MYRModel Year Report

1997 Ford F-250

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Ford F-250
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
304
Recalls
14

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Tires

14% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 131 complaints 1994: 125 complaints 1995: 184 complaints 1996: 176 complaints 1997: 304 complaints 1997 304 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 116 complaints 2004: 153 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2008: 195 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2009 2010: 73 complaints 2011: 248 complaints 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2014: 142 complaints 2014 2015: 273 complaints 2016: 275 complaints 2017: 1,082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1,151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints
1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1992 1993: 131 complaints 1994: 125 complaints 1995: 184 complaints 1995 1996: 176 complaints 1997: 304 complaints 1997 304 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 116 complaints 2004: 153 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2007 2008: 195 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2010: 73 complaints 2010 2011: 248 complaints 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2013 2014: 142 complaints 2015: 273 complaints 2016: 275 complaints 2016 2017: 1,082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1,151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints 2022
1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1991 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 131 complaints 1993 1994: 125 complaints 1995: 184 complaints 1995 1996: 176 complaints 1997: 304 complaints 1997 304 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 1999 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 116 complaints 2003 2004: 153 complaints 2005: 144 complaints 2005 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2007 2008: 195 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2009 2010: 73 complaints 2011: 248 complaints 2011 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2013 2014: 142 complaints 2015: 273 complaints 2015 2016: 275 complaints 2017: 1,082 complaints 2017 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1,151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2021 2022: 116 complaints

1997: 304 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198911
19904
1991107
1992119
1993131
1994125
1995184
1996176
1997304
199856
1999581
2000326
2001220
2002156
2003116
2004153
2005144
2006221
200760
2008195
200954
201073
2011248
2012266
201395
2014142
2015273
2016275
20171,082
2018382
20191,151
2020253
2021158
2022116

Known problem areas

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

Tires

14% · 43 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

12% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle hubs.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving in a field the vehicle hit a rock, the 4-wheel drive skid plate crushed, allowing the rock to damage the drivetrain. Vehicle lurched forward and operated erratically, resulting in a collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-09-05

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford F-250.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-23

Also filed under Wheels

Service brakes

10% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Suspension

10% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing front and torsion bar.

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

14 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1996-09-30Service brakes, hydraulic96V184000 The retainer clip that holds the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal arm is missing.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect to verify that the retainer clips are installed and if clips are missing will install clips.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1996-12-11Equipment96V161000 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…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with correct certification labels and instructions for installing these labels. Dealers can install this label if the owner so desires.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 304 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    1997-10-20Power train97V171000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1997-12-01Tires97V187000 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…

    Remedy: Due to the age of the vehicles and this recall affecting original equipment tires only, Ford will no longer accept claims for this campaign.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    1998-07-20Wheels98V095000 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…

    Remedy: Owners of these vehicles will be receiving two notifications. The first notification, which began in May 1998, will provide an interim repair procedure until parts become available. This interim…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2000-10-27Fuel system, gasoline00V231000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect these lines and replace the front fuel line assembly if necessary. Owner notification began October 27, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2001-06-04Tires01X001000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Equipment description: Ford is replacing all firestone…

    Remedy: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on March 31, 2002. However, customers can contact Ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.Ford.com for possible assistance.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2002-02-06Engineering analysisClosed 2003-05-29 Steering shaft separation
  10. R
    2003-05-30Steering03V196000 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. If the yoke is fully seated no service is required. If the yoke…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2005-03-22Engineering analysisClosed 2006-08-02 Engine compartment fires
  12. R
    2005-09-12Vehicle speed control05V388000 On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.

    Remedy: By letter dated September 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  14. R
    2006-06-14Exterior lighting06E052000 Certain eagle eyes headlamps, p/nos. Fr208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, and FR208-B001L, sold for use as replacement equipment for the passenger vehicles listed above. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabry lee will notify owners and offer full credit for any noncompliant headlamp. The recall is expected to begin on June 14, 2006. Owners may contact sabry lee account executive at 1-866-467-2279.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2006-07-28Exterior lighting06E067000 Certain maxzone headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/nos. 331-1129L-asn and 331-1129R-asn, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on July 28, 2006. Owners may contact maxzone at 909-822-3288.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2006-08-07Vehicle speed control06V286000 On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. (Note: also see recalls…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2007-09-05Equipment07E066000 Certain cequent 90 degree 7-way right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5TH wheel rv travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the…

    Remedy: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2011-09-12Fuel system, gasoline11V385000 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)…

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Ford F-250 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Tires: 43 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 31 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V184000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 96V161000 · Equipment
  • Recall 97V171000 · Power train
  • Recall 97V187000 · Tires
  • Recall 98V095000 · Wheels
  • Recall 00V231000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 01X001000 · Tires
  • Recall 03V196000 · Steering
  • Recall 05V388000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E052000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E067000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V286000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 07E066000 · Equipment
  • Recall 11V385000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Ford F-250 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford F-250 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford F-250?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford F-250 have?
14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.