F 150 2WD Pickup V8-4.6L CNG SOHC VIN 9 (1997)
Bumper: Customer Interest
Front Bumper - Cracks/Rusting
Article No.
96-17-16
08/12/96
BUMPER - FRONT - PREMATURE SIGNS OF WEAR AND/OR CHROME CRACKING - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 2/11/96
LIGHT TRUCK:
1996 BRONCO, ECONOLINE, EXPLORER, F-150-350 SERIES
1997 F-150
ISSUE:
Certain 1996 model year F-150-350 Series, Bronco, Explorer, Econoline and 1997 F-150 vehicles built from 8/1/95 through 2/11/96 may have been built
with bumpers that contain sub-standard chrome. The chrome on the front bumpers may crack very prematurely. The cracks may look like scratches on
the top of the bumpers or lines around the vent holes or fog lamp openings. These lines and other conditions will allow the bumper to rust. All bumpers
with this condition will rust within 18 months of production.
ACTION:
Replace the front bumpers with revised bumpers. The revised bumpers have a more robust chrome coating and should prevent the bumper surface from
premature rust. Refer to the following text for service details.
Replace any bumpers that exhibit hairline cracking on the flat surfaces as shown in the following Figures. Refer to the appropriate Service/Workshop
Manual for bumper removal and replacement procedures.
Reference Figures for vehicle lines:
^
1997 F-150 4X4 XL, XLT and Lariat built through 2/11/96 - Figure 1
