no report yet
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
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…
1997 Ford EconolineProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 79 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Econoline, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 12, 2014. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Ford Econoline has problems
79 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
20Service brakes, hydraulic4 crash/fire/injury
13Tires
11Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
9Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
7Vehicle speed control2 crash/fire/injury
7Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury
5Suspension
4Steering
3Fuel system, gasoline
168 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 20 | 4 |
| Tires | 13 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 1 |
| Visibility | 9 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 1 |
| Suspension | 5 | 1 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 16 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1997 Ford Econoline 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
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. IF THE BATTERY CABLE OR STARTER WIRE INSULATION IS DAMAGED BY SUCH CONTACT, A SHORT TO GROUND CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE WIRING AND POSSIBLE…
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 Econoline 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 Econoline median. How we score
'67'69'71'72'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'07'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Ford Econoline safety ratings
1997 Ford Econoline in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Ford Econoline, and the recalls they led to.
- SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADNo recall
In owners' words
What Econoline owners report
Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY WOULD ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER, WHEN CALLED, STATED THAT THE MASTER…
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AT 40 MPH THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A VEHICLE ROLLOVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED SHORT SUDDENLY. APPLIED BRAKES (ABS) & BRAKES FAILED. REARENDED OTHER VEHICLES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC CHANGED MASTER CYLINDER, BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM.*AK BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WHEN ABS ARE PUMPING. *SLC
Own a 1997 Econoline?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.