Vehicle caught on fire after being parked for approximately 5-6 hours due to an electrical problem.
1997 Ford F-150 electrical complaints
Page 6 of 8: complaints 131 to 160 of 198, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Whle traveling at highway speed a spark plug broke. As a result of broken spark plug, engine started knocking severely. Truck had to be towed to a ford dealership because of damages to head and rocker arm. *ak
Horn assembly will not work at all, and airbag light appears on dashboard. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak. Consumer states the horn would not stop blowing, and the airbag would also have to be replaced becasue the horn contacts were on the same module as the airbag.
While driving and without warning spark plugs burned out, and vehicle became inoperable. Dealer has been notified, and has serviced vehicle for same problem twice. But had no solution for problem.
Both windows stopped working every other day. Unable to roll them up or down. *ak consumer also states the windshield wipers stopped working in the rain, (repetitive)-replace relays. The problem is on going, the PCM chip has been updated, fuses checked, the motor for the window has been replaced and now being checked for a wiring short. Problem may be in the steering column where they replaced a recall part in the ignition. Consumer states, see reference number 8011065.
Vehicle was parked at appox. 11pm on may 9th, at approx. 12:30 am I was awakened by the sound of a horn blowing , I looked out the window and I seen that my truck was on fire, a nieghbor lady had driven by and noticed it and went home to call the fire department. She said that it was burning on the drivers side by the tire, that is why I think it might have been an electrical short, for that is where all the main electrical fuse blocks are located.
On 5/3/02 engine check light came on and we took it to the dealership. They checked it and replaced the dpf sensor, updated computer and cleaned fuel injectors. The following week, I had trouble starting 3 times after work. The following wednesday, my wife drove it to work and when she tried to start it after work there was a loud "bang" and it took another 1/2 hr to get it going. When she got it going again there was a loud "tapping" from the engine. We called the dealer and towed it in. They checked and said the coolant was leaking into the oil and the engine could not be rebuilt. It was going to cost us $4000 plus labor to have another engine put in. This vehicle has been very well maintained. On doing some research we found that this is a common problem with this particular engine, and there was a recall (#99b29) related to this problem that we never received. We ordered the truck in jan 1996, and took delivery in march 96 which falls within all of the date ranges specified on f150.com. We have since contacted our salesman, he checked out the problem and called us back telling us to bring it in. This will involve another towing and I'm not sure it will solve anything we do not already know. We do not feel that we should have to pay $4000 for an engine on a truck that has been well maintained. Where do we go from here?
Contacted ford on national 800 number. Supervisor said ford will not admit occurrence of spark plugs blowing out of their engines. However, they were quick to respond they would replace the aluminum head for $1,500.... Says it is not a ford defect. However, I am finding this is a fairly common problem. The local ford shop says they routinely see this problem and it is only covered if under warranty. Since my truck is a used vehicle ... Not covered. When the spark plug blew out, the sudden bang and following loud noise caused me to swerve on the highway.... Fortunately there was nobody next to me at the time. I got the impression from the national ford rep. They will continue to ignore this problem until the government forces them to do something about it.
My airbag light keep on flashing after the battery was replace due to bad battery. Shouldn't not have to take the truck to the dealer everytime the battery have to be replace.
While driving a passing motorist informed driver that tail lights were not visible, although the headlights were operating proplerly. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further details.
Ignition/ starter have gone out several times.
Fuses to the gauges on dashboard were burning out. Gauges did not indicate speed, fuel or warning signs. Dealer can not find where or what has been causing the shortages. The consumer has only smelled rubber burning once.
A burning/smoke was coming from under dash, unable to locate problem. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Defective electrical and engine system
Consumer made a stop while on road. When consumer tried to restart vehicle, it hesitated and didn't start back up. Consumer was able to get vehicle to an independent mechanic. Mechanic stated that battery cable was one unit that was connected to starter. Battery cable had corroded and broken off. Although, battery cable was one unit, mechanic was able to repair just cable, saving consumer from t expensive repair.
The wiring harness on the driver's side under the hood failed resulting in fire. Nlm
I have contacted ford motor co. By phone & email and they say they will get back w/me and never do. There is no follow up on their part. No customer service and no satisfaction. The customer service ended at the signing of the bill of sale. No safety defect.
I had an electrical short under the dash caused by moister in the fuse box , which was caused by water leaking around the windshield. I was not to concerned until I took it to the shop and found out that there is 13 pages of service bulletin about moisture get into the fuse box. It does thing as wiper not working while in drive or reverse but will work any other time. Radio not turning off, blower motor not shutting off. Trying to engage the starter while the vehicle is running.
While driving engine light came on, and then went out, then all of a sudden engine died there was no power steering, no brakes, consumer took vehicle in for inspection and was advised by technician that an ignition wire had broke inside the wiring cover.
There are two lights that control dome and rear lights. There is an electrical short inside of vehicle.
When motor got warm while driving down a hill vehicle would shutdown. A few minutes later, would turn back on by itself. This process would repeat itself at least 12 times a day. Have taken to dealership numerous times, but mechanic indicated that it was a fuse box problem.
Consumer received an electrical shock when he opened vehicle. This also happened when he was getting out of truck.
This vehicle was purchased new in june, 1997. Beginning in november, 2000 I have experienced numerous problems, mainly with the engine and electrical system. The vehicle has been out of my possession for almost 3 months now and I am out of pocket over $3,000 in repair work. I have contacted ford motor co. Both in writing and calling their customer service department, and they have offered no assistance and basically have told me the problems are not their concern. I have had a front timing cover gasket replaced, major engine repair work, spark plugs changed, electrical wires replaced, and now a "computer brain" was bad in the vehicle. The truck's check engine light remains on and the truck still hesitates, stalls and lurches while driving, which is not safe. I have no where to turn and obviously no money left to put in to this vehicle. I don't understand how a 3 year old truck, purchased brand new can have so many problems, I can't seem to get an answer from anybody, including ford.
For additional information contact john a. Reutter from superior investigations for photos and the wiring harness. The above phone number and email are superior's information and not the owner.
Dashlights go out while driving at night ever since this vehicle was new. Headlidhts have gone out twice while on the highway. The dealer said he would not be able to find the problem until I could bring it in with the lights out. Well they don't work at all now! I use a flashligh to check my speed and gauges at night. The dealer say there are no reports of electical problems. I know of two other owners with the same problems.
Gem module malfunctioned, causing winshield wipers/ power windows and interior lights to be inoperable. Dealer has replaced module. *ak
Trailer wiring harness plug shorted, the vehicle was within 3 year warranty but dealer refused to fix it because consumer did not purchase it at that location. Nlm
While driving down freeway with A/C on and blower motor stopped working, cabin was filled with smoke from dashboard. Consumer hit brakes and front tire tread came off.consumer spun out on freeway, took to dealer, and thats were it is now. Continental general amer 550 radial, size 23570r6 tires.
Purchased vehicle new in april 1997. From the third week of owning vehicle, engine shakes, sputters, and stalls when driving. Ford has attempted 13 times to fix problem. They replaced the engine long block on 7/24/00. Engine exhibited the same problem less then 1000 miles later. Ford once again replaced only (bad parts) in long block this time. Till this date engine still exhibits same problem. Ford's position is their representatives made the decision my vehicle is fine, so I'm stuck with it. Today, oct 22, I have another appoitment because of a loud rattle and engine problems. If requested, I can submit all invoices.
Ongoing problem with cargo lights and courtesy lights remaining on intermittently or staying on for 45 minutes or more, also, ignition switch alarm remains on even after vehicle started. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and infomred consumer that vehicle was out of its warranty, and repairs would only be at consumer's cost. *ak the cargo and interior light stayed on draining the battery.
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