NHTSA Complaint #10188379 — 1997 FORD F-150

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND A SIGNIFICANT LOST OF COOLANT RESULTED DUE TO A RESERVOIR FAILURE. AT 80,000 MILES, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE OIL PRESSURE FAILURE, WHICH THE DEALER STATED WAS CAUSED BY A BENT PISTON ROD ON THE CRANK CASE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT BECAUSE THE VIN EXCLUDED THE VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL. FORD CLAIMED TO HAVE ONLY ISSUED A PARTIAL LEVEL B RECALL. THE FAILURE ORIGINATED 6 WEEKS AGO, BUT HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE JUNE OF 2006. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTING WAITING UNTIL THE ENGINE FAILS TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 850 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.