1996 Ford F150 5.0L V8

Summary:

Tough as nails, best truck vehicle I've owned

Faults:

The oil pan had to be replaced at 146,000 km, because it had rusted out. This was very unexpected.

The transmission began to leak fluid at 200,000 km, and had to be topped up regularaily, but eventually I fixed it.

The radiator started to leak at 205,000 km, and had to be replaced.

The brake pads on this truck, no matter which brand of brake pad I purchase, seem to wear out very quickly.

The knob for the fan speed is not in sync with the speed of the fan.

The check engine light has been on since I purchased this truck.

General Comments:

The problems I have had with this truck have been very few and far between.

The brake pad thing is probably attributed to my driving style.

This is easily the best vehicle I have ever owned. It's tough, it can tow, it can handle a load, and overall it is solid as a rock.

The only thing I do not like about it is the steering is poor, as one must steer with both hands moving back and forth in order to stay straight.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th April, 2003

1996 Ford F150 XLT 4.8

Summary:

Junk

Faults:

Looking to buy a Ford Truck? Go ahead, I did…

So Ford has been in the press a bit with the Firestone relationship, the safety ratings, the quality issues, the recalls and more. Can all of this press be picking on the Ford Motor Company? Is it really disruptive in the consumers buying habits? Is it time for Ford to treat their customers as an asset to their future?

I would like to relate a brief version of what I have experienced with my Ford purchase. It has to be brief because it is still going on after three years. This truck has been nothing but problems! Ford Corporate is too busy fighting forest fires, bigger than the industry itself, to pay any attention to one of their customers. Ford does have a process to deal with the consumer but that color only comes in black. Ford needs to relate to what their customers are saying and correct their image. To put it blunt, I have never had a new truck that had so many problems that the manufacturer just doesn’t care.

I am not going to go on and list all of the things wrong with this truck, brakes, shocks and clutch, RUST, windows leaking, that ever so specific check engine light that has now become a cabin reading light. Fellow Ford owners already know this, actually maybe they don’t. Chevy, Toyota and Dodge owners know what I am talking about. I have owned other Fords and they have been decent trucks but when you can't be at all consistent with quality and don’t care about your existing customers, it is time for another ride. To make matters even worse the fine folks at Ford we rude, arrogant and refused to help.

I will never, nor recommend to anyone that they buy a Ford period. My family has purchased 6 new Fords over the past 10 years and we’re done! I may sound bitter but my ordeal has lasted over three years and I am just taking upon myself to warn other consumers. Look elsewhere for a truck!

If you disagree, it is you call and I am not going to argue with you. I have done all my arguing with Ford. It is your money and I hope you get a good one when you go to that showroom and deal with those honest sales folks. It is easy to get sucked in, I did those truck look nice!

Something to think about:

Something I noticed today, I had another car at the station today for registration and the only thing getting repaired at the local station were Ford's.

Looking to buy a Ford Truck? Go ahead, I did and would be glad to sell you mine…

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th December, 2001

19th Dec 2001, 10:07

4.8 engine? Really? I agree with your article. Fords SUCK! However, where did the 4.8 come from?

7th Feb 2002, 13:02

4.9 I-6 maybe but a 4.8?

25th Jun 2002, 10:03

No Fords don't suck, but an there old I-6 which is a 4.9 liter definently does, 302 and 351 are a lot better engines.

10th Dec 2002, 15:52

Owned them my entire life and never did a thing, but change oil and drive.