1997 Ford F SERIES (MEDIUM): complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
132,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure:Body:Door is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 |
Structure:Body:Door: 2; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body:Door leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10052836 · 2004-01-11 (January 11, 2004)
CRACK IN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BY WINDOW . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134272 · 2005-08-26 (August 26, 2005)
DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ON 1997 FORD F-150 HAVE CRACKS AT REAR OF WINDOW FRAME ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THESE CRACKS IN THE DOOR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10134272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158777 · 2006-06-01 (June 1, 2006)
BRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10404048 · 2011-06-01 (June 1, 2011)
I HAVE A 97 FORD F150. I NOTICED YESTERDAY WHEN I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS BUSTED, AND BOTH WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10404048 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1987 | 1993 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 10151547 · 23,000 miWHILE DRIVING MY 1999 FORD TRITON V-10 POWERED C-CLASS MOTORHOME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD BANG. AFTER THE BANG IT CONTINUED TO RATTLE BADLY AND MIS-FIRE. WORKED MY WAY ACROSS TRAFFIC AND STOPPED IN A NO PARKING ZONE FOR 2 HRS AWAITING A TOW TRUCK. WE WERE IN A FAIRLY UN-SAFE POSITION, AS THE SHOULDER WAS LIMITED AND IT WAS ON THE EXIT ROUTE FOR THE CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY JUST AFTER A NASCAR RACE. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS TOLD ME THAT A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. I'M LEARNING THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS MOD… |
| Structure:Body:Door | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 250.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10430289 · 150,000 miWATER LEAKING THROUGH WINDSHIELD CAUSING DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS UNDER DASH. GEM MODULE NEED S TO BE REPLACED. POSSIBLY FUSE BOX AS WELL. *TR |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Equipment | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10108023SOME TIME AGO, MY FORD F150 WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE; THE PROBLEM WAS THAT ONE FUEL TANK WAS SENDING FUEL TO THE OTHER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS OK. THE EVENT IS STILL OCCURING WITH FUEL SPILLING FROM THE FILL PORT. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE MATTER REEVALUATED. THE DEALER TO WHICHI TOOK THE TRUCK IS BELL FORD.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Other | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10404048 · 160,000 miI HAVE A 97 FORD F150. I NOTICED YESTERDAY WHEN I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS BUSTED, AND BOTH WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10274954 · 118,002 miTHE TIRE ON MY TRUCK KEPT LEAKING AIR DOWN OVER A WHOLE DAY. I WOULD REFILL WITH AIR THE NEXT MORNING AND WOULD TRY AND FIND WHERE THE LEAK WAS. COULD NOT FIND ANY WHOLE IN THE TIRE. WHEN THE SERVICE STATION TOOK THE WHEEL OFF THE TRUCK AND PUT AIR INTO THE TIRE WE COULD HEAR AIR LEAKING OUT. WE THEN LOCATED A CRACK IN THE ALUMINUM WHEEL. WE THEN LOCATED A SECOND CRACK IN THE ALUMINUM WHEEL. WE THEN CONTACTED A JUNK YARD ( D&D, NEWCOMERS) ABOUT PURCHASING A USED ALUMINUM WHEEL FORD PART # F 81A1007GB, BOTH SAID THAT THEY DO NOT SELL THIS USED W… |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | Too few reports for a range | 104,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM |
| Equipment | Too few reports for a range | 104,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM |
| Fuel System, Other | Too few reports for a range | 160,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10404048 · 160,000 miI HAVE A 97 FORD F150. I NOTICED YESTERDAY WHEN I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS BUSTED, AND BOTH WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. *TR |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Too few reports for a range | 104,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | Too few reports for a range | 104,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1998: 0 complaints · 1999: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Structure:Body:Door | Electrical System:Starter Assembly | Equipment | Fuel System, Other | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Door | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 0 | — | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | 0 | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM |
| Equipment | 0 | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | — | 0 | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM |
| Fuel System, Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 0 | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | 0 | — | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 0 | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | 0 | 1ODI 10158777 · 104,000 miBRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT AT 68,000 MILES, STARTER WENT OUT AT 90,000 MILES, TIE ROD SNAPPED AT 104,000 MILES, REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. *NM | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.