MYRModel Year Report

1997 Ford E-250

○ Not enough data
1997 Ford E-250
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:51.140Z

Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
24

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1990: 1 complaint 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 14 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 11 complaints 1995: 15 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 24 complaints 1997 24 1998: 16 complaints 1999: 31 complaints 2000: 18 complaints 2001: 18 complaints 2002: 17 complaints 2002 2003: 17 complaints 2004: 8 complaints 2005: 11 complaints 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 6 complaints 2008: 6 complaints 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 9 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints 2012: 8 complaints 2013: 11 complaints 2014: 7 complaints 2014 2015: 0 complaints 2016: 1 complaint 2017: 2 complaints 2022: 1 complaint 2022 2023: 0 complaints
1990: 1 complaint 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 14 complaints 1992 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 11 complaints 1994 1995: 15 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 24 complaints 1997 24 1998: 16 complaints 1999: 31 complaints 2000: 18 complaints 2000 2001: 18 complaints 2002: 17 complaints 2002 2003: 17 complaints 2004: 8 complaints 2004 2005: 11 complaints 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 6 complaints 2008: 6 complaints 2008 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 9 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints 2012: 8 complaints 2012 2013: 11 complaints 2014: 7 complaints 2014 2015: 0 complaints 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 2 complaints 2022: 1 complaint 2022 2023: 0 complaints
1990: 1 complaint 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 14 complaints 1992 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 11 complaints 1994 1995: 15 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 24 complaints 1997 24 1998: 16 complaints 1999: 31 complaints 2000: 18 complaints 2000 2001: 18 complaints 2002: 17 complaints 2002 2003: 17 complaints 2004: 8 complaints 2004 2005: 11 complaints 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 6 complaints 2008: 6 complaints 2008 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 9 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints 2012: 8 complaints 2012 2013: 11 complaints 2014: 7 complaints 2014 2015: 0 complaints 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 2 complaints 2022: 1 complaint 2022 2023: 0 complaints

1997: 24 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19901
19918
199214
19937
199411
199515
199620
199724
199816
199931
200018
200118
200217
200317
20048
200511
200611
20076
20086
20092
20109
20116
20128
201311
20147
20150
20161
20172
20221
20230

Known problem areas

Only 24 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Engine and engine cooling

6 of 24 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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?

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-30

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-07-19

Tires

5 of 24 total reports mention: tires, most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

INJURY

Service brakes

5 of 24 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Suspension

5 of 24 total reports mention: suspension, most commonly citing front and upper ball joint.

Vehicle speed control

2 of 24 total reports mention: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing cruise control.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1999-03-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-05-28 Shift-lock
  2. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  3. R
    2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2008-02-18Vehicle speed control08V051000 Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 Econoline, my 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, my 1992-1998 Crown Victoria, my 1993 Bronco, F-Series, my 1995-1997 F-Series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on February 18, 2008. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 Windstar, 2000-2003 Excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 SD through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1997 and…

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2010-04-13Engineering analysisClosed 2012-03-05 HVAC Switch Failures

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Ford E-250 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 08V051000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1997 Ford E-250 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford E-250?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford E-250 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.