1997 Ford F-250 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints); the 1996 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 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Was driving my 1997 f-250 from home to the dump when the strap on my front fuel tank broke/ruptured and the tank fell to the ground, still attached by fuel lines to the truck. A passing motorist brought it to my attention. I have owned the truck since 2010 and it has been operated in md during this time frame and had been operated in md by the previous owner. Though ford has a recall on 1997-99 ford f-250 for this very specific problem my truck is specifically not included in that recall. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-250 sd. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact heard a noise coming from the engine area. Suddenly, the vehicle began to vibrate and hesitate in a jerking motion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that one of the engines spark plugs dislodged. A spark plug kit was installed and the failure continued to occur after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who stated that the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f250 hd. The contact stated that he had to replace the straps that held the fuel tank to the frame due to severe rust and corrosion. The manufacturer was not been contacted. The current and failure mileage was approximately 57,123. Updated 02/23/11 *bf updated 04/29/11”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“There's a recall on my 1997 f250 7.3 diesel. The recall is for the automatic transmission gear selector. I took it to ford to have it fixed cause I was experiencing the problem and he told me that my VIN did not qualify. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2010
“The failure was the cruise control started a fire in my 1997 ford f250 while my wife ,our 16 month old and myself were sleeping. Luckily we got out but everything we had is a total lose. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated that the cruise control module caught fire in the beginning of 2008. The fire and police departments extinguished the fire and filed a report. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated that he never received a recall notice from ford, although ford stated that one was sent. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were approximately 110,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f250 hd. The contact stated that the oil pan leaked on the vehicle. It could not be repaired unless the entire engine was removed. He noticed puddles of oil under the vehicle in the driveway. The mechanic placed a sealant around the oil pan, but this did not correct the failure. The contact has not taken the vehicle to a ford dealer. The current mileage was 99,000 and failure mileage was approximately 98,000. Updated 03-12-08 *bf”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2007
“Speed control on my 1997 ford f250 diesel stopped working. Found fluid leaking from pressure switch that apparently shorted the harness our. Disconnected harness for safety. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2007
“My cmp sensor started going out when on the freeway at 65 mph and died and lost steering and brakes. It was a close call and went to ford and they wanted 200.00 for a sensor so I called international it was 114.00 same part. I am not happy about ford and there prices. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2007
“Went to start my truck one morning and smoke came out from underneath the hood. The cruise control switch on top of the brake master cylinder burned. I turned off the ignition, opened the hood and pulled the wire from the switch. Truck is 1997 ford f250. I am the original owner of the truck. I took the truck to clinton ford in rock hill, sc and they put a cruise control switch in at a cost of $292.09. Now I see that there was a recall 05s28 that applies to the truck that I never received notice for. My complaint is that ford did not notify me od this safety recall. Then when the recall repair was performed, I was billed for the repair. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 SD 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 F-250 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Ford F-250 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-250 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 95,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Ford F-250 SD have open recalls?
2 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.