13 problems related to ignition have been reported for the 1997 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Spark plug blew out while running. I have only had the plugs changed once by the Ford dealer. I have read on the Ford f150 forums that this is very common on the 5. 4 engine as they have very few threads holding the plug in. I am told Ford fixed the problem in 2002 but has not recalled the earlier trucks.
Our 1997 Ford f150 pickup truck had been turned off for at least 6 hours, sitting in our parking lot, when it caught fire on the night of June 23, 2005. The key was not in the ignition. Upon hearing the fire and coming out to the parking lot to investigate, we called the fire department, who came and extinguished the fire. No other cars or buildings caught on fire, although some nearby hoses and bottles of automotive fluid were damaged.
The vehicle was sitting 20 min. There were no lights or warnings that a problem would occur. The vehicle was regularly serviced. The owner was inside the house and heard a pop sound and then looked outside and saw flames coming from a hole in the hood. Flames were about 2 or 3 foot high. There was a fire investigation #0002302 which states the origin of the fire was technical processing center and cause of fire was the ignition of an unspecified short circuit arch. Police report was filed. It was also reported to insurance company. Vehicle was a total loss. Vehicle has not had other problems before. The police report # 7619.
My 1997 Ford f150 started on fire after being parked for 10 hours. The keys were not in the ignition.
My 1997 Ford pickup burned up in front of my house on may 29th. No keys were in the ignition. It had been parked for 10 hours.
I had a tune-up performed by the five-star Ford dealership in north richland hills, texas in July 2001. On July 3, 2004, I was driving on a highway when I heard a loud popping noise from the engine. I later found that the #3 sparkplug had blown free from the engine and had stripped all threads from the aluminum head. The Ford dealership denies any responsibility for the defective head or for damaging the head by improper installation of the sparkplug.
Whle traveling at highway speed a spark plug broke. As a result of broken spark plug, engine started knocking severely. Truck had to be towed to a Ford dealership because of damages to head and rocker arm.
Contacted Ford on national 800 number. Supervisor said Ford will not admit occurrence of spark plugs blowing out of their engines. However, they were quick to respond they would replace the aluminum head for $1,500. . . . Says it is not a Ford defect. However, I am finding this is a fairly common problem. The local Ford shop says they routinely see this problem and it is only covered if under warranty. Since my truck is a used vehicle . . . Not covered. When the spark plug blew out, the sudden bang and following loud noise caused me to swerve on the highway. . . . Fortunately there was nobody next to me at the time. I got the impression from the national Ford rep. They will continue to ignore this problem until the government forces them to do something about it.
While decelerating or coming to a stop vehicle stalls unexpectedly which causes a loss of power steering/brakes , etc. Please provide further information.
Purchased vehicle new in April 1997. From the third week of owning vehicle, engine shakes, sputters, and stalls when driving. Ford has attempted 13 times to fix problem. They replaced the engine long block on 7/24/00. Engine exhibited the same problem less then 1000 miles later. Ford once again replaced only (bad parts) in long block this time. Till this date engine still exhibits same problem. Ford's position is their representatives made the decision my vehicle is fine, so I'm stuck with it. Today, oct 22, I have another appoitment because of a loud rattle and engine problems. If requested, I can submit all invoices.
One week after repair were done same problem arose. No safety defect indicated.
Engine shakes and is not performing on all cylinders due to spark plug failures/rusting that is caused by uninsulated a/c pipe dripping water on to spark plug. Yh.
While driving and without warning spark plugs burned out, and vehicle became inoperable. Dealer has been notified, and has serviced vehicle for same problem twice. But had no solution for problem.