Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1997 Ford F-250: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
43 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V187000.
37 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V171000.
34 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V184000.
31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
30 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 00V231000, 11V385000.
30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
24 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V196000.
19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
15 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 05V388000, 06V286000.
14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
10 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V095000.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V161000.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on August 17, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 670,509 vehicles across all affected models.
Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on May 27, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 171,446 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on September 7, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on August 1, 2006. The campaign covers an estimated 1,200,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 29, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 1,100,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on August 29, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 134,770 vehicles across all affected models.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on September 25, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 1,200 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on October 7, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 866,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Tires. Recall covering the tires system, reported to NHTSA on October 29, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 31,600 vehicles across all affected models.
Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on May 13, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 1,520,000 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 03V196000.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.