENTILATION SYSTEM DRAWS EXHAUST FUMES INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

BRAKES SQUEAL AND LOCK UP.

NOISE AND LEAKING AROUND DOOR.

GROUND WIRE TO THE AIR BAG AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS CUT.

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE VEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND ALSO VIBRATES. DEALER CAN'T FIND SOLUTION. *AK

DEFECTIVE ENGINE PISTONS.

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND OVER CAUSING ENGINE TO RACE EXCESSIVELY.

FRONT END MISALIGNED CAUSING CUPPING/DAMAGE TO TIRES.

WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A STOP POSITION OR COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

FRONT END ALIGNMENT OFF SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING WEAR TO TIRES.

BRAKES LOCKED UP ON TWO OCCASIONS.

DRIVER'S SEAT LOOSE.

ENGINE STALLING.

LOCKS/SECURITY FAILED.

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO VIBRATE AND MAKE NOISE AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT.

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER FAILED.

DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY FAILED.

THE FUEL THROTTLE BODY VALVE WOULD STICK EVERY TIME THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED. ONCE THE THROTTLE WOULD UNSTICK, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD INTO A SPIN. OWNER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS DETERMINED BY FORD INSPECTOR TO BE A FAULTY ELECTRICAL CABLE THAT SHORTED OUT DUE HIGH MOISTURE LEVELS AND NO PROTECTION OF CABLE. *AK

GOING ABOUT 45-50MPH WHEN BRAKES LOCKED UP GOING DOWN HILL AFTER BEING APPLIED. TOOK TO DEALER & APPLIED BRAKES WHICH STARTED SMOKING. MECHANIC NOTICED. SECOND TIME BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED & REPLACED. *AK

VALVE IN THE HEATER SYSTEM FAILED.

ENGINE NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE IS VERY LOUD.

HEATER FAILED WHEN TEMPERATURE WAS 28 DEGREES F, WINDSHIELD FROZE UP AND DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE.

HEATER FAILED DURING FREEZING TEMPARTURES ALLOWING WINDSHILD TO FREEZE OVER OBSTRUCTING VISIBILITY.

HEATER STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28 DEGREES.

WHENEVER ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED, EITHER ON DRY/DAMP PAVEMENT, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. IT WOULD SUDDENLY PICK UP SPEED. HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED (30MPH OR LESS). HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER & TOLD COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. *AK

SUSPENSION FAILED RESULTING IN TIRE WEAR.

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. MJS

RIGHT REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE WORN OUT DOWN TO THE METAL AND IT RUINES SIDE DRUMS. *AK

REAR SUSPENSION AXLES CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE FRAME SPRINGS A NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH. THEY APPARENTLY EXCEED THEIR LIMIT. *AK

DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE HUB CAPS, THE HUB CAPS FALL OFF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO A MOTORIST VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAS LOST 8 HUB CAPS WITHIN 6000 MILES. *AK

THE SECONDARY AIR CONDTIONER FAN LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE CONVERSION VAN HAD A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND CAUSED A FIRE. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS TORCHED.

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE VEHICLE SHAKES. THE DISC HBRAKES AVE BEEN CHANGED 2 TIMES. *AK

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME OR PULLING A LOAD THE BRAKES BECOME WARM AND THE BRAKING POWER DECREASES. THE VEHICLE ALSO VIRBRATES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE SERVICED 8 OR 9 TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WARP DUE TO HEAT WHICH LESSONS THE CONTACT OF THE PADS CAUSING POOR BRAKING AND VIBRATION. *YH

WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND CAR WANDERS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN FOR REPAIR FIVE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

THROTTLE: WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 65MPH AND HIT THE BRAKES TO TURN OFF CRUIISE CONTROL BECAUSE APPROACHING A GRADE, HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AND VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING AT AVERY HIGH IDLE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, CAUSE OF PROBLEM UNKNOWN. *AK

OTHER: PASSENGER'S AIR BAG CANNOT BE DISARMED. *AK

POSSIBLE UNDER DASH HARNESS MAY HAVE CAUSED FIRE TO FORM AROUND THE ASHTRAY RESULTING IN BURN FINGER TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT FLAMES OUT. NLM

DESIGN OF EXHAUST PIPE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK THROWS EXHAUST GAS INTO THE FACE OF PERSON STOPPED NEXT TO.*SD