1997 Ford F Series: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 66 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
66
owner complaints
11
fire reports
116,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 116,000 mi)One of the most complained-about F Series years (#1 of 9, age-adjusted)Weak spot: engine and engine cooling (38%)11 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)38% · 25 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)12% · 8 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)11% · 7 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)8% · 5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)6% · 4 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)6% · 4 complaints
“While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle started surging up and down in speed erratically. I did not realize that it had to do with the speed control, but finally took it out of cruise for good. The speedometer still was surging up and down between 4 and 10 mph difference from what my speed was. After the vehicle was shut off for a day, it ran fine until I ran it on the road for about 40 miles, then it did the same erratic speed changes. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2014
“The truck was parked in a strip mall parking lot. A few minutes later someone said that there were flames coming from the hood. The car was a total in 10 minutes. Four off duty firemen were there and could not put the flames out. Near by fire station was called. Its response was with in a few minutes. Truck was totaled. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2013
“I have a 97 ford f150. I noticed yesterday when I looked under my truck the fuel tank strap was busted, and both were severely corroded. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · May 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Our mechanic noticed that one of the straps at the rear of the gas tank was missing, and when filling up our 1997 ford f150, the tank was getting close to being filled, gas started spewing out of the fill tube. We looked under the truck and noticed that the fill tube had shifted due to the rear strap being broken. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2011
“1997 ford f-150 . The gas tank straps have begun to rot and have chaffed the gas tank to the point there are some gas vapors escaping. Not a full blown leak at this point. I will begin the process of repairing to avoid fire/explosion. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2011
“After filling up the gas tank, pulled out on to the road, small bump in the intersection. Rusted straps broke and gas tank fell off. Lucky it was raining and road was wet or could of caused fire. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2010
“Walking to my truck I notice the rear fuel tank strap broken and hanging and the fuel tank hanging from the front strap only. The rear strap was totally rusted through. The rust also rusted the tank I and I had to replace the tank as well on 10/3/2010. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2010
“On august 1, 2010, our ford f150 (VIN [xxx]) started on fire and burned from the engine on out. The hood is totally burned through and the windshield also burned. The entire engine compartment is ruined. The truck was in our driveway at the time and we were alerted my neighbors who saw flames shooting 10' into the sky. We believe this engine fire was due to one of the recalls of ford's faulty switches or wiring that ignited the spark into a full burn. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Aug 2010
“One gas tank strap broke on my 97 ford f150 a few months later the other one broke. I dropped and dragged the gas tank which began to leak. I don't drive that vehicle too much. I was very lucky there was no fire or explosion. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2010
“I own a 1997 ford f-150 pik up truck. Both straps that hold the gas tank in place have broken in two separate incidents. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · May 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 1997 Ford F Series reliable?
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Ford F Series. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F Series problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 116,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.