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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 18
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,990 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 (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Jul 062005

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles

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

My 1997 F-150 caught fire while parked in my driveway. This vehicle was not driven in 18 hours. My twelve year old daughter and a neighbor put the fire out. In speaking with Ford Motor Company they have a recall on cruise control deactivation switches but until today it did not go back to my year model. Due to a television broadcast on Friday, August 12, 2005 Ford has now included vehicles up to 1995 however when I spoke with them today they advised it only includes vehicles manufactured at particular plants which does not include my vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to a local Ford dealer and the service department manager stated "more than likely the fire was caused by the cruise control switch". my family and I were fortunate that the vehicle was not parked in the garage where the damage could have been substantial and resulted in a loss of life as my children's bedrooms are located above the garage. I would like to see Ford extend this recall to every vehicle regardless of the plant it was manufactured and am seeking reimbursement of my costs however Ford is denying any problems with my vehicle. Any assistance you could offer to help make this company accept responsibility for their poor manufacturing practices would be appreciated.

- North Charleston, SC, USA

problem #25

Aug 082005

F-150 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles
1997 F-150 pickup caught fire after returning from the store, 10 minutes later we hear a horn blowing we go to see what is was and the truck was on fire. It is an open claim with my ins. Company right now. This happened on 8-7-2005.

- Brazoria, TX, USA

problem #24

Feb 282003

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles
The consumer stated that the wiring harness was to oshort on 1997 Ford F-150. The wires were pulling and stretching when moving the steering wheel column. The consumer thought it was a common problem. This has been a problem for consumer for about year and a half. Vehicle has not been to the dealership. The turn signals and the hazards lights did not work in a certain positions on the steering column. Because of the wires are getting stretched out of the multifunctioning switch. The consumer contacted Ford, but they said that there was no recall.

- Garden City, MI, USA

problem #23

Jun 112004

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle was parked outside of the home. Eight hours later, the vehicle caught on fire. Driver called the fire department to extinguish out the fire. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.

- Boonville, IN, USA

problem #22

Mar 122005

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While being parked for approximately eight hours vehicle caught on fire. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #21

Mar 222005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,425 miles
1997 Ford F-150 pick up. Caught fire in driveway of residence. Veh had been in driveway for over one hour. Totally distroyed

- Easton, MD, USA

problem #20

Mar 072005

F-150 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While being parked for approximately an hour vehicle suddenly caught on fire. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #19

Feb 212005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158 miles
While the truck was parked in a parking lot it caught on fire without warning. There were no injuries reported. The driver called the fire department to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed, and declared totaled by the insurance company.

- Chuluota, FL, USA

problem #18

Nov 042003

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was parked in the driveway and it caught on fire. The neighbor called the fire department to extinguish the fire. No injuries reported. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.......no money paid to consumer by insuranc ecompany.vehicle still stored in stafford county an dis available for inspection and additional photos.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #17

Jan 282005

F-150 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was parked and without warning vehicle caughton fire. Driver called the fire department to extinguish the fire. No injuries reported. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.

- Carthage, MS, USA

problem #16

Apr 152003

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

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

Vehicle was parked outside the residence. Vehicle was not driven for several hours when it caught on fire. Owner contacted the fire department. The hood melted, as well as the engine block was completely destroyed.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #15

Jan 102005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
Vehicle caught on fire while parked in the driveway. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. Then, fire inspector informed the consumer that the fire was started by an electrical short in the steering column.

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

problem #14

Nov 302004

F-150

  • 18,000 miles
While the vehicle was parked a fire started in the engine compartment. The fire was put out, and the dealership was notified.

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #13

Dec 142004

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle unexpectedly caught on fire when it was parked. Consumer was informed by fire department that an electrical short caused the brake booster and engine to catch on fire. Consumer will inform manufacturer.

- Dresden, TN, USA

problem #12

Sep 232004

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 115,000 miles
Complaint received via E-mail.while at work on 9-23-2004, around 12:00 a.M., my truck caught on fire after being parked for eight hours. It was parked in a gore area on I-70 where we were working. The firemen said it had to be something electrical due to the fact that it started in the engine. My truck was completely destroyed.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #11

Nov 092003

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle caught on fire. The cause was undetermined.

- Lajas, PR, USA

problem #10

Jul 062004

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150 miles
An explosion woke us up at approx 4:00 am on July 06. Our 1997 Ford F150 pick up was on fire and destroyed a 2001 4 runner, 2001 larson boat, carport etc. The vehicle had been parked for 2 days and moved once a very short distabce during that time. The fire seemed to come from the engine compartment. Prior to the fire the crusie control stopped working and we had to replace a fuse becuse the vehicle would not come out of park. We replaced the fuse 3 or 4 times. On the last time we just parked the vehicle after the fuse was replaced and did not drive it. The only electronic aftermarket equipment was a stereo proffesionaly installed a year before the fire. The fire did not spread to the house but did spread to another vehicle, the car port, and a boat. 35mm photographs have been taken and will be sent to bruce york. Vehicle was insured liability only.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #9

Sep 132002

F-150

  • miles
Vehicle caught on fire after being parked for approximately 5-6 hours due to an electrical problem.

- Pauline, SC, USA

problem #8

Oct 181999

F-150 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
GEM module malfunctioned, causing winshield wipers/ power windows and interior lights to be inoperable. Dealer has replaced module.

- Bermingham, AL, USA

problem #7

Feb 252000

F-150 4WD

  • miles
The truck was sitting in the driveway at 5:10 a. M. and was not running.it had not been used for at least 8 hours. Somehow an electrical arch occurred around the starter which caused the truck to start( note: The truck is a manual transmission and was in 1st gear so it wouldn't move.) when the arch ocurred, it affected the starter which caused the truck to crash through the garage. It also toasted the starter.

- La Porte, IN, USA

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