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.
Frame started rusting through frame the inside out, first discovered in 2021. I had to have the frame repaired with no help from Ford in October of 2022
Frame on passenger and drive side by transmission, fuel tank, and rear leaf springs are rusted and have no integrity left. No structure integrity if in an accident. If fractures completely, will loose control of vehicle as the bed will contact cab, driveshaft will jamb into transmission, lock up brakes from pinched brake lines, loss of brakes from severed brake lines, lose control and go into on coming traffic or into roadside structures including pedestrians. NOTE: Your system will not let me upload pictures.
This vehicle is part of the now famous Frame Rust Issue on 2004 - 2008 f-150 Extended Cab pickup trucks. This is a one owner well maintained, very clean vehicle in perfect running order. During regular service, I found rust spots on the frame. The rust appeared to be from the inside out. After further investigation the frame had been destroyed by internal rust. I condemned the vehicle and took it off the road. Further investigation showed this was a very widely known problem and contested Issue. I have undercoated this truck many times over the years and it was very clean. I. Have never received any notice from Ford about this well documented problem. I am in the process of repairing the frame via dorman products. Ford should be held to account any pay for this repair.
Truck frame is rotting from the inside out, Could not tell the extent of damage from looking underneath, I have to get it repaired before it snaps in half.
- Erie, PA, USA
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This and many other trucks of this generation have major frame rot issues due to the box frame. The rest of my truck looks excellent but the frame is so bad its most likely not repairable. I am not the only one with this major safety issue. Its only a 16 year old truck. Thankfully I have not towed or put a large load in the bed or else it could split in half. I wash my car seasonally and pressure wash off rust every spring. Yet the frame has rotted so badly they could not put it on a lift to do the alignment. I love this truck and I'm a big fan of the f150 line as a whole. Ford should take responsibility as Toyota has and fix their customers frames from this generation. I love ford but its always interesting walking through a parking lot and seeing every 04-08 f150 with major frame rot. Without fail every single one has that issue. Seems to me like they didn't properly galvanize and protect the steel. I am now needing to do a bed off frame restoration since no shop will take it on. This truck that should be going for $5k with this insane used car market. (August 3rd 2020) yet it is max $200 in scrap. Bad / cheap engineering should not be the owners responsibility. Yet that is what it has come to. It was most likely an honest unforseen mistake on their part. Overengineering the rigidity but ignoring the long term effects. Short term strength for log term pain as is commonly said with these trucks. I'm sure in a few years time these will just start breaking in half over bumps on the freeway. I beg and encourage ford to fix this before people die. I doubt ford wants another pr fiasco like the pinto. Hopefully they will do a cost analysis and realize that a recall is a much better option. Seem like 250-500k a pop for settlements for the most popular truck of all time is much much more than 5k per affected vehicle. Not including the long term dip in sales. So unless they want the other brands to win the truck war they gotta fix it. Tldr: a recall is cheaper than death.
Frame rusting terribly and frame cracking near drivers side forward leaf spring mount. Truck has only 128,000 miles. Do not haul or tow any where near the trucks capacity. Normal driving and minor off road use.
Purchased vehicle Feb 2021 from private owner. Took vehicle in for servicing. Service department informed me that the oil change could not be completed, because they were afraid to place the vehicle on the lift due to the fact that it might split due to the frame being rusted completely through. Further, I was told that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the extensive corrosion of the frame on both the passenger and driver side. I was informed that at any time, if I hit a bump or was hit from behind, the vehicle would fold in half. Complaint id #: ODI 11413329
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that he learned that his vehicle was severely rusted on the passenger's and driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was rusted from the middle of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic as well as two body shops who stated that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
Complete frame under trunk is rusted to where the frame is getting ready to break in half I have looked at several other of the same make and model and they have the same similar problems so I'm not as bad as others but 90% of them are not safe to drive I live in the area there's not a lot of salt nore sand if this was a problem with just my vehicle I would understand but since it is a problem with a lot of these trucks something needs to be done buy Ford manufactures.
Had vehicle towed to a repair garage to have starter replaced.according to repair tech.while lifting truck a lot of cracking sound S inspection of frame reviled excessive rusting and cracks.they called and told me truck was un safe to use.have bills with statements made by repair shop.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. After replacing the tires on the vehicle, the contact heard a cracking noise when the vehicle was placed on a lift. The independent mechanic confirmed the frame was rusted through to the point that it was unsafe to place on the lift. The vehicle was taken back to frederick motor company (1 waverley dr, frederick, md 21702, (800) 734-9118). The contact was informed that they could not assist since the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 57,000.
The entire frame is rusting out. Everywhere I look theres rust. All of the cross frame from front to back down sides and across bottom of bed and where floor boards attach like was expensive truck Ford has to know
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have front and rear shocks installed. The mechanic informed the contact that due to the severe rust damage to the subframe, it was not recommended to have the shocks replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle would not pass state inspection within the next few months. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Bought truck least week took in for a oil change and was told that the front half shaft is rotten to the point it's pitting. The steering shaft is rusted out and the majority of the frame is rusted out near where all the important parts of the vehicle are held in place. As I do research on this problem I'm finding it is a common problem. The truck only has 61000 miles on it and it shouldn't have this much wear on the body of the truck. Ford really needs to look into a recall because there are thousands of trucks with this same issue. I have never owned a Ford and never will again. The car is basically worthless and it's a matter of time when it rusts all the way thru. Stationary issue. I don't have any photos as of right now. I will be taking more the oil shop has pictures that he showed me.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. While driving 55 mph, the rear frame detached and was rotted out. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to tony betten and sons Ford (3839 plainfield ave ne, grand rapids, mi 49525, (616) 363-6841), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was 151,678.
Two mechanics and one autobody technician inspected the truck and reported that the chassis is heavily corroded throughout for the vehicle's age and is not safe for towing. One mechanic reported that the rear end of the truck would require over $1,000 of welded steel reinforcements to make truck towe worthy. Also gas tank can fell due to the tank holder streeps are attached to the corroted chassis.
I notice numerous of F 150 like mine paint on hood and cab fading. All the rest of the body paint is great. There should be a recall on these items.Ford should let customers bring truck in for a touch up or paint job.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- O'fallon, MO, USA