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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,175 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1997 Ford F-150 electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Ford F-150 Owner Comments

problem #12

Nov 082007

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ford F150 windshield leaks, leading to GEM and fuse module failure. Random electronics clicking and turning themselves on due to leaking windshields damaging these electronic modules.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #11

Oct 272007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
I am now having the water leak issue into the GEM due to faulty windshield seal. It is starting to cause electrical system malfunctions. The following is a tsb released by Ford: Ford special message #15773 various electrical conditions resulting from water intrusion into the GEM/cjb some 1997-2002 Expedition and 1998-2002 Navigator vehicles may exhibit various unusual electrical conditions, including but not limited to: Front or rear blower or eatc staying on with key out of the ignition, radio staying on after doors opened and key out of ignition, wiper circuit failure codes, and multiple system warning lights with 'short to power' or 'low battery voltage' dtcs. These symptoms most often occur after a rain or snow. This may be due to GEM/cjb water intrusion resulting from a windshield water leak. To service, remove the GEM and cjb from the vehicle, separate them and inspect for water contamination or corrosion. If found in either component, replace both components and completely reseal the windshield. After doing some research on the internet I have found that I am not the only soul experiencing these issues. Apparently Ford is not fixing this obvious manufacturing defect at their expense but passing it to the customers. This is obviously a Ford issue that they have known about for quite some time. Please help with resolving this issue as some people have spent in the thousands fixing issues that this water intrusion issue has caused.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #10

Jan 222005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles
The truck caught on fire while parked in the driveway. The truck sat for a day prior to the fire. The fire department and consumer extinguished the fire. The fire originated from under the hood. The fire melted the engine components, destroyed the entire hood, and totaled the vehicle. A mechanic indicated that the fire was due to an electrical failure.

- Augusta, AR, USA

problem #9

Dec 282002

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When using the cigarette lighter the whole lighter got too hot and went right through the dash. It burned through plastic and wire burned in half. Very dangerous. This could have burned up the whole dash. Burned my wife's hand after it went through the holder.

- Stilwell, KS, USA

problem #8

Sep 212001

F-150

  • miles
A burning/smoke was coming from under dash, unable to locate problem. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Lodi, WI, USA

problem #7

Apr 212001

(reported on)

F-150

  • miles
I have contacted Ford Motor Co. By phone & email and they say they will get back w/me and never do. There is no follow up on their part. No customer service and no satisfaction. The customer service ended at the signing of the bill of sale. No safety defect.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #6

Sep 202000

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had an electrical short under the dash caused by moister in the fuse box, which was caused by water leaking around the windshield. I was not to concerned until I took it to the shop and found out that there is 13 pages of service bulletin about moisture get into the fuse box. It does thing as wiper not working while in drive or reverse but will work any other time. Radio not turning off, blower motor not shutting off. Trying to engage the starter while the vehicle is running.

- Newton, KS, USA

problem #5

Sep 011999

F-150

  • miles
The bad door switch causes the dome light and bed light to stay on until the vehicle reaches about 20 mph, making it difficult to see when backing up at night. I have talked to other owners of similar trucks who have the same problem.

- Silvis, IL, USA

problem #4

Dec 201999

F-150

  • miles
This truck burned down a shop building on 1-6-00.

- Judsonia, AR, USA

problem #3

Sep 011999

F-150 4WD

  • miles
No summary

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #2

Nov 011996

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Computer controller failed.

- Hacienda H, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 301997

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was parked and caught on fire. There was a big hole in the dash and the fire department put water into the dash to stop the fire. The whole inside was burned up and damaged from the fire. The horn relays and horn pads were replaced three times.

- Merillville, IN, USA

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