1997 Ford E-250: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 24 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling; the 1995 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford e-250. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the fan switch that controls the fan speed melted and burned. The contact coasted to the side of the road, pulled the cover for the dashboard, and removed the wires that were connected to the switch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the burned wires switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 236,092.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2015
“I have michelin xps 235-83/r16 tires on my motorhome, less than 2 years old. For no reason, I have had 3 failures out of 4 tires. The last failure was in the rv lot, where I have been parked for the last 5 months, and the tire just blew out, same with the other 3 tires. There are many complaints filed on the internet. Please recall all of the defective tires.. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2008
“Ford motor company has failed to provide the necessary service to remedy the cruise control recall specified in odi id number : 10056190. I have contacted the dealerships in asheville, north carolina & black mountain, north carolina monthly since I was advised of the recall august, 2007. Each time I have been told that the repair kit is unavailable from ford. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Ford econoline ( 25v) 1997, engine burst into flames while driving. *bf prior to the fire the consumer had other work performed on the vehicle. The alternator was replaced, the overdrive light was on and it was difficult to shift into 2nd gear. The consumer wanted to know if the fire had anything to do with the faulty cruise control switch that are in ford vehicle. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2005
“Blown spark plug right out of the head, took the threads with it costing over $3000.00 ford will not except responsability for there negligence in there machine shop can you help?”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2003
“Steering box failure. Set screw on race nut backed out causing gear race nut to completely back out causing gear input shaft to move and bind on gear valve housing. This caused my steering to lock up to the right and force me off the freeway at 45 mph.”Owner report · Steering · May 2003
“Vehicle was towed due to engine locking up, engine was replaced, consumer states there is a tsb regarding this problem, tsb99-20-7. *slc”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2001
“Tread separation on two front tires of my van. Van started to vibrate, and developed a shimmy from side to side. Van was taken to a local dealer where the problem was identified as tread separation.*ak (dot number: 7bak pda tiresize: lt225/75r1)”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2001
“While consumer was driving tires did not feel right. He thought he had a punctured tire. But, instead there was tread separation.*ak consumer has since purchased five new tires. (firestone tires steeltex radial lt225/75r16- dotvdtl1xb426)*jb”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2001
“Vehicle shakes and vibrates at 50-60mph. At a steady speed consumer can't feel it, but if braking to increase speed, it will shake. Dealer has changed, and replaced so many things on vehicle to remedy problem.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
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 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
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.
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, SMOKE, OR BURN.
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 DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact E-250 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford E-250 reliable?
NHTSA has 24 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Ford E-250. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 1997 Ford E-250 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.