1997 Ford E-250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
98,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 20 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 5; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10056190 · 2004-01-30 (January 30, 2004)
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, ENGINE SPED UP, LOSS OF BRAKES
Owner-reported narrative. 134,511 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 754231 · 2001-11-07 (November 7, 2001)
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW THE FRONT END AND BRAKES HAS CONSTANTLY GIVEN ME PROBLEMS.VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING OR IF YOU LET THE WHEEL LOOSE. CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS, MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE'S, ROTOR FAILURES, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD FAILURES,CALIPER FAILURES, ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. VEHICLE SHAKES AT 65-70MPH TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 57000 MILES AND BALANCED, THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP SHAKING. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THIS SHAKE. DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY BRAKE PARTS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 754231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020660 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 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-reported narrative. 81,070 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 875867 · 2000-12-01 (December 1, 2000)
TIE ROD ENF SNAPPED OFF. VEHICLE HAD NO STEERING. ALSO, THERE WAS LOOSENESS IN FRONT END, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES. MECHANIC SAID NORMALLY IT WAS CAUSED BY BALL JOINTS, BUT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT & HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR IT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 875867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115614 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115614 at NHTSA ↗