Model year record

1997 Ford F-250 Sd recalls & problems

The 1997 Ford F-250 Sd has 2 safety recalls and 39 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (13 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints39filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 7reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009

Vehicle speed control

Recall 09V3990004,500,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Fix: 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.

Engine and engine coolingDec 5, 2007

Engine › Diesel

Recall 07V5530001,176,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Engine › Diesel	13	1	83,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines	9	1	62,268 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	7	5	150,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Ignition	6	1	88,700 mi
SteeringGear box › Shaft sector; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections	4	0	150,000 mi
TiresSidewall	3	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Auxillary tank; Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting	2	0	—
Wheels	1	0	—
Suspension	1	0	—
Service brakes, airSupply › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
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
Jan 14, 2015 · 88,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Dec 23, 2010 · 89,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
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
Aug 20, 2010 · 57,123 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
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
Aug 16, 2010 · 250,000 miles
Vehicle speed controlFire
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
Feb 12, 2010 · 256,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
STRANDED ON HIGHWAY. TOW COST AND REPAIR. *TR
Jun 24, 2008 · 215,000 miles
Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F250 HD. THE STEERING MECHANISM BECOMES LOOSE AND MAKES RANDOM NOISES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LINKAGE WAS COMING APART. THE MECHANIC PLACED A TEMPORARY MAKESHIFT TO HOLD THE LINKAGE TOGETHER, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. HE THEN LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF HIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE REPAIRED FOR FREE SINCE IT WAS IDENTICAL TO THE ONE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 236,000. UPDATED…
Mar 1, 2003 · 150,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
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
Oct 13, 2007 · 98,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE STALLINGClosedLed to recall 07V553000
IN A DECEMBER 3, 2007 LETTER, FORD ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) IN APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS REPORTS OF ENGINE STALLING.A NEW DESIGN CPS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY WILL BE INSTALLED AS A REMEDY.OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER 2007. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE DURABLE, FULL-SIZED, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, RESCUE/EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND COMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL TOWING.CPS FAILURE IS COMPARABLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY TURNING THE KEY OFF SINCE THE SIGNAL IT PRODUCES IS VITAL TO THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM.CPS SIGNAL LOSS TERMINATES FUEL INJECTION RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.ONCE STALLED, THE ENGINE MAY RESTART RIGHT AWAY, OR MAY RESTART AFTER A DELAY (TYPICALLY 5 TO 10 MINUTES), OR MAY NOT RESTART AT ALL.IN ADDITION TO EXPOSING THE DRIVER AND…
EA06012 · opened Jun 22, 2006 · closed Dec 7, 2007
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADClosed
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosedLed to recall 05V388000
EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED…
EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006