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.
1999 Ford F-150 caught fire and burt to the ground in a parking lot. Fire started under the engine compartmant stated by a witness. The vehicle was sitting about 2 hours before it caught fire. Found numerous recall articles on the web about a switch catching fire.
Various switches are failing, passenger side window switch, electric mirror adjust switch, fan switch for heater/ac and the most annoying is the multifunction switch which causes the wipers to come one when ever they feel like it. I also personally know of two other Ford F150 owners suffering from similar problems. I think its time that Ford stops using inferior parts before we all start buying Dodge.
Water entering through cowling (the slotted metal piece between the hood and the wind screen) leaks into the passenger compartment on the driver side and onto the ignition components causing a short circuit of these parts. These parts are the fuse box(cjb), generic electronic module(GEM) power distribution box(pdb) and other electroic parts and wire connectors. The parts thet do not fail will corrode and cause intermittent electrical problems. For example, ac/heater fan and turn signals will continue to operate without key in the ignition. Dome light and wind screen wipers will start and stop without being physically turned on. The engine will not start or it can stop without turning off the ignition switch. The repair is all affected parts must be cleared of corrision or replaced at consumer cost and the leak must be found and sealed. Ford has a service bulletin #16928 dated 6/27/03 on this covering F-150's from 1997 to 2003. This should be considered dangerous and there needs to be a manufacturer recall for this.
Truck only has 65,000 miles and the odometer would go on and off when it pleased. Took it to a Ford dealership, and had to replace the whole instrument panel. Cost lots of money.
My family and I were 25 miles from home in our 1999 Ford F-250 when a spark plug blew out of the head. I had the truck towed to the Ford dealership and was told that even though the truck had less than 75,000 miles. I had to pay for the repair. This repair cost us over $3,000.
- Mcneal, AZ, USA
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The contact owns a 1999 Ford F-150. The contact complained about electrical problems since the cruise control stopped working in August 2004. Within a month of the cruise control malfunctioning the ABS sensor illuminated on the dashboard, and the heater stopped working. Approximately one month ago the power door locks stopped working. When it was hot outside, the contact turned off the lights in the vehicle he had to remove the fuse. The contact stated there was a ticking noise coming from inside the fuse box. The consumer contacted the dealership, and they told him to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test at his expense. The manufacturer explained to the dealership that the consumer felt that the electrical problems listed above were caused by the cruise control switch. The consumer has since stated the power mirrors no longer work.
August 24 my F150 truck caught fire nearly killing me and destroying my house. I notified Ford they said they would get back to me when they did the letter states that I owned a Windstar van and there was nothing they could do for me because the Windstar has no investigations..I do not a Windstar they had the correct VIN number and this did dot get reported to you in the investigations truck is 100% loss and I need correct compensation for my loss.
1999 Ford F150. There was an under the hood fire. This occurred on August 2, 2005. The vehicle had been parked for approximately five minutes when the fire started. There was no indication that there was something wrong with the vehicle. The fire department came and there was a report. There is not yet a determination as to why the fire started. The fire was so hot, the hood was gone. The vehicle was sitting 20 feet away from a mobile home and it melted the siding.
On multiple occasions all external and internal lights would cut off for a fraction of a second and then light back up. Each time they went out once and so fast that it was barely noticed. The number of these incidents are unknown. I would say fewer than 10. The first dealership it was reported to was crescent Ford in high point, nc. At the time, they did not record the issue as being reported and did not advise me that it should be checked. The problem was happening so infrequently that I did not realize it might be a serious problem. In the later part of 2003, October I believe, I stopped at a local tire distributor to have my tires balanced and rotated. I noticed from inside the store that the headlights were not off. I returned to the vehicle to attempt to turn them off by manipulating the light switch and ignition switch with no success. I had the work done at the tire store and took the truck staight to bob dunn Ford in greensboro where they advised me that the fuse box had to be rewired and that it was not safe to drive. The service technician showed me a fuse that had been removed from the fuse box. The fuse was black, melted and the element in the fuse was not burned through. The cover to the fuse box had a white spot on it where the plastic was heated and charred. The dealership provided me with a vehicle to drive and my truck was repaired but at my expense. I had applied to be reimbursed by Ford but have never heard any response dispite multiple calls to the dealership. After having learned of the recall for fires in parked F150's I decided this should be reported. Dates provided are estimates. I would have to have the dealership records pulled to find exact dates and mileage. The mileage on the vehicle was approximately 28,000 miles but it was out of warranty as it was older than 3 years.
Contact states the passenger side door lock is not functioning properly. The door cannot be unlocked from the outside with the electronic control. The battery has been replaced in the remote control. Contact can unlock the door with the actual key. Also, there are problems with the electrical system, when the windshield wipers are turned on the radio will go off. There is an appointment schedule with a service dealer for Monday, June 27, 2005.
Problem occurred about two years ago initially. Water goes from windshield to GEM module when it rains. This causes windshield wipers to only go at a certain speed unless the vehicle is stopped or put in neutral. Radio also dies when the windshield wiper problem occurs and owner believes all this is caused by the GEM module getting wet. The GEM module was replaced one time but the problem returned shortly afterwards. When it rains a crackling sound like bacon is heard and a burning smell is noticed. This was reported to Ford and they reported no knowledge of problem and showed no interest.
The 4 wheel drive in the consumer 1999 Ford F150 engaged in low range while driving. This caused the truck to jerk, lose control and the rear end to go out. The consumer had a new rear end put in but the truck has continued to go in and out of 4 wheel drive automatically. Now the truck start on it's own. The consumer had to disconnect the battery to keep from burning out the starter. When the cruise control is on the transmission wouldn't shift and the RPM's raced into the red. The consumer could hear clicks under the dash while this was happening which resulted in the battery being drained. The radiator leaked.
Vehicle was parked inside of the driveway. One hour later, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.
While traveling 75 mph on the interstate there was a loud noise, then the vehicle lost power. Consumer had to make it across several lanes trying to avoid a traffic accident. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealer, and it discovered that a spark plug blew out. Dealer repaired the spark plug sleeve as a temporary repair....
Consumer had just started to drive the vehicle when he heard a pop. After pulling off the road to inspect the vehicle, he found nothing. He got back on the road, and the vehicle ran fine. After arriving home consumer inspected the coil, and the spark plug came right out with it. 4spark plus blew out of cylinder head.
There is a short in the electrical system that allows the radio and the instrument panel light to come on by itself at separate times when the vehicle is turned off. The dealership is unable to identify the cause of the electrical short.
While driving about 45 mph consumer heard a loud clanking sound, only to discover that the spark plug blew out of its socket, causing the vehicle to lose power and eventually stall.
Pulling away from a stop light doing approx 20 mph in a 99 F-150. The spark plug on the passenger side #2 cyl. Blew completely out of the head. Contacted the dealership and they were absolutly no help, stating that there was no warrrenty on this item and that an approx repair cost was in the neighborhood of $3500. Ended up taking it to a local reputable shop here in phx. They were able to repair it for consideribly less. I was also informed that this is a very common problem due to a poor design on Ford part. Why is it that loyal customers are treated this way?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- San Jose, CA, USA