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1997 Ford F-250Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 304 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford F-250, most often about the tires. It is covered by 10 safety recalls.

28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.6× the F-250 median · #3 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls10Free fix at dealersOwner complaints30449 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage57kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 26, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Ford F-250 has problems

304 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
Tires423
Power train342
Service brakes, hydraulic304
Suspension300
Engine and engine cooling292
Fuel system, gasoline242
Steering234
Electrical system1912
Structure181
14 other systems7513

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

10 recalls

1997 Ford F-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

Tank assembly: mounting

Recall 11V-385 · Jul 29, 2011 · 1,100,000 vehicles

Risk. AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Gear box: shaft sector

Recall 03V-196 · May 27, 2003 · 171,446 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 6 more recalls
–no report yet

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 98V-095 · May 13, 1998 · 1,520,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 97V-171 · Oct 7, 1997 · 866,000 vehicles

Risk. THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: master cylinder

Recall 96V-184 · Sep 25, 1996 · 1,200 vehicles

Risk. A LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKING CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

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 F-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 F-250 median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONEA02001 · closed May 29, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-196
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA05005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
    Led to recall 05V-388
In owners' words

What F-250 owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F250 LD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VIBRATION OF THE SPARE TIRE RUBS AGAINST AND CREATES A HOLE IN THE REAR FUEL TANK. THE SPARE TIRE IS SECURELY MOUNTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS…
Complaint 10246641 · Oct 24, 2008 · 57,300 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-250 LD. THE VEHICLE HAS MILESTONE 1000R20, SIZE 265-75/16 TIRES. THE WIRES WERE EXPOSED FROM THE SIDES OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRES. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE TIRE BECAUSE THEY WERE DANGEROUS. THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED…
Complaint 10197887 · Jul 30, 2007 · 219,330 miles
ALL FOUR MICHELIN BRAND TIRES HAD SIDEWALL CRACKS. 2.5 YEARS OLD WITH @ 30,000 MILES ON THEM. THESE CRACKS DEVELOPED IN A MATTER OF TWO TO THREE WEEKS. HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR REPLACED. *JB
Complaint 10157766 · May 17, 2006

Own a 1997 F-250?

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