Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Ford F-150, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling529
- Tires305
- Structure226
- Vehicle speed control223
- Fuel system, gasoline215
- Service brakes, hydraulic213
- Suspension204
- Steering202
- Electrical system198
- Power train151
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 127 injuries and 14 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 161 1997 F-150 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 102 people died inside them, and 51 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Ford F-150 failed the safety check 1.73% of the time — 8% more often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 148,803 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 10 variants: combined 13.7–17.4 L/100 km (about 14–17 mpg US), CO₂ 315–400 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.5 | 11.5 | 13.7 |
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.6 | 11.8 | 13.9 |
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.7 | 11.9 | 14.5 |
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.8 | 12.2 | 14.7 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.5 | 12.9 | 14.9 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.2 | 13.6 | 15.6 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.0 | 13.9 | 16.2 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.3 | 14.1 | 16.4 |
| F-150 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.8 | 13.9 | 16.6 |
| F-150 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 19.5 | 14.9 | 17.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
13 Transport Canada recalls for the 1997 Ford F-150.
| 2019420 21 Aug 2019 | Other Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempere… |
| 2011281 1 Aug 2011 | Fuel System On certain 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250, and 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently operate… |
| 2005028 14 Feb 2005 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
| 2004164 18 May 2004 | Steering On certain vehicles, Ford has issued a scheduled maintenance guide update which specifies that every 20 000 kms, the steering linkage, which includes tie-rod en… |
| 2003141 27 May 2003 | Steering On certain vehicles, the intermediate steering shaft yoke may not have been properly seated onto the steering gear input shaft during installation. In this con… |
| 2000211 29 Sept 2000 | Fuel System On certain vehicles equipped with a manual 4X4 transfer case shifter, fuel line abrasion could occur as the result of the fuel line rubbing against the dash pan… |
| 1998147 21 Jul 1998 | Suspension NOTE: 4X4 VEHICLES. IF THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECTED TO REAR AXLE LOADING WHICH EXCEEDS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING, THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS MAY BE OVERSTRESSED RESU… |
| 1998095 12 May 1998 | Suspension ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE. … |
| 1998081 23 Apr 1998 | Fuel System VEHICLE OPERATION AT PROLONGED HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE ICE DEPOSITS TO FORM IN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE ICE MAY INTERFERE WITH THE… |
| 1997180 17 Oct 1997 | Structure ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEATED AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE O… |
| 1997170 8 Oct 1997 | Powertrain THE TRANSMISSION BRACKET END FITTING MAY SEPARATE FROM THE SHIFT CABLE CONDUIT. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION … |
| 1997013 22 Jan 1997 | Seats And Restraints VEHICLES MAY HAVE MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. A MISSING ATTACHMENT WOULD MOST LIKELY BE DETECTED BY THE OCCUPANT UPON INIT… |
| 1997010 21 Jan 1997 | Engine OPERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER EXTENDED INTERVALS DURING EXTREME COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, MAY RESULT IN ICE FORMING IN THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE ENGINE. THIS … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT YOKE SEPARATES FROM THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT, THE STEERING SYSTEM BECOMES DISCONNECTED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS MANUFACTURED AT THE KANSAS CITY OR NORFOLK ASSEMBLY PLANTS. THE FRONT FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY COULD HAVE A HOLE RUBBED THROUGH IN ONE OF TWO LOCATIONS. THE FIRST LOCATION IS BELOW THE FUEL RAIL CONNECTION WHERE THE FLEXIBLE HOSE IS CRIMPED TO THE STEEL TUBE. THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE FRONT FUEL LINE TO THE TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE BEEN BENT DURING ASSEMBLY. THE SECOND LOCATION IS AT THE REAR STEEL TUBE SECTION FORWARD OF THE REAR BRACKET. DURING INSTALLATION THE REAR STEEL TUBES OF THE FRONT FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY COULD HAVE BEEN BENT DOWNWARD. IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL 4XZ4 TRANSFER CASE SHIFTER, THE SHIFTER LINKAGE MAY CONTACT THE STEEL TUBES AS IT IS BEING SHIFTED BETWEEN 4H, 4L, 2L AND NEUTRAL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE VEHICLES WERE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS. IF THE VEHICLE IS OVERLOADED, THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS CAN BE OVERSTRESSED. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE SPRING CAN OCCUR. THE CENTER LEAF OF THE SPRING CAN FRACTURE AT THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE SPRING SEAT AND, IN SOME CASES, CONTACT THE FUEL TANK.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 4.2L ENGINE AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, NEW YORK, VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, MAINE, MICHIGAN, IDAHO, WYOMING, SOUTH DAKOTA, COLORADO, NEBRASKA, KANSAS, IOWA, MISSOURI, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, AND MASSACHUSETTS. THE THROTTLE IS UNABLE TO RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE FORMING IN THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RANGES FROM -10 TO -40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT FULLY ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET, THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY CAN COME OUT OF THE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK."
