Worst 1997 Ford F-250 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Tire Defects
Automatic Transmission
Tires:Tread/Belt
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Ford F-250.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tire Defects | 24 | 1 | — | 134,165 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 23 | — | — | 103,890 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 18 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 14 | — | 1 | 125,058 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 14 | — | 5 | 152,148 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | 5 | 119,860 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 12 | 3 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | — | 1 | 104,994 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | — | 110,498 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar | 7 | — | — | 113,000 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 7 | — | 4 | 106,335 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 6 | 1 | — | 55,000 mi | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 | — | — | 99,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | 5 | — | 130,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 5 | — | 4 | 153,333 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | 1 | 80,119 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 | — | — | 59,018 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 5 | — | 1 | 96,790 mi | |
| Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 156,149 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 5 | — | — | 70,000 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | 137,970 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Hubs | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 4 | 2 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Ford F-250. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 1997 Ford F-250
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~1,100,000 vehicles.
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 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
Other Ford F-250 Years
1997 Ford F-250 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Ford F-250 reliable?
What are common problems with the 1997 Ford F-250?
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Ford F-250?
How safe is the 1997 Ford F-250?
Does the 1997 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
Should I buy a 1997 Ford F-250?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford F-250 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Ford F-250
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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