1997 Ford E-350
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
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.
- Complaints
- 79
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Tires
Campaigns on file for 1997
Opened by NHTSA
30% of complaints
Complaints per year
1997: 79 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1991 | 19 |
| 1992 | 41 |
| 1993 | 43 |
| 1994 | 51 |
| 1995 | 69 |
| 1996 | 50 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 63 |
| 1999 | 72 |
| 2000 | 59 |
| 2001 | 52 |
| 2002 | 53 |
| 2003 | 46 |
| 2004 | 46 |
| 2005 | 55 |
| 2006 | 53 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 39 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
| 2027 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Tires
30% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.
Show complaint excerpts
1997 Econoline left rear tire blew out causing vehicle to rollover on its side.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-12-08
These tires has to be investigated! I've had 3 blowouts on separate occasions. Tires had 15,000 miles on them. First blowout occurred on highway at 65MPH on front passenger side, tire had multiple belt seperations.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-23
Consumer has a 1997, Ford, E350 van. The original tires with 27,700 miles. Tire size LT225/75R16 DOT# unknown. Rear passenger firestone steeltex tire tread separated going 65MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-10-02
Service brakes
22% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Engine and engine cooling
19% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Suspension
8% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing leaf spring assembly and rear.
Show complaint excerpts
Crash right front,wheel bearing nut sheered off, rotor broke, wheel, tire ,and hub assembly came off vehicle. Wheel and tire undamaged. *nm. *ak updated…
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-06-15
Vehicle speed control
5% · 4 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Cruise control possibly stuck causing driver to loose control of the vehicle, run off the road,hit a guardrail, return to the road when the vehicle overturned and slid down the road.
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-01-14
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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▮
1997Complaint volume 79 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
2001-04-19Fuel system, gasoline01V114000 Vehicle description: on certain vans with ambulance prep packages or other severe-duty applications involving operation at or near the gross vehicle weight with frequent twisting of the vehicle…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and, if cracked, will replace the tank. Insulator pads will be installed on all vehicles to reduce the stress levels in the fuel tank. Owner notification began…
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I
2002-10-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-01-09 Alleged brake hose failures
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I
2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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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…
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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.
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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…
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I
2009-12-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-04-21 HVAC Switch Failures
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I
2010-04-13Engineering analysisClosed 2012-03-05 HVAC Switch Failures
Buy-smart checklist
1997 Ford E-350 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Tires: 24 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 17 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 15 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 01V114000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 08V051000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1997 Ford E-350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford E-350 is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford E-350?
- The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1997 Ford E-350 have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.