1997 Ford F SUPER DUTY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
37,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 19 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.3% |
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 | 6 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 6; Tires: 5; Suspension: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Power Train:Driveline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 16 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 | 9 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
2000: 9; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 2
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10127908 · 2005-06-22 (June 22, 2005)
THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE BRAKES RESERVOIR EMPTY, THEN INSPECTED THE BRAKE LINES AND SAW A HOLE IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE. *NM CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKES WENT OUT AND WENT OVER A CURB, OVER PARKING LOTS, INTO A PARKING LOT, AND CAUSED FUEL TANK AND STRAP DAMAGE, FRONT END AND REAR TAD AXLE OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT. CONSUMER FOUND WEAR HOLE IN REAR BRAKE LINE, EGR TUBE CORRODED, BURNT ENGINE COVER, AND CARPET. *SB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 26,420 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755202 · 2001-12-03 (December 3, 2001)
WHILE DECELLERATING, BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED, AND VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH FRONT BRAKES ONLY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. INSPECTION REVEALED LEFT REAR BRAKE HOSE (FLEXIBLE) HAD BEEN ABRADED BY AFTERMARKET MODIFICATION BY THE MOTORHOME MANUFACTURER, FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES. TAG AXLE LINKAGE ADDED BY FLEETWOOD ADJACENT TO BRAKE HOSE CAUSED HOSE TO BE ABRADED IN TWO LOCATIONS, ONE OF WHICH WORE THROUGH CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LOSS AND FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222481 · 2008-03-27 (March 27, 2008)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A1997 FORD F SUPER DUTY. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, WHICH CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING. HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THAT PROBLEM WHENEVER HE APPROACHED LOWER SPEEDS IN HIS VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR WITH A NEWER AND NON-DEFECTED SENSOR. AFTER THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THEY TRIED SEVERAL SENSORS AND NONE OF THEM WOULD START THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC THEN PLACED THE OLD SENSOR BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WAS ABLE TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 287,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 738004 · 2000-12-19 (December 19, 2000)
SAME DEFECT OCCURRED ON 10/3/00 AFTER COMING OFF A MOUNTAIN PASS. LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MOTORHOME WITH SEVERE SHAKING AND CONTROL OF STEERING. WE WERE ON A TWO LANE BOTH TIMES WITH NO COMING TRAFFIC, THANK GOODNESS. ENDED UP IN OPPOSING LANE OF TRAFFIC. BOTH TIMES THE DAMPER WAS BROKEN AND THEN REPLACED. FORD REPLACED THE FIRST TIME AND THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE WORD THAT WE WILL RECEIVE A CHECK FOR $135. WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO BUY A DAVIS TRU-TRACK BAR AND THAT THIS WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN. THE BAR IS NOT STANDARD ON THE MH, BUT SHOULD…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738004 at NHTSA ↗