Model year record

1997 Ford F-250

10 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 348 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V385000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 1,100,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2011-07-29
Owners notified: 2011-09-12

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STRAP AS AN INTERIM REPAIR OR A STEEL REINFORCEMENT OVER THE EXISTING STRAP AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. ANY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S21

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V286000

Vehicle speed control

Component: Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 1,200,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2006-08-01
Owners notified: 2006-08-07

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Safety risk

OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V388000

Vehicle speed control

Component: Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-09-07
Owners notified: 2005-09-12

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V196000

Steering: gear box: shaft sector

Component: Steering: gear box: shaft sector
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 171,446
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-05-27
Owners notified: 2003-05-30

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT YOKE SEPARATES FROM THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT, THE STEERING SYSTEM BECOMES DISCONNECTED.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT YOKE TO DETERMINE IF THE YOKE IS FULLY SEATED ON THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT. IF THE YOKE IS FULLY SEATED NO SERVICE IS REQUIRED. IF THE YOKE IS NOT FULLY SEATED AND BOLT GROOVE AND SPLINE IS VISIBLE, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND BOLT WILL BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE BOLT AT THE STEERING COLUMN CONNECTION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V231000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 670,509
Reported to NHTSA: 2000-08-17
Owners notified: 2000-10-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS MANUFACTURED AT THE KANSAS CITY OR NORFOLK ASSEMBLY PLANTS. THE FRONT FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY COULD HAVE A HOLE RUBBED THROUGH IN ONE OF TWO LOCATIONS. THE FIRST LOCATION IS BELOW THE FUEL RAIL CONNECTION WHERE THE FLEXIBLE HOSE IS CRIMPED TO THE STEEL TUBE. THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE FRONT FUEL LINE TO THE TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE BEEN BENT DURING ASSEMBLY. THE SECOND LOCATION IS AT THE REAR STEEL TUBE SECTION FORWARD OF THE REAR BRACKET. DURING INSTALLATION THE REAR STEEL TUBES OF THE FRONT FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY COULD HAVE BEEN BENT DOWNWARD. IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL 4XZ4 TRANSFER CASE SHIFTER, THE SHIFTER LINKAGE MAY CONTACT THE STEEL TUBES AS IT IS BEING SHIFTED BETWEEN 4H, 4L, 2L AND NEUTRAL.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE LINES AND REPLACE THE FRONT FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 27, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V095000

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Component: Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 1,520,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-05-13
Owners notified: 1998-07-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PROCEDURE CAN BE COMPLETED BY OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. IT SPECIFIES THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE MUST BE VERIFIED TO BE 100 LBS. THEN THE LUG NUTS NEED TO BE TIGHTENED AN ADDITIONAL 1/8 TO 1/4 TURN MORE. THERE WILL BE A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 20, 1998, UNDER WHICH DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL STUDS AND REPLACE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V187000

Tires: bead

Component: Tires: bead
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 31,600
Reported to NHTSA: 1997-10-29
Owners notified: 1997-12-01

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND CHASSIS. THE TIRES ON THESE VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED DURING MOUNTING ONTO THE WHEELS. ONLY TRUCKS PRODUCED AT THE CUAUTITLAN, MEXICO PLANT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 1996, AND JULY 17, 1997, WERE AFFECTED BY THE DEFECT.

Safety risk

THE BEAD AREA OF THE TIRE WAS CUT WHICH COULD RESULT IN AIR LOSS. SUDDEN AIR LOSS COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES AND THIS RECALL AFFECTING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ONLY, FORD WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT CLAIMS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V171000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component: Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 866,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1997-10-07
Owners notified: 1997-10-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT FULLY ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET, THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY CAN COME OUT OF THE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK."

Safety risk

THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MAKE THE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET AND ADD A TIE STRAP TO THAT CONNECTION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V184000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 1,200
Reported to NHTSA: 1996-09-25
Owners notified: 1996-09-30

Defect description

THE RETAINER CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING.

Safety risk

A LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKING CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO VERIFY THAT THE RETAINER CLIPS ARE INSTALLED AND IF CLIPS ARE MISSING WILL INSTALL CLIPS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V161000

Equipment: other: labels

Component: Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 134,770
Reported to NHTSA: 1996-08-29
Owners notified: 1996-12-11

Defect description

THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Safety risk

INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Tires	24	49,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	19	55,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	18	—
Fuel system, gasoline	14	114,967 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	12	—
Suspension: front	12	—
Vehicle speed control	12	118,000 mi
Unknown or other	10	207,000 mi
Electrical system	9	128,465 mi
Structure: body: door	9	—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar	7	113,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	6	55,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	6	—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	6	55,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	6	99,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	5	86,951 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	5	100,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	4	130,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	4	140,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack	4	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting	4	114,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	4	146,000 mi
Power train: axle hubs	4	145,318 mi
Structure: frame and members	4	—
Wheels	4	134,560 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	3	86,000 mi
Seat belts	3	130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	3	103,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	3	—
Steering	3	146,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)	3	99,400 mi
Steering: linkages	3	—
Tires: sidewall	3	—
Visibility: windshield	3	99,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	3	—
Air bags	2	278,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	100,011 mi
Engine	2	127,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel	2	85,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	2	53,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	2	136,290 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices	2	—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch	2	—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	2	—
Power train: axle assembly	2	—
Seat belts: front	2	—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	2	—
Seats: front assembly: recliner	2	55,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	2	—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	2	—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	2	158,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections	2	83,802 mi
Structure	2	—
Structure: body	2	248,000 mi
Suspension	2	—
Suspension: front: control arm	2	—
Suspension: rear	2	—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire	2	57,300 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	—
Wheels: hub	2	—
Air bags: side/window	1	—
Electrical system: horn	1	—
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	—
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	105,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	99,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	75,453 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	70,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch	1	—
Fuel system, diesel	1	80,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank	1	210,000 mi
Interior lighting	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch	1	—
Parking brake	1	—
Parking brake: conventional	1	—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable	1	