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.
'97 Ford F-150 4.2L V-6, lower intake gaskets failed, leading to hydrolocked engine. I have read hundreds of instances of this happening. Truck is now inoperable.
Front engin cover gasket failed in line with recall 99B29 cost of recovery by dealer 4,700, it would appear recall was inadequate and resulted in engin failer.
I had just arrived back in lakeland fl from a trip to the East coast. I stopped at a store to buy a few things and when I came out and started my 5.4 liter F- 250 light duty truck it blew a spark plug on the passenger side. It was the second plug from the rear. My truck is a 1997 Ford with 100500 approximately miles on it. I had it towed to the Ford dealership that I bought it from for repair. The service manager said he had never heard of Triton engines blowing spark plugs. I happened to know a person that worked in the service department and according to that individual it was a common problem normally requiring a new head at a cost of around $3000 but some could be repaired by lnstalling a new plug if I was lucky. However Ford would not guarantee the installation of a new plug repair. Upon going online I found out that alot of other people are haveing the same problem and Ford is doning little or nothing about it. I found that prior to the plug blowing most people were hearing a knocking noise on a cold start. I had heard that the week prior to my plug blowing. After the repair the noise was gone for about 4 days. We had a cold front come thru and when I started my truck that morning the noise was back and much worse. I traded my truck as a result. No old parts were available. They discarded them. They also assured me that they had retorqued all the plugs. I had had all the plugs replaced at approx. 80,000 miles by a Ford dealer. Bigsert makes a kit for installing an insert in Triton engines. It comes complete with all the special tools required to do the job. If there is not a demand for such a kit companies wont go th the expense of disigning such a kit.
- Lakeland, FL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Camshaft position sensor has failed once, shutting the truck off while in traffic. Numerous others who own vehicles of the same make and year as mine have had the same problem.
Proceeding down steep hill at night approaching a T intersection, engine quit running. Attempts to restart failed, just narrowly avoided a collision, minimal brakes and steering available. Contacted personal mechanic, explained situation. Checked fuses, 30 amp fuse for powertrain control system relay coil/glow plug controller had failed. Mechanic advised open the fuel filter housing, remove filter, check the heater wire in bottom. If loose, shorted out fuse, thereby shut down engine. Found the soldered wire loose. Removed same from the assembly per instructions and replaced the fuse. Engine started. Mechanic said he has repaired (4) Ford diesels within past few months with same failure when the vehicle is being operated. He further said Ford will not honor replacement of the failed part. My warranty book states the entire fuel system (less lines and tank) are covered. Contacted two dealerships, both indicated they had never heard of the problem. Contacted frontier Ford where truck was purchased. They stated those parts are not covered by warranty in their books. Advised them of the critical nature of engine failure while operating the vehicle and was told they could not assist. Contacted Ford mtr co. And was essentially told the same thing. The parts were replaced, but I had to wait until a dealer could be located who had them in stock, I was told they are on a national back order status. The internal assembly made of a thin metal plate with the heater element soldered to the plate which placed under the fuel filter at the bottom of the housing. By design any water particules drawn into the filter system are forced into the bottom of the assembly where a drain valve is located. Ford requires draining the assembly every 5K miles or when the water in fuel light comes on. I have had the fuel filter replaced when I first purchased the truck and use the drain valve every time I refuel which is on avg. Every 400-500 miles.
When shifting from second gear to the drive gear, engine will unexpectedly stall. Dealership has examined vehicle two times and has failed to remedy the problem. Consumer adds engine completely shuts down when upshifting from 1st to 2nd gear generally on incline, when engine dies there are no brakes, no power steering, and the vehicle then becomes uncontrollable, vehicle is put in neutral to restart engine.
During normal operation of vehicle engine will stall unexpectedly while traveling at any speed. Dealership has examined vehicle several times, and replaced various sensors in an attempt to correct the problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Vehicles engine will shut off when coasting down grades loosing steering and brakes. Problem was in my 1996 power stroke diesel Ford truck that was bought back. Consumer was given newer 1997 truck with same problems and now 4 years later, dealer is still working on problem. Truck is dangerous and I recently lost control of vehicle 4 times running off road twice. When vehicle shuts off I need to put in neutral shut-off key then restart and put in gear. This is normally when you are going down grade and reaching speeds of 80-90mph. Consumer recently broke off end of shift lever in a panic situation down shifting to low along with indenting steering wheel from white knuckles trying to stop vehicle when consumer was unable return to neutral. Consumer have found other owners of this vehicle with same problem. Consumer notified NHTSA in 96 and 97, but received no response. This is a dangerous situation and must be corrected.
The engine totally cuts off leaving the truck inoperable. At first it would crank back instantly. Now, we hope to make it off the road where we have to repeatedly try to get it cranked. Numerous mechanics have tried and failed to identify the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chiefland, FL, USA