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.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. While driving 65 mph in a rainstorm, the windshield wipers stopped working. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. He was able to drive the vehicle after the rain stopped. A mechanic stated that the GEM module was defective and reinstalled the GEM module, as well as installed a new ignition switch. The wipers failed again while driving in normal conditions. The mechanic stated that the GEM module he installed from Ford was defective. After the repair, the warning lights illuminated, including the air bag light. The mechanic cannot diagnose the cause of the failure and determine if the air bags work. Prior to the GEM module failure, several components were replaced on the vehicle. At 30,000 miles, the engine was rebuilt. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.
Windshield wipers failed during rain, managed to pull off road safely. (other electrical devices failed as well) wipers no longer work. Vehicle is out of service until repaired. Ford is aware of problems. See Ford technical service bulletin 98-9-13 and Ford special message #15773.
I am sending in a full letter to explain the "failures". it centers around tsb 99B29 and lack of owner notification of a bad front cover design that can lead to engine failure, which occurred in this case. Additionally, I had a tie rod failure that was not addressed under warranty, but later broke while driving. Also, my crank shaft pulley / dampener assembly fell off while highway driving (70 mph). There are other issues including door lock / key sticking. Campaign id number : 03V196000 component: Steering:gear box:shaft sector. The engine cover gasket failed. The serpentine failed, the transmission had an akward shift, the wipers operated periodically by themselves on high speed, there was little heat coming from the vents through the floor.
Winshield wipers rarely work on intermittent setting and if they do they are not consistant in timing. About 30% of the time the wippers will not come on at all. Washers work only 20-25% of the time.
- Rock Springs, WY, USA
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Fuel line leak caused gasoline to spill onto the pavement; a definite safety hazard. Defect was covered by a safety recall, but I had previously taken vehicle in for inspection and given a clean bill of health. How can a part covered under a recall fail after I took it in? Ford is unwilling to cover any expenses except the repair costs, while I incurred addtional costs. The windshield washer quit working. Ford is unwilling to cover the cost of repairs.
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.
Windshield wipers would activate by themselves, and then squirt water on windshield. This would cause a visibility problem for driver. Its unexpected and very distracting.
Windshield wipers will come on by themselves without touching controls, causing poor visibility. Defect occurs intermittenly. Dealer cannot determine cause.
When driving under normal conditions windshield wipers will activate on their own. Also, they will shut off when it is raining. Dealer has been contacted.
Windshield wipers come on randomly and has become more frequent. Also, the wiper fluid is projected onto windshield by itself. Latest incident of this severely affected by vision of the roadway and traffic during heavy rush hour interstate traffic. From what I have been able to see on some of the internet new groups this is a not uncommon problem with Ford trucks.
Going down the road while it was raining windshield wipers would not work. Then, all at once windshield wipers came on by themselves. Also, while standing outside of the truck horn started to blow on its on. Then, while on the road, horn once again started to blow on its own.
While making a turn windshield wipers will come on and washer fluid sprays all over the windshield when it is not raining. This is unsafe on a curvy road. On a raining day and making a turn, windshield wipers will stop.
Windshield wipers come on unexpectedly while switch is in off position. This is a safety problem because in the case of my father's Ranger, the washer fluid would spray unexpectedly as well, thereby smearing the windshield and causing loss of visibility. Both our trucks were diagnosed with faulty multifunction switches. A recall for this part should be issued as there is a high number of the same complaints listed on this site for various Ford vehicles containing the same part.
I was told that I would have to pay a deductable to have this fixed. It is a hazard because my windshield wipers do not work half the time, and when they do not work, the windows will not roll down so therefore I can not see when it rains. There was something wrong with it when I bought it and I feel I should not have to pay the deductable.
I have experienced the 3 defects listed.....first, the powertrain, when four-wheel drive is engaged at a stop and an engagement time of at least 30sec. To 1min. Is given, when I release my brake to proceed the powertrain makes a loud thump, this happens about 75% of the time....second the washer sprayers on the hood do not spray the windsheild. One sprays way off and the other sprays nothing. And third the high beam low beam switch is defected. When engaged in high beam and driving a short accures and the lights will flicker from high to low and completely off with no head lights at all......if you have any questions about any of these defects please contact shane E. mass at my home number ((712)-322-5233).... thank you.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rockledge, PA, USA