1997 Ford F-150: recalls and complaints

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• 11V38500029 Jul 2011Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly / Mounting
• 05V3880007 Sep 2005Vehicle Speed Control
• 03V19600027 May 2003Steering / Gear Box / Shaft Sector
• 00V23100017 Aug 2000Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
• 00V16800019 Jun 2000Exterior Lighting
• 98V16100015 Jul 1998Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly
• 98V09500013 May 1998Wheels / Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
• 98V00700021 Jan 1998Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal
• 97V1710007 Oct 1997Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
• 97V1470009 Sep 1997Power Train / Automatic Transmission
• 96V25600027 Dec 1996Seat Belts / Front / Anchorage
• 96V25100018 Dec 1996Vehicle Speed Control
• 96V18400025 Sep 1996Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder
• 96V16100029 Aug 1996Equipment / Other / Labels

1. 11V385000Received 29 Jul 2011. 1,100,000 units.

   Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly / Mounting

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from june 20, 1995, through august 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps which secure the tank to the vehicle.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak presenting a fire hazard.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. Any repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 11s21

   Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 11S21. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Sep 2011.

2. 05V388000Received 7 Sep 2005. 4,500,000 units.

   Vehicle Speed Control

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   A fire at the switch could occur.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 06v286)

   Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 05S28. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Sep 2005.

3. 03V196000Received 27 May 2003. 171,446 units.

   Steering / Gear Box / Shaft Sector

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes disconnected.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. If the yoke is fully seated no service is required. If the yoke is not fully seated and bolt groove and spline is visible, the intermediate shaft and bolt will be replaced as well as the bolt at the steering column connection. Owner notification began on may 30, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

   Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 03S02. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 May 2003.

4. 00V231000Received 17 Aug 2000. 670,509 units.

   Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks manufactured at the kansas city or norfolk assembly plants. The front fuel line assembly could have a hole rubbed through in one of two locations. The first location is below the fuel rail connection where the flexible hose is crimped to the steel tube. The bracket that attaches the front fuel line to the transmission could have been bent during assembly. The second location is at the rear steel tube section forward of the rear bracket. During installation the rear steel tubes of the front fuel line assembly could have been bent downward. In vehicles equipped with a manual 4xz4 transfer case shifter, the shifter linkage may contact the steel tubes as it is being shifted between 4h, 4l, 2l and neutral.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   This condition could result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will inspect these lines and replace the front fuel line assembly if necessary. Owner notification began october 27, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

   Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 00S22. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Oct 2000.

5. 00V168000Received 19 Jun 2000. 20,637 units.

   Exterior Lighting

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to ford, the vehicles were imported into the u.s. Erroneously.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by u.s. Standards.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.

   Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 00S14. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 19 Jul 2000.

6. 98V161000Received 15 Jul 1998. 202,000 units.

   Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: light duty 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. If the vehicle is overloaded, the rear leaf springs can be overstressed. A fatigue fracture of the spring can occur. The center leaf of the spring can fracture at the forward edge of the spring seat and, in some cases, contact the fuel tank.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Fuel tank contact can damage the tank and result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will inspect the rear springs and install an additional clip on the forward end of the rear springs to prevent fuel tank contact in the event of a leaf fracture. Any fractured springs will be replaced.

   Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 Aug 1998.

7. 98V095000Received 13 May 1998. 1,520,000 units.

   Wheels / Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles and light duty pickup trucks. The lug nuts on these vehicles may not create sufficient clamp load allowing wheel movement in relation to the hub/rotor mounting surface.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   This can result in the loosening of lug nuts, stud fatigue failure, and the potential for a wheel separation from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners of these vehicles will be receiving two notifications. The first notification, which began in may 1998, will provide an interim repair procedure until parts become available. This interim procedure can be completed by owners or their dealers. It specifies that the lug nut torque must be verified to be 100 lbs. Then the lug nuts need to be tightened an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn more. There will be a second owner notification, which is expected to begin july 20, 1998, under which dealers will inspect the wheel studs and replace the wheel lug nuts.

   Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Jul 1998.

8. 98V007000Received 21 Jan 1998. 45,000 units.

   Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with a 4.2l engine and originally sold or currently registered in one of the following states: alaska, montana, north dakota, minnesota, wisconsin, new york, vermont, new hampshire, maine, michigan, idaho, wyoming, south dakota, colorado, nebraska, kansas, iowa, missouri, illinois, indiana, ohio, pennsylvania, and massachusetts. The throttle is unable to return to idle due to ice forming in the throttle body when the temperature ranges from -10 to -40 degrees fahrenheit.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Increased brake pedal efforts or some increase in stopping distance could result.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will install a revised pcv system on these vehicles.

   Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 97S96. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Mar 1998.

9. 97V171000Received 7 Oct 1997. 866,000 units.

   Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket. The vehicle operator would then not be able to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position even though the gear shift selector would indicate "park."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The condition would not allow a disengagement of the transmission from the park position or affect proper neutral start switch operation. Unintended vehicle movement could occur if the parking brake was not set.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.

   Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Oct 1997.

10. 97V147000Received 9 Sep 1997. 15,500 units.

    Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The transmission bracket end fitting can separate from the shift cable assembly resulting in operator inability to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    This condition can result in unintended vehicle movement if the parking brake is not set.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Dealers will install a new transmission shift control cable.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 6 Oct 1997.

11. 96V256000Received 27 Dec 1996. 133,000 units.

    Seat Belts / Front / Anchorage

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    The seat elt anchorage attachments are missing or misinstalled on these vehicles.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    A loose fastener can eventually detach and would not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a vehicle accident.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the seat belt anchorage attachments.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Jan 1997.

12. 96V251000Received 18 Dec 1996. 22,000 units.

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    Vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, montana, north dakota, minnesota, wisconsin, michigan (upper peninsula), new york, maine, vermont, and new hampshire. Operation at highway speeds during extreme cold, northern climate winter conditions, can result in ice forming in the throttle body of the engine.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    This ice can cause the throttle plate to remain in the highway cruising position after the accelerator is released or the speed control is deactivated. Under such conditions, the vehicle stopping distances would be increased possibly resulting in an accident.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Dealers will install a foam insulating sleeve on the line from the pcv to the hose fitting on the throttle plate.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 96S59. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Jan 1997.

13. 96V184000Received 25 Sep 1996. 1,200 units.

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    The retainer clip that holds the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal arm is missing.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    A loss of service braking can occur increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Dealers will inspect to verify that the retainer clips are installed and if clips are missing will install clips.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Sep 1996.

14. 96V161000Received 29 Aug 1996. 134,770 units.

    Equipment / Other / Labels

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    The certification labels on the involved vehicles has incorrect rear tire inflation pressure designations. This does not comply with FMVSS no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    Incorrect inflation pressures could cause premature wear of the rear tires. .

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Owners will be provided with correct certification labels and instructions for installing these labels. Dealers can install this label if the owner so desires.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Dec 1996.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• 1997 Ford F-150
• All 1997 vehicles

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 28.

Complaints that report a crash

153

Complaints that report a fire

234

Injuries in the complaints

123

Deaths in the complaints

14

Date of the newest complaint

26 Oct 2010

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19900
2. 19913
3. 19923
4. 19937
5. 19946
6. 19952
7. 19962
8. 199714
9. 19988
10. 19997
11. 20006
12. 20018
13. 20022
14. 20034
15. 20045
16. 20053
17. 20064
18. 20072
19. 20081
20. 20092
21. 20101
22. 20116
23. 20124
24. 20133
25. 20148
26. 201513
27. 201613
28. 201717
29. 201818
30. 20199
31. 202011
32. 202129
33. 202223
34. 202313
35. 202411
36. 202513
37. 20265
38. 20271

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Ford F-150: all model years
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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
• NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
• NHTSA page of the 1997 Ford F-150The recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1997 Ford F-150?

9,402,062 units in 14 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Ford F-150 have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 169 recall campaigns for the Ford F-150, model years 1990 to 2027. 14 of them name the 1997 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 1997 Ford F-150 name most often?

Engine and Engine Cooling: 542 of 2,945 component mentions, or 184 per 1,000. For all 1997 vehicles the figure is 134.8 per 1,000.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1997 Ford F-150 open?

1 investigation has no closing date in the NHTSA file, of 18 that name this model year.