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 2003 Ford F150 truck has a recurring problem in that it continuously blows a certain 5 amp fuse. I was told by a technician at the Ford authorized service where I have my service work done that he has seen about 10 of these cases. The problem is a cowl leak that allows water on an electronic module located under the dash. The fuse will blow predictably 2 to 3 days after a rain or wash. The safety consequences are: 1. the blown fuse disables the feature that automatically turns on the headlights & taillights thereby becoming an accident risk particularly when the driver has become accustomed to the automatic control of the lights; 2. the blown fuse disables the feature that automatically locks all of the vehicles doors when the transmission is shifted into drive thereby exposing the occupants to carjacking and other personal dangers; 3. the blown fuse disables the pushbutton control for shifting the transmission into and out of overdrive which could pose a hazard in snow and ice conditions or driving in mountainous terrain. Based on these indisputable safety hazards the manufacturer should be required to recall all vehicles subject to this condition and repair/replace as necessary to eliminate the possibility of these hazards.
In April 2008 the battery was dead on the truck. Battery was replaced and truck still would not start. After we were finally able to get the truck started it was taken to the local dealer where it remained for 2-3 weeks. Service department determined that the cluster ($700) was bad and replaced it. (we have since been told by other mechanics, if the cluster was bad we would not have been able to start the truck, so why was it replaced.) the truck was brought back home and the next time it rained the battery was again dead. Again truck was taken to the dealer service department. This time they determined that it was leaking around the window gasket ($100) and replaced this. 2 months later another rain and again a dead vehicle. Truck was again taken to the dealer where it remained another 2 weeks. After several phone calls and complaints it was determined that they did not know what was wrong with the vehicle and needed to call the main technicians. We still have no idea what is wrong with the vehicle and keep it in the garage. Truck can't be driven if there is any hint of rain because we don't want to end up stranded. We live in a small community and this is the second truck, same model and year, that we know of in our area that is having this same problem. Obviously there is some issue with the electrical systems in these vehicles as it does not appear to be limited to a few. This truck only has 37, 000 miles on it and is a complete waste to have unless we lived in the desert. I think all Ford owners need to ban together and sue Ford for aggravation and non functional vehicles. Never again will I waste my time buying a Ford vehicle.
On 5/5/2005, we purchased a 2003 Ford F150 heritage edition 4X4. It had only 10,000 miles on it. On June 5, 2005, just one month after purchase, I returned home from my aunt's house. About 5 minutes later, the truck was on fire. The truck was totaled and released to the insurance company. At the time, we were told 2003 Ford were not included in the recall and now they are.
Water leaked into the cab trough the windshield and shorted out the GEM module and corroded the fuse box. No leak was evident before the short out of various electrical systems.
- Waconia, MN, USA
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Truck speeds-up wide open after cranking and going from park to reverse or drive!! this is the second time I've filed a complaint with NHTSA -the first time was on 5/30/07. Since the last filing my F150 truck has had a "speed-up occasion" three times in Aug. '07 and three times in Oct. '07 the last time being on Oct. 16, '07. Sooner or later these speed ups will cause an accident!! see also ODI 10192039
The contact stated windshield leaked. As a result of the leak the vehicle suffered electrical damage. The instrument panel malfunctioned. When he took the vehicle for service the mechanic discovered the problem. The windshield was being repaired along with the electrical system. He has been in contact with Ford, and they offered no free solution.
On 7-9-05 the contact's son was involved in a car accident on the highway. He was driving a 2003 Ford F-150. He hit a guard rail and went into a ditch about 100 yards and hit an overpass sign post made of cement. The truck burst into flames. The coroner said that the fire caused the death of the contact's son. She said that he did not have a broken bone. The fire department and the police department. Were notified. The fire department did not have an investigation as to the cause of the fire. The contact reported that she did not know if her son had any previous problems with the truck prior to the accident. The truck was totaled.
While the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire on it's own. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a garage. The cause has not been determined at this time.
I have a 2003 F-150 supercrew that I purchased September 2, 2003. In October 2003 when the odometer was changing from 999 miles the vehicle seemed to have an electrical short and the dash lights flashed for a couple seconds. Then the odometer changed to 2000 miles skipping the 1000 mile mark and began to miss as if it was going to stop running but it never stopped. The check engine light never came on and the vehicle continues to misfire. I have had the vehicle checked by the Ford dealership where I purchased it on six visits. They have found cylinder 1, 2, and 3 misfires and replaced the boots and coils to those cylinders. But it still misses when I come to a stop with the engine in drive or at idle and the check engine light has never come on. The serviceman at the dealership and I when on a test drive with a monitor checking the firing of the spark plugs and the cylinders were showing as much as a 60 % voltage drop.the computer has showed several codes on the cylinders and codes that are not suppose to be even on this vehicle. This truck has been serviced by dealer six times, but they have been unable to diagnose or correct the problem.
Consumer complained about an electrical system problem. Inside lights would not go out once the door was closed. Alarm system did not work, and side reflector lights did not come on. The door ajar light stayed on. Door ajar light stayed on for about 20 to 25 minutes before they go off. Doors won't lock when they're supposed to. Dealer said that they can't locate the problem with inside lights. However, dealer made repair on horn and replaced fuse for alarm horn.
I have a 2003 supercharged harley truck, the concern is that all eight spark plugs were dark red in color and vehicle was missing horribly under a load with the A/C on or off.there was no check engine light, and vehicle fuel economy dipped to 11mpg on highway.it almost felt like a torque converter going South.the vehicle gets sunoco ultra 94 only and is babied.the vehicle only has 7K on it.P.S iam also the foreman at a large Ford dealer.I hae never seen this before, unless high octane additives were used.what caused this.no one at Ford knows. I am very dissatisfied with my 44K truck
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Nes Hope, AL, USA