1997 Ford F-250 SD: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10000596 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
VEHICLE QUITS WHILE RUNNING. STARTS BUT WILL NOT KEEP RUNNING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BAD FUEL ECONOMY. CAN SMELL FUEL AT TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,766 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000596 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 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 10000603 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
CRUISE WON'T SHUT OFF- HAS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES NOW AND HAVE COME CLOSE TO CAUSING WRECKS. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. ALSO, VEHICLE IS SMOKING AN APPEARS TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS- AGAIN "NOTHING WRONG"
Owner-reported narrative. 33,219 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000603 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 10039470 · 2003-09-24 (September 24, 2003)
I HAVE A 1997 FORD F-250 PU WITH A TURBO DIESEL. THE TURBO STARTED LEAKING OIL AROUND AN O-RING. LEAK WAS SEVERE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY TURBO IS FAILING. I BELIEVE IT IS FOR THE O-RING FAILURE, WHICH VERY WELL MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW AND A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR AN ENGINE TO EXPERIENCE. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TURBO A NECESSARY ACTION FOR FORD TO UNDERTAKE.
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039470 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V553000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
Reported: 2007-12-05 (December 5, 2007)
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
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 ↗