1997 Ford F-250

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Ford F-250
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-250 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 130 complaints 1994: 123 complaints 1994 1995: 184 complaints 1996: 176 complaints 1997: 304 complaints 1997 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 1999 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: 1082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints 2022
1997: 304 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198911
19904
1991107
1992119
1993130
1994123
1995184
1996176
1997304
199856
1999581
2000326
2001220
2002156
2003116
2004153
2005144
2006221
200760
2008195
200954
201073
2011248
2012266
201395
2014142
2015273
2016275
20171082
2018382
20191151
2020253
2021158
2022116

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

TIRES 7%

7% of complaints: tires — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 19 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 6%

6% of complaints: tires — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the fuel strap failed and there was a hole in the fuel tank. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240826

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4%

4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960930 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 96V184000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19961211 — equipment

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 T

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.

Campaign 96V161000 — check if this car was fixed

1997 — complaint volume: 304
R 19971020 — power train

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 SHI

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.

Campaign 97V171000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971201 — tires

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 SEP

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.

Campaign 97V187000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980720 — wheels

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 MOU

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 PRO

Campaign 98V095000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001027 — fuel system, gasoline

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 F

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 AGREE

Campaign 00V231000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010604 — tires

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 WILDERN

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.

Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020206 — EA (closed 20030529)

STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION

R 20030530 — steering

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 IS

Campaign 03V196000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050322 — EA (closed 20060802)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20050912 — vehicle speed control

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 CONTRO

Campaign 05V388000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060614 — exterior lighting

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 CON

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.

Campaign 06E052000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060728 — exterior lighting

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 CONFOR

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.

Campaign 06E067000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060807 — vehicle speed control

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 05

Campaign 06V286000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070905 — equipment

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 TRAILE

Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Campaign 07E066000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110912 — fuel system, gasoline

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

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 THIS

Campaign 11V385000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Ford F-250 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V184000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V161000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V171000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V187000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V095000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V231000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V196000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E052000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E067000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V286000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E066000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 1998 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

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 7% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford F-250 have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.