I've had my truck since Nov. and 3 or 4 times after I start it it says it's in Engine Failsafe Mode WTF is that all about? Anybody experience this? I have 3000 miles on it. when this happens I turn it off and restart it and it's fine.

 

Usually that would mean the radiator has been punched, coolant has been lost, and your V-8 is now a V-6...it's in the limp-home mode. In your case, it's probably an error that should be reported for service it it persists.

 

Your ECM will have stored the trouble codes.

Take it to your dealer and have them pull them. Faulty sensor is the most likely culprit (assuming you don't have a big old hole in your radiator).

 

Thanks for replying so quick, I'm taking it in for my free oil change on Monday so I'll see what they say. Hopefully it's not a big deal, cause other than that I love this truck.

 

I posted this on Friday afternoon, well Friday night on my way home from work everything was fine for about 15min. then the engine jumped into failsafe mode and the check engine light went on It is at the service dept. now I will give an update when I here from them. 3000 miles WTF!!! Anybody else experience this??? On Sat. when I took it in the service guy says "probably not anything catastrophic, it's brand new" then he says there won't be anyone qualified to look at it till monday. Hopefully it's just something small.

 

I haven't made a bunch of noise for about a week, but I have been going through a major problem like that with my truck (5500 miles) A bug has been setting off the electronic throttle control lights and the service engine lights, plus it goes into a limp home mode and runs rough. Dealer has had it three times. Currently they have not been able to fix it even after communicating directly with some top brass in engineering. A rep. is supposed to be calling me today about getting another truck, hope so.

 

Three times to the dealer and they're already talking about a new truck??? Who initiated that conversation, you or the dealer? Sorry to hear about your problem, I hoping mine is less significant. How did yours start?

 

They up and said Friday they were going to re-purchase it. It's just as well with me I don't want that one back anyway if they can't find the problem. It all started one day when the wrench light came on. Then eventually it became more frequent and began setting other lights off. They have updated the pcm and checked various other culprits and I guess in the interest of time and customer satisfaction they are just going to replace truck. I have been without it for some time now.

 

WHOZNEXT, When they agree to buy back your truck is it with the understanding that you are to use that money allotment to buy another new 04 F-150 truck? Can you take your money and run? Can you get them to refund the state sales tax, city tax, registration fees and dealer truck prep and document prep charges?

 

Update 1: called service to check status and the guy said that the tech was on the phone with Ford because they don't know what's causing the problem.




on a side note, I didn't take the truck to the dealer I purchased it from because of the distance. I didn't want to go that far in "limp" mode. I called the dealer where I got it and they suggested I take it to the dealer it is at now. Is this gonna come back to haunt me if this is a major problem?

 

Nope, Its no problem at all, you can take it to any Ford dealer.

 

update 2: I called the service dept. end of day 2-16-04, and the service tech told me that the ford engineer told him that they know of this problem with other trucks and they're working on it, but they don't have a fix right now. I should pick it up as is and drive it until they're able to fix it. At this point I called Ford customer relation center on the advise from the service tech, they were no help and said they would call me back on 2-18-04.Then I called the general manager from the dealer I purchased the truck from and he said to bring it there so his service dept could look at it, and he sent me home in an excursion. The service tech at the first place actually said to me that he would not be buying a new F-150 until they fix all the bugs. That is not the kind of thing a customer wants to here after spending nearly 40k. So far I am pleased with the way my dealer is handling this. Update 3 will come as soon as I know more.

 

Here's my update; I guess this really becoming a major issue for Ford because I think one of the main reasons they are buying mine back is so they can get it back up to Detroit to look at. Three attempts did not fix it. At the present I have found another truck (about 400 miles away was the closest match although it has more stuff on it) I don't know if I could have "cashed out" or not although I think it should be my option. They have never said anything to that effect. I have always just wanted another truck. Basically, I have been told that we'll work sticker to sticker on what mine costed and the new one. As you may have guessed, if there is an overage yours truly has to pay the diff. + tax. Not sure about the other way. They pay all transfer costs etc. tags etc. and have said they would tint my windows and anything else I had done. (nothing else was but a bedliner which I will expect) As far as the time, gas money, inconvenience etc. I was not able to get anywhere with them.

BTW - The new truck will have 3:73 instead of 3:55 do you hink I will see that much of a difference? I was concerned with gas mileage. Also has captains chairs instead of 40/20/40. Guess I might like that better.

 

I had the same thing happen with my truck. Had the wrench light coming on sporadically and brought it to the dealer. They said they were waiting for an update. Now the wrench light is on constantly and the truck runs like @#$@! I brought it to the dealer a second time today and they said the same thing. They talked with Ford and an update will most likely be available in 2 weeks to a month. I asked if it was safe to drive in fail-safe mode. The dealer say's "they say yes". I think after spending 35k on a truckI should not be worrying about crap like this. Apparently I'm not the only one with this problem. This should be a PRIORITY ISSUE WITH FORD!

 

I have had the same problem, local dealer has replaced the PCM twice, download the SW three times. The Check engine light has come on and then just four days ago it went out, and has not come back on. I was also told of a fix to come from Ford, but have not heard anything yet, will update this forum when I hear something.