Problems with 2004 Ford F-150 TIRES

While performing schedule maintenance service, the dealership noticed that the front tires were wearing prematurely in the center, and rotated them. the tires wear is inconsistent with the air pressure. *ak

Several weeks after purchasing my 2004 ford f-150, i noticed that the front wheels were beginning to discolor from a build-up of brake dust. less than a month into owning the car, i complained to the dealership and was told that this problem was the result of a ford decision to replace the originally designed brake pads with quiter ones because of previous customer complaints about noisy brakes. they told me there was no alternative but to live with the problem, even though i was having to clean my wheels every three weeks due to the constant build-up of the brake dust. they told me that they have no low-dust version for the f-150's even if i were to pay for it myself. they provided no help or support, even suggesting that we consumers were at fault for this new brake dust problem because of complaints about the previous pads' noise, as if to suggest that we deserve or should have expected at least one of these problems. my position is that when i buy a $40,000 new car, i expect that enough r&d was done to deliver a quiet and low dust brake pad. if this problem isn't remedied by the manufacturer, i guess my only recourse is never to buy ford cars again. it's been around 6 months since my purchase and my truck has about 7000 miles on it; yet i still have to wash the front wheels off at least every three weeks due to the discoloration from the build-up. *jb

Tailgate straps are the same length, but when you put pressure on the tailgate, only the lh tailgate strap supports the tailgate. the truck has vibration and steering wheel nibble problems. they have balanced the tires 4 times, replaced the tires. the fse from ford took the vehicle for a ride and said it needs a new driveshaft. the brake dust is a big problem. you need to wash the wheels daily. ford now has updated pads. i hope they replace them under warranty. two of the rotors are also grooved. the truck has 3000 miles on it. it has been in 5+ times now! the ac unit only had 22 ounces of fliud in it. it is supposed to have 30+. my air was verified to be 8-10 degrees warmer than spec. the gas door (spring) broke. the paint on the hood is flawed. it didn't get fully sprayed on the right front of the hood. both sides of the rear diff. are wet. something is leaking. the seatbelt stitching is coming apart.*ak

Tire failure due to impact while driving on dirt road. tire sidewall shredded, but truck was stopped safely. this is my second tire failure in 6 weeks, and replacements in this tire size are not readily available. i've been w/out a spare for about 10 days now.*ak

Dt*: the contact stated while driving the vehicle 70mph it started to vibrate. the vehicle was taken to a tire dealership to have the vehicle inspected. the mechanic found the problem to be in the tires, there was unusual wear on the tires and severe rounding. therefore, the tires were rotated. the vehicle was driven for three months before the vibration was felt again. the vehicle was taken back to the tire repair shop and all four tires were replaced. once again after driving the vehicle for a short period of time the problem began with the vibration. the vehicle was taken back for inspection, the mechanic found severe rounding of the tires. all four tires were replaced again. the tires on the vehicle have been replaced a total of three times. the manufacturer has been alerted.

The following letter was sent to ford motor company: may 1, 2004 ford motor company customer relations center p.o. box 6248 dearborn, mi 48126 good afternoon. the purpose of this letter is to alert you of a possible problem with hankook tires. i purchased and took delivery of a 2004 f-150 vin#[xxx] on february 20, 2004. this vehicle came equipped with hankook tires. yesterday, april, 31st 2004 while driving the right rear tire split from the rim to the tread after 5,000 miles of highway driving. i am not an expert but i see no sidewall damage that could have caused this failure. i suspect this is simply a badly defective tire. i have started the process of getting a new tire under the limited warranty offered by hankook. i have contacted hankooks corporate headquarters in rancho cucamonga, california. i have alerted my local ford dealer, heritage ford in loveland, colorado but hanook has given me a _x001c_ford hotline number_x001d_ which i was advised to pass on to the dealer as a first step. i will do that first thing on monday may3rd. if ford would like to inspect the tire please let me know promptly. i suspect i will be sent to a local hankook tire dealer for adjustment and they most likely will keep the damaged tire. regards, no injury or vehicle damage occured. the manufacturer has refused to replace the tire saying that failure involved a road hazard. i don't believe that to be the case. i have the tire and would be happy to turn it over to you for examination. [xxx]. *ak *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Dealership indicated that the tires were improperly made from the factory which did not allow them to be balanced, and they shimmied while driving.*ak

Driveline/transmission slips and clunks when accelerating on 2004 f150 4x4. requency: intermittent rought into 2 different dealers and both said could not duplicate therefore could not fix. consequences of failure: if happens while accelerating into merge traffic or intersection could cause loss of power to vehicle. *ak

Tires replaced at less than1,000 miles. rear end replaced at less than 5,000 miles steering whille vibration at high speeds reported from day one. tires rebalanced and front end checked more than 3 times and still have vibration at high speeds. rear electric slideing glass motor bad at 6,000 miles