1997 Ford E-250: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
98,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 20 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.0% |
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:Gasoline | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 12 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 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 5; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10020660 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
STEERING BOX FAILURE. SET SCREW ON RACE NUT BACKED OUT CAUSING GEAR RACE NUT TO COMPLETELY BACK OUT CAUSING GEAR INPUT SHAFT TO MOVE AND BIND ON GEAR VALVE HOUSING. THIS CAUSED MY STEERING TO LOCK UP TO THE RIGHT AND FORCE ME OFF THE FREEWAY AT 45 MPH.
Owner-reported narrative. 81,070 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022711 · 2003-08-15 (August 15, 2003)
THE BALL JOINTS AND TIRES WORE OUT FASTER THAN NORMAL. DRIVER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM EVERY 5000 MILES. THE CAUSE WAS LACK OF LUBRICATION. *AK BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE FRONT RIM AND THE ROTORS. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051374 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)
BLOWN SPARK PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE HEAD, TOOK THE THREADS WITH IT COSTING OVER $3000.00 FORD WILL NOT EXCEPT RESPONSABILITY FOR THERE NEGLIGENCE IN THERE MACHINE SHOP CAN YOU HELP?
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056190 · 2004-01-30 (January 30, 2004)
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, ENGINE SPED UP, LOSS OF BRAKES
Owner-reported narrative. 134,511 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108332 · 2005-01-31 (January 31, 2005)
HEATER TEMP CONTROL FAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 35,975 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115614 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
FORD ECONOLINE ( 25V) 1997, ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. *BF PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE FIRE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT ARE IN FORD VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150288 · 2006-02-14 (February 14, 2006)
SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM CYLINDER HEAD AND REPEATEDLY STRUCK PRESSURIZED FUEL RAIL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10216762 · 2008-02-02 (February 2, 2008)
FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SERVICE TO REMEDY THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL SPECIFIED IN ODI ID NUMBER : 10056190. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIPS IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA & BLACK MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA MONTHLY SINCE I WAS ADVISED OF THE RECALL AUGUST, 2007. EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS UNAVAILABLE FROM FORD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10216762 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2007-08-03 (August 3, 2007)
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
NHTSA campaign record ↗08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 2008-02-04 (February 4, 2008)
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2009-10-13 (October 13, 2009)
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
NHTSA campaign record ↗