1997 Ford Ford Truck 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 Ford Truck, 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 & wheels1229.3%
- Engine614.6%
- Electrical512.2%
- Interior & seats37.3%
- Suspension37.3%
- Powertrain (other)24.9%
- Body & structure24.9%
- Brakes24.9%
- Steering24.9%
- Transmission12.4%
- Driver assistance12.4%
- Exterior lighting12.4%
- Other / unspecified12.4%
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
WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WITHOUT WARNING (GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT XL P235/75R15). NLM
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE MASS. TPKE., AT 60 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A VERY LOUD EXPLOSIVE TYPE SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE MOTORHOME. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DETERMINED THAT THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED, CAUSING EXTREME DAMAGE TO THE MOTORHOME STORAGE COMPARTMENT JUST REAR OF THE AXLE. I CONTACTED ONSTAR WHO THEN NOTIFIED THE STATE POLICE AND HWY. AUTH. THEY DID ARRIVE BUT WERE UNABLE TO STAY AND HELP AS THERE WAS A MASSIVE ACCIDENT ELSEWHERE ON THE TPKE. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH FIRESTONE AND MY INSURANCE CO., AND BOTH ARE SENDING COMPLAINT FORMS TO BE COMPLETED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY AS I STILL HAVE SIX MORE OF THESE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. (DOT NUMBER: URB0998055 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A FORD F-37 U-HAUL STRAIGHT TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER. WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK HE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT HE COULD NOT. THE VEHICLE BURNT OUT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK IN WHICH THE OIL LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT#10-91-594). *YH
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
I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 55 MPH AND HAD A SUDDEN LOOSE OF POWER DUE TO A SPARK PLUG BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND BREAKING A COIL PACK . THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ONE WITH FORD F150 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINES FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
MY CAR BURN BY IT SELF, IT WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY I HAVE TALK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIXED. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
SLIDING SIDE DOOR ON FORD AEROSTAR POPS OPEN EVEN WHEN LOCKED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND ENCOUNTERING A MILD BUMP IN THE ROAD. OVER TIME DOOR NO LONGER LATCHES CLOSED WITHOUT MANUALLY PUSHING SHUT AFTER ATTEMPT OF SLIDING CLOSED.*AK
MY HOOD POPPED OPEN GOING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY. IT CAME BACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ABLE TO STEER ONTO THE SIDE.*AK
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
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND TOLD THAT THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED AND THEY WOULD CALL ME. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER 7 MONTHS. *TR
RETAINING NUT, WASHER AND LOWER SUSPENSION ARM STABILIZER BAR INSULATOR CAME LOOSE AND DROPPED OFF OF THE STABILIZER BAR LINK.
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 VEHICLE'S DRIVESHAFT FELL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND WAS STRUCK BY A FOLLOWING VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
VANE 450 NO SUMMARY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 TO REPAIR THE SEAL DID NOT WORK. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD. THEY TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD FOR ME AT NO COST. *JB
CRACKED CHASSIS. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
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
BRAKES FAILED TO STOP CAR AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, THURSDAY CAR WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE, REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND DRUMS, DUE TO FAULTY CALIPER
PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKES DUE TO FROZEN BRAKE CALIPER WHILE DRIVING VAN ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION, REPLACED TIE RODS/IDLER ARMS/ FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS/DASH/CEILING LIGHTS AND FRONT END MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES. *AK
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
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
PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKES DUE TO FROZEN BRAKE CALIPER WHILE DRIVING VAN ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION, REPLACED TIE RODS/IDLER ARMS/ FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS/DASH/CEILING LIGHTS AND FRONT END MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FAILURE TO PULL AT SPEEDS 45 TO 50 MPH
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE RENTED A 15 FOOT RYDER TRUCK FROM SARASOTA, FL TO PERU, ILLINOIS IN FEB. 2001 & THE TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK THE TRUCK UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD AND THE SALESMAN THERE SAID - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT - THEY'LL FIX IT IN PERU" 1300 MILES AWAY!!! 2ND - THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE TRUCK DIDN'T WORK SO WE HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON & 3RD THE TRUCK HAS A MAJOR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WE HAD IT PACKED CORRECTLY - HEAVY APPLIANCES UP FRONT AND WE COUNTER BALANCED A HEAVY ITEM ON ONE SIDE WITH ANOTHER HEAVY ITEM ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN WE WOULD REACH 55 MPH (SOMETIMES EVEN SLOWER DEPENDING ON ROAD CONDITIONS) THE BED OT THE TRUCK WOULD START TO ROCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ALMOST FLIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAD SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND MY MOTHER & I WERE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SO WE SAW IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE FRONT TIRES WERE LIFTING OFF THE GROUND, THAT'S HOW BAD THE TRUCK WAS ROCKING. MY HUSBAND WOULD HAVE TO SLOW TO 30 - 35 MPH TO GET THE TRUCK TO STOP ROCKING & ONE TIME NEARLY CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT INVOLVING 2 SEMI'S. THERE'S A SAFE SITUATION!!! WE CONTACTED RYDER WHEN WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION (WE DIDN'T CALL ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OUR TIME SCHEDULE WAS TOO SHORT) & THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE TOO WORRIED ABOUT IT. THEY RENTED THE TRUCK OUT WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS & SAID IT WAS FINE, BUT IT'S NOT. PLEASE CONTACT US & LET US KNOW WHERE WE NEED TO GO FROM HERE. THANK YOU - DOUG & VICKI ROSENFELDER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT REAR WHEEL RIM LUG BOLTS CAME LOOSE/OFF VEHICLE.
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 .