: the contact stated the vehicle caught fire and burned. The vehicle was parked for 2 hours prior to the fire. The fire department stated in a written report the fire started in the engine compartment in the driver's side. Extensive property damage was sustained to the contact's house and personal property inside the vehicle. The insurance company investigated and deemed the vehicle a total loss. Additionally, a private fire investigator was hired to investigate the incident and came to the same conclusion as the insurance company. The contact received a recall NHTSA #05V388000 concerning the cruise control switch prior to the fire. Several dealerships were contacted to perform the recall remedy. The dealer's asked the contact not bring the vehicle in for service until the end of February when recall parts would be available. The cruise control switch was not disconnected in the vehicle and was in working order. The engine was replaced by the dealership approximately 2 years ago for unrelated problems. Updated 3/9/2006 -

- Whitmore Lake, MI, USA

My 4.2 V-6 in my 1998 Ford F-150 failed hydro locked after it had ran just fine, looking online I found my self to not be alone, there are numerous amounts of people that have had the same problem and some quite costly repairs, I for one am not in the position to replace a motor that shouldn't have failed in the first place.

- Dodge City, KS, USA

1998, Ford, F150, 4.2 liter V6. Lower intake manifold side gasket failed. Gasket failure led to coolant in number 1 cylinder. Coolant in number 1 cylinder caused the number 1 piston connecting rod to bend. The defective gasket and bent rod are cleaned and available for review. A total engine rebuild was needed to correct the problem.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Ford F150 1998 4WD 4.2L engine 102,0000 miles - when starting truck engine it would run rough then smooth out. Today I heard a loud pop sound. Now it doesn't start at all. After checking several web sites I realized my trouble is not unique. Looked around the internet but never found a recall notice from Ford relating to this issue. Further research seems to imply a major defect that Ford knew about from close to the beginning of manufacturing which they never have done anything about. According to a couple of web forum sites, Ford put out two technical bulletins to their service people but not to the end users/buyers (tsb #99-20-7) (follow up tsb #99B209) that pretty much admitted there was a fault with a gasket and could result in engine failure, as mine seems to have done. The resolution is for the engine to be replaced. Ford should be made to stand behind their faulty manufacturing & fix their errors.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

I have a 1998 Ford F-150 4.2 V6 4X4 truck, which has been brought to my attention by my local Ford dealership mechanic how notorious this motor is for the problem that has erupted with my vehicle, but Ford refuses to take any financial responsibility or action. The truck started making a loud- knocking sound one morning immediately after I started the truck for work. The mechanic explained to me that Ford had a bad intake manifold gasket, which allowed coolant(anti-freeze) to leak into the oil and spark-plugs causing this loud-knocking noise which is a spun rod bearing. I keep regular check-ups on all aspects(oil level, coolant, etc.) if it were a problem that I caused, I would accept full responsibility. It is not my lack of maintenance, but a known issue among the 4.2 V6 Ford motor. Ford Motor Co. Has made my life pure hell. I do not have $4, $5 thousand dollars to replace their mistake. I now struggle to keep a job and make payment on a vehicle that doesn't run. Also, my wife and kid who depend on daddy are ready to leave home because he is a failure( no vehicle+no money=divorce) ( no truck=no job) !!!! enough of my problems, but I'm now ready to start losing what means more than anything in life to me and that is my family. I have researched this problem by speaking with Ford mechanics, reviewing websites, and the general public. Ford has failed and now this internal damage is leading to my personal life. I'm going to lose everything. I hope you will help me and the other thousands of 4.2 V6 owners who desperately need assistance, please! thank you!! ps. I hope one day the owner of Ford, can sleep knowing my little girl/wife will not enjoy christmas as a family due to his greed to fix this error on his behalf. Ever spend christmas morning by your(lonesome)self Mr. Ford? merry christmas.

- Dunbar, WV, USA

Consumer turned Ford F150 on and vehicle hesitated then cranked and began rattling. Head gasket lead water into the cylinder. Refer to recall campaign# DP05005.

- Kiln, MS, USA

About two weeks ago, I noticed that my 1998 Ford F-150 had steamy white exhaust upon start and it would last until sufficient warm-up. At that point, I did not think about it much. At any rate, I went out of town for two weeks and upon my return from my trip, I got in my truck and tried to start it and the engine would not turn over. Initially, I thought it was the battery so, I tried to jump start it to no avail. Next, I tried push starting it and initially the wheels locked up but eventually it started. From that point it was fine however, it wasn't until Friday that I tried to start it and again it was hard to start. When it did it started rattling indicating a possible bent push rod. Upon calling an engine mechanic, he informed me that there had been a rise in 4.2 liter V-6 engine failures because of a known defect. It was at that time that I started doing internet research and came across tsb 99-20-7 and onp 99B29. At this point, my truck is in the shop being diagnosed and I'm sure the mechanic is going to tell me I need a new engine.

- Converse, TX, USA

I changed my spark plugs at the recommended mileage and since that time they do not stay tight in the cylinders. They loosen up and I have to re-tighten them everyday so that they do not blow out of my cylinder head.

- Plattsburgh, NY, USA

Consumer's request assistance in getting Ford to reimburse them for repairs for faulty gasket on their 1998 Ford F150 pickup truck. Water leaked into the oil because of a faulty gasket which then caused the engine to blow. The consumer did some research and found out that the gasket was recall in 1999. The consumer indicated that he never received and notice of a gasket recall. The consumer request that Ford reimburse him for the faulty engine.

- Comfort, TX, USA

Ford F150 head gasket leaked water into the cylinder causing bent rods.** answer required***.

- Kiln, MS, USA

Like many others, my lower intake manifold gasket failed at 132,000 miles, resulting in coolant leaking into the #4 cylinder and causing a hydrolock condition. I replaced the motor. Prior to the hydrolock, I had noticed coolant levels dropping for a year or so prior but thought nothing of it and just periodically topped off the coolant. At the time of failure, I noticed lots of white smoke coming from the exhaust.

- Wetumpka, AL, USA

Overnight hydrolock condition, caused by faulty intake gaskets and cylinder head gaskets, causing immediate and unforseen internal damage up to and including damage to pistons, rods, crankshaft, and bearings. We were non-informed due to Ford's neglet to send appropriate recall notices for both vehicles owned by our family. This is a well documented problem within the internet community, and although Ford did issue recall notices, we did not recieve any to our current knowledge. Ford Motor Company will not fix this problem because apparently it is too late to turn in a recall. The response given by Ford Motor Company does not seem ethical in my eyes, and many consumers are out of transportation and be out the money that this will cost them to fix the problem themselves. These are honest, hard working citizens that have believed in Ford for many years, and for this kind of problem to come up and to have them not do anything about it, removes any shred of confidence still remaining in todays manufactured goods.

- Richardson, TX, USA

Started vehicle and heard a clanging noise under the hood. Immediately turned vehicle off and checked under hood for source. Had a relative to start the truck while I examined the engine for cause. Shortly after 2nd start and stop, oil began dripping under vehicle. Holes had been knocked in the engine block and oil pan. I have the 4.2L V6 engine in my Ford F-150. I now have to replace the engine because of the damage caused by the thrown rod.

- Marietta, GA, USA

While driving 65 mph, the driver heard a loud popping noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the right head needed to be replaced due to a spark plug blowing out. These were the original plugs. According to the consumers research on the internet and talking to service managers, this was a well known problem for the aluminum head 5.4 L V8 engine. The years that were affected were 1997-2002.

- Ventura, CA, USA

Coolant level dropping slowly with no visible leaks. Blown lower intake gasket, filled cylinder and broke # 2 connecting rod.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

Ford F-150 truck exploded and burnt to a crisp. The fire department stated that the fire began under the hood of the vehicle.

- Washington, DC, USA

My 1998 Ford F150 4X4 blew 3 coils within 3 months of each other, culminating with the ignition coil in August 2004. I contacted Ford and was told I was being put on a "recall list" in case others had complaints. When the coils blow, there is a horrible noise from the engine and an immediate loss of power due to the spark plug no longer igniting that cylinder for the engine to run off of. Luckily, I was able to pull over to the side of the road and call a wrecker without incident. All three coils were replaced and I still have receipts. I traded the vehicle in due to the numerous problems it began having.

- Moore, OK, USA

I have a 1998 Ford F150. I was just driving at 45mph and the number 8 spark plug blew out of the head of my truck. Just can't figure out how this would happen. Plugs were replaced 15000 miles ago. It appears this is a common occurrence on the Ford Triton motors after doing some research by talking to parts stores, the internet and the dealer. Dealer says nothing is being done to fix this problem and that no recall was made. I believe this is a dangerous situation. Please help?

- Melbourne, FL, USA

Spark plugs blew out while vehicle was sitting still. A loud noise was heard. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The plugs were the originals. The consumer stated that the spark plug blew out of the head.

- Dover, PA, USA

98 F-150 4.2 V-6, engine failure due to coolant leaking into motor from faulty gasket. Ford put a recall when it was new, but I bought mine from dealer used, now the motor is bad, and I still owe quite a bit on it.

- Pocahontas, AR, USA