Wiring problems of the 1997 Ford F-150

Pull gear shifter down to d1 and smoke and fire came out of the steering column: all of the instrument lights went out and the truck was unable to use the overdrive function. Replaced several fuses and tried again with the same results. I dismantled the steering column and noticed that the wiring harness is two short and routed around the steering column causing it to break everytime the truck is put into d1. Ford motor company nor any auto store have any parts to repair the problem. The truck is still available for inspection. I took my truck to a Ford dealer and they did not have a fix for the problem. They recommend that I not use d2/d1/overdrive.

There was an electrical fire in the wiring harness connected to the master cylinder (brakes). No damage was done due to quick reaction but it left the brakes without power and the truck without brake lights. The problem is believed to be related to the "switch fire" problem that resulted in a wide-spread Ford recall. The vehicle in question is a 1997 Ford F-150 4x4. Truck was purchased from lease-holder and full warranty was transferred to me. I have received several recall notices but not the one associated with this problem.

1997 F-150 pickup caught fire after returning from the store, 10 minutes later we hear a horn blowing we go to see what is was and the truck was on fire. It is an open claim with my ins. Company right now. This happened on 8-7-2005.

My 1997 F-150 caught fire while parked in my driveway. This vehicle was not driven in 18 hours. My twelve year old daughter and a neighbor put the fire out. In speaking with Ford motor company they have a recall on cruise control deactivation switches but until today it did not go back to my year model. Due to a television broadcast on Friday, August 12, 2005 Ford has now included vehicles up to 1995 however when I spoke with them today they advised it only includes vehicles manufactured at particular plants which does not include my vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to a local Ford dealer and the service department manager stated "more than likely the fire was caused by the cruise control switch". My family and I were fortunate that the vehicle was not parked in the garage where the damage could have been substantial and resulted in a loss of life as my children's bedrooms are located above the garage. I would like to see Ford extend this recall to every vehicle regardless of the plant it was manufactured and am seeking reimbursement of my costs however Ford is denying any problems with my vehicle. Any assistance you could offer to help make this company accept responsibility for their poor manufacturing practices would be appreciated.

1997 Ford F-150 pick up. Caught fire in driveway of residence. Veh had been in driveway for over one hour. Totally distroyed.

While being parked for approximately eight hours vehicle caught on fire. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

While being parked for approximately an hour vehicle suddenly caught on fire. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

While the truck was parked in a parking lot it caught on fire without warning. There were no injuries reported. The driver called the fire department to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed, and declared totaled by the insurance company.

Vehicle was parked and without warning vehicle caughton fire. Driver called the fire department to extinguish the fire. No injuries reported. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.

Vehicle caught on fire while parked in the driveway. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. Then,fire inspector informed the consumer that the fire was started by an electrical short in the steering column.

Vehicle unexpectedly caught on fire when it was parked. Consumer was informed by fire department that an electrical short caused the brake booster and engine to catch on fire. Consumer will inform manufacturer.

While the vehicle was parked a fire started in the engine compartment. The fire was put out, and the dealership was notified.

Complaint received via e-mail. While at work on 9-23-2004, around 12:00 a. M. , my truck caught on fire after being parked for eight hours. It was parked in a gore area on I-70 where we were working. The firemen said it had to be something electrical due to the fact that it started in the engine. My truck was completely destroyed.

An explosion woke us up at approx 4:00 am on July 06. Our 1997 Ford f150 pick up was on fire and destroyed a 2001 4 runner, 2001 larson boat, carport etc. The vehicle had been parked for 2 days and moved once a very short distabce during that time. The fire seemed to come from the engine compartment. Prior to the fire the crusie control stopped working and we had to replace a fuse becuse the vehicle would not come out of park. We replaced the fuse 3 or 4 times. On the last time we just parked the vehicle after the fuse was replaced and did not drive it. The only electronic aftermarket equipment was a stereo proffesionaly installed a year before the fire. The fire did not spread to the house but did spread to another vehicle, the car port, and a boat. 35mm photographs have been taken and will be sent to bruce york. Vehicle was insured liability only.

Vehicle was parked outside of the home. Eight hours later,the vehicle caught on fire. Driver called the fire department to extinguish out the fire. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.

While driving vehicle caught on fire. The cause was undetermined.

Vehicle was parked in the driveway and it caught on fire. The neighbor called the fire department to extinguish the fire. No injuries reported. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. . . . . . . No money paid to consumer by insuranc ecompany. Vehicle still stored in stafford county an dis available for inspection and additional photos.

Vehicle was parked outside the residence. Vehicle was not driven for several hours when it caught on fire. Owner contacted the fire department. The hood melted, as well as the engine block was completely destroyed.

The consumer stated that the wiring harness was to oshort on 1997 Ford F-150. The wires were pulling and stretching when moving the steering wheel column. The consumer thought it was a common problem. This has been a problem for consumer for about year and a half. Vehicle has not been to the dealership. The turn signals and the hazards lights did not work in a certain positions on the steering column. Because of the wires are getting stretched out of the multifunctioning switch. The consumer contacted Ford, but they said that there was no recall.

Vehicle caught on fire after being parked for approximately 5-6 hours due to an electrical problem.

While driving engine light came on, and then went out, then all of a sudden engine died there was no power steering, no brakes, consumer took vehicle in for inspection and was advised by technician that an ignition wire had broke inside the wiring cover.

The truck was sitting in the driveway at 5:10 a. M. And was not running . It had not been used for at least 8 hours . Somehow an electrical arch occurred around the starter which caused the truck to start( note: the truck is a manual transmission and was in 1st gear so it wouldn't move. ) when the arch ocurred , it affected the starter which caused the truck to crash through the garage . It also toasted the starter .

While driving on highway smelled a burning wire odor. Went to start up vehicle in the morning, and no headlights. Circuit breaker was never thrown. Contacted dealer, and he repaired and replaced headlight switch.

Gem module malfunctioned, causing winshield wipers/ power windows and interior lights to be inoperable. Dealer has replaced module.

While driving at 35 mph noticed smoke coming out of defroster. Pulled over and the vehicle was on fire. Fire department came out and put of the fire.

Both windows stopped working every other day. Unable to roll them up or down. Consumer also states the windshield wipers stopped working in the rain, (repetitive)-replace relays. The problem is on going, the pcm chip has been updated, fuses checked, the motor for the window has been replaced and now being checked for a wiring short. Problem may be in the steering column where they replaced a recall part in the ignition. Consumer states, see reference number 8011065.

Consumer had taken the vehicle to dealer for repairs of the lugs: nuts:bolts, but dealer did not had the parts to repair vehicle for the first time, and now the vehicle has the same problem. Dealer has been contacted. Consumer has became aware of recall 98s14, regarding the lugs/nuts/bolts. Steering not operating properly, it locks up when it rains. Transmission does not operate properly, consumer was informed of recall 97s86, however dealer stated that consumer would have to work with their schedule for repairs. Windshield wipers start by themselves. Turn signals worked too fast, dealer found a loose wire. Brakes did not work efficiently, takes a longer distance to stop. A/c was not cold enough. Serpentine belt was replaced. Door was out of adjustment, making it hard to open from the inside.

When it rains/misty or foggy the electrical wiring is causing the vehicle to misfire/ backfire and almost stall, which could cause an accident.

Potential electrical short hazard in the wire bundle located adjacent to the parking brake release mechanism.