Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Ford F-250, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires42
- Power train34
- Service brakes, hydraulic30
- Suspension30
- Engine and engine cooling29
- Fuel system, gasoline24
- Steering23
- Electrical system19
- Structure18
- Vehicle speed control15
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 12 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 64 1997 F-250 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 35 people died inside them, and 20 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-250 failed the safety check 1.30% of the time — 19% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 162,000 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 15.7–17.6 L/100 km (about 13–15 mpg US), CO₂ 361–405 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-250 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.9 | 13.0 | 15.7 |
| F-250 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.8 | 13.4 | 16.4 |
| F-250 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.6 | 14.2 | 16.6 |
| F-250 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.9 | 13.9 | 16.7 |
| F-250 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 19.0 | 14.1 | 16.8 |
| F-250 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 20.1 | 14.6 | 17.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
8 Transport Canada recalls for the 1997 Ford F-250.
| 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… |
| 2009292 14 Oct 2009 | Other On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
| 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… |
| 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… |
| 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. … |
| 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… |
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 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
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: 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 AND CHASSIS. THE TIRES ON THESE VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED DURING MOUNTING ONTO THE WHEELS. ONLY TRUCKS PRODUCED AT THE CUAUTITLAN, MEXICO PLANT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 1996, AND JULY 17, 1997, WERE AFFECTED BY THE DEFECT.
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."
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-250: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 633550 | SUBJECT REGARDING HEATER HOSE TO FUEL RAIL FLEX LINE INSPECTION. *JG |
| 630515 | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 625810 | CONCERNS WITH CORRODED POSITIVE STARTER CABLE. *TT |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 618084 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A WATER LEAK AROUND THE REAR (SLIDING) WINDOW. *TT |
| 616826 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L, 5.4L, OR 6.8L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A ROUGH IDLE / MISS AFTER START-UP IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TT |
| 616821 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE BUCK, SURGE, OR JERK (ALSO KNOWN AS HITCHING / HESITATION) WHILE THE SPEED CONTROL IS ACTIVE THROUGH ALL ENGINE TEMPERATURES. *TT |
| 616551 | OIL LEAK FROM THE FRONT OR REAR CYLINDER HEAD OIL SUPPLY RAIL END PLUGS. *TT |
| 616522 | SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT |
| 616520 | A CONDITION MAY EXIST WITH POSSIBLE ELECTRONC DAMAGE OCCURING TO THE COMPUVALVE FROM VOLTAGE SPIKES BETWEEN THE COMPUVALVE CONNECTIONS WHEN CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING THE MAIN COMPUVALVE HARNESS C4025. *TT |
| 616519 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO CRANK / NO START CONDITION IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 12 DEGREES C (10 DEGREES F). *TT |
| 616510 | SAFETY RECALL UPDATE TO REPLACE LOCKING LUG NUTS. *TT |
| 615504 | SOME HEAVY DUTY AND SUPER DUTY VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS TRANSMISSION CONCERNS, INCLUDING STALL ON TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT AND / OR A BUZZ NOISE ON ENGAGEMENT. *TT |
| 615470 | SOME TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) TRUCKS MAY ENCOUNTER A RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE (RFI) CONDITION WHEN USING HAND HELD TWO-WAY RADIOS IN THE RANGE OF 47.18 MHZ. *TT |
| 615416 | SOME SUPER DUTY 7.3L E4OD AND 7.3L 4R100 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS TRANSMISSION CONCERNS, INCLUDING STALL ON TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT AND / OR A BUZZ NOISE ON ENGAGEMENT. *TT |
| 615388 | SUBJECT REGARDING MISFIRE CODES ON ALL ENGINES. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation