RoadVitals

1997 Ford E-250 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Jul 7, 2015
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 14, 1998

What this page shows

Our database holds 24 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Ford E-250. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–24 of 24

Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-250. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FAN SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE FAN SPEED MELTED AND BURNED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PULLED THE COVER FOR THE DASHBOARD, AND REMOVED THE WIRES THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BURNED WIRES SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,092.

NHTSA ID
10732449
Incident
Jun 28, 2015
Mileage
236,092 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 28, 2009

SPARK PLUG EJECTION. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260335
Incident
Feb 28, 2009
Mileage
97,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 25, 2008
1 injury reported

I HAVE MICHELIN XPS 235-83/R16 TIRES ON MY MOTORHOME, LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. FOR NO REASON, I HAVE HAD 3 FAILURES OUT OF 4 TIRES. THE LAST FAILURE WAS IN THE RV LOT, WHERE I HAVE BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS, AND THE TIRE JUST BLEW OUT, SAME WITH THE OTHER 3 TIRES. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FILED ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE RECALL ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES.. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235732
Incident
Jul 5, 2008
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 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

NHTSA ID
10216762
Incident
Aug 30, 2007
Engine
Filed Feb 14, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM CYLINDER HEAD AND REPEATEDLY STRUCK PRESSURIZED FUEL RAIL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10150288
Incident
Dec 18, 2005
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Mar 30, 2005
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10115614
Incident
Jan 21, 2005
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2005

HEATER TEMP CONTROL FAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10108332
Incident
Dec 20, 2004
Mileage
35,975 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 30, 2004

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, ENGINE SPED UP, LOSS OF BRAKES

NHTSA ID
10056190
Incident
Sep 16, 2003
Mileage
134,511 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 30, 2003
Fire reported

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?

NHTSA ID
10051374
Incident
Dec 22, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 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

NHTSA ID
10022711
Incident
Jan 1, 1997
Mileage
15,000 mi
Steering
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
10020660
Incident
May 23, 2003
Mileage
81,070 mi
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Jul 8, 2002

EXHAUST IS SMOKING BAD, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, DEALER STATES ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A TSB REGARDING THIS, TSB 99-20-7. *SLC

NHTSA ID
566461
Incident
Oct 16, 2001
Brakes
Filed Nov 7, 2001

SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW THE FRONT END AND BRAKES HAS CONSTANTLY GIVEN ME PROBLEMS.VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING OR IF YOU LET THE WHEEL LOOSE. CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS, MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE'S, ROTOR FAILURES, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD FAILURES,CALIPER FAILURES, ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. VEHICLE SHAKES AT 65-70MPH TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 57000 MILES AND BALANCED, THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP SHAKING. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THIS SHAKE. DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY BRAKE PARTS SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW. I JUST HAD ANOTHER BRAKE JOB COMPLETED AT DEBARTOLO'S SERVICE,INC 860/739-6073 AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE FRONT END CAN NOT BE ALIGNED AND THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE REASON WHY THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. MR. DEBARTOLO SAID IT IS POSSIBLE THE VEHICLES FRAME MAY BE BENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND MR. DEBARTOLO SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE A FACTORY PROBLEM SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW. I STOPPED GOING TO PLAZA FORD SINCE THEY COULD NOT FIX THIS VEHICLE CORRECTLY. NO ONE HAS EVER WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE DEALER UNTIL RECENTLY. THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR MY BUSINESS AND BEING WITHOUT IT COSTS ME ALOT OF MONEY AND TIME. NOW I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR MY EMPLOYEE'S SAFETY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
754231
Incident
Dec 17, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 4, 2001

TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO FRONT TIRES OF MY VAN. VAN STARTED TO VIBRATE, AND DEVELOPED A SHIMMY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. VAN WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS TREAD SEPARATION.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 7BAK PDA TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)

NHTSA ID
751624
Incident
Aug 30, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 15, 2001

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TIRES DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. HE THOUGHT HE HAD A PUNCTURED TIRE. BUT, INSTEAD THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION.*AK CONSUMER HAS SINCE PURCHASED FIVE NEW TIRES. (FIRESTONE TIRES STEELTEX RADIAL LT225/75R16- DOTVDTL1XB426)*JB

NHTSA ID
894460
Incident
Aug 2, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 21, 2001

ONE TIRE BLEWOUT AND THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE OTHER TWO TIRES (16 INCH FIRESTONE TIRES). NLM

NHTSA ID
559913
Incident
Oct 2, 2000
Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 2001

VEHICLE SHAKES AND VIBRATES AT 50-60MPH. AT A STEADY SPEED CONSUMER CAN'T FEEL IT, BUT IF BRAKING TO INCREASE SPEED, IT WILL SHAKE. DEALER HAS CHANGED, AND REPLACED SO MANY THINGS ON VEHICLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
880002
Incident
Feb 6, 2001
Engine
Filed Dec 18, 2000
Fire reported

THIS IS ONE OF 2 1997 VANS I OWN, THE OTHER VAN ENGINE BLEW AT 78000,THIS ONE DID AT 82000 ,AND IT IS THOUGHT TO BE DUE TO THE REAR SEAL LEAKING ON EXHAUST AND STARTING FIRE AT TANK. *AK

NHTSA ID
737917
Incident
Dec 14, 2000
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 1, 2000

TIE ROD ENF SNAPPED OFF. VEHICLE HAD NO STEERING. ALSO, THERE WAS LOOSENESS IN FRONT END, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES. MECHANIC SAID NORMALLY IT WAS CAUSED BY BALL JOINTS, BUT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT & HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR IT.*AK

NHTSA ID
875867
Incident
Nov 30, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 30, 2000

SIDEWALL OF TIRE BLEW OUT. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )

NHTSA ID
733014
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Transmission
Filed Dec 20, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
716250
Incident
Dec 10, 1999
Suspension
Filed Aug 3, 1999

THERE IS A LOT OF VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE TIRES ARE WEARING OUT ON THE INSIDE DUE TO WORN BALL JOINTS. DEALER INDICATES VEHICLE NEEDS NEW BALL JOINTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
844192
Brakes
Filed Dec 14, 1998

COMPANY VAN. TWO COMPLETE OVERHAULS OF FRONT BRAKES PERFORMED TWICE, ROTORS RESURFACED TWICE. DEALER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. EXCESSIVE BRAKE PROBLEMS, REPAIRS MADE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
832227
Incident
Dec 8, 1998
Visibility
Filed Jan 14, 1998

VALVE IN THE HEATER SYSTEM FAILED.

NHTSA ID
528243
Incident
Aug 1, 1997

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .