MYRModel Year Report

1997 Ford Econoline

● Typical for this model
1997 Ford Econoline
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:44:46.142Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Econoline Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 15 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1989: 33 complaints 1990: 30 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 86 complaints 1993: 67 complaints 1994: 132 complaints 1995: 73 complaints 1995 1996: 81 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1997 1998: 46 complaints 1999: 84 complaints 2000: 39 complaints 2000 2001: 28 complaints 2002: 23 complaints 2003: 22 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2009: 1 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 1 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2014: 0 complaints 2015: 0 complaints 2016: 3 complaints 2017: 3 complaints 2017 2018: 0 complaints 2019: 1 complaints 2026: 0 complaints 2026
1997: 79 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19810
19821
19832
19847
198510
19867
198715
198822
198933
199030
199124
199286
199367
1994132
199573
199681
199779
199846
199984
200039
200128
200223
200322
20050
20060
20070
20091
20101
20110
20121
20130
20140
20150
20163
20173
20180
20191
20260

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 28%

28% of complaints: service brakes — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH
TIRES 16%

16% of complaints: tires — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt.

Show complaint excerpts

1997 FORD ECONOLINE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE ISSUES AND REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT.* LD THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE TIRES ON HER VEHICLE WERE RECALLED. HOWEVER, SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. RECALL #12T007000. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20141112

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%

14% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT 55 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH DARK SMOKE. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE WHEN IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990217

VISIBILITY 11%

11% of complaints: visibility — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system and heater core.

CRASH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASH DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19961025 — electrical system

THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM CONTACTING AND BEING DAMAGED BY THE RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CHAFING OF THE CABLE AND WILL ADD INSULATION AND A TIE STRAP TO THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS.

Campaign 96V193000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20080218 — vehicle speed control

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 MERCUR

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.

Campaign 08V051000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Ford Econoline — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V193000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V051000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1989 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

◆ 1994 ● 1992 ● 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Ford Econoline reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford Econoline is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Econoline?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Econoline have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.