The 1997 Ford F-53 has 2 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (1 complaint).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints3filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
NHTSA recall 08V051000 · Feb 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 07V336000 · Aug 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: 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.
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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Suspension Rear
1
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Cruise control
1
0
0
0
—
Power train
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 1, 2012 · 44,750 milesPower train THE SPEED CONTROL KEPT KICKING THE TRANSMISSION BACK INTO A LOWER GEAR GOING DOWN STATE ROAD 64 TO PATOKA LAKE, WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SO HOT, IT HAD STARTED TO SLIP. I TRIED TO BACK INTO MY CAMP SITE, AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LEAK OIL ALL OVER THE PAD. AFTER IT COOLED OFF, WE PUT MORE TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE SYSTEM, AND TRIED IT, IT MOVED, BUT STILL WASN'T FEELING RIGHT WHEN IT SHIFTED, I DROVE IT HOME, TO [XXX]AND WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE IT WOULD NOT BACK UP AT ALL, IT IS NOW PARKED ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. WHAT DO I DO??? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Aug 1, 2007Vehicle speed control › Cruise control TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F53 CHASSIS. IN AUGUST OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL). HE RECEIVED THE SECOND NOTICE IN OCTOBER. HE CALLED THE DEALERS IN THE AREA AND THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE STILL UNAVAILABLE, EVEN THOUGH THE NOTICE STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SEVERITY AND INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DEFECT. HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FORD RECALL NUMBER IS 05S28. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
Oct 20, 2000Suspension › Rear THE FRONT AXLE ON THESE CHASSIS'S SHIFT AND WITHOUT WARNING PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO A SEVERE FRONT END SHIMMY. THE ONLY WAY TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL IS TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND SLOW THE VEHICLE TO APPROX. 20 MPH WHILE IN TRAFFIC USUALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CREATING A HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE MOTORING PUBLIC. DT
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.