6.9
fairly significant- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 9,065 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
While driving consumer heard a loud knocking noise from the front. While vehicle was parked, during a self inspection, the driver side rear leaf spring had cracked. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both rear driver's side 'sand passenger side rear leaf spring needed to be replaced due to a crack.
- Boerne, TX, USA
I recently experienced a problem with my 1997 F150 4X4 extended cab pickup. The middle, right rear leaf spring broke and was ejected with great force from under the truck. I am the original owner, and I remember receiving a recall notice from Ford in August 1998 detailing this problem. I took my truck to my local Ford dealer, earnhardt Ford, on October 10, 1998, and the dealer installed clips on the front portion of both springs. I retrieved the ejected piece of the broken spring from the side of the road, and I noticed that the break was rusty. The truck has been in Arizona or Nevada since new, so to me this indicates that the spring probably had been broken for some time. Also just prior to the spring ejecting, I had been involved a very minor rear end collision (the car that hit me only broke my hitch cover). I theorize that somehow the force of the car hitting the back of my truck must have repositioned the broken spring in such a way that placed stress on the front retaining clip shearing it and allowing the spring to be ejected. I use my truck for commuting which is hardly severe duty use. Leaf springs should not fail after only 87K miles, and if they do break, they shouldnT eject. Fortunately, I was in the right-hand lane and the spring ejected into a vacant dirt lot so no one was hurt and no property was damaged. I had both rear leaf springs replaced at gaudin Ford, in las vegas on April 25, 2003. I asked the dealer if Ford would cover the cost of the repair. Their answer was no. I believe that Ford should step up and cover the cost of my repair. This was not an inexpensive fix. What happen to me is exactly what Ford warned against their August 1998 recall letter. Rear leaf springs should not fail after only 87K miles of normal use, and fact that the middle spring was ejected shows there is still a safety issue. I still have the part of broken spring that I retrieved from the lot.
- Henderson, NV, USA
There is a safety recall on my 1997 Ford F150, 98V161000, relating to fractured leaf spring. According to Ford, this safety recall was applied to my vehicle in 2001. I heard a noise from the back of my truck when starting from a stopped position, and began looking around. I see that the center leaf spring on the rear of my truck is broken, exactly the problem that is described in the safety recall 98V161000 (98S18 per Ford). I contacted the local Ford dealer. They show no outstanding campaigns against my VIN. After about 5 attempts to get someone at Ford to explain this recall to me, I finally got in touch with Ford customer service, and spoke with a representative named tisha. She informed me that this recall had been applied to my vehicle by leigh Ford, and that Ford will not cover this repair. I have two complaints. 1. safety concern. The leaf spring is broken, and may contact the fuel tank and cause a leak as described. Ford did not seem concerned about this. Was this recall applied correctly" was the fracture there to begin with, and just overlooked" I don't know if it is safe to even drive this until this is repaired. 2. this is a known problem and Ford should pay to have this safety issue repaired correctly and immediately.
- Hillsborough, NC, USA
While driving, the left rear tire experienced a blowout, this was due to a broken leaf spring which had gouged the tire, approximately four months later, the same thing happened to the right rear tire.
- Grass Valley, CA, USA
Noticed broken springs 10/17/2001 right side spring was rubbing against tire very low speed 10 mph or less.
- Las Cruces, NM, USA
While driving, leaf spring that holds axle broke. Vehicle frame dropped almost touching wheels. Could have slashed the tires. Consumer had the vehicle serviced the day the leaf spring broke. Consumer believes this is the reason the rear pinion seal was leaking. Consumer has pictures of the breakage that shows the rust at the broken site. Both rear springs were replaced. The left spring was weak.
- Little Rock, AR, USA
Vehicle was serviced for safety recall 98S18, for rear leaf spring clips, however after the installation of the spring clips, the rear spring leaf assembly broke causing damage to consumers vehicle which resulted in having the tire replaced.
- Martinez, CA, USA
Vehicle was serviced for safety recall 98S18, for rear leaf spring clips, however after the installation of the spring clips, the rear spring leaf assembly broke causing damage to consumers vehicle which resulted in having the tire replaced.
- Martinez, CA, USA
Consumer 98V161000 repairs were done by dealer. After repairs were done dealer installed clip on forward end of rear springs. Consumer stated apparently dealer did not replace springs on vehicle because springs broke. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated he did what recall required.
- Las Cruces, NM, USA
Rear leaf springs had to be replaced in 1999. Currently, they need to be replaced again. There is recall 98V161000. But Ford claimed this vehicle was not included due to VIN.
- Arroyo Grande, CA, USA
Rear leaf springs broke which could come into contact with fuel tank, causing damage to the tank, and resulting in a fuel leakage. Also, recall number 98V161000, vehicle not included.
- Milford, OH, USA
Left rear lower leaf spring loosens and spins out from the ones on top of it.therefore the left side suspension is not fully supported.if truck is fully loaded failure of the suspension and left rear wheel lockup is possiable.I have read of this from various sources.
- Old Bridge, NJ, USA
Consumer received manufacturer's recall notice R98S18/rear spring assembly: Leaf. Recall repairs were suppose to prevent the problem from occurring again. Instead, rear spring leaf broke. Dealership stated that consumer had done it, and that the warranty was only for 12 months.
- Ozark, AL, USA
There is a broken rear spring which could cause the driver to lose control of vehicle. Dealer has seen vehicle. Radiator, engine mounts and head gasket have all failed. Owner paid for repairs.
- Disputanta, VA, USA
Rear leaf spring snapped under normal use, frame came down on the axle due to failure. Mjs
- Unk, UN, USA
Rear spring leaf broke after recall repair causing the rear tire to shred. (98V-161) nlm
- Boise, ID, USA
The rear suspension, springs/ shocks failed, resulting in vibration.
- Temecula, CA, USA
My truck was independently disgnosed to have the exact problem that is discribed in NHTSA campaign # 98V161000. When I contacted Ford they said that my VIN # is not part of the recall. I don't understand...I have the exact problem on the exact vehicle of the recall and just because they have the ability to say that my truck is not part of the recall, Ford can get off without fixing the problem. If it is that easy for the manufacturerto get off paying for safety related defects, the system is broken!
- Seattle, WA, USA
Rear leaf spring separation of lower leaf from upper part of spring. Problem was resolved by dealer under warranty by replacing both rear leaf spring assemblies. The part that failed appears to be a shear pin that locates and mantains the alignment of the leaf spring layers.
- Hazlet, NJ, USA
- Forth Campbell, KY, USA