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TRANSMISSION BRACKET END FITTING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN OPERATOR INABILITY TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION.
THE SEAT ELT ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS ARE MISSING OR MISINSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES.
VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN (UPPER PENINSULA), NEW YORK, MAINE, VERMONT, AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. OPERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DURING EXTREME COLD, NORTHERN CLIMATE WINTER CONDITIONS, CAN RESULT IN ICE FORMING IN THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE ENGINE.
THE RETAINER CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING.
THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1997 Ford F-150: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636406 | SNOW PACKING OF THE AIR FILTER WHEN DRIVING IN SEVERE SNOW CONDITIONS MAY EXHIBIT LOSS OF POWER AND / OR THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATING. *TT |
| 636326 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. *TT |
| 636076 | SOME BI-FUEL CANG AND LPG VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO START CONDITION. *TT |
| 630515 | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT |
| 630320 | SOME DEDICATED COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A ROUGH IDLE, OR NO START IN COLD CONDITIONS. *TT |
| 630202 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT CORROSION AT THE ATTACHMENT POINT OF THE STARTER CABLE B+ TERMINAL, AT THE STARTER SOLENOID. *TT |
| 630111 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS INCLUDING LACKS POWER, HESITATES, HARD TO START, AND/OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED AND PRODUCE POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0103, P0172 AND P0175. *TT |
| 630001 | SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT |
| 627927 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT |
| 627914 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HIGH IDLE AND/OR PCV SYSTEM ICING AFTER STEADY STATE DRIVING IN EXTREME COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L ENGINE BUILT THORUGH 1/24/2000. *TT |
| 627766 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO CRANK, NO START CONDITION DUE TO CORROSION OF THE STARTER CABLE B+ TERMINAL AT THE STARTER SOLENOID. *TT |
| 627762 | A CONDITION MAY EXIST, WHERE THROTTLE STICKING MAY OCCUR ON A FEW VEHICLES IN VERY COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AFTER OPERATING AT STEADY SPEED OR EXTENDED IDLE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. *TT |
| 627680 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A GRABBING CONDITION FROM THE REAR DRUM BRAKES DURING THE FIRST FEW BRAKE APPLICATIONS AFTER EXTENDED HUMIDITY EXPOSURE. *TT |
| 625810 | CONCERNS WITH CORRODED POSITIVE STARTER CABLE. *TT |
| 625804 | DEDICATED CNG REGULATOR BOWL KIT AVAILABLE. *JG |
| 625715 | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB |
| 625674 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A COSMETIC CRACK IN THE OUTER DOOR PANEL AT THE LOWER REAR CORNER OF WINDOW OPENING.*JB |
| 624867 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE LOCKING TAILGATES MAY EXHIBIT A TAILGATE LOCKING ITSELF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN OVER ROUGH ROADS OR IS SLAMMED SHUT. *ET |
| 624689 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FUEL FILL VALVE SEALING CONDITION. *YD |
| 624099 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT WATER IN THE TRANSFER CASE, THIS COULD CAUSE LOW RANGE 4X4 LAMP TO ILLUMINATE, SHORT OF TRANSFER CASE SWITCH, OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BE ERRATIC OR INOPERATIVE. *SLC |
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 623944 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC |
| 620156 | A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE A DRIVELINE VIBRATION AND / OR A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM THE EXTENSION HOUSING SEAL AREA MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE EXTENSION HOUSING BUSHING OR SEAL WALKING / SPINNING OUT DUE TO EXCESS DRIVESHAFT FLEXING DURING EXTENDED HIGH SPEED OPERATION. *TT |
| 619424 | SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE IN 2001 VEHICLES - SAE 5W-20 MOTOR OIL. *TT |
| 618636 | THIS BULLETIN ADDRESSES CONCERNS A NOISE AT INTIAL ENGINE STARTUP WHEN COLD FROM THE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT. *JB |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
Fuel Tank Strap Corrosion/Rust
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION
STEERING COLUMN
REAR SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE
ALLEGED LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
TIE ROD END FAILURES
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL
ICE FORMATION IN THE THROTTLE BODY
INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION TORSION BAR
WHEEL SEPARATION
WHEEL SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE
FAILURE TRANSMISSION PARK ENGAGEMENT/LOC
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation