1997 Ford F-150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2,054 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
107,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 855 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 187 of 2,054 complaints (9.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 206 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 199 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 132 | 6.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 93 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 58 | 2.8% |
| Engine operation | 20 | 1.0% |
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 | 187 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 154 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 129 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 126 |
| Tires | 126 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 124 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 94 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 89 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 187; Fuel System, Gasoline: 154; Tires:Tread/Belt: 129; Engine And Engine Cooling: 126; Tires: 126; Structure:Body:Door: 124; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 94; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 89
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 41 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 108 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 169 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 313 |
| 150,000 and above | 199 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 41; 50,000 to 74,999: 108; 75,000 to 99,999: 169; 100,000 to 149,999: 313; 150,000 and above: 199
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (313). 1,199 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 24 |
| 2000 | 464 |
| 2001 | 284 |
| 2002 | 204 |
| 2003 | 175 |
| 2004 | 110 |
| 2005 | 265 |
| 2006 | 83 |
| 2007 | 53 |
| 2008 | 51 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2010 | 52 |
| 2011 | 162 |
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 24; 2000: 464; 2001: 284; 2002: 204; 2003: 175; 2004: 110; 2005: 265; 2006: 83; 2007: 53; 2008: 51; 2009: 22; 2010: 52; 2011: 162; 2012: 33; 2013: 11; 2014: 13; 2015: 16; 2016: 9; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2020: 7; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 4; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 206 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 199 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 132 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 10001973 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL EXPERIENCED PULSATION WHILE DRIVING. THE SERVICE CENTER STATED THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE DEALER FAILED TO INFORM THE BUYER OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO PURCHASE. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004472 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED, VEHICLE PULLED TO RIGHT AND BRAKES STARTING SQUEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE EQUIPMENT THAT HOLDS THE BRAKE CALIPERS BREAKING, WHICH LEFT THE CALIPER NOT MOUNTED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013558 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON MY 1997 FORD F150, 98V161000, RELATING TO FRACTURED LEAF SPRING. ACCORDING TO FORD, THIS SAFETY RECALL WAS APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE IN 2001. I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE BACK OF MY TRUCK WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, AND BEGAN LOOKING AROUND. I SEE THAT THE CENTER LEAF SPRING ON THE REAR OF MY TRUCK IS BROKEN, EXACTLY THE PROBLEM THAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 98V161000 (98S18 PER FORD). I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY SHOW NO OUTSTANDING CAMPAIGNS AGAINST MY VIN. AFTER ABOUT 5 ATTEMPTS TO GET SOM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013558 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020926 · 2003-06-02 (June 2, 2003)
AFTER 2 DAYS OF RAIN I WENT OUT TO START MY 1997 FORD, F150. RAIN WATER HAD LEAKED IN FROM FIREWALL AREA ON TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA AND LEAKED IN THROUGH A FUEL INJECTOR FITTING AND FOUND ITS WAY TO A PISTON . THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO START THE STARTER ENGAGED AND ABRUPTLY STOP AFTER 3 MORE ATTEMPTS AT STARTING THE ENGINE IT TURNED AND STARTED.THE ENGINE HAD SEVERE BANGING NOISE(ABOUT 100 DECIBELS ).I WAS TOLD I HAD A BENT PISTON ROD FROM WATER BEING ON TOP OF PISTON AND THE ENGINE WAS RUINED!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 155,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000645 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
THE STEERING SHAFT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002033 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
POWER STEERING GEAR BOLTS BROKE. THERE WAS A POP NOISE AND CONSUMER COULD TURN STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION BUT FRONT WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN. DEALER REPLACED BROKEN BOLTS FROM GEAR. REPAIRED POWER STEERING LEAK AT HOSE FROM RESERVOIR TO PUMP. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009350 · 2002-05-29 (May 29, 2002)
THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A SEVERE KNOCK WHEN STARTED ONE MORNING. THE PROBLEM WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE AT THE MAIN CRANKSHAFT, SEVERE WEAR AT VALVE ASSEMBLY, AND CORROSION THROUGHOUT COOLING CHAMBERS. FORD DID A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKET THE YEAR BEFORE, CHANGING HEAD GASKET, HOSES, & COOLANT. THE TRUCK IS USES BY HOUSE WIFE DRIVING THE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. EVEN THOUGH OTHERS HAVE REPORTED OF SAME ENGINE FAILURE ON 4.2L, FORD DENIES ANY PROBLEM. 5 MONTHS LATER WHILE THE TRUCK WHILE THE TRUCK WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE WIRING CAUGHT ON FIR…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032858 · 2003-08-14 (August 14, 2003)
A SHORT IN THE WIRING AROUND THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE BRAKES CAUSED THE RESEVOIR TO CATCH ON FIRE AND BURN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,315 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006387 · 2001-01-25 (January 25, 2001)
ENGINE FRONT COVER GASKET LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK DESTROYING ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE DOWN SO THAT IT COULD BE DOWN SHIFTED. IT IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THE TRUCK NEEDED TO BE TURNED OFF SO THAT THE TRUCK WHILE OFF COULD BE SHIFTED FROM 5TH BACK INTO FIRST GEAR. ONCE THE TRUCK WAS TURNED ON, THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE SHIFTED UP FROM FIRST TO SECOND, AND SECOND TO THIRD ETC. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****739923
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031166 · 2003-08-09 (August 9, 2003)
AFTER HEAVY SNOWS THE SHIFT LINKAGE IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON A 5.4L 4X4 WILL BECOME PLUGGED WITH SNOW. WHEN PLUGGED THE SHIFT SELECTOR CAN ONLY BE SHIFTED BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND NOT REVERSE OR PARK.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052087 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)
THE TRUCK STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK UP. THE STALLING OCCURRED MORE OFTEN IN WARM TEMPERATURES. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IDLE AIR INTAKE VALVE, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *NM *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158183 · 2006-05-24 (May 24, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 227,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158183 at NHTSA ↗