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.
My truck was turned off in my driveway for about an hour and it caught on fire under the hood. A neighbor came to tell us and the fire department had to come put out the fire.
On August 16, 2015, my 1997 Ford F150 truck caught fire in my son's driveway while parked. The fire department was called and came out, however my son managed to put out the fire with a garden hose. One of the firemen said it appears to have started with the cruise control switch. The entire cab is burned up; operator and passenger side, dash, steering wheel, seats, windows blown out, etc. It is unrepairable. Since this is an older truck, I had liability insurance only, no comprehensive coverage. Research on the internet tells me this has happened to many Ford owners. Ford should be held accountable, and I am seeking reimbursement for the truck. I have contacted Ford corporation, and they have told me they forwarded the information to the Ford's office of the general counsel. The "affected parts" are many more than is listed. The entire cab was affected by the fire.
While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle started surging up and down in speed erratically. I did not realize that it had to do with the speed control, but finally took it out of cruise for good. The speedometer still was surging up and down between 4 and 10 mph difference from what my speed was. After the vehicle was shut off for a day, it ran fine until I ran it on the road for about 40 miles, then it did the same erratic speed changes.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly increased acceleration to 90 mph. The gear lever was shifted into neutral and the engine began to rev as the vehicle suddenly fish-tailed. As a result, the rear of the vehicle crashed into a nearby median barrier. The vehicle continued to accelerate for another 5 miles. The contact shifted from drive to neutral repeatedly, and the vehicle reduced speed and was maneuvered to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the technician informed the contact that the floor mat was trapped under the accelerator pedal, causing the abnormal acceleration failure. The contact stated that the floor mat was never positioned under the accelerator pedal when the failure occurred. The vehicle remained at the dealer for further investigation. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked next to a residential garage. Later that night, the contact discovered the vehicle engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted and they advised him that the fire could have been caused by the cruise control switch. The vehicle was towed to a garage. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no immediate assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 150,000.
- Danville, KY, USA
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The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph when the brakes were applied and the vehicle began to surge. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis on several occassions yet, the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was not made aware of the unintended acceleration failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the engine off when it caught on fire. The fire caused damage to the contact's home, garage, a second vehicle and other personal property. The fire department arrived tio extinguish the fire and a fire report was filed. The investigation concluded that the fire began within the cruise control safety switch. The manufacturer was contacted and stated the contact would receive a call back. The contact had not been contacted by the manufacturer. The VIN was unable. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. While driving 3 mph in rainy weather, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerating. The rear wheel began spinning and the vehicle accelerated to 120 mph. The contact shifted into neutral and the engine stopped revving. The contact called two dealers who advised him to take the vehicle in for diagnosis. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was 132,021. Updated 01/06/11 updated 01/24/11
Gas pedal is sticking wide open even if not pressed to full throttle when you tap brake pedal or the off switch for the cruise control it releases the accelerator. Does this no matter if cruise control is off or on. Truck has been in and repaired for the cruise control starting fires. But now cruise control is not deactivating. Has done this 11 times so far.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact referenced recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control). The contact stated that on May 22, 2010, the vehicle was parked in the driveway when it suddenly caught fire where the cruise control switch was located. The fire spread under the hood and the vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The current and failure mileages were 62,528.
My Ford truck accelerated uncontrollably just like the Toyota. I filed a complaint with you guys, twice, and never heard back. I can make my truck do this!!! if someone wants to look at my truck, while it's doing this, please do!!!my next step is to call my congressman. Thank you. Updated 03/09/10 updated 03/26/10.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford, F150 pickup. The vehicle speed control switch failed while driving without warning. While activated he depressed the brakes, and then pressed reset, but it would not turn back on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that since the warranty expired, and there were no recalls, he was not provided with any assistance. The failure mileage was 193,901.
1997 Ford F150, we were accelerating on the highway from 30 mph out of a construction zone back to highway speed (65mph). The truck has an automatic transmission and cruise control. Cruise control was not activated. Suddenly, the vehicle stuck into full acceleration mode. Sharply applying the brakes had no effect in slowing the vehicle. The foot accelerator was down fully, the floor mat was not involved. The driver tried to lift the foot accelerator with her toe, but it was stuck down fully. It could not be lifted. Within 2 miles the vehicle was accelerating well past 100 mph. Cars ahead were stopped at a traffic light. In desperation we repeatedly hit the brake hard and sudden with full effort. There was a pop and the accelerator came back up. The truck was pulled over and inspected there was no apparent issue with the accelerator petal. It moved easily and normally. The truck was started and test drove, and everything including the cruise control worked normally. We continued driving without any further incident. I assure you it was not driver fault there is something that actively pulls the accelerator down even when the cruise is not activated. Hitting the brake did not stop the activation. This was a close call and we have very credible witnesses and drivers to explain in detail what happened. The vehicle has about 189000 miles on it and has never done this before that we know of. We bought it used, and it is in original condition, no after market gaskets or alterations. James gibson
The vehicle had been sitting in the driveway and had not been driven in over 24 hours prior to the fire. We were awakened by our local police and fire departments, alerting us to the fact that the truck had been on fire. They were able to successfully put out the fire prior to it spreading to our home. The fire originated on the driver's side, under the hood, around the wheel well. This was documented by our fire department. The front end of the truck and the driveway have been melted, and the truck is no longer drivable or fixable. Coincidentally, we received a letter from Ford this week stating that the recall on this truck had not been done and that it could result in fire. We purchased this truck from a private party on May 11, 2008 and this was our first notification of a recall. Of course immediately after purchasing the truck we registered it with the state of Illinois to obtain plates in our name, and we were issued our registration. We owned this truck exactly 6 months to the date when the fire occurred. If we had been sent a notification prior to the fire, rather than afterwards, we could have had this cruise control recall addressed. At this point the vehicle is scrap. We are holding on to the truck, until we can reach a determination of Ford's responsibility in this matter.
Bought 97 Ford F-150 truck from private party.. it had recall on it was not told about it and my truck engine caught fire while the car was off and had been off for about an hour.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. The vehicle caught fire while parked in the driveway. The vehicle was destroyed. A report from the fire department will be available. A case number was obtained and police report number PD080825409115 was filed. The cause of the failure was listed as the vehicle speed control. The failure mileage was unknown.
1997 Ford F-150 with recall on the speed control system. Consumer states that the dealer charged him $68 for a diagnosis fee for stating there was a recall for the speed control. Consumer states that he should not have been charged the $68. The dealer wanted to charge the consumer to repair the fire damage to the wiring and other components that was done to the vehicle as a result of a faulty switch that was recalled. The turn signal did not stay on when making a turn.
My F150 truck was parked under the carport when the truck caught on fire as our family was sleeping. My daughter's car, parked beside the truck, began to burn as well and the car alarm system sounded. My family awoke as the windows of the house under the carport were breaking out and the house fire alarm began to sound. Everyone got out ok, thank goodness, and the house was saved, although damaged. We lost the truck, carport, riding lawn mower, 4 wheeler and several other small items. The inside of the house suffered major smoke and water damage. The fire was determined to have started with the cruise control part which Ford has a recall on.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Slidell, LA, USA