After checking my vehicle over I noticed that the frame in the back passenger side is rusted thru. I researched online and found out this is a condition common with this year of truck and style. Is there going to be a recall since there are so many vehicles this year with the same problem? I have driven fords for years and have never experienced this extend of rust in any of my other vehicles.
1997 Ford F-150 body complaints
Page 2 of 9: complaints 11 to 40 of 224, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the front driver's side of the frame fractured. The brake lines were broken and the vehicle lost braking ability. The contact stated that there was rust and corrosion on the surface of the frame, but there were no signs of cracks prior to the failure. The contact was concerned since the driver was almost involved in a crash. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or mechanic for a diagnostic test or repair. The manufacturer was made aware and no assistance was provided. The failure and current mileages were 205,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The driver was traveling approximately 10 MPH when the contact, who was standing outside of the vehicle, heard a loud bang and noticed that the spare tire cable fractured and caused the spare tire to fall from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. The mechanic replaced the spare tire cable. The approximate failure mileage was 314,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the spare tire cable, exhaust system manifold, fuel tank strap, brake line, bolts, erg valve, and the frame were rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and denied to buy the vehicle back or provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 220,000 and the current mileage was 322,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. While parked, the contact noticed that the rear frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. The mechanic stated that the vehicle could not be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a loud, abnormal noise when driving at various speeds 5 MPH and above. After inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the spare tire was fractured from the harness and a cable was also fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and he current mileages were approximately 84,000. The consumer stated the cable holding the spare tire broke while driving. The spare tire fell to the ground. Updated 01/19/12
Own a 1997 ford f-150 recently noticed that the gas tank straps have rusted out. The center strap has completely broke in two due to rust corrosion tilting the tank, and causing gas spillage during fueling creating a fire and/or explosive danger.
I have a 1997 f-150 with just over 150,000 miles and lost both straps just after filling up and going over train tracks @ 25 MPH. The only thing holding it on was the fuel lines, hope there is not major damage there. I had the tank replaced about 3 years prior. Updated 08/01/11 *bf the consumer stated there was no fuel spill. Both of the straps broke, due to rust. Updated 08/02/11
1997 f-150 was fueling up vehicle and heard pop and looked under vehicle and the rear gas tank strap had broken free of the slide in attachment on the outboard side of the tank. The strap was in perfect condition but the rear slide in mounting point on the cross member had rotted out completely. The front slide in point did not have any corrosion on it. Dealer did not want anything to do with it. Truck was purchased used from a large car dealer in june 2010.
I have a 1997 ford f-150, I was changing the front brake pads and noticed a lot of rust on the frame and basically every thing else under the body. I took a screwdriver and pushed it all the way through the suspension travel stop. There are big chunks of rusty metal falling off of it at least every three or four months apart. I can take my finger and push through the front bumper. All the bolts on the exhaust manifolds and collectors are rusted off or all most rusted off. To fix the exhaust it will cost around $700.00, if the dealer done the repairs it would cost much more. The gas tank straps looks real rusty also. In my 54 years of life I have never seen a frame and the underside of a vehicle rust so bad. I live in the south so the truck did not see much salt.
1997 f150 ford lariat super cab 4x4 with 83,262 miles, the vehicle has excessive rust on panels, frame, frame supports and undercarriage components; some of the frame/ frame supports have significant holes and has no structural integrity. The safety design intent of the vehicle has been compromised due to the severe rust; in a crash condition the vehicle occupants' safety would be jeopardized. December 3, 2010 the vehicle was driven in the village of oxford, mi. Approximately 25 mile per hour and the front gas tank strap failed (rusted-out). The gas tank fell to the pavement and left the vehicle inoperable. There were no occupant injuries, but gasoline containments were leaked at the scene. The vehicle was towed by flatbed truck to skalnek ford, lake orion, mi for repairs costing $773.42. *tr updated 1/12/2012 *ln
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. While driving approximately 35 MPH over a bump, the vehicle began to tilt towards the front driver side. The vehicle was parked. When the contact inspected, he noticed that there were tack welding marks on the frame on the front driver side. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 140,000.
Driving at 40 MPH in 1997 ford f-150 pickup on 4 lane highway. Heard noise towards rear of vehicle. No collision spare tire exited bottom of bed . Bounced on roadway across traffic on other side of 4 lane on coming traffic behind then and in front of vehicles. Somehow no one collided with the rolling spare tire as it exited the roadway to the should of roadway. Tire now in bed of truck not underneath until I can repair due to broken cable that supported tire.
The frame on my 1997 ford f150 has rusted through, causing the shock and spring mounts to break. Ford will not acknowledge any problems.
Doors have stress cracks on upper frame,I've paid to have repaired once,when I approached dealer they said o recall on that problem, would not help,now door switches keep interior lights on till it goes off on power saver,door ajar light stays on when moisture condition/rain,snow sleet and so on.
1997-f-150 super cab with factory installed rear sliding window. The window has flowed water/rain every time. It seems to be coming in around the seal where it meets the cab of the truck. I have talked with other 97 f-150 owners and the same thing was happening to their trucks. Isn't there something that can be done?
On my 1997 ford f-150 I noticed that I have cracks on the doors by the windows, while researching this I found this is a common problem on this truck. When I called ford service center for help they told me to replace the doors (at my cost) and if a recall comes out I would get my money back. I found out about the cracks at "f150online.com" and it seems that ford has replaced some doors but most (and their are a lot of complaints) are not being taken care of. Can you help?
Loss of anti-freeze or coolant both doors starting to crack rear sliding window leaking.
On the 1997 ford f-150 both the driver door and passenger door are comming apart, and I have seen this on other ford f150's of the same year, its were the door meets the window frame,.
While driving there was a severe shake in the entire vehicle that caused the transmission to come loose. This occurred because the rear right frame broke above the tire. Dealership indicated the was a common problem with these trucks.
Crack in driver's door at corner of window approx. 3/4 inches long.
I have the same problem indicated in service bulletin number: 996754 with my 1997 ford f150 on the drivers side door only. Even though the crack is not yet visible on the passengers side door removal of the belt moulding will most likely reveal the crack (ford engineering design fault) is present. I'm the original owner and even the though vehicle is out of warrenty ford should be held responsible for the full cost of the repairs to fix their engineering problems.
I own a 1997 ford f150 that is developing a crack in the door on the drivers side at the lower rear corner of the window, apparently this is a common problem and I am concerned that it may make my vehicle less safe in a side collision.
Broken hood release. Many other people I've talked to had same problem with their '97 & '98 f150's. There is a recall on this for ford SUV's, why not the f150? I was charged $173.46 for this to be corrected. The service advisor told me that he had just had another latch failure prior to my call to set up an appointment.
Both driver and passenger doors have about a 1/4 inch crack in them just aft of the window lower corner. For some reason these cracks were fixed on fleet trucks but not personal trucks.
Driver and passenger doors have stress cracks located at the lower rear section of the windows next to the window molding. Currently these cracks are approximately 1/4 inch long. I believe these cracks could be a safety issue if the vehicle were involved in a collision.
There is a crack in the driver and passenger side door where the window starts.
Door cracking on both front doors, 1997 f150 pickup. I bought the truck used, but with the esp warranty, the dealer would not fix it...says not covered.
I have cracks in both my driver and passenger side doors about 2" above the bottom of the windows. I looked at 24 other f-150's and found that 21 of them had the cracks as well.
Both front doors are cracked at the lower rear of the window opening. I was wondering if this is considered to be a safety issue, and if there is a recall planed.
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