1997 Ford F-53
Only 3 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 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1997
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1997: 3 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Only 3 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Vehicle speed control
1 of 3 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing cruise control.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 Ford F53 chassis. In August of 2007, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (Vehicle speed control: cruise control). He received the second notice in October.
NHTSA ODI report, 2007-12-07
Suspension
1 of 3 total reports mentions: suspension, most commonly citing rear.
Show complaint excerpts
The front axle on these chassis's shift and without warning putting the vehicle into a severe front end shimmy. The only way to bring the vehicle under control is to hit the brakes hard and slow the vehicle to approx.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-13
Power train
1 of 3 total reports mentions: power train.
Show complaint excerpts
The speed control kept kicking the transmission back into a lower gear going down state road 64 to patoka lake, when I finally arrived the transmission was so hot, it had started to slip.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-06-02
Safety timeline
2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
1997 Ford F-53 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Vehicle speed control: 1 report on file for this year.
- Suspension: 1 report on file for this year.
- Power train: 1 report on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 08V051000 · Vehicle speed control
FAQ
- Is the 1997 Ford F-53 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 F-53?
- The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1997 Ford F-53 have?
- 2 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.