NHTSA complaint: 1997 FORD F-150 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A SEVERE KNOCK WHEN STARTED ONE MORNING. THE PROBLEM WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE AT THE MAIN CRANKSHAFT, SEVERE WEAR AT VALVE ASSEMBLY, AND CORROSION THROUGHOUT COOLING CHAMBERS. FORD DID A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKET THE YEAR BEFORE, CHANGING HEAD GASKET, HOSES, & COOLANT. THE TRUCK IS USES BY HOUSE WIFE DRIVING THE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. EVEN THOUGH OTHERS HAVE REPORTED OF SAME ENGINE FAILURE ON 4.2L, FORD DENIES ANY PROBLEM. 5 MONTHS LATER WHILE THE TRUCK WHILE THE TRUCK WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE, MELTING THE PLASTIC MASTER CYLINDER, FUELING THE FLAMES TO MELT ALL CIRCUITIES AND PLASTIC. THE ABS LAMP HAD LIT EARLIER IN THE WEEK, ADDED BRAKE FLUID TO RESERVOIR, AND THE LAMP WENT OUT. INDEPENDENT FIRE INVESTIGATOR SAYS EVIDENCE POINTS TO A DEFECT IN THE ABS/MASTER CYLINDER WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TS *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***762417
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation