While driving down the road at 35 mph with no load and nothing in tow the sub-frame cracked on both the driver and passenger side. On the driver side it cracked behind the rear tire. On the passenger side it cracked in front of the rear tire. The vehicle bowed and smashed the top of the bed into the back of the cab. Mechanic advised the frame deteriorated and cost of frame replacement would exceed the replacement of the vehicle.

- Tallmadge, OH, USA

While driveing at 60 mph there was a loud crash from the left rear then a grinding pop from the left rear all while the rear end of my truck felt like it was fish tailing on ice or like some one huge was shakeing it from side to side I almost lost it into a field I was so suprised I got stopped to look the left rear shackle cut loose because it was almost all dotted away the lower springs on both sides are miss aligned by 2 inches each and the spring end is now peeking thru the bed this truck was bought brand new by my best friends dad and was well taken care of kept in the garage and not used to tow or haul but it is rusting away so badly that the exhaust bolts have rotted away on both sides and will cost 1500 to fix alot of that is the cost to get the bolts out of the exhaust manifold they say built Ford tough but they realy meen Ford built it and if U get it wet tough its gona rot away !

- Kokomo, IN, USA

Rear shock mount connected to frame rusted and broke off.

- Salyersville, KY, USA

I noticed extreme rust that has eaten away parts of frame and suspension.

- Rosedale, MD, USA

I was driving home from town when all the ball bearings fell out of the steering column and the steering wheel became loose and the truck began to sway from right to left, it was controllable at the low speed I was going but thank god I wasn't on an interstate or highway at a higher speed I could have run off the road or worse had a head on collision ! the truck has not left my property since but I still have to keep full coverage insurance and tagged for insurance purposes and a lien from my bank on it, I have also replaced the starter on it eight (8) times the parts are very cheap but it has an airbag and my local Ford dealer gave me an estimate of $200 two hundred dollars to replace two six and seven dollar bearings. When the incident happened I had no idea what happened since the ball bearings are very tiny and are hard to see and it took a long time to figure out what happened my truck just sits there all this time because im afraid of someone getting hurt seriously or killed because im afraid of losing control on the steering. I have been driving since I was sixteen and was a big truck driver from 1979 to 1996 till I became ill but I would never drive a vehicle with steering problems, thank you

- Half Way, MO, USA

Rear springs, rear buckle rear springs were completely rusted through. Garage that repaired the items indicated that they have fixed a very large amount of Ford trucks with the same issues. This seems to be an issue that warrants some investigation. Note that the truck gasoline tanks also rusted through, failed and resulted in the tank falling out of the truck while underway. This was fixed, albiet after 3 years, by a Ford recall that was initiated this year.

- Findlay, OH, USA

1997 Ford F150 tie rods are extremely loose.** answer required***. it was demonstrated to the consumer that the ball end could be pulled out of the socket with bare hands. The socket was made of rubber.

- Dover, DE, USA

Ford F150 1997 defect gaskets and cooling system leaked. The consumer was aware of another vehicle with the same make/model that had the same problem. The consumer requested reimbursement. The ball joints were replaced.

- Amherst, NY, 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

While leaving a gas station the passenger side tie rod came out of it's socket. The consumer lost control of the vehicle for a short time but was able to stop safely. The consumer repaired the tie rod. The ball joint was dry and rusted. The ball joint was worn due to no grease. There is no way to grease it or to check to see if it needs to be lubricated.

- Monticello, KY, USA

While driving at any speed vehicle vibrates violently. Dealer notified.

- Manchester, CT, USA

The left rear spring assembly failed. The left rear spring was repaired. After the first incident, in December 2002, the right spring had broken. The consumer researched to see if other vehicle's have experienced the same problem, nine were found. The dealer acted as they weren't aware of the recall # 098V16000. The consumer requested his money back for the repair of the left spring. Scc

- Springfield, IL, USA

While traveling on the highway there is a knocking noise coming from the rear the vehicle. Please provide additional information. Dealer is aware of the problem..

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

The consumer is concern at this time he receive a recall notice for the coil spring. The recall number #98S18 and he had the repair done on Oct 5th 1998. At this time the problem is still exist.

- Somerville, NJ, USA

Vehicle has a ticking sound coming from under floor of vehicle. Can't hear sound unless vehicle is moving. Had vechile in shop several times. Contacted dealer, and dealer put in new bushing and U-joint; but still has not remedied problem.

- Westmoreland, TN, USA

Vehicle and steering wheel experience vibration while driving, tires have been replaced(at 17616 miles) and balanced, however the vibration still exists, consumer states that something sounds loose in the rear.

- Vandalia, MO, USA

Bought the vehicle used Jan 2000. Developed vibration characteristic of out-of-balance tires. When I had them balanced and front end checked, one tire had to be replaced due to tread separation. Vehicle still has slight vibration at highway speed, and I suspect another tire may be becominhg separated. Firestone claims there have been no reports of failures of the 16-inch wilderness ht. Can this be the first?( dot number: Unkn tire size: P235/70R16 )

- Summerland Key, FL, USA

Both incidents, involved the rear right hand tire position located directly behind the exhaust pipe exit. In both cases 90% of the tire shredded by itself down to the steel belts. Tires remained inflated in both cases. Both tires had less than 20,000 miles on them. (one tire was a new replacement from the manufacturer, the 2nd was the original spare). The 1st incident occurred after 20 miles highway travel at 70mph, however the previous day the truck had completed 800 miles continuous highway driving. The 2nd incident occurred after 6 hours continous highway driving at 70mph. In both cases the incident began with severe "felt-like" wheel wobble, then immediate severe jolting and lurching of the truck across the highway lanes out of control. Fortunately no accident occured and I stopped safely. In the 2nd incident the shredding of the tire also ripped out the exhaust barckets, bent the exhaust pipe downwards (required re-bending to obtain decent road clearance). I reported the incident to Ford customer service. I replaced both rear tires with new Firestone wilderness tires at Ford. I am now deeply worried that this will occur again, and to add insult to injury I hear there are now reports of Firestone wilderness tires shedding. Is there a connection between general tires and Firestone, both supplied by Ford" is there a conection with the exhaust exhiting directly in front of the tire causing severe over heating of the tire" I shal be replacing the exhaust with a rear exit exhaust at mullinax..( dot number: A308443276 tire size: P235/70R16 )

- Davie, FL, USA

While driving at 45 mph and coming to a stop vehicle vibrates and makes some noise.

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA

While traveling approximately 30-45mph vehicle would vibrate. Been back & forth to dealer for 13 days & mechanic could not locate cause of vibration. Mechanic changed motor mounts, rotors & balanced tires. Vibration still exists.

- Trinity, AL, USA