1997 Ford ECONOLINE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
89,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 48 complaints (14.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 14.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Tires: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 41 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 | 16 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 16; 2001: 12; 2002: 2; 2003: 7; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10004481 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES AT 40 MPH THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A VEHICLE ROLLOVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10362297 · 2010-10-25 (October 25, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY WOULD ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER, WHEN CALLED, STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,400. UPDATED 01/04/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THE ANTI-LOCK …
Owner-reported narrative. 89,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002609 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
STEERING CONTROL ARM SNAP.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055732 · 2004-01-23 (January 23, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE NOISE WAS HEARD, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING PIN BOX NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO HAVE THIRTEEN SETS OF TIRES REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 750480 · 2001-08-14 (August 14, 2001)
ON APRIL 12,2001 I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND MISSING IN THE ENGINE. TOOK THE VAN TO GULF COAST FORD IN CRYSTAL RIVER ,FL . THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE AND SAID TEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD I SHOULD HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM AND GAS FILTER SERVICED. THE VEHICLE RAN OK FOR THE TIME BEING BUT ON MY TRIP TO MICHIGAN THE VEHICLE STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN ONLY MUCH WORSE. I COULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN 35 MPH. THIS BEING A SATURDAY THE DEALERS WERE CLOSED IN GA SO I CHECKED INTO A MOTEL UNTIL MONDAY WHEN I TOOK IT TO TEAM FO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856713 · 2000-02-10 (February 10, 2000)
WHILE MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE IS A VIBRATION WHICH MAY CAUSE MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TIRE. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042316 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
VEHICLE'S ROOF SEPARATED FROM CHASSIS WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH. *MR WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VAN'S ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS AND FELL ONTO THE ROADWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE SEPARATED SECTION INCLUDED THE FIBERGLASS SHELL AD DOME WIRING. PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE, THE WOOD FRAME SUPPORT WAS STRENGTHENED TO CORRECT THE LOOSE FITTING INTERIOR FRAME. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017809 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL DUE TO A FUEL TANK CRACK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017809 at NHTSA ↗