VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
4,500,000 vehicles affected
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
225,000 vehicles affected
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
3,600,000 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, ROUGH ROAD OR SPEED BUMP EVENTS, THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK COULD DEVELOP A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. IF THE FUEL TANK CRACKS, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. 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.
151,000 vehicles affected
The rear passenger compartment outside and inside door handles broke such that rear seating passengers cannot exit the vehicle and are trapped inside. In case of an accident, the emergency responders will have to resort to drastic time consuming measures such as ripping the doors off to save the trapped passengers. Apparently all years of Ford Econoline vans have this dangerous problem because there are numerous fix it videos all over the internet showing how to replace the cheap handle-latch failure prone plastic parts with non-breakable METAL parts.
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON
THIS YEAR BOTH THE AIRBAGS IN MY 1997 FORD E350 VAN HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS--EACH OCCURRING WHILE THE VAN WAS IN 'PARK'. ON 1/31/18 THE DRIVER'S BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE VAN WAS WARMING UP IN A PARKING LOT. MY ADULT DAUGHTER STARTED THE VAN, PLUGGED HER PHONE INTO THE TOP CAR ADAPTER, AND ABOUT A MINUTE LATER (THE VAN WAS STILL PARKED) THERE WAS A BIG 'BOOM' FROM UNDER HER SEAT AND HER SEATBELT TIGHTENED. WITH THE SEATBELT STILL ON, SHE LEANED TO HER RIGHT TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMOKE FROM UNDER HER SEAT WHEN SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THANKFULLY SHE WAS SPARED ANY INJURY. SHE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM SO I DID NOT HAVE THEM DO ANY WORK ON IT [THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND A FEW OTHER THINGS WHICH I FELT WAS A 'BAND-AID' SOLUTION SINCE THEY ADMITTED THEY WERE GUESSING]. WE DROVE THE CAR HOME. ON 4/13/18 MY ADULT DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE FIRST BENCH ROW IN THE VAN TO HAVE A QUIET PLACE TO TALK ON THE PHONE. AFTER A WHILE ON THE PHONE, SHE PLUGGED HER PHONE INTO THE SAME CHARGER AND LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG EXPLODED. THIS OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THERE WAS NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NO ONE WAS SITTING IN EITHER FRONT SEAT! AGAIN, MY DAUGHTER ESCAPED INJURY, BUT NOW THE VAN WILL NOT EVEN START. AT THIS POINT, MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (A DIFFERENT ONE) AND MY PERSONAL REPAIR SHOP ARE REFUSING TO TOUCH THE VAN BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL LIABILITY REGARDING THIS KIND OF MALFUNCTION. MY INSURANCE CAN'T HELP BECAUSE THE VAN WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND "ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS ARE EXCLUDED FROM COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE." FORD CUSTOMER CARE SERVICE HAS TOLD ME REPEATEDLY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A PROTOCOL FOR THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME.
THIS YEAR BOTH THE AIRBAGS IN MY 1997 FORD E350 VAN HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS--EACH OCCURRING WHILE THE VAN WAS IN 'PARK'. ON 1/31/18 THE DRIVER'S BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE VAN WAS WARMING UP IN A PARKING LOT. MY ADULT DAUGHTER STARTED THE VAN, PLUGGED HER PHONE INTO THE TOP CAR ADAPTER, AND ABOUT A MINUTE LATER (THE VAN WAS STILL PARKED) THERE WAS A BIG 'BOOM' FROM UNDER HER SEAT AND HER SEATBELT TIGHTENED. WITH THE SEATBELT STILL ON, SHE LEANED TO HER RIGHT TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMOKE FROM UNDER HER SEAT WHEN SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THANKFULLY SHE WAS SPARED ANY INJURY. SHE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM SO I DID NOT HAVE THEM DO ANY WORK ON IT [THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND A FEW OTHER THINGS WHICH I FELT WAS A 'BAND-AID' SOLUTION SINCE THEY ADMITTED THEY WERE GUESSING]. WE DROVE THE CAR HOME. ON 4/13/18 MY ADULT DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE FIRST BENCH ROW IN THE VAN TO HAVE A QUIET PLACE TO TALK ON THE PHONE. AFTER A WHILE ON THE PHONE, SHE PLUGGED HER PHONE INTO THE SAME CHARGER AND LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG EXPLODED. THIS OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THERE WAS NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NO ONE WAS SITTING IN EITHER FRONT SEAT! AGAIN, MY DAUGHTER ESCAPED INJURY, BUT NOW THE VAN WILL NOT EVEN START. AT THIS POINT, MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (A DIFFERENT ONE) AND MY PERSONAL REPAIR SHOP ARE REFUSING TO TOUCH THE VAN BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL LIABILITY REGARDING THIS KIND OF MALFUNCTION. MY INSURANCE CAN'T HELP BECAUSE THE VAN WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND "ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS ARE EXCLUDED FROM COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE." FORD CUSTOMER CARE SERVICE HAS TOLD ME REPEATEDLY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A PROTOCOL FOR THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME.
THIS YEAR BOTH THE AIRBAGS IN MY 1997 FORD E350 VAN HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS--EACH OCCURRING WHILE THE VAN WAS IN 'PARK'. ON 1/31/18 THE DRIVER'S BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE VAN WAS WARMING UP IN A PARKING LOT. MY ADULT DAUGHTER STARTED THE VAN, PLUGGED HER PHONE INTO THE TOP CAR ADAPTER, AND ABOUT A MINUTE LATER (THE VAN WAS STILL PARKED) THERE WAS A BIG 'BOOM' FROM UNDER HER SEAT AND HER SEATBELT TIGHTENED. WITH THE SEATBELT STILL ON, SHE LEANED TO HER RIGHT TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMOKE FROM UNDER HER SEAT WHEN SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THANKFULLY SHE WAS SPARED ANY INJURY. SHE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM SO I DID NOT HAVE THEM DO ANY WORK ON IT [THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND A FEW OTHER THINGS WHICH I FELT WAS A 'BAND-AID' SOLUTION SINCE THEY ADMITTED THEY WERE GUESSING]. WE DROVE THE CAR HOME. ON 4/13/18 MY ADULT DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE FIRST BENCH ROW IN THE VAN TO HAVE A QUIET PLACE TO TALK ON THE PHONE. AFTER A WHILE ON THE PHONE, SHE PLUGGED HER PHONE INTO THE SAME CHARGER AND LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG EXPLODED. THIS OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THERE WAS NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NO ONE WAS SITTING IN EITHER FRONT SEAT! AGAIN, MY DAUGHTER ESCAPED INJURY, BUT NOW THE VAN WILL NOT EVEN START. AT THIS POINT, MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (A DIFFERENT ONE) AND MY PERSONAL REPAIR SHOP ARE REFUSING TO TOUCH THE VAN BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL LIABILITY REGARDING THIS KIND OF MALFUNCTION. MY INSURANCE CAN'T HELP BECAUSE THE VAN WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND "ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS ARE EXCLUDED FROM COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE." FORD CUSTOMER CARE SERVICE HAS TOLD ME REPEATEDLY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A PROTOCOL FOR THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME.
MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AND I WENT TO START IT UP TO RUN THE ENGINE AND CHARGE THE BATTERIES AS I DID NOT PLAN TO USE IT FOR ANOTHER FEW WEEKS. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND HIT ME HARD. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE PRETENSIONER FIRED OFF BREAKING THE HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE INCIDENT. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND I CAN SEE NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT ASSIGN A CASE NUMBER UNTIL IT IS INSPECTED AND CHECKED BY A FORD DEALER. THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER THAT SAID THEY WERE CAPABLE OF DOING THIS IS BOOKED UP AND CAN NOT LOOK AT IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEY DID MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 10/25/17. THE DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT 35 MILES AND I WILL HAVE TO DRIVE IT THERE WITH THE AIRBAG HANGING OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM SO THANKFUL THIS HAPPENED WHILE PARKED IN STORAGE AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS I THE RESULT MAY HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MY SELF AND/OR OTHERS. MY INJURIES ARE SOME BRUISING, HEADACHES, AND A SORE NECK. THE MILES I ENTERED ARE APPROXIMATE, I WILL VERIFY THE EXACT NUMBER LATER. *TT CONSUMER'S STATEMENT "MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE SENSORS CHECK GOOD WITH NO OPEN CIRCUITS. THE ONLY OPEN CIRCUITS ARE THE ITEMS THAT DEPLOYED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE PASSENGER SIDE BELT TENSIONER. UPDATED 7/25/18*JB
1 injured
MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AND I WENT TO START IT UP TO RUN THE ENGINE AND CHARGE THE BATTERIES AS I DID NOT PLAN TO USE IT FOR ANOTHER FEW WEEKS. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND HIT ME HARD. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE PRETENSIONER FIRED OFF BREAKING THE HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE INCIDENT. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND I CAN SEE NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE AT ALL. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT ASSIGN A CASE NUMBER UNTIL IT IS INSPECTED AND CHECKED BY A FORD DEALER. THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER THAT SAID THEY WERE CAPABLE OF DOING THIS IS BOOKED UP AND CAN NOT LOOK AT IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEY DID MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 10/25/17. THE DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT 35 MILES AND I WILL HAVE TO DRIVE IT THERE WITH THE AIRBAG HANGING OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM SO THANKFUL THIS HAPPENED WHILE PARKED IN STORAGE AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS I THE RESULT MAY HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MY SELF AND/OR OTHERS. MY INJURIES ARE SOME BRUISING, HEADACHES, AND A SORE NECK. THE MILES I ENTERED ARE APPROXIMATE, I WILL VERIFY THE EXACT NUMBER LATER. *TT CONSUMER'S STATEMENT "MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE SENSORS CHECK GOOD WITH NO OPEN CIRCUITS. THE ONLY OPEN CIRCUITS ARE THE ITEMS THAT DEPLOYED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE PASSENGER SIDE BELT TENSIONER. UPDATED 7/25/18*JB
1 injured
CRUISE CONTROL STUCK ON WHEN TURNED OFF, THEN WOULD WORK ONLY SOMETIMES & STEERING VIBRATED. *TR
CRUISE CONTROL STUCK ON WHEN TURNED OFF, THEN WOULD WORK ONLY SOMETIMES & STEERING VIBRATED. *TR
CRUISE CONTROL STUCK ON WHEN TURNED OFF, THEN WOULD WORK ONLY SOMETIMES & STEERING VIBRATED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-350 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER ADVENTURE HT TIRES (N/A), SIZE 265/75/16R. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WITH FOUR OTHER TIRES, WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRE #8 WENT BAD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE REPLACEMENT ALSO WENT BAD.
