I parked my car in a parking structure at a luxury apartment complex for almost 4 hours. When I came back to get my lunch my co-worker yelled "dude your car is on fire" I immediately try getting a fire extinguisher and finally found one 2 minutes after I found my F-150 on fire. Thankfully the fire extinguisher put out the fire. Some parts under the hood is all burnt up. I contacted Ford to let them know what happened, because by doing some research I found out that there are recalls on the same year as my truck. I had a mechanic check my truck and he told me that everything the recall is describing, happened to my truck. Ford said someone will contact me within 15 business days, unfortunately that is a huge inconvenience for me, due to the fact I use my truck for work an did now have to use my wife car that isn't really reliable when it come to my job. Note that very same day I filled up my tank with 23 gallons worth of gas and this incident could of been worst if I discovered the fire at a later time. I'm really hoping that this issue can be resolved, because I am not able to drive my truck at all.

- North Hills, CA, USA

1997 Ford F-150 4.2L V6. Engine coolant filled engine cylinder resulting in catastrophic engine failure. Replace engine with used one at a cost of $3500. This engine shows signs of same problem. I have driven Ford for 30 years, this is the last one I'll own.

- Ruidoso, NM, USA

1997 Ford F150 truck. Spark plug ejection problem. 3rd time. Every time it has happened, no warning, driving regular, then it blows out. Popping crackling horrible. 2 times same one, this 3rd time same side but different spark plug. Been helicoiled by a licensed professional, paid dearly.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

1997 F150 brakes locking up and engine coolant leak into motor.

- Verona, KY, USA

Truck caught on fire in the middle of the night.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

After driving about 2 miles and parking the vehicle, an engine compartment fire started about 15 minutes after leaving the vehicle.

- Medina, OH, USA

My F-150 was running rough and had a "check engine" light illuminated. I took it to my local dealer for diagnosis and repair. They replaced the spark plugs, plug wires, and ignition coil for a cost of over $500. They stated that the #5 plug had been fouled with antifreeze. It ran fine for about a month, then upon starting my truck, a loud banging or rattling noise could be heard and the engine locked up. Upon doing research on the internet, I found numerous people who claim that a faulty gasket design caused water to leak into one of the cylinders inspection of the cylinders showed coolant to be pooled in the front, passenger-side cylinder. Certified mechanics attribute coolant in the cylinder to be due to a premature gasket failure. If not corrected, the problem leads to major engine destruction. Documented effects of the coolant leak are worn out bearings and surfaces, and broken or bent connecting rods, necessitating an engine rebuild. Ford sent a tsb to some owners of these engines to replace the faulty gasket but not to other owners. The knowledge of a faulty gasket design was withheld from some 1997 4.2L F150 owners. I never received notification, and like many people, have suffered catastrophic engine failure. Average repair costs are around $4500 dollars. Ford did not notify owners of known defects and Ford technicians who should know better than anyone, did not notify me.

- Jonesborough, TN, USA

My 1997 Ford F150 4X4 on the right cylinder head the rear spark plug came out while driving loss of power now I can not drive it makes weird noises is there a recall on this spark plug no longer fits in the head was this a bad flaw to the 4.6 duel overhead cam engine.do I have a claim with Ford Motor Company thank you!

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The vehicle caught fire in the driveway. The dealer advised the contact to bring in the vehicle for repair. The dealer called back and stated that the legal department did not approve the repair of the vehicle. They further stated that they sent the contact a recall notice, but he claimed that it was not received. The contact stated that they sent the notice to a different mailing address, which is why it was not received. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 175,000.

- Cody, WY, USA

Defective engine that causes the intake manifold gasket to leak coolant into the engine oil. I have had this replaced twice and am now in need of it again.

- North Augusta, SC, USA

Went to start truck. Hydro locked. Would not start.

- Valley City, OH, USA

Vehicle running rough and smoking at start up. Mechanic said #4 cycle getting coolant on spark plugs fowling out plugs. Mechanic repaired heads and replaced blown head gasket/tuned up engine/ replaced fuel and air filter/ serviced fuel system / resurfaced heads.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

Front engine cover gasket failure. Currently being repaired, at an estimated cost of $1,400 dollars.

- Foxboro, MA, USA

Noticed low oil pressure notice anti-freeze always low with no leak to be found started up one morning loud clicking noise could be heard.

- West Point, NE, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The engine turned over twice, but did not start. The contact looked under the vehicle and found a piece of metal on the ground along with an oil leak. The contact spoke with a mechanic and they stated that the motor needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 95,843. Updated 04/29/08. The consumer stated the engine was replaced due to a fualty head gasket. Updated

- Centerville, TN, USA

Lower intake manifold side gasket failure. Allows anti-freeze into number one cylinder.

- Mount Morris, NY, USA

I have a 1997 Ford F150 with a 4.2 L engine that just turned 100,000 miles. I bought it second hand from a Ford dealership June 1999 with about 45,000 miles on it. This truck was meticulously cared for over the years. After noticing that the coolant level was down after a a recent refill I refilled it again. I didn't drive the vehicle for about ten days but when I went to start it the engine made a clunk and wouldn't crank. I suspected the battery after a charge yielded the same results. The battery was replaced but still the same result and also after refinishing lead terminals and starter replacement. I checked the oil filler cap and there was a thick light brown substance I had never seen before on it and all the way down around the inside wall of the filler tube. I suspected a leak in the head gasket or elsewhere and went to the internet sites for clarification. After some research I realized I was far from being the only one with this problem. As I suspected the coolant leaks via the loose seal of the head gasket into one or more of the cylinders. It appears that this was a known defect and recall that Ford never conveyed to all the owners of this model.

- Rainier, WA, USA

Engine failure.

- Stanley, WI, USA

Water discovered in the oil of 4.2L F-150 motor.

- Millersport, OH, USA

97 F150 4.2 V6. Started to run rough at start up but stopped after warm up. Couple days later, I started truck and rod blew. Towed in and was told I need another motor. Had remanufactured motor put in $3500.

- Pinellas Park, FL, USA