1999 FORD E-150 Recalls, Complaints & Safety

While turning into a parking space the bolts to the steering box sheared off with complete loss of steering. Further inspection showed severe cracking and loss of metal in the steering box area. After doing some searches I found that this is common issue in the E series vans. I did do a recall search and a CSA search to see about having this problem resolved safely by a certified shop. Unfortunately I haven't found any recall information on what is obviously a serious safety issue. Apparently the bolts shear off at low speeds while turning. The real concern is should one bolt only crack and not let the steering box become useless the vehical may be at highway speed when the failure does occour causing complete loss of control of the vehicle. I've read hundreds of emails on this subject and none had a resolution provided by the Ford Motor Company. I would think that something this critical would have been addressed by now. Concidering the recalls for comparatively much lesser safety issues. Thank you for reviewing this matter.

MY MARK III CONVERSION VAN HAS A FUEL LEAKING FROM THE MID-SHIP TANK. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FROM FORD, BUT WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER ENFIELD FORD IN ENFIELD CT THEY RAN THE VIN AND STATED MY VAN WAS EXCLUDED. THE ONLY TIME IT LEAKS IS WHEN I AM PUMPING GAS, IF I PUMP SLOWLY THERE IS LESS FUEL SPILLING ON THE GROUND

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL STRAP BENEATH THE FUEL TANK ON THE REAR AXLE WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WELDING ON THE TAIL PIPE WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

THE GAS IS LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. *TR

WHEN FILLING WITH FUEL, GASOLINE LEAKS ONTO GROUND. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I SEE ON LINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL STARTED TO SPEW OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AS A RESULT OF POSSIBLE RUST CORROSION. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO REMOVE THE FUEL TANK TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,300.

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A FINDING ON MY 1997 F-150. AFTER READING ABOUT THE PROB INTO THE GAS TANK STRAPS IN THE DETROIT NEWS. I FOUND THAT ONE OF MY STRAPS HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE NOTIFIED AS SOON AS A RECALL IS MADE AS THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE 3 MOUNTING BOLTS ATTACHING THE STEERING BOX TO THE FRAME BROKE/SHEARED OFF AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. 1999 FORD E150 VAN. A LOUD POPPING NOISE OR BANG WAS HEARD AND TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING WAS THE RESULT OF THE STEERING BOX DANGLING FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPOSITIONED ON A FLAT DRIVEWAY, NO INCLINE AT ALL. NO INJURIES RESULTED , BUT IF THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DURING OPERATION, STEERING WOULD HAVE BEEN INOPERABLE LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH EASILY COULD HAVE LED TO SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES AND THEIR OCCUPANTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FRACTURE IN THE TANK WHICH CAUSED THE LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,790.

DRIVING DOWN THE I94 FREEWAY IN MICHIGAN WITH MY WIFE, 2 CHILDREN, 7 AND 5,GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AND HEARD A NOISE LIKE A MUFFLER DRAGGING OR SOMETHING. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND FOUND MY GAS TANK DRAGGING UNDER THE TRUCK. FRONT STRAP RUSTED AND BROKE OFF AND TANK WAS BEING PUSHED FORWARD, ALMOST GRINDING ALL THE WAY THROUGH! THE TANK WAS BEING HELD UP BY THE PLASTIC REAR STRAP HOLDER AND THE GAS FILLER TUBE. THE BACK STRAP WAS ALSO RUSTED THROUGH! HAD TO JACK UP THE TANK WITH BOTTLE JACK AND PIECES OF 2X4 FOUND ALONG THE FREEWAY. WAITED FOR FATHER IN LAW TO BRING RATCHET STRAPS TO LIFT UP VERY HEAVY FULL TANK WHILE LYING ON MY BACK ON THE FREEWAY. MY FAMILY WAS TERRIFIED! *TR

1999, FORD F-150 GAS STRAP FAILURE. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 94 I COULD HEAR A CLINKING NOISE BENEATH THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK, ONE OF THE SUPPORT STRAPS FOR THE GAS TANK WAS BROKEN AND HANGING BELOW THE VEHICLE. THIS STRAP FAILED WITHOUT ANY KNOWN EXTRAORDINARY CAUSE SUCH AS A COLLISION, OR ANY OTHER SUCH INCIDENT. *TR

WE WERE ON VACATION AND SMELLED RUBBER BURNING, PULLED OFF AND REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS SMOKING...APPARENTLY AXLE HAD BROKEN AFFECTING BRAKE LINES WE ENDED UP REPLACING REAR AXLE AND BRAKES. *TR

DRIVING DOWN ROAD WHEN # 8 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF PLUG HOLE. *TR

THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT ON MY FORD E150. THIS IS A RIDICULOUSLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD TRUCKS/VANS/ SUVS- WHY IS FORD ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS? JUST GOOGLE "FORD SPAR" AND INSTANTLY "FORD SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT" POPS UP- THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF WEBPAGES ABOUT THIS, YET FORD CONTINUES TO ESCAPE LIABILITY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN. CAN'T SOMEONE MAKE THESE PEOPLE @ FORD DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX IT? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. HE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FUEL SPECIALIST, AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL #01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) AND WAS ADVISED THAT ALTHOUGH HE EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE, HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

I OWN A 1999 FORD E150 THAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR AN UPFITTER WHEN IT LEFT THE FORD PLANT. AN AMBULANCE PREP LABEL IS IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR JAM, HOW EVER IT WAS FINISHED BY EXPLORER VAN COMPANY, WARSAW INDIANA. WHEN REFUELING I NOTICED FUEL SPILL ON THE GROUND. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. FORD SERVICE TELLS ME THAT IT FUEL FILLER NECK IS THE PROBLEM AND IT WILL COST ABOUT $600 TO MAKE THE REPAIR. MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW VALID FOR PROBLEM NHTSA RECALL 11V114000 WHEN REPORTED TO FORD BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO 11V114000. MY VIN IS [XXX] . SHOULDN'T THIS HAVE BEEN A COVERED RECALL? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150 ECONOLINE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT FILLS THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE WOULD SPILL OUT OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND. WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL AND THE FUEL NOZZLE STOPPED, GASOLINE STILL LEAKED EXCESSIVELY OUT OF THE TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,000.

1999 FORD E150 WAGON (CONVERSION VAN - ECLIPSE CONVERSIONS OF IN) HAS A CRACKED FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK IS 35 GALLON, MID SHIP. NHSTA RECALL 01V114000/FORD RECALL 01S14 SHOULD APPLY, HOWEVER WHEN DISCUSSED WITH FORD THEY SAID IT DID NOT APPLY. THEY WOULD ONLY LOOK AT INFORMATION ON THEIR WEBSITE. WHEN I ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT FORD RECALL 01S14 AND TELL ME WHY IT DID NOT APPLY, THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT THE RECALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT I NEED THE WAGON TO DRIVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THEN EXPERIENCED SOME LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SPARK PLUG BLEW OFF. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE IS AN OPENED AND CLOSED INVESTIGATION (DP05005) REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 137,800.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MOTOR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE CALLED SEVERAL LOCAL FORD DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER DECEMBER OF 2007. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY FORD ISSUED AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. THE CONTACT IS DISSATISFIED WITH FORD'S LACK OF CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,500. UPDATED 10/10/07 *TR

MARCH 16, 2007. V8 (5.4L) I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD POPPING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT.MY 1999 V8 5.4 HAD BLOWN THE SPARK PLUG CERAMIC PORTION OUT OF THE HEAD. I MADE IT HOME DRIVING IT LIKE THAT (5 MILES) AND HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. HE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON EVENT FOR THE FORDS. HE IS NOW GOING TO TRY TO HELI-COIL THE PLUG HOLE TO SAVE ME A HEAD JOB, THO HE'S HAVING PROBLEMS DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE PLUG. NOW CHECKING THE WEB I SEE THERE ARE MANY MANY...OF FORDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THE FED HAS EVEN URGED FORD TO FIX AND RECALL THIS PROBLEM...

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. FAILURE LED TO VEHICLE DISABLEMENT DURING TRAVEL ON PUBLIC ROADWAY IN TRAFFIC, IN BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. TRANSMISSION REPLACED @ COST OF $2700.00. *NM

1999 FORD E150 RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS *JB

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MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT THEY TOLD ME THAT WATER WAS GETTING IN BEHIND THE WINDSHIELD AND SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THEY STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE. *JB

1999 FORD F150 4.2 LITER V-6 ENGINE. ONLY 52,000 MILES AND BLOWN ENGINE. STARTS BLOWING STEAM OUT OF EXHAUST, THEN ENGINE STARTS KNOCKING AND TIES UP BECAUSE OF HYDRO LOCK. COOLANT IN CYLINDERS LOCKS ENGINE. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD WILL NOT BACK UP COSTING CONSUMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. ALL STARTS WITH A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH CANNOT BE DETECTED UNTIL IT'S TO LATE. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ENGINE FROM 1997 TILL ????, WHO KNOWS IF THEY ARE ANY GOOD NOW. SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *JB

MAJOR SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND STEERING CONTROL GREATLY REDUCED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING, AND THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME IT IS NORMAL. IF THIS IS NORMAL, THAN THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE HIGHWAYS BEFORE DEATH OCCURS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE IS A CRACK ON THE TOP OF THE RUBBER FUEL HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

I HAD TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY VAN. I TOOK THE VAN TO THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS. ALL SHOPS SAID THAT THERE WAS A DEFICIENCY PROBLEM WITH SPARK PLUGS 6 AND 1; ALSO, ALL THREE SHOPS SAID THAT THE SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT TWO TIMES (I HAD TO SPEND ABOUT $260.00 EACH TIME I HAD TO REPLACE IT.) I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE EGR TWO TIMES AS WELL (I HAD TO SPEND ABOUT $70 EACH TIME I HAD TO REPLACE IT.) I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE FOUR TIMES THE SPARK PLUG CABLES (I HAD TO SPEND ABOUT $35 EACH TIME I HAD TO REPLACE IT.) I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE FOUR OXYGEN SENSORS (I HAVE THE OLD ONES AND HAD TO SPEND ABOUT $50 FOR EACH.) I HAS GO TO AUTOZONE THEE TIMES TO BORROW THE COMPUTER TO TRY TO GET THE CODES (BY THE WAY, IT GAVE ME THESE CODES: 401 AND 406); EVERY TIME I HAD TO BORROW THIS COMPUTER I HAD TO HAVE $90 SO THAT AUTOZONE COULD LEND ME THE COMPUTER. I HAD TO TOW MY VAN THREE TIMES, THIS FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT $350 (BY THE WAY, I SAVED MONEY ABOUT THREE TIMES BECAUSE I HAD FRIENDS HELP ME TOW THE VAN, BY THIS I DO NOT MEAN THAT I DID NOT HAD TO PAY; I STILL PAID, IT JUST WAS LESS MONEY.) ONE OF THESE TIMES I HAD TO SPEND SEVEN HOURS IN THE FREEWAY. SINCE THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN, I HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS 1 AND 6 FOR AS LONG AS I KEPT USING THE VAN AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH (THIS SOMETIMES I HAD TO DO IT WHILE WORKING WHEN I STARTED TO FEEL THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOOSING POWER.) I HAVE NOT USED THE VAN FOR FOUR MONTHS AND HAD TO BUY ANOTHER ONE FOR WORK. I HAD TO UNNECESSARILY BUY ANOTHER VAN. THIS TIME I BOUGHT A VAN FROM CHEVROLET BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID I WOULD GO THROUGH THIS PROBLEM AGAIN IF I BOUGHT ANOTHER VAN FROM FORD. UP TO THIS DAY I DID NOT KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY VAN UNTIL I READ THE NEWSPAPER. *JB

AFTER PURCHASE, ON 3 HR. TRIP HOME, VAN HAD MAJOR VIBRATIONS. WE CONTACTED DEALER. HE SUGGESTED ALIGNMENT, OR TIRE ROTATION. WE TOOK VAN TO SEVERAL OTHER DEALSERS AS TO VIBRATION, AND GIVEN NO HELP, JUST SUGGESTIONS AS ABOVE AND TO DRIVE IT MORE TO BREAK IT IN, AND BRING BACK AFTER 20,000 MILES. TOOK IT IN FOR AN ESTIMATE FOR NEW TIRES, AND THEY SAID IT SHOULD BE TOWED TO A DEALER IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, NEEDED BALL JOINTS, ROTORS, PADS.TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE WORK DONE UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY WE BOUGHT. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER A YEAR LATER AS THE ROTORS WERE GONE AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED ONLY THE RIGHT ONE AS WE WOULDNT PAY AGAIN. LAST WEEK 4 BLOCKS OFF THE FREEWAY AFTER 3 HR. TRIP,TIE ROD END BROKE,HAD IT TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER AGAIN. THEY REPLACED BOTH TIE ROD ENDS, AND SAID THE ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN FOR THIRD TIME IN 2 YEARS.CALLED THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM UP NORTH IN CRIVITZ WHO ASKED ME TO DRIVE IT UP TO THEM AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. I DID, AND WHEN I GOT THERE THEYSAID IT WAS A MIRACLE I MADE IT THERE. I AM NOW WAITING FOR A INSPECTOR FROM THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO INSPECT IT TOMMORROW. IVE BEEN TOLD BY A DEALER IN MADISON THAT THE VANS SUSPENSION AND BREAKING SYSTEM IS FOR A CAR, NOT THE HIGH TOP THAT WAS ADDED TO THE VAN. NOW THEY ONLY PUT HIGH-TOPS ON E250S THE DEALARS SERVICE MAN AGREED WITH THAT OPINION. ITS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM TO ME AND MY FAMILY, AND I DONT THINK MY CHILDREN SHOULD BE KILLED OR INJURED BEFORE FORD ADMITS ITS MISTAKE IN ALLOWING THIS VAN ON THE ROAD!

1999 FORD E150 CONVERSION VAN [XXX] GAS TANK IS LEAKING. THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL FOR 1996-2000 MODEL YEARS BUILT AT THE LORAIN ASSEMBLY PLANT, HOWEVER, IT IS LISTED AGAINST E150 WAGONS, NOT VANS. I CHECKED MY VIN AGAINST THE RECALL AND IT WAS NOT LISTED. ACCORDING TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, WAGONS COME WITH SEATS AND VANS DO NOT. SINCE MY VEHICLE WENT DIRECTLY FROM THE PLANT TO AN AFTERMARKET CONVERSION COMPANY, I DOUBT IT HAD SEATS. BUT, IT CERTAINLY WASN'T MANUFACTURED AS A CARGO VAN. I BELIEVE MY VAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT WAS ORDERED WITHOUT SEATS. REGARDLESS, IT NOW HAS A LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK. THE LEAK IS COMING FROM SOMEWHERE ON TOP OF THE TANK THAT I CAN'T SEE. I INSPECTED THE FUEL FILLER NECK AND SAW NOTHING WRONG. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BOTTOM OR SIDES AS FAR AS I CAN SEE. EVEN IF MY VEHICLE ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, IT STILL HAS AN APPARENT SAFETY DEFECT. NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAS HAPPENED TO THE VAN. NO WRECKS, JUST NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO ON BY THEMSELVES. ODOMETER LIGHT FLICKERS ON & OFF. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2001. *AK

THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING SUBMITTED ON 8/10/2004. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 1999 FORD E-150 VAN WITH A 5.4L ENGINE. OVER THE PAST 6 WEEKS WE HAVE HAD THREE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURES. THE MOST RECENT AND SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE IS THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS (ONE IN MARYLAND AND THE OTHER IN OKLAHOMA) HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP THREE TIMES BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE UNDERLYING ROOT CAUSE FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE. EACH TIME THE FORD DEALER REPLACES THE FUEL PUMP, THE VEHICLE WORKS FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK THEN FAILS AGAIN. INTERESTINGLY, THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE IS SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND SOMETIMES NOT. WHEN A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS PRESENT, IT INDICATED A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. MOST RECENTLY (LAST NIGHT) THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL.

LTR FM DENIS BITTENBENDER (PA) WRITER IS A QUADRIPLEGIC USE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT TO OPERATE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT REQUEST NHTSA TEST EQUIPMENT DEFECT, REPLY TO THE ALLENTOWN OFC DOT 2004-4251. *LA THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND RAN INTO A TREE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE VEERED AT A 30 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE RIGHT AN DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY ACTIONS THE CONSUMER TRIED TO PERFORM. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BRAKE UNIT FAILED AND THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE UNIT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SC IT WAS ALSO POSSIBLE THE VAN HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. *JB

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LTR FM DENIS BITTENBENDER (PA) WRITER IS A QUADRIPLEGIC USE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT TO OPERATE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT REQUEST NHTSA TEST EQUIPMENT DEFECT, REPLY TO THE ALLENTOWN OFC DOT 2004-4251. *LA THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND RAN INTO A TREE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE VEERED AT A 30 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE RIGHT AN DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY ACTIONS THE CONSUMER TRIED TO PERFORM. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BRAKE UNIT FAILED AND THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE UNIT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SC IT WAS ALSO POSSIBLE THE VAN HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. *JB

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LTR FM DENIS BITTENBENDER (PA) WRITER IS A QUADRIPLEGIC USE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT TO OPERATE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT REQUEST NHTSA TEST EQUIPMENT DEFECT, REPLY TO THE ALLENTOWN OFC DOT 2004-4251. *LA THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND RAN INTO A TREE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE VEERED AT A 30 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE RIGHT AN DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY ACTIONS THE CONSUMER TRIED TO PERFORM. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BRAKE UNIT FAILED AND THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE UNIT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SC IT WAS ALSO POSSIBLE THE VAN HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. *JB

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LTR FM DENIS BITTENBENDER (PA) WRITER IS A QUADRIPLEGIC USE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT TO OPERATE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT REQUEST NHTSA TEST EQUIPMENT DEFECT, REPLY TO THE ALLENTOWN OFC DOT 2004-4251. *LA THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND RAN INTO A TREE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE VEERED AT A 30 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE RIGHT AN DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY ACTIONS THE CONSUMER TRIED TO PERFORM. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BRAKE UNIT FAILED AND THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE UNIT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SC IT WAS ALSO POSSIBLE THE VAN HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. *JB

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LTR FM DENIS BITTENBENDER (PA) WRITER IS A QUADRIPLEGIC USE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT TO OPERATE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT REQUEST NHTSA TEST EQUIPMENT DEFECT, REPLY TO THE ALLENTOWN OFC DOT 2004-4251. *LA THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND RAN INTO A TREE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE VEERED AT A 30 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE RIGHT AN DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY ACTIONS THE CONSUMER TRIED TO PERFORM. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BRAKE UNIT FAILED AND THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE UNIT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SC IT WAS ALSO POSSIBLE THE VAN HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. *JB

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