This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have multiple issues that hit all around same time. Body rusted and water leaks getting the bcm wet which causes the truck to go haywire, lights flashing, doors locking and unlocking, radio stays on, caused multiple things to stop working, fuel tank leaks when filling it up where the fuel tank fill hose rusted into the tank, causing multiple vacuum leaks and horrible running conditions and truck dies if not holding clutch, gas and brake at light. Rear trailer wiring plug when it's connected causes multiple lights to stay on even though vehicle not running and everything off. Also melted all wires on 2 trailers causing shorted out lights, replaced clutch 2 times since purchase on 3rd clutch and mechanics not sure why even after showing them I am properly using the clutch system, not pulling heavy loads, or driving it like a race truck. ABS system light won't shut off even though no codes or problems with abs system, multiple vacuum leaks and can't get rid of running lean and bad O2 sensors even after replacing them all.
Frame so rusted can't get a sticker, original paint on truck. Ford was factory undercoated with rubber type undercoating. Which pealed off and left lots of rust on entire frame. Not safe for inspection. Told by garage, to junk it. Bought new in 1998.
In 2012, I replaced my gas tank because severe corrosion had eaten numerous small holes into the top of the tank so it could not be filled over 3/4th without leaking. Flakes of rust were falling onto the top of the tank from the frame X-member causing these holes. The frame X-member was not addressed and the new gas tank began to leak within a year and a half of replacement. The engine was just recently tuned up by a Ford dealer because it was intermittently vibrating. Within 6 months of this tune up, the engine lost full power with finding of grossly contaminated fuel. The 2 year old tank was pulled and the top of the tank was revealed to be metallic swiss cheese equivalent, this time with numerous very large holes that rain was easily penetrating into the tank via the cab-bed space opening. The X-member frame support was corroded in half. The dealer could not fix it and I paid for a second new tank and fuel pump($350 with shipping to hi), por 15 coated the top of the new tank myself, and paid a local body shop$1042 to pull the X-member and replace it with a used part as Ford no longer stocks (likely rusted to bits in their warehouse). The new tank and used X-member are now installed and awaiting an engine mechanic to address why the engine won't start up despite new tank/fresh fuel/pump/filter. Likely another $500 to clean fuel injection/engine bringing 2 year total for rotted X-member and two gas tanks to well over $3000. Perusing your data base, the frame rust issue seems to be a recurring theme particularly for the 1997 year model. My assessment is there was something very rotten in 1998 F150 frame components and or corrosion protections used. Lessons learned: Don't fix the tank until you fix the X-member problem first and Ford F150 frames/corrosion protections circa 1998 are getting a bad reputation which is likely deserved.
7/14/2011 - my mechanic replaced rotting gas tank straps 10/3/2011 - Ford dealer (after receiving recall notice on gas tank straps) applied reinforcement straps on gas tank straps. No indication given to me that these were not secured onto frame. 10/12/2011 - brought my truck into my mechanic for oil change. He noticed that the gas tank straps and reinforcement straps were not connected onto the frame on drivers side rear. 10/12/2011 - brought truck back to Ford dealer to fix the safety recall that last week they had applied. I mean, it is hard to believe that a week later, and the straps failed. Was told that they only install the gas tank straps and that's it. Whether they are connected to frame or not that is rusting is not their concern and is not covered by the recall. This is preposterous. Since the same metal was probably used throughout the truck and caused the recall of the gas tank straps -- a safety recall, shouldn't they be sure to apply these to known good structure and if such structure suffers from the same problem as the gas tank straps, shouldn't that be covered? I really think Ford should stand behind its products and its safety recall installations and take care of the frame that holds these rotting gas tank straps. The cause of failure is the same. Rusting frame is same rusting as the gas tank straps.
The contact owns a 1998 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired because the frame was severely corroded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 189,700.
The contact owns a 1998 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he noticed that one of the fuel tank straps was fractured due to corrosion. The two remaining fuel tank straps were experiencing corrosion as well, but were not fractured. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and was repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting). The contact expressed concern because only the fractured strap was replaced under the recall. The contact was informed that according to the recall, they were only obligated to replace the fractured strap. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would only replaced the strap which fractured. The contact also stated that the rear leaf springs fractured and pierced through the truck bed due to corrosion. In addition, the frame under the front driver side also exhibited rust and corrosion. The failure mileage was 175,000.
Center console located on the 60/40 split bench seat has a cup holder / storage compartment. However, console will lock in the up position, but will not lock in the down position causing discomfort to driver possible safety hazard.
The extended cab where bench seats are located, the rear windshield latch pokes out when going over bumpy road, causing the child's head to hit this part which can cause injuries. Please provide further information and VIN#.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kewanee, IL, USA