1997 Ford Ford Truck

Routine

Owners filed 34 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires8
004
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000
Structure2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper2
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline2
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2
000
Electrical System › Wiring2
010
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs1
000
Wheels › Hub1
000
Unknown or Other1
101

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jan 19, 2010195,000 milesNC

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

Suspension
Filed Aug 21, 2007CO

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

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Oct 4, 200590,000 milesCA

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

Structure
Filed Sep 5, 200588,717 milesNJ

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch1 injured
Filed Mar 25, 2005LA

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

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Dec 20, 2004IL

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

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 31, 2003CT

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON A LONG LEFT CORNER WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE TRACTOR SLID. THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A TREE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (1997 FORD AT9513). *MR *SCC *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 30, 2002PA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Jan 10, 2002MT

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

Tires
Filed Aug 14, 2001NY

WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WITHOUT WARNING (GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT XL P235/75R15). NLM

Tires
Filed Aug 3, 2001NJ

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 and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2001NC

IDLER PULLY BROKE AND FLEW OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65MPH.THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THAT CERTAIN PULLY BUT COVERS THE OTHERS,MUCH TO MY SURPRISE. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER THE TENSION PULLY BREAKS,NOW THAT IS A COVERED ITEM WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOW MY TRUCK IS OVER THE MILEAGE . I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BESIDES MYSELF AND I HAVE TWO FRIENDS THAT HAVE HAD PULLEY PROBLEMS. PLEASE INFORM ME AS TO WHOM I MAY BE IN CONTACT WITH TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE PULLEYS.,*AK

Tires
Filed Apr 18, 2001IL

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
Filed Feb 27, 2001TX

FORD MECHANIC DISCRIBE PROBLEM: AS H.C.P. HITCHING AND CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DIESEL CONSUMPTION HAS INCREASED AGREAT DEAL WENT FROM 20MPG TO 8MPG. ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP SEVEN TIMES. WAS CHARGED $100.00 ONE TIME, JAN. 2001 LAST TIME WATER PUMP WAS CHANGED. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Dec 28, 2000MI

MY HOOD POPPED OPEN GOING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY. IT CAME BACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ABLE TO STEER ONTO THE SIDE.*AK

Tires4 injured
Filed Dec 5, 2000UN

ATTORNEY IS WRITTING IN TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE (WORKHORSE LT245/75R16 TIRE) WHICH EXPERIENCED FAILURE RESULTING IN COLLISION IN WHICH FOUR INJURIES OCCURRED, THE VAN WAS USED AS A SCHOOL BUS WITH 11 TOTAL OCCUPANTS 8 CHILDREN AND THREE ADULTS. *MJS

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 16, 2000GA

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FAILURE TO PULL AT SPEEDS 45 TO 50 MPH

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Sep 1, 2000PA

THE VEHICLE'S DRIVESHAFT FELL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND WAS STRUCK BY A FOLLOWING VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 29, 2000AR

AFTER MARKET FIREHAWK ATX 31/1050/16.5 AND DOT # VDXBAXD084, ABOUT 18,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *AK ALSO THE SECOND TIRE FAILED ON THE DATE SHOWN. *YH

Tires
Filed Aug 25, 2000CA

ORIGINAL TIRES ON VEHICLE AT TIME OF PUCHASE FROM DEALERSHIP( DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XA456 TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )

20 of 34 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200312000Routine
200237000Routine
200120010Routine
200025020Routine
199933010Routine
199825020Routine
1997 — this page34030Routine
199618000Routine
199521000Routine
199415000Routine
19937000Routine
199210020Routine
19919010Routine
19908010Routine

Compare every Ford Truck year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.