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 had my 1997 Ford F-250 for a few years and besides an abi's I'vew previous owner it hasn't given any issue. That is up until a month ago when my instrument cluster up and quit working. There was no warning and no fuses or relays faulty either, I spoke with friends of mine who own similar model years of my truck and they say they have had the same issue.
On August 1, 2010, our Ford F150 (VIN [xxx]) started on fire and burned from the engine on out. The hood is totally burned through and the windshield also burned. The entire engine compartment is ruined. The truck was in our driveway at the time and we were alerted my neighbors who saw flames shooting 10' into the sky. We believe this engine fire was due to one of the recalls of Ford's faulty switches or wiring that ignited the spark into a full burn.
After several inches of rain my 1997 Ford F250 light duty began trying to start while parked in the driveway. The only way to stop it was to disconnect the battery cable. The battery cable was red hot and smoking. Luckily my neighbor noticed or it would have caught fire. This is the second occurrence of this problem for this vehicle. Both followed heavy rains. The first occurrence included spontaneous starting, interior lights coming on, left side window failure, speedometer failure, and continued operation of fan, windows and radio with ignition off. Researching this issue has made me aware that this is a common problem due to water leaking through the windshield and seeping into the generic electronic module and fuse box causing multiple symptoms including the ones stated above.
We responded to fomoco recall #07S57 on March,08, all supporting documents were provided, original receipts, etc. After several follow-up calls to their customer service center, on June,08. Were told all is in order and approved and the reimbursement check for $ $318.41 for repair is in the mail. So far, as of September 08 no word from Ford...and no check.
The truck started having electrical problems, which would come and go. These problems became more severe and numerous as time went by. At first it was just the warning lights coming on and then things like the radio coming on in the middle of the night and no one had the key even in. It would also shift into 4-wheel for no reason. These would only happen once in a while. Then one day when I went to go to work I opened the door and everything came on just opening the door. I got in and put the key in and tried to start the truck but there was nothing. I then noticed the smell of electrical items burning and immediately took out the key. I called the local Ford dealer and ask if they knew what was going on. They immediately replied that these trucks have a problem with the windshield leaking on the GEM module and fuse box. When I took the truck in to have it looked at they said the starter, solenoid, and fuse had all burned up. The fuse box also had burned at several fuse locations and had to be replaced. When the new parts came the mechanic noticed that they now had plastic covers on them to help prevent moisture from getting to them. Now all this stuff burned up in my truck while sitting in my garage at night without it even having the key in the ignition. I'm concerned that this could have burned my house down with me and my family in sleeping. Now if the dealership knew this was a problem how come this was not a recall item. It cost me just under a grand to fix not to mention my wife won't let me park it in the garage anymore because she's afraid of a fire.
- Lapeer, MI, USA
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Consumer wanted his switch on front of vehicle fixed. He has been told that the plastic melted and allowed the brake fluid to come out and catch on fire. Consumer said that he knew that 2000 and 2001 year models have been recalled, and consumer wanted his vehicle to be included in this recall.
After being parked for 4hrs.and unattended my 1997 Ford F-150 4X4 truck VIN.# [xxx] caught fire in engine compartment. Fire appears to have started in the area of the master cylinder. This was observed from the hole that was burnt in the hood on the left front of vehicle's hood. Fire report states electrical as cause of fire.the intire engine copartment is a total loss.as is the truck itself. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle was parked for two hours when it caught on fire on its own. The fire department extinguished the fire. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. The cause has not been determined at this time.
While driving 20 mph driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Driver pulled over and opened the hood. Suddenly, vehicle caught on fire. Driver was able to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed home. The consumer had to unplug the wires connected to the brake master cylinder to stop the fire. Now the vehicle has no automatic cruise control. The consumer was told by local Ford service department that the fire was probably caused by the cruise control switch. The manufacture has a recall on F150 pickups but not the F250. The problem has not been repaired and the wires have been left unplugged for now.
I have on multiple occasions had spark plugs come flying out of the head of my truck. I have asked around and heard that on most Ford trucks and econoline vans are blowing these out on the regular. I have also heard that it is due to the aluminum heads having only 4 weak threads. I would just like to point out the fact that it has happened twice to me and can cost anywhere from 200 to 1700 dollars to fix depending on how severe things are. I would greatly appreciate some research into this subject as I am sure thousands of others would.
The vehicle was parked for 2 days and a fire was started in the engine compartment. The horn was heard blowing when the consumer noticed that the vehicle was on fire. Two months prior to the fire, the cruise control stopped working. There were no after market equipment. There was travel trailer wiring that was on the back of the truck. The vehicle was insured by unitrin 800-777-4342 jl rausin.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tribune, KS, USA