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1997 Ford E-250Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 24 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford E-250, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints245 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage99kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 7, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Ford E-250 has problems

24 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling62
Tires51
Suspension40
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Electrical system22
Power train21
Steering20
Vehicle speed control20
Visibility10
1 other systems10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1997 Ford E-250 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

Recall 08V-051 · Feb 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles

Risk. AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Recall 04V-562 · Nov 26, 2004 · 1,660 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other E-250 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E-250 median. How we score

'75'76'77'78'79'80'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'16'17'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Ford E-250, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. HVAC Switch FailuresEA10003 · closed Mar 5, 2012
    No recall
  3. SHIFT-LOCKPE99022 · closed May 28, 1999
    No recall
In owners' words

What E-250 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

BLOWN SPARK PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE HEAD, TOOK THE THREADS WITH IT COSTING OVER $3000.00 FORD WILL NOT EXCEPT RESPONSABILITY FOR THERE NEGLIGENCE IN THERE MACHINE SHOP CAN YOU HELP?
Complaint 10051374 · Dec 30, 2003 · 100,000 miles
THIS IS ONE OF 2 1997 VANS I OWN, THE OTHER VAN ENGINE BLEW AT 78000,THIS ONE DID AT 82000,AND IT IS THOUGHT TO BE DUE TO THE REAR SEAL LEAKING ON EXHAUST AND STARTING FIRE AT TANK. *AK
Complaint 737917 · Dec 18, 2000
VEHICLE WAS TOWED DUE TO ENGINE LOCKING UP, ENGINE WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A TSB REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, TSB99-20-7. *SLC
Complaint 566461 · Jul 8, 2002

Own a 1997 E-250?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.