After a rainstorm and while driving, my windshield wipers stopped working, my radio/cd player started turning off and on, my panel light dimmed, and I heard a clicking noise under my driver side dash board. There was also a clicking noise coming from the engine. While stationary and key out of the ignition, I noticed water on the driver side floor, and when I looked under I could see drops of water sliding off I believe my emergency bake and brake pedal, and an ongoing clicking sound under the steering wheel. I left my truck in driveway overnight, and the next morning my battery was dead. I had aaa tow come and replace battery that afternoon. The next morning the battery was dead again. Aaa came and checked the starter and alternator, all were fine. As they recharged battery there was a weird noise heard in the engine area. I drove it to a mechanic with Ford truck experience. He stated the GEM and fuse box were wet and attributed it to water leakage coming from the windshield weather stripping trim which was common in Ford vehicles. He recommended replacing GEM, fuse box, and windshield trim. This water/electrical problem happens every year after a rainstorm. I never thought a vehicle in good condition could have outside water leaks getting inside and onto the fuse box and GEM module. The mechanic told me it can become very dangerous for the GEM and fuse box to fail because it controls everything in the truck. The GEM and fuse box should be protected from outside elements. When water is introduced to these modules, it makes the whole system go wacky and can cause serious and possibly dangerous situations. Ford needs to acknowledge that this is a manufacture defect and fix and/or reimburse us consumers on the cost of fixing

- Whittier, CA, USA

Trans went out a month after intake crack had to be replace almost $1,650 together also ball joints and tierod ends no good shock no good brake are falling and rear end is grinding this truck should have never been sold help and there's "more".

- Northlittlerock, AR, USA

My 2003 F-150 V8, 4.6L 2wd truck received water damage to the GEM (generic electronic module) causing the windshield wipers to stop working while driving to work on a foggy/dew morning after a rainstorm. The water damage was due to a leak on the loose windshield that caused water to run directly to the fusebox & GEM that controls all electronics in the vehicle. After looking seeking an answer for this problem, I found that at lease a hundred others have had the same windshield leak in the '97-'03 F series vehicles. The GEM could and has caused vehicles to shut off and on and have lights go off and on at a random time if it received water damage. It is very dangerous and needs to be fixed immediately. The windshield is a common problem and many others have suffered from the same problem as me. Thank you for your time.

- Manchester, MI, USA