WHILE DRIVING AT 52 MPH (PULLING A SMALL U-HAUL TRAILER) THE LEFT REAR TIRE ON MY VAN SUFFERED COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TREAD SUBSEQUENTLY WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE AND HAD TO BE PRIED LOOSE. THE TREAD WAS WHOLE AND INTACT (A COMPLETE CIRCLE), BUT THE CARCASS OF THE TIRE SHREDDED. THE TIRE IS (WAS( A UNIROYAL LT 245/75 R16 APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS OLD. I MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY ON MY RIM. THIS OCCURRED ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 25. *TR
I LOOKED OVER MY 1997 FORD E-350 CLUB WAGON BEFORE INSPECTION LAST YEAR AND NOTICED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE INADEQUATE AND RUSTING HEAVILY. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND CITED FOR THE SAME RECALL THE FORD F150'S WERE THIS WEEK. THE TWO STRAPS ARE THIN AND OF POOR QUALITY -- MY TANK IS 35 GALLONS AND I AM AFRAID TO FILL IT MORE THAN HALF FULL UNTIL I GET NEW STRAPS INSTALLED OR REINFORCE THE EXISTING ONES. EVERY TRIP, I WORRY ABOUT IT FALLING OUT AND CATCHING FIRE OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
MY V10 FORD E-350 MOTOR HAD A HEAD FAILURE AND A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE EXPLOSION SOUND CREATED A PANIC AND STARTLED RESPONSE THAT ALMOST LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THEY WORK ON FLEET VEHICLES REGULARLY AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE. THE ALUMINUM HEAD OF THE ENGINE WAS TOO WEAK TO HOLD ON TO THE SPARK PLUG AND THAT LEAD TO THE EXPLOSION, FIRE, AND DAMAGE. THE SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THIS COULD VERY LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE AND IF I AM TRAVELING WITH MY FAMILY I COULD BE LEFT STRANDED, POSSIBLE A VERY DANGEROUS PART OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING STEEP OR DANGEROUS ROADS. IF THE VEHICLE CATCHES ON FIRE AGAIN IT COULD EXPLODE IF THE GAS LINE IGNITES. THIS ONE CYLINDER COST $800 TO FIX BUT NOW I HAVE 9 OTHER ONES TO WORRY ABOUT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A CURRENT RECALL BUT THERE WILL HAVE TO BE ONE ISSUED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ANY AMERICAN DRIVING A FORD VEHICLE WITH THIS ENGINE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE STATING SIMILAR SCENARIOS. *TR
Fire
MY 97 FORD CLUB WAGON HEATER LINES TO THE REAS HEATER DISINTEGRATED. I FOUND THE LEAK AND DISCONNECTED THE LINES TO FIND THEM DETERIORATED 3/4 THE LENGTH. I KEPT THE LINES FOR INSPECTION. CONTACTING FORD THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY HAD NO INFORMATION OR RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE THIS OLD. MY FRIEND [XXX] , PASTOR AT CHURCH OF[XXX] , FREEPORT, ILLINOIS WAS NOT AS FORTUNATE. THE 97 FORD VAN THE CHURCH USES HAD LEAKED ENOUGH COOLANT OUT UNNOTICED THAT THEY ALMOST RUINED THE ENGINE FROM OVER-HEATING. THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING TO ALL VAN OWNERS TO WATCH FOR CORROSION AND LEAKS SO THEY DO NOT RUIN ENGINES AND A SOLUTION SHOULD BE GIVEN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
SUDDEN TIRE TREAD SEPARATION OF THREE TIRES IN THREE WEEKS. TWO IN LESS THEN 15 MILES. TIRES ARE ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD AND ONLY 6000 MILES ON THEM. THEY ARE THE CORRECT SIZE AND LOAD E RATING KUHMO VENTURE HT FOR THE MOTORHOME THAT THESE TIRES ARE MOUNTED ON. THE TREAD SEPARATION HAD NO WARNING. THE MANUFACTURE CALLED THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE AS A BLOW OUT AND DID NOT TRY TO REPLACE OR INSPECT THE TIRE FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. I DO NOT LONGER HAVE THE FIRST FAILED TIRE. I DO HAVE THE OTHERS TWO REARS THAT FAILED IN THE 15 MILE SPAN AND THE REAR THAT HAS NOT FAILED. THEY WERE ALL REAR TIRES IN THERE ORIGINAL LOCATIONS IN THE TIME FRAME. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED AT LEAST TWO MORE YEARS OUT OF THE TIRES BEFORE ANY FAILURE OF THIS TYPE WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
ABS FAILURE WHEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 15 MILES. *TR
OUR 1997 FORD F350 TRUCK WAS PARKED IN OUR BARN AND CAUGHT FIRE YESTERDAY MORNING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE TRUCK AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BARN AND ALSO CAUGHT OUR ATV ON FIRE. I LEFT FOR WORK AT 7 A.M. AND HAD BEEN IN THE BARN BEFORE LEAVING. THE FIRST DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AT 8:04 AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE, THE TRUCK WAS BASICALLY GONE. WE HAD OTHER DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIS FIRE. *TR
Fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E350. THE CONTACT AWOKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO FIND HIS VEHICLE ON FIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND SUCCESSFULLY EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIREFIGHTER STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE OVER 250,000.
Fire
THE #3 SPARK PLUG ON MY '97 FORD E-350 VAN BLEW OUT (ABOUT 1 YEAR AFTER THE PLUGS WERE CHANGED) WHILE STARTING TO DRIVE SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS COMMON ON THIS ENGINE (5.4 L 8-CYLINDER) AND THAT IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED YET (ESTIMATED BY MECHANIC TO BE $1500 TO PULL THE HEAD AND REPAIR). I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY OF FIRE WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ALTHOUGH THAT DID NOT HAPPEN IN OUR CASE (WE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE RIGHT AWAY AND HAD IT TOWED HOME). *TR
1997 FORD E350 V-10 ENGINE VAN BLEW OUT THE NUMBER 4 SPARK PLUG. LOUD POPPING SOUND FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF POWER AND STRONG FUEL SMELL. ALSO HAD A NEIGHBOR WITH AN F-150 THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM AND TRUCK BURNED TO THE GROUND IN UNDER 5 MINUTES. *TR
FORD POWERED MOTORHOME WAS DESTROYED BY AN ENGINE FIRE MAY 24 2008 THERE WAS A RECALL IN SEPTEMBER 2007 STATING THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD CAUSE A FIRE. DURING A PHONE CALL WITH A DEALER I WAS TOLD PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. FOUR DAYS AFTER THE FIRE MAY 24 2008 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD APOLOGIZING FOR THE LACK OF PARTS BUT THAT THEY WERE NOW AVAILABLE. *TR
Fire
1997 ECONOLINE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER ON ITS SIDE. *TS *JB
Crash
1 injured
CRASH RIGHT FRONT,WHEEL BEARING NUT SHEERED OFF, ROTOR BROKE, WHEEL, TIRE ,AND HUB ASSEMBLY CAME OFF VEHICLE. WHEEL AND TIRE UNDAMAGED. *NM. *AK UPDATED 06/22/06 *JB
Crash
2 injured
1 deaths
VEHICLE IS A FORD E-350 CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH A UNICEL BOX BODY. THE FAILURE IS THE MOUNTING OF THE TRUCK BODY TO THE CHASSIS. THE DESIGN OF THE BOX ATTACHING MECHANISM IS INFERIOR RESULTING IN A SEPARATION OF THE BODY FROM THE CHASSIS. THE BODY IS ATTACHED ONLY TO THE PLYWOOD FLOOR OF THE BOX ONLY WITH NO OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS. THE ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE ALSO INACCESSIBLE FOR INSPECTION RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO INSPECT THE CORROSION OF THE BOLTS AND THE ULTIMATE FAILURE OF THE MOUNTING TO THE CHASSIS. *NM
VEHICLE IS A FORD E-350 CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH A UNICEL BOX BODY. THE FAILURE IS THE MOUNTING OF THE TRUCK BODY TO THE CHASSIS. THE DESIGN OF THE BOX ATTACHING MECHANISM IS INFERIOR RESULTING IN A SEPARATION OF THE BODY FROM THE CHASSIS. THE BODY IS ATTACHED ONLY TO THE PLYWOOD FLOOR OF THE BOX ONLY WITH NO OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS. THE ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE ALSO INACCESSIBLE FOR INSPECTION RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO INSPECT THE CORROSION OF THE BOLTS AND THE ULTIMATE FAILURE OF THE MOUNTING TO THE CHASSIS. *NM
FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK ON BOTH SIDES. RECALL 01V114000 WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *AK
I HAVE A 97 FORD E-350 AND THE FUEL LINE DEVELOPED A LEAK DUE TO THE PLASTIC OUTER COATING RUBBING AGAINST THE LINE. I CONSIDER THIS A FIRE HAZARD AS IT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST.*AK
THE MOTOR HOME ENGINE OPERATED FINE WHILE WE WERE ON AN EXTENDED 1700 MILE TRIP. THE GAUGES REGISTERED NORMAL. WE CHECKED THE OIL & ANTIFREEZE & THEY WERE AT THE NORMAL LEVELS. AFTER WE RETURNED: AT MILEAGE 48526 WE STARTED THE ENGINE ON MAY 6, 2004 THE ENGINE STARTED WITH A LARGE KNOCKING NOISE & THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE OUT THE TAILPIPE. 2. ANTIFREEZE HAD GOTTEN INTO THE OIL SO THE ROD BENT & #1 CYLINDER WAS SCORED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. 3. THE HEAD GASKETS & HEAD WAS NORMAL - THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED!*JB
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RETURN LINE FAILED AS I WAS READY TO DEPART FOR THE DAY. I HAD STOPPED AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 300 FEET; UPON EXITING I SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND NOTICED A FUEL TRACK LEADING FROM MY VEHICLE. FUEL WAS LEAKING BADLY ONTO THE HEAT SHIELD ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR MUFFLER. HAD THE FAILURE OCCURED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS HOT, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE BOMB. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER. THEY REPLACED PART [XXX], A $143.39 TUB ASSEMBLY-FUEL LINE, WHICH IS A COMPOSITE METAL AND HIGH PRESSURE PLASTIC FUEL LINE. TOTAL BILL WAS $443.93 AND A TWO DAY DELAY IN DEPARTURE. I HAVE THE FAILED PART WHICH, WHEN RETURNED TO ME, WAS BENT (BY THE MECHANIC) AT THE POINT OF FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC LINE 1 INCH FROM WHERE IT WAS BONDED TO THE METAL SEGMENT. 1997 FORD ECONOLINE E350 VAN CONVERSION VIN [XXX] (V-10 ENGINE). FORD WEB SITE SHOWS NO RECALL FOR THIS VIN. CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
THE RUBBER HOSE ~7/8" DIA. JUST ABOVE THE GAS TANK FILLER TUBE, WHICH RELIEVES PRESSURE AND ALLOWS THE TANK TO FILL PROPERLY, CRACKED AND SEPARATED. WHEN EVER THE TANK WAS FILLED TO THE TOP, FUEL WOULD SPEW ALL OVER THE GROUND. THE LEAK RAN DOWN FRAME RAILS AND WAS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE, I HAD TO CRAWL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, DURING FILLING TO FINALLY LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE FUEL LEAK. ONCE BEFORE THE LEAK WAS LOCATED, I DUMPED ABOUT A GALLON OF FUEL OR MORE ON THE GROUND, BEFORE I COULD SHUT OFF THE PUMP AS I FILLING MY TANK AND CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL AT THE SAME TIME. I DETERMINED WHERE THE FUEL LEAK WAS EMANATING FROM AFTER SEVERAL OTHER FILLS. AS MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I REPAIRED THE RUBBER LINE MYSELF (USING A LENGTH OF RUBBER HOSE FROM NAPA) NOT USING THE FORD PART BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME POTENTIAL FOR THE PART TO PREMATURELY FAIL AGAIN, AND ITS QUITE DIFFICULT TO ACCESS THE ONE CLAMP (REQUIRING A MIRROR) SO I DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE THIS REPAIR AGAIN BY USING A FAULTY FORD PART. THIS PART IS MANUFACTURED WITH A HOSE CLAMP MOLDED INTO ONE END OF THE HOSE. AS IT USES HEAT TO ENCASE PART OF THE HOSE CLAMP WITH RUBBER TO RETAIN IT ON THE END OF THE HOSE, THIS PROCESS HARDENS THE HOSE AND THE HOSE WILL CRACK AT THE CLAMP. MY OPINION IS THAT THIS IS AN EXTREME FIRE POTENTIAL. *NLM
SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE ALUMINUM HEAD OF AN E-350 FORD V-8 VORTEX ENGINE. MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAVE REPORTED FAMILIARITY WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHEN VEHICLE REACHES 60,000 PLUS MILES. INDIVIDUAL WITH SAME TYPE AND YEAR (97) TRUCK IS HAVING SAME TROUBLE.
1997 FORD SUPER CLUB WAGON XLT (E350) ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES INAPPROPRIATELY CAUSING TOTAL LACK OF BRAKING POWER. THE ABS CONTROL UNIT DOES NOT RECORD AN ERROR CODE SO MY MECHANIC CANNOT FIND A CAUSE. I HAVE HAD TO REMOVE THE ABS FUSE IN ORDER TO HAVE TRUSTWORTHY BRAKES.
THESE TIRES HAS TO BE INVESTIGATED! I'VE HAD 3 BLOWOUTS ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. TIRES HAD 15,000 MILES ON THEM. FIRST BLOWOUT OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, TIRE HAD MULTIPLE BELT SEPERATIONS. PUT ON SPARE TIRE OF SAME BRAND AND SIZE AND BARELY GOT HOME BEFORE THE BELT STARTED COMING APART. WENT TO FIRESTONE DEALER, AND THEY SOLD ME ANOTHER STEELTEX FOR REPLACEMENT. 2 MONTHS LATER WENT ON A ROADTRIP TO CALIFORNIA AT ABOUT 75MPH AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF AND BLEW OUT. THE VAN NOSE DIVED OFF THE HIGHWAY OUT INTO THE DESERT AND ALMOST ROLLED. 8 PEOPLE ALMOST WERE KILLED. EVERY TIME THE TIRE SHOWED SAME SYMPTOMS BEFORE FAILURE. VEHICLE WOULD BE ON HIGHWAY CRUISING WHEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THEN BAM! I AM AN MECHANIC BY TRADE AND I KEEP MY VEHICLE IN TOP SHAPE WITH CORRECT AIR PRESSURE AND ROTATION, SO THIS IS NOT HUMAN OR ROAD ERROR. SEVERE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VAN IN THE INCIDENT. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND (BF GOODRICH) AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX HAS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS THIS IS RIDICULOUS ASWELL AS DANGEROUS! I FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRES ASWELL AS THE DAMAGES! *AK
Crash
CONSUMER STATES THE 1997 FORD V-10 CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER IS UNSURE OF CAUSE. YD CONSUMER STATES NO FURTHER INFORMATION HAS BEEN AVAILABLE FROM INSURANCE COMPANY OR DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER MENTIONS THAT ON DOG DIED DUE TO THE FIRE. *TT
Fire
MICHELIN, LTXA/S, P22575/R16 AFTER MARKET 3000, AMBULANCE, RIGHT FRONT INTERIOR SIDEWALL BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO RIM. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, THREE PEOPLE WERE INJURED. *AK *TT
3 injured
AFTER VEHICLE WAS STARTED AN UNUSUAL NOISE OCCURRED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDER. *AK *MJ
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STARTED TREMBLING AND VIBRATING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED.*AK
RV PULLES TO THE SIDE, ALIGNMENT DID NOT FULLY CORRECT, VEHICLE SHOOK AT HIGHWAY SPEED, DIAGNOSIS AS TREAD SEPARATION WITH DANGER OF TIRE FAILURE AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING TREAD ON LEFT INNER TIRE SEPARATED. ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT ON A FORD, TRUCK E350, 1997. TIRE MILEAGE 20,000. *AK FIRESTONE STEELTEX, P225/75R16, DOT NUMBER VD1L1XA. *JB
TIRE BLEW OUT INSTANTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON STRAIGHT AND LEVEL PAVEMENT IN GOOD REPAIR WITH NO ROAD HAZARD OR CROSS WIND OR ANY OTHER APPARENT ADVERSE CONDITION EXCEPT THAT THE AMBIENT OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPRX. 110 DEGREES , AND THE ROAD WAS ALSO VERY HOT.THE TIRE THAT BLEW WAS THE OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND IT'S PARTNER-THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR HELD FINE ALLOWING A SAFE AND CONTROLLED EXIT OF THE ROADWAY.(DUAL REAR WHEELS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XD227 TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)
THREE FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S M/S TIRES, SIZE: LT225/75R16, DOT: UNKNOWN. MOTORHOMES EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES OF EACH OTHER WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 45 TO 65 MPH. THESE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLES, AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES ON THEM. *AK ALL TIRE FAILURES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, ONE OF THE SEPARATIONS CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *SLC
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
OIL FILTER HOUSING UNIT BOLTED TO LEFT SIDE OF TRITON V-10 ENGINE FELL OFF THE ENGINE AFTER BOLTS WHICH HELD THE HOUSING APPARENTLY VIBRATED LOOSE. THE FAILURE RESULTED DESTRUCTION OF BOTH THE SENDING AND RETURN OIL LINES TO THE OIL COOLER AND ALSO HEAVY DAMAGE TO OIL COOLER AFTER IT TOO ALSO FELL AFTER BEING YANKED BY THE FALLING OIL FILTER MOUNTING UNIT. AT TIME OF FAILURE THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN OIL PRESSURE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENT GAGES WERE STILL READING FULL PRESSURE. ENGINE WAS SAVED FROM DAMAGE AFTER DRIVER SHUT ENGINE OFF AND STEERED MOTOR HOME DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD TO WHERE IT COULD SAFELY PULL OFF. NOTE THERE IS AN EXTREAM FIRE HAZARD ISSUE WITH THIS LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL SPRAYED ON THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE MANIFOLD. TIRES. SIX FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRES AND A NON-FIRESTONE SPARE TIRE WERE REPLACED DUE TO SEVER CRACKING AND EVIDENCE THAT TIRES WERE SHOWING IMMENANT FAILURE. TIRES WERE ONLY LOAD RANGE D. VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE LOAD RANGE E. REPLACED WITH NON-FIRESTONES ON ALL POSITIONS. (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XE127 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)
OIL FILTER HOUSING UNIT BOLTED TO LEFT SIDE OF TRITON V-10 ENGINE FELL OFF THE ENGINE AFTER BOLTS WHICH HELD THE HOUSING APPARENTLY VIBRATED LOOSE. THE FAILURE RESULTED DESTRUCTION OF BOTH THE SENDING AND RETURN OIL LINES TO THE OIL COOLER AND ALSO HEAVY DAMAGE TO OIL COOLER AFTER IT TOO ALSO FELL AFTER BEING YANKED BY THE FALLING OIL FILTER MOUNTING UNIT. AT TIME OF FAILURE THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN OIL PRESSURE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENT GAGES WERE STILL READING FULL PRESSURE. ENGINE WAS SAVED FROM DAMAGE AFTER DRIVER SHUT ENGINE OFF AND STEERED MOTOR HOME DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD TO WHERE IT COULD SAFELY PULL OFF. NOTE THERE IS AN EXTREAM FIRE HAZARD ISSUE WITH THIS LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL SPRAYED ON THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE MANIFOLD. TIRES. SIX FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRES AND A NON-FIRESTONE SPARE TIRE WERE REPLACED DUE TO SEVER CRACKING AND EVIDENCE THAT TIRES WERE SHOWING IMMENANT FAILURE. TIRES WERE ONLY LOAD RANGE D. VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE LOAD RANGE E. REPLACED WITH NON-FIRESTONES ON ALL POSITIONS. (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XE127 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)
2 TIRES BLEW OUT WITH VERY LITTLE TRED WEAR ON THEM. BOTH TIMES THE SIDEWALLS RIPPED AWAY AT SIDEWALL. *AK (TIRESIZE: 16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN SPARK PLUGS BLEWOUT ON ENGINE HEAD. ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED. *AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN SPARK PLUGS BLEWOUT ON ENGINE HEAD. ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED. *AK