1997 Ford F-150: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Body · 198,000 miles · LA

My 3rd door won't open and it's a serious safety issue. I have kids and it's the only vehicle I have to transport them around. I went to youtube and found that some cheap plastic retainers that's clipped to cables are broken. The retainers open the top and bottom of the door. Please help. Thanks

Filed Aug 15, 2005 · Locks · NC

There have been no accidents. The third door handle/lock gets stuck and the door sometimes does not open or it is hard to open, and opens after trying repeatedly.

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Engine, Locks · 71,000 miles · MI

I am sending in a full letter to explain the "failures". It centers around tsb 99b29 and lack of owner notification of a bad front cover design that can lead to engine failure, which occurred in this case. Additionally, I had a tie rod failure that was not addressed under warranty, but later broke while driving. Also, my crank shaft pulley / dampener assembly fell off while highway driving (70 MPH). There are other issues including door lock / key sticking.*ak campaign id number : 03v196000 component: steering:gear box:shaft sector. The engine cover gasket failed. *tc the serpentine failed, the transmission had an akward shift, the wipers operated periodically by themselves on high speed, there was little heat coming from the vents through the floor.

Filed Jun 7, 2002 · Body · OH

There is a 1/4 inch crack in outside driver door near door handle. Crack is increasing from opening and closing. Dealer was not contacted. Please provide more information.

Filed Mar 12, 2002 · Body · OH

Doors develope a crack near the window, on corner where door handle is. I had repair made at the dealer, which were experimental according to the body shop manager. Driver door re-cracked after the repair, months after the repair. Again a welding repair was made. Now the passanger door has started cracking again. I feel the welding fix is not the answer, and the manufacturer needs to replace the door skins with a newly designed part.

Filed Jun 8, 2001 · Body · IA

Both doors are developing cracks above door handles aft of power window frame. Ford won't fix because truck is off warranty.

Filed Oct 25, 2000 · Body · VA

On both passenger and driver side doors, a crack was noticed above the door handles and on the side of the windows. The cracks are 1/4 inch long. A friend had heard of this and I checked my truck and sure enough, I have cracks. I searched the internet to see if others experienced this. Low and behold many many truck owners of 97 and 98 f-150s have this. Sheet metal stress is especially concerning on any vehicle. When on a door it is a safety issue. If the sheet metal cannot handle bumps and road contours without cracking how can it be of much use in a traffic accident? These are structural and design flaws that should be fixed on vehicles that cannot stay together through normal driving situations. Ford needs to fix this at no cost as a recall item.

Filed Sep 17, 2000 · Body · NJ

Structural crack in door around window. This may lead to door lock failure since the door is now thumping a little on opening.

Filed Aug 16, 2000 · Visibility · FL

The failure occurs at the seam next to the window on the drivers and passengers door at the rear of the window{just above the door handle} right where the rubber molding ends. I have seen this crack on almost every f-150 I have inspected made in 1997. I have shown 5 other people the cracks on their vehicles and have also shown the local ford dealerships in town. But despite the fact that they have received a bulletin from ford authorizing them to replace the door some of them refuse to do so.

Filed Feb 29, 2000 · Body · MS

Outside of the door frame on the driver's side is cracked about 8-12 inches around the door handle. Manufacturer was notified about the problem. Problem has not been corrected. All they say is the vehicle is covered for 36,000 miles or 36 months. *ak.et.

Filed Feb 4, 2000 · Electrical · WI

Starting on 01-09-98 and continuing only in the winter months, my vehicle has failed to start. In all instances the vehicle has been parked overnight in an enclosed garage. In all incidents the battery was completely drained. After the first incident, gordie boucher installed a new battery. On 01-14-98 the vehicle again failed to start as the result of a dead battery. On both occasions the battery was completely drained, to a point where the power door locks would not function. I had no further problems in 1998. On 01-17-99 and 01-18-99 the vehicle again had a dead battery. The vehicle was checked again by gordie boucher however they were unable (again) to find a problem. On 02-16-99 and 02-21-99 and 03-25-99 the vehicle again had a dead battery. On all the above listed dates, all power points (lights (interior/exterior), radio, wipers, fans, etc were turned off. There is no obvious reason for why the battery is being drained, except that something in the system must be failing to shut completely off. My warranty on my truck is up in 05-99 and I need something done to my truck. I contacted the federal safety agency 03-03-99 and filled out the questionaire, but never received a reply. Please help.

Filed Jan 2, 2000 · Locks · CA

This is only to alert you to my problem and the problem of the many others I have came across searching for background as to why my drivers door latches no longer works on my truck. This has got to be of some safty concern to someone other than me I hope.