1997 Ford F-150 visibility problems

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ENGAGED. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WINDOWS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.”

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN A RAINSTORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REINSTALLED THE GEM MODULE, AS WELL AS INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. THE WIPERS FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE HE INSTALLED FROM FORD WAS DEFECTIVE. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE MECHANIC CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND DETERMINE IF THE AIR BAGS WORK. PRIOR TO THE GEM MODULE FAILURE, SEVERAL COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. AT 30,000 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.”

“BACK WINDOW LEAKS, PLASTIC FRAME THAT HOLDS GLASS ONTO CAB BRAKES WITH TIME. VARIOUS GLASS COMPANIES HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT'S A COMMON THING WITH THE 97-2000 FORD F-150'S IT'S NOT THE RUBBER NOR A WEATHER STRIP IT'S THE PLASTIC FRAME THAT BRAKES WITH TIME. *TR”

“WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DURING RAIN, MANAGED TO PULL OFF ROAD SAFELY. (OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES FAILED AS WELL) WIPERS NO LONGER WORK. VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL REPAIRED. FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. SEE FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 98-9-13 AND FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 . *TR”

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WATER LEAK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OR A FIREWALL THAT CAUSED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSE BOX OR THE GEM MODULE. THE FAILURE OCCURS DURING THE RAIN. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RPM, THE FUSE BOX WOULD SHORT OUT. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND NO LONGER LEAKS. AN IMPROPER SEAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LEAKAGE. UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB”

“CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT ELECTRICAL LIGHT,WINDOWS, AND LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. CONSUMER WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION THIS WEEK. *AK THE A/C UNIT, DOME LIGHT, AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *SC”