1997 Ford F-250 SD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 39 complaints (12.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 15.4% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 15.4% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 12.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.6% |
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 | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 3 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 3; Tires:Sidewall: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 10
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 9 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 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2002: 6; 2003: 5; 2004: 3; 2005: 6; 2006: 1; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 10000597 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS- REBUILD.
Owner-reported narrative. 72,851 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000601 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS- NEW TRANS. INSTALLED
Owner-reported narrative. 62,268 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038300 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH OIL PAN, BRAKES, TRANSMISSION AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD.*MR THE FRONT END CASING CRACKED. THE OIL PAN, BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION LINES RUSTED OUT. THE BOLT HEADS ROTTED OFF FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS, AND THE HEADS CRACKED AS A RESULT. THE REAR END CAP RUSTED ALONG WITH THE POLLUTION CONTROL VALVES. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TILTED AS A RESULT IN A CRACKED FRONT END HOUSING LEAVING A 1" GAP. A FRONT TIRE ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043318 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
1997 FORD F250HD MILEAGE OF 40,036 AND GARAGE KEPT EXHAUST MANIFOLD RUSTED, CORRODED AND CRACKED-BOLTS RUSTED TO THE MANIFOLD, CAN'T GET SPARK PLUGS OUT BECAUSE RUSTED TO THE HEAD - MOTOR MOUNT STEEL IS RUSTED ALONG WITH THE BOLTS, VALVE COVER HAS RUST HOLES AND CORROSION, COIL THAT BOLTS ONTO THE VALVE COVER IS SWOLLEN FROM RUST AND CORROSION- BOLTS HAVE POPPED OUT AND ARE RUSTED, ALL EMISSIONS TUBES ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND RUSTED TOGETHER, OIL PAN BOLTS ARE ALL RUSTED AND DISINTEGRATED, TRANSMISSION LINES ARE RUSTED INTO THE RADIATOR, STEER…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,036 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064004 · 2004-03-27 (March 27, 2004)
STEERING SHAFT BROKE ON 1997 FORD F250. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 204,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120152 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F250. HE SAID THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH SO HE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, AND THEY CLEANED HIS FUEL INJECTION. THE TRUCK HAS TWO FUEL TANKS. THE FRONT FUEL TANK COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING THE REAR TANK WORKED. NOW HE SAYS THAT THE REAR TANK KEEPS ON FILLING THE FRONT TANK WITH GAS AND THERE IS SO MUCH PREASSURE FROM THE TANKS THAT GAS JUST STARTS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF HIS VEHILCE AND WHEN HE OPENS THE GAS CAP FUEL STARTS SQUIRTING OUT HE SAID IT WOULD SQUIRT OUT ABOUT A HALF GALLON OF GAS. HIS SMOG CHECKEDWAS DO LA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10356619 · 2010-09-20 (September 20, 2010)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 57,123 miles reported. Look up ODI 10356619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000594 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AND RESTART ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE GAS MILEAGE HAS GONE DOWN QUICKLY. VEHICLE WILL STALL AND NOT START AT ALL. PRIOR SENSOR PROBLEMS WITH SIMILAR SYMPTOMS.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000598 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN STARTED. QUITS WHILE DRIVING.
Owner-reported narrative. 62,268 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067267 · 2004-04-16 (April 16, 2004)
ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WIRING HARNESS ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BROKE, AND ONE WIRE ON THE INSULATION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 301,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067267 at NHTSA ↗