1997 Ford FORD TRUCK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 25 complaints (32.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 8 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Unit | 1 |
Tires: 8; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Unit: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 22 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 | 11 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2000: 11; 2001: 5; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2007: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 717358 · 2000-01-14 (January 14, 2000)
A BROKEN WIRE AT THE BRAKE TERMINAL CONNECTOR PREVENTS THE CRUISE CONTROL FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND NO BRAKE LIGHTS. FORD WILL NOT REPAIR THIS PAST VEHICLE WARRANTY. FORD HAS REPAIRED THIS FOR VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 766494 · 2002-08-30 (August 30, 2002)
THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE FAILURE IN A YEAR AND A HALF. FIRST ENGINE WENT AT 34000. THE SECOND ENGINE WENT AT 74. DEALER SAYS ENGINE IS OUT OF WARRENTY AND IT;S MY PROBLEM. THE VAN IS MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER EVERY 3000 MILES. I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE THAT THE DEALER IS NOT INFORMING ME OF. I NEED TO KNOW IF THE OIL PUMP FOR THIS ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE. I NEED TO KNOW IF FORD IS RESPONCIABLE FOR AN EGINE THAT BRAKES EVERY 35000 MILES. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROPLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 766494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135316 · 2005-09-05 (September 5, 2005)
SPEEDOMETER IN MY 1997 EXPEDITION WAS NOT WORKING CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION NOT TO SHIFT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER BECAUSE OF A LEAK IN THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE SEAL AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO AFFECTED WERE THE WIPERS AND WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS AND RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS. THE FUSE BOX AND MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS LEAK. THIS WORK FOR TWO SERVICE CALLS COST ME $781.27. THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK MY TRUCK TO FOR THE REPAIRS ALSO WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR INSTALLING A NEW WINDSHIELD AFTER THE FIRST TRY…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,717 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 736415 · 2000-11-16 (November 16, 2000)
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FAILURE TO PULL AT SPEEDS 45 TO 50 MPH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 736415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104146 · 2004-12-20 (December 20, 2004)
SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE POWER STEERING PUMO FAILING IT WAS TOOKEN TO SEVERAL SHOPS WHO STATE THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR THE PROBLEM. OUD WHINING WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. TEMPERTURES DROPED TO 4 DEGREES IN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IN THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 1997 FORD WINDSTAR POWERSTEERING PUMP GOING OUT!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10104146 at NHTSA ↗