1997 Ford F Super Duty Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Ford F Super Duty, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Tires & wheels1450.0%
- Engine310.7%
- Electrical27.1%
- Brakes27.1%
- Suspension27.1%
- Powertrain (other)27.1%
- Driver assistance27.1%
- Steering13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POUNDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. A TIRE SHOP INSPECTED THE TIRE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 38,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 TURN ON. THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN THE FOLLOWING DAY. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN THE NEXT DAY, THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR ONCE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THEY PLACED THE OLDER SENSOR BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. MINUTES AFTER DRIVING AWAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON AND OFF RANDOMLY IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS A PROBLEM NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 287,000. UPDATED 04/23/08 *BF
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
#96V17700, CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS SINCE NOVEMBER OF 96. TAKING VEHICLE T0 (2) DIFFERENT DEALERS. AK
TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER REGARDING RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED, DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AND CANT GET THEM, HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RECEIVE THEM FROM MANUFACTURER. *AK CONSUMER STATES HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND DEALER STILL UNABLE TO GET PART.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE RV VIBRATED AT SPEED OFF 55 MPH AND HIGHER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVELINE WAS UNDER COATED AND OUT OF ROUND. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS REPLACED/REPAIRS THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. *PH *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RV VIBRATED AT SPEED OFF 55 MPH AND HIGHER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVELINE WAS UNDER COATED AND OUT OF ROUND. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS REPLACED/REPAIRS THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. *PH *NLM
LEFT REAR OIL SEAL BEARING FAILED. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
1997 FORD F-SUPER DUTY WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER PUT HIM ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. HE STATES THAT THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING HIM THE PARTS ARE NOT IN AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE IN. *KB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-530 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE OF ARRIVAL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE WAIT TIME FOR THE RECALLED PART WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 BE. IT COST $375 FOR WHICH WE WERE NOT REIMBURSED. WE FEEL THAT THIS ADVICE ON THE TRUE TRACK BAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO US THE FIRST TIME IN 1998. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .