Loss of anti-freeze or coolant both doors starting to crack rear sliding window leaking.

- Coshocton, OH, USA

Ford 1997 F150 engine failure - could become vapor locked causing engine to seize at highway speeds.

- West Harrison, IN, USA

Vehicle was parked in the driveway and it was engulfed in flames. The fire report listed the cause as a mechanical failure which started in the engine.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Coolant leak in #4 cylinder. White smoke from buring coolant in engine. Rough idle and hard start up. Possible engine damage. Currently at Ford dealership to replace gaskets.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

Gasket failure caused water to leak into the engine. This caused the cylinder rod to knock and the engine to fail. Must replace the engine as a result.

- Sandusky, OH, USA

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.

- Walker, MI, USA

I own a 1997 Ford F150 and just had a spark plug blow out the head. I have done a simple internet search and it appears this is a common problem with Ford 5.4 which needs to be addressed.

- Fresno, CA, USA

Ford F 150 safety issue. The motor was replaced on 08/14/03 and died by 03/01/04. Two months after the vehicle was purchased, the odometer stopped at 69K miles, the engine locked up, the brakes went out due to caliper pin falling out and the engine was replaced. Six months later the fly wheel consumed three starters and the engine locked up again.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

The truck has a rod knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic who stated that the front cover gasket and manifold side gasket failed allowing coolant to leak into the cylinder. At cold start, the coolant in the cylinder caused the piston rod to break. He also stated that the engine would need to be replaced at a cost of approximately $5000.

- Schwenksville, PA, USA

Vehicle was parked in garage for about 3 hours when a fire started in the engine compartment

- Port Neches, TX, USA

While at Ford dealer having state inspection done, the speed control deactivation switch causght on fire.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

Under hood fire after sitting for 3 hours with the keys out of the ignition. The fire started at midnight. The fire investigator says the origin was at the master cylinder.

- Minden, LA, USA

Under hood fire after vehicle parked for 6.5 hours. Cruise control stopped working on 11/27/03 and was not repaired.

- Dallas, TX, USA

I have a 1997 Ford 150 4.2 L V6 truck. Do to Ford using a falty gaskets to build the engine I have experianced engine failure. Ford is not wiling to take any responsibility for the problem although they recalled the engine for this problem.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

While driving at any speed consumer heard a noise coming from the engine. Also, engine steamed a white mist. Dealer had not been notified.

- Griffin, GA, USA

The pick up engine compartment caught on fire within 5 minutes of being parked and turned off. The pick up was totaled. The insurance adjuster will inspect the pick up to determine the cause of the fire. The truck was a total loss.

- Fayetteville, PA, USA

When trying to start the vehicle the consumer heard a loud banging noise in the engine. The consumer drained the oil pan and found a half a cup of water before the oil came out. The consumer found on a web sight that this vehicle had a problem with two gaskets on the engine. The dealer is not claiming responsibility for the problem.

- Boise, ID, USA

I own a 1997 Ford F-150 with a V6 4.2 liter motor. Last week to my surprise my truck started knocking. I found the reason for this problem was a faulty head gasket design by Ford. I had checked for recalls on my truck many times before, and as early as January, 2000 (when I still had my warranty) I checked for a possible recall, but I was never informed of this problem like many other 1997-1998 4.2 liter owners. Today this leaves me with a useless truck that needs and $4000 engine replacement. I just feel that I should of been notified of this design flaw before it happened, and my truck should not have a problem like this with under 100,000 miles. Thank you for your help.

- Norman, OK, USA

Lights stay on continuously - have to remove fuses - back up lights and dome light won't go out. Daytime running lights stay on when vehicle is off. Both tie rod ends have fallen off (at different times) engine is gone. Inferior gaskets leaked coolant into the engine and destroyed main bearings. June 2001 front eengine seal leaked antifreeze onto ground. Two letters to Ford Motor Co (addressed to william clay Ford) have been answered by different people in the executive offices: Duncan alderson and D kulla. Both have advised that Ford will do nothing about these problems even though I advised them I knew of their tsb's to their dealers advising that these trucks were assembled with defective gaskets in the engines. I now have a truck that I cannot drive and no assist in getting it fixed,

- Calais, ME, USA

Coolant is leaking into the engine- likely due to gasket failure - heat non- functioning as a result

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA