Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES07V488000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES07V336000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES07V078000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES07V347000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES08V025000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES06V286000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES05V388000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES07V488000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES08V025000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES05V388000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES07V347000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES06V286000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES07V336000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford
EA05005FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/22/200508/02/2006ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES07V078000
 Ea05-005 is closed with ford

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
01/30/2013170000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated that while parked, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. the police and fire department reported to the scene and a report was filed. the cause of the fire was not determined. the vehicle was destroyed. the approximate failure mileage was 170,000. mah
01/30/2013170000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated while parked the vehicle became engulfed in flames. the police and fire department reported to the scene and a report was filed. the cause of the fire was not determined. the vehicle was destroyed. the approximate failure mileage was 170,000. da
09/21/20121630001
 Car was sitting in driveway for around 30 -45 minutes then just set fire. *tr
09/21/2012163000
 Car was sitting in driveway for around 30 -45 minutes then just set fire.
09/03/20121380001
 Rear lights, including brake, turn signals, and hazard lights quit working. this issue can be found on many online ford f-150 forums. the steering column wiring is too short, and breakage in the wire, or connectors can occur with the tilt steering mechanism. the tilt steering mechanism and short wiring has caused the connection to break inside the steering column trim on our vehicle, which caused the lights to stop functioning properly. i inspected the problem, and found the connector can move freely. i feel this is an issue since i am able to locate many others that have had the same issue from 1997 up to 2001 ford f-150s. *tr
09/03/2012138000
 Rear lights, including brake, turn signals, and hazard lights quit working. this issue can be found on many online ford f-150 forums. the steering column wiring is too short, and breakage in the wire, or connectors can occur with the tilt steering mechanism. the tilt steering mechanism and short wiring has caused the connection to break inside the steering column trim on our vehicle, which caused the lights to stop functioning properly. i inspected the problem, and found the connector can move freely. i feel this is an issue since i am able to locate many others that have had the same issue from 1997 up to 2001 ford f-150s.
06/26/2012112000
 As i was leaving a stop sign, i accelerated and a spark plug blew out of it's hole and will not go back in. this is a product defect that can cause serious injury or deaths to unknowing ford owners. ford should recall asap.
04/07/201243000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2004 ford f-150. the contact stated that the headlights stopped illuminating whenever the turn signals were activated. the failure occurred when using both the lowbeam and highbeam headlights. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the turn signals needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileages were 43,000. sm.
04/07/201243000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2004 ford f-150. when using the high or low beam headlights the contact noticed that the headlights will shut off everytime the turn signal is used. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the turn signal needed to be replaced. the vehicle has not been repaired. the vin was not available. the current and failure mileages were 43,000. bml
09/20/2011
 On or about 2004, complainant purchased a ford truck, f-150, supercrew, 4x2, model 2001. complainant owns and lives in a house. said house has a gate carport. by september 20, 2011, the above referenced vehicle had been parked and turned off for about one (1) week in the gated carport of complainant's house. on september 20, 2011, sometime between 12:00pm and 1:00pm the above reference vehicle began to burn inside the carport. the flames and the smoke flowing from the vehicle expanded into complainant's house causing damages to the structure and a myriad of movable objects located therein. according to complainants forensic expert, the vehicle began to burn as a result of a failure in the vehicle's cruise control switch desactivator.
01/05/2012192000
 My f150 blower motor unit just shorted out and caught fire while i was on the freeway. i am just so disgusted as i already got past blowing out sparkplugs on this truck as i had to remove the head and re thread it so they would be safe and now this. how does ford continue to get a away with producing vehicles that are dangerous to the public? i loved my truck but will probably have to move to a safer vehicle now.
05/22/200168000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated that the wiring harness and coil plug was causing the vehicle to stall and drive hard. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the wiring harness and coil plug replaced but the repair did not remedy the issue. the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer but the dealer could not properly diagnose the vehicle. the failure mileage was 68,000.
05/22/200168000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated that the wiring harness and coil plug was causing the vehicle to stall and drive hard. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the wiring harness and coil plug replaced but the repair did not remedy the issue. the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer but the dealer could not properly diagnose the vehicle. the failure mileage was 68,000. kmj
11/22/2011248000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150 super crew. the contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he was informed that the vehicle was engulfed in flames. the fire department was called and advised that the modular of the cruise control was the cause of the fire. the manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. the failure and the current mileages were approximately 248,000. kmj
11/22/2011248000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150 super crew. the contact stated that after parking his vehicle at work he was informed that the vehicle had engulfed into flames. the fire deaprtment had came out and they advised him that it was the modular of the cruise control. the manuafcturer was contacted and they advised him to take the vehicle to a dealer. the failure and current mileages were approximately 248,000. tb
10/24/2011
 The vehicle had not been driven for several days. it caught fire while no one was home. there had been no problems before as far as running. the fire started in the engine compartment. exact cause was not determined.
09/02/2011
 For a long time we had issues with the brakes even after getting new ones,about 3 wks before the fire my cruise stopped working.on the day before the fire i rolled my front windows down after i went back to work,an when i got off work my windows would not roll up,an i could not get the gear out of park,so i turned the engine off ,an just turned the key on,an got it to go into netural so i could start it an get it into drive.the next morning i took it to the shop to see about the windows,an before it could be checked ,about 3:00 in the afternoon the engine off,the shop owner came out an the truck engine was fully ingulfed.we did'nt know untill after the fire that there had been a recall on the speed control system that could result in a engine fire.we never received a recall notice.
07/05/2011
 Tl-the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated that after hearing a loud noise she went outside to see what happened. she noticed that the vehicle had exploded and caused damage to the house, 2 vehicles, a storage shed, and a well house. the police were called and a report was available. the fire investigatoe also came out and they advised her that it may have started from the cruise control switch. the manufacturer has not been contacted. the failure mileage was unknown and the vin was unavailable. tb
02/01/2011140000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated that the airbag light illuminated on the instrument panel of the vehicle. the manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer. the dealer was notified, but the failure was not remedied. the failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 150,000. nw
06/16/2011130000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph he began to see smoke rise from under the hood. the vehicle was stopped and shut off. while examining the vehicle, the contact noticed some of the wires under the hood were on fire. the fire was extinguished. upon reentering the vehicle, the contact also noticed that the anti lock braking system light was illuminating on the instrument panel. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was 130,000. sm.
06/16/2011130000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph he began to see smoke rise from under the hood. the vehicle was stopped and shut off. while examining the vehicle, the contact noticed some of the wires under the hood were on fire. the fire was extinguished. upon reentering the vehicle, the contact also noticed that the abs light was illuminating on the instrument panel. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was 130,000. sm.
05/21/2011147000
 2001 f150,,,, i was driving down the road a few weeks ago at around 50 to 55 mph , when i heard a loud popping noise coming from my truck . i pulled over right away, it sounded like a bad exsaust leak. i looked all under the truck and couldnt find any leak , so i had my son tow me home , as i opened the hood and strated the truck i heard the noise coming from the top of the motor, after looking closer with a flashlight i found the problem the number 7 plug had been blown right of of the head and was laying on top of the intake,breaking the coil pack in the process. it stripped the threads right out of the head,,,i did find a repair kit at napa for $220.00 and it still is not running right , and i also learned they only make a repair kit for the ford motors no other make has this repair kit,, so it sound like ford has a defect with the heads no other make has this issue
05/13/2011110000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated that his vehicle was idol for about 5 hours before the contact noticed smoke coming for the hood (cruise control panel area) of the vehicle. the insurance towed the vehicle to the dealership, but was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they gave the contact a case number. the failure and current mileage was 110,000. nw
03/26/2011
 Over 100 thousand miles the 2001 ford f150 cylinder 6 misfires replace and still misfires after 4 months. this is a common proplem that shakes vechile and makes it unstable in driving and acelration. also creates loss in fuel econmoy. and also can provide the following web adress of people complining of this follow web adress of others affected by this. this is one side of 400 sites of people complaining. http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/ford-f-150/t1bo1cb5bhpb0t4mu
03/07/2011106000
 Started truck heard a loud pop engine running rough checked,spark plug blew out destroying coil pack now called ford dealer they said no recall checked on internet noticed a lot of people same problem. a lot money to repair. i had just got back from a 600 mile trip if this had happened during trip would have cost me up to $4.000 to get on road again, this should be a recall! and if i get it fixed i will have to get rid of it because people are complaining 2 or more plugs are blowing out and i can not afford the fix .
12/28/2010181000
 Tl. the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway the vehicle suddenly burst into flames. the contact called the fire department to extinguish the flames. the fire department stated the fire was electrical but could not determine where the fire started. the contact has not called the manufacturer. the failure mileage was 181,000. jo
08/20/2010204000
 I have a 2001 ford f150 5.4 super crew white the spark plug number five blew out on the highway on our way home! i was with my wife and three children when this happend. it scared us it was a very loud noise it sounded like a gun shot then the motor started to shake and mis fire we smelt gas and as the truck was loosing power i had my wife who was driving pull off the road on to the side then we called the tow truck then we had it towed home! the tow truck driver stated this is a problem that he has seen alot and it is very dangerous it can start on fire and we could have been killed or in a crash because of it thank god we we not! he also stated that there should be a recall but ford is too cheap and dont care about people they only care about money! i think there shoud be a class action lawsuit if not recalled and i want to have it fixed! i have looked into this on line and see that there are hundreds of people who feel the same way since it happend to them too!
08/26/2010142000
 Vehicle was driven to store where it sat for 15 minutes before restarting. upon starting, the engine noise was very loud, sounded like backfiring. engine was immediately shut off. vehicle was towed to mechanic. problem was blown number 8 spark plug, the well known problem where the plug was blown out taking the threads from the head with it. the mechanic was able to tap the resultant hole, add a repair insert, and a new spark plug.
10/10/200998000
 Coil over plug (c o p) on a ford 150. i have replaced different c o p several times. this is a ongoing battle i'm sure i cannot afford.
01/06/2009110000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. while driving less than 70 mph in the rain, the vehicle stalled and was pulled over to the side of the road. the driver noticed a flame in the rear of the vehicle. the driver was able to exit the vehicle before it became completely engulfed in flames. another driver attempted to extinguish the fire, but was unsuccessful. the police and fire departments were called to the scene and a report was filed. the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. the contact does not know if her vin is included in nhtsa campaign id number 05v388000 (vehicle speed control). the failure and current mileages were less than 110,000.
03/03/2008980001
 In march 08, my f150 4.6l engine blew a spark plug...fuel was close to the exhaust manifold. i was very concerned that it would ignite, so i remained clear of the vehicle for quite some time, giving the fuel time to evaporate. this is a big problem, please step up and do what is right. ford should recall these vehicles. *tr
11/01/2007109000103/11/2004
 Filed a report #10207914. the vin number was incorrect. the correct vin no. is herein. engine fire - ford f-150 - parked at 4am - electrical - source of fire. completely totaled. police and fire departments filed reports. i live in mexico in cabo san lucas. truck was purchased at galpin ford in north hollywood, ca. *tr
09/22/200778000107/05/2005
 (1) vehicle was parked in my driveway (2) vehicle burst into flames starting in the engine compartment (on the drivers side) (3)fire department called to suppress fire as well as my attempting with a garden hose only damage was to vehicle and some scars on driveway. *tr
08/28/2007121000110/15/2000
 My 2001 ford f-150 supercrew caught fire spontaneously after sitting parked for several hours. *jb
04/21/20071030001
 My house burned down -- it appears that the cause of the fire was my 2001 f150 truck. the fire started at approx 3:00 am in the garage. my insurance company, country companies has a team of investigators onsite going through the debris. *tr
03/29/2007110000106/01/2005
 Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire which originated from the hood. the only part of the vehicle that was not destroyed was the bed. ford advised the contact to send documentation and pictures of the vehicle, and stated that even though there was a recall on the year, make, and model of the vehicle, it could not be determined that the explosion was a result of the recall, not even by the vin. the manufacturer stated that there was nothing they could do, and that the contact could take legal action if necessary. the manufacturer concluded that the cause of the fire was electrical. the failure mileage was 110,000. ak
02/24/2007160000111/16/2004
 Tl* - the contact called regarding the 2001 ford f150. the contact was traveling at 60 mph when he started to smell smoke. the contact looked out of the rearview mirror and saw sparks hitting the road. the contact pulled the vehicle over. looked under the vehicle and saw flames. he then left the vehicle. the vehicle became engulfed in flames and was destroyed. the fire department extinguished the fire and determined the cause of the fire as electrical. the contact was unsure whether a police or fire report was filed. the vehicle was towed away. the failure mileage is approximately 160,000. there were no injuries.*ak ford claimed the recall had been fixed. updated 03/19/07. *jb
11/13/2006211/30/2003
 Windshield leak on 2001 f150 has leaked into gem module and fuse box. now in shop for second time ford dealer will now replace windshield and other electrical components. first trip to shop they said it was the battery. i paid for that and the towing charge. a bit of internet searching leads me to believe this is a well known and documented problem with ford trucks and suvs. odi has looked into this before. *jb
09/25/2006152000104/07/2006
 Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked for six hours in the driveway next to a residence, it became engulfed in flames. the fire originated from under the hood. the fire department was called and extinguished the fire. an additional vehicle parked next to the truck and part of the contact's house was also damaged from the fire. there were no problems with the vehicle prior to the incident. the manufacturer was contacted and verified the vehicle was included in the recall. the contact stated a recall notice was never received. updated 10/17/2006 - *nm
04/25/200680000204/10/2002
 Spark plug blowout. 2nd. time. *jb
03/03/200616111/30/2004
 My 2001 ford f150 xlt crew cab ejected a spark plug on 03-03-06. the ejected spark plug came from the second cylinder from the firewall, on the passengers side. the engine in this truck is a 5.4 triton. the fuel rail is in the flight path of the spark plug when it becomes a projectile. this has the potential to become a major disaster, if the fuel rail ruptures. because with the engine running the coil on the spark plug can and will ignite the spraying fuel. the cylinder heads on these 5.4 tritons engine must have a major defect and needs to be recalled by ford motor company, as soon as possible. *jb
12/14/2005108/22/2000
 Preliminary data.. ford f150 2001 supercrew was left unattended while shopping. upon return i noted a puddle of fluid that was not present earlier under the vehicle. upon leaning down on the drivers side front to inspect for the source of the leak small flames were noted in the engine compartment. upon opening the hood for further inspection it was noted that the rear driver side of the engine compartment was on fire (appearing to me and other observers to be electrical in nature) with the brake fluid reservoir completed melted. the flames first observed were forced by the molten plastic dripping down into the engine compartment. the fire department was notified but thanks to some employees of the shop and the availability there of an approved extinguisher, the fire was terminated before the arrival of the fire department some 7 minutes later. comments were made by others and later by internet research that the damage has all of the appearances of being forced by the speed control deactivation switch issue. the vehicle is currently under evaluation by a ford dealership and my insurance company. fortunately the vehicle was unoccupied at the time and was in the middle of a strip center parking lot with no vehicles around it should the fire had time to develop further. earlier or later, it could have easily consumed my home.*jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
07/03/2006120000111/13/2004
 1 month ago my 2001 f150 would not crank. i checked the fuse and the #6 fuse (5 amp) had blown. i replaced it with a new 5 amp fuse and it blew again. i called our roadside assistance and asked that the truck be towed as we wanted to know why it was blowing the fuse each time we replaced it. the repair shop had the truck for 2 days and could not duplicate the problem about 10 days later it blew a fuse again. this time it was the #15 fuse(still a 5 amp fuse) and this time the truck would crank but would not go out of park. called a tow truck again and had it taken to a different repair shop that night. i spoke with the repair shop owner on sat july 1 and told him it was a secondary vehicle and as this was a holiday weekend not to rush. just when they opened back up after the holiday if he could get it fixed then. on the morning of july 4th 2006 we were called around 10:30 am by the repair shop owner, who was also a tenant in this building, that our truck had caught on fire during the night and was a total loss. he asked that we come right over. we called our insurance on the way as we luckily still had full coverage even though our truck was paid for. the auto repair shop had all the bay doors cut open by the fire department during the night(july 3rd) and there were several other cars in the building that were damaged also. at least one of which was a total loss also. the building had water and smoke damage even in its restroom. the repair shop has not been able to open all week and who knows how large his deductible, etc is. i have since found out my ford 2003 excursion has a fire recall on it. i am terrified to have my children in it or have it near my home or someone else's as i don't want to be responsible if it happens again. i have also found out that in my neighborhood of 26 houses. the man 4 doors down had his f150 burn down in his driveway during the night. it happened the month prior to us moving here. *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
02/26/200779000208/27/2001
 My 2001 ford f-150 truck had a spark plug eject from the cylinder and hit the fuel rail while on the highway on 9-1-06 (70,000 miles on odometer). i had the truck hauled to nearest service center where they fixed the cylinder with a repair kit made for this problem. on 2-26-07 at 79 thousand miles another plug ejected with the same consequence. now the entire head has to be replaced at a cost of $3600 to me. *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
02/10/2007930003
 Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. while driving 40 mph the vehicle made a loud popping sound similar to a truck back firing. the mechanic stated the spark plug and coils werecausing the failure. this failure occurred on 2 previous occasions. the recent failure the mechanic was unable to repair by changing the spark plugs, the damagewas more advanced and costly. most ford trucks experienced this failure at 8 years. the vehicle was towed, and was currently at the dealer for repair. the failure and current mileage were 93000.*ak
10/09/200648578104/17/2005
 I went fishing one early morning and i stopped for gas and noticed that my lights would not turn off. i normally keep the switch in the auto-detect mode. i switched to off and they still would not turn off. after getting to the dock, i turned off the motor and locked it. my f-150's headlights would not turn off and would blink on and off. the switch would not work, nor did locking the vehicle turn off the lights. i expected the battery saver would activate to turn off the exterior lamps. it also failed. the battery died and i had to be towed into the dealer. dealer states it was a wiring harness (#12, #160 and #161) that shorted a relay and killed the battery. the parts were not covered under warranty. parts and labor were $612. *nm
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
03/30/201095000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-150. the contact stated after parking the vehicle, she observed smoke coming from under the hood. the contact found the wiring under the hood had burned and melted. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting an assessment of the failure. the current and failure mileages were 95,000.
12/22/200797500110/20/2006
 2001 f150 superext cab caught fire on 12/22/07. essurance has investigated the fire to be caused by the cruise control malfunction. *cn