Dt: the brake pressure switch which was over the master cylinder on a 1998 ford f150 caught on fire. This, in turn, caused the brake fluid reservoir to catch on fire. It burnt two fuses and under the wheel well. This happened while the vehicle was off, and it was at the mechanic. Vehicle caught on fire after sitting for a week. The mechanic had changed the motor approximately two weeks ago. The mechanic was able to put the fire out. The mechanic was the one who determined that cruise control switch caused the fire. The vehicle had already been fixed. This occurred on july 21, 2005. *ak
1998 Ford F-150 acceleration complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 116, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Cruise control switch caused truck to catch fire.
I have a 1998 ford f-150. The vehicle would not come out of park while in my driveway. I examined the ford owners manual and it advised how to get the vehicle out of park and to check the fuse to the brake lights. The brake lights were not working and I replaced the fuse as instructed and started the vehicle. Immediately I could see smoke coming from the engine compartment. I observed the cruise control switch which plugs into the master cylinder was on fire. I pulled the wire from the melted switch and the fire went out. No action has been taken as ford says my vehicle is not under recall. No damage other than the switch and wiring, I was lucky.
Ford f-150 1998. The vehicle was parked and without warning it caught on fire. The driver called the fire department to extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. *ak the majority of the fire was on the drivers side of the vehicle under the hood. This incident also damaged a neighboring vehicle due to the fire. *sc
Dt: prior to the fire took a trip and the cruise control stopped working. Ford f-150 caught on fire at 12:50 am 7/5/05 in the morning. It had been sitting turned off for 12 hours, and there was an explosion. Vehicle was paid off 2 months ago, another was a recall. Some of vinyl siding melted, resulting in $2500.00 damage. There was also black residue on the carpet inside the house.
Dt: caller was concerned about cruise control fires. Caller said cruise control went out, and brake fluid was in wiring. Caller has disconnected cruise control. Dealer or manufacturer were not contacted.
I was at the store shopping and walked back to my truck and it was giving off a very stong electrical smell. I started the truck and could not take it out of park. I turned it off and looked under the hood. The sensor attached to the master cylinder was burnt to a crisp and the electrical connector was melted. I found out this is being recalled on 2000 and 2001 ford f-150's. This recall is the same part that is on my truck. I own a 1998 and not a 2000 or 2001. I feel this will happen to any f-150 regardless of the year since they have the same exact part that is being recalled. This is a very bad problem that you should recall all vehicles that have these faulty parts on them.
Dt: speed control deactivation switch caught on fire. White smoke was coming out of grill . Consumer got out of car and put fire out. That morning brake warning light came on, and he had to pull the emergency brake a few times, and it went off. Took vehicle to repair shop, and had it repaired. Has not called manufacturer.
The truck was parked for about one hour when a neighbor alerted the consumer that his truck was on fire. The fire department was called to the scene to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was totaled by the fire. The fire department stated that the cause of the fire was not known, but started at the computer box. Cruise control had stopped working 9 months prior to the fire. *ak *bf
Dt: 1998 ford f-150 caught fire in the engine compartment while the vehicle was parked for 2 to 3 hours. Only information that caller has is a recall on the cruise control switches on later models. Did contact ford motor company, and was told that there nothing to be done. Lost all the things inside the cab of truck, loss was estimated between $1,200 - $1,500. Fire department filed a report.
Vehicle was parked for a few minutes and the owner noticed that there was smoke coming out of the top front left side of the hood. Consumer immediately noticed that the cruise control switch wire had a short. He disconnected it to avoid further damage.*ak *bf
My 1989 f-150 truck caught on fire at approximately 9:30 pm, outside my house. The truck was unattended. The fire was extinguished approximately 2-4 minutes after ignition. Damage was limited to driver's side, within 15" - 20" inches of the brake master cylinder. The brake fluid was apparently the fuel for the flames that burned plastic components. Because the fire was spotted and extinguished quickly, this may be of interest to your organization. Ford VIN [xxx]. *ak *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
At some point the cruise control on my 1998 ford f150 pick-up stopped working. As I seldom use it I'm not sure how long it was out. Next the #13 fuse failed. The replacement fuse failed immediately. With this fault I was unable to get the truck out of park if started in park. The ABS light was flashing and the brake lights did not work. Took truck to earnhardt's ford dealer for repairs. They traced problem to shorted brake pressure safety switch and speed control servo. Due to the defective brake switch the wiring harness was saturated with brake fluid. All three defective parts were replaced. These repairs cost $3,100 dollars. The mechanic (ken tueffel) stated I was very fortunate the truck did not catch fire. With the recent news reports on the ford pick-up cruise control brake pressure switch causing fires I believe ford motor company has known about the safety hazard of these switches for years and owe me a refund on these repairs.
Vehicle was being driven when all sudden the engine caught fire on its own. Results showed that there was a short within the cruise control switch.*ak.....
My 1998 ford f-150 has a problem with the cruise control. The cruise control worked when I purchased the vehicle, but does not work now for no apparent reason. I believe there is a short in the truck's cruise control wiring, which I read the federal safety agency is investigating in ford trucks. My VIN is [xxx]. *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Early last year (2004) my cruise control stopped working on my 1998 ford f-150 4x4 p/u. I checked all the fuses and they were fine. I used the truck without the cruise control for the next 6-8 months. Then one day while at work I noticed smoke coming out of my truck hood. I opened the hood and noticed it was on fire at the cruise control switch (at the time I thought the switch was a pressure switch activated by the brake) so I cut the wiring to stop the current flow and put out the fire. I caught it early enough so no other damage was done to the truck. Just some melted wiring that I replaced. (being an electrician helped) I could not use the truck for a couple of days and took a day off work until I found a switch and I replaced it. I have not had any problems since. When I went to the local ford dealership (antelop valley ford in lancaster, ca) to get a replacement switch and explained the incident to them they had no idea what switch I was talking about and said they had no replacement for it, then said they could order it for me after I showed them where it was located under the hood. They never told me it had anything to do with the cruise control and they never told me about ongoing problems with this switch, that upsets me more then anything! I went to power ford in valencia, ca and they had a switch in stock that I purchased. I can only assume that the switch that I got from the ford dealership to replace the burnt up one was a non-faulty switch? Low and behold, my cruise control started working after I replaced the burnt up switch! The july 15, 2004 incident date is an approximate date.
Accelerator does not return to idle on very cold days. In neutrall the engine revs at about 4000 RPM. I have had close calls while aproaching intersections. I really needed to lay on the brakes. My vehicle is 1998 ford f150 with a 5.4 engine. I no there is a saftey recall (98v007) for the same vehicle with a 4.2 l engine but my truck truck has the exact same problem. The dealer told me their was a kit available to fix the problem and that I would have to pay for it. I also suspect that the kit is for the 4.2 liter engine .
Consumer stated this vehicle had the same problem as stated in recall campaign 05v017000 concerning cruise control deactivation switch fire.
While vehicle was parked a fire started under the hood. Vehicle was totaled. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The consumer parked the vehicle around 5:00pm and around 8:00pm he was alerted that there was a fire. The fire was coming from the engine compartment on the drivers side. The fire was more towards the rear of the engine compartment. Prior to the fire on 12/1/04 the cruise control stopped working. The only other problem was that a fuse blew that kept the consumer from getting the vehicle out of park. The fuse was replaced. No aftermarket equipment that was electrical. No structure involved. Have photos that will be e-mailed to bruce york. Insured by farm bureau insurance ploicy #ap4818406 731‑285‑1275 randy brooks.
When driving with the cruise control engaged excessive heat comes from the buttons. The cause has yet to be determined. The consumer is concerned that the cruise control compartment will over heat and the vehicle will catch fire. Please provide additional information.
Throttle unable to return to idle due to ice forming in throttle body. *bf recall campaign; id number : 98v007000. The consumer stated that he is having trouble with the cruise control not turning off when he presses on the brake pedal or hit the off button. *tc
Recall 98v007000 concerning throttle icing: during cold weather the throttle would stick open while driving. This problem was due to icing formed on the throttle body. This could cause extended stopping distance when braking. Dealer was contacted, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under the recall.*ak. Also, torque converter failed.
Cruise control deactivation switch failed.
While applying the brakes vehicle continued to accelerate. The cruise control was not engaged. The driver had to put the vehicle in neutral to slow it down. *ak the vehicle was taken to the dealer who cleaned the throttle body assembly.
Consumer was pulling out of the car port when vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing consumer to hit another vehicle. Driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for analysis. The mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
Consumer states that the cruise control button does not work. Dealer notified.
The horn and cruise control do not work. According to many website postings the two are related. Evidently there is a so called "spring clip" in the steering column that needs replacing- cost is around 300.00. This is quite a common problem on the f-series pickups. I can put a fuse in and it will short when I use the horn.
Air bag light comes on and stays on. The speedometer failed also this happened three separate times. Dealer has not identified or corrected the problem.
I am the original owner of a 1998 ford f150 pickup. There have been occasions when using my right foot to apply pressure to the brake pedal. The space between the brake and gas pedals is spanned by my foot causing acceleration at the same time the brake is being applied. I have discussed this with ford service personnel on more than one occasion and was, told that it was the first they had heard it, and that it must be unique to my driving. I have subsequently learned that ford taurus and mercury sable vehicles with adjustable brake/gas pedals have been recalled due to this problem. I have also learned that other f-150 drivers have experienced this problem. I believe this is an engineering defect which is extremely dangerous and should be corrected by the manufacturer. This apparent brake/gas pedal problem with ford f-150 pickups being investigated and/or addressed for correction. Dt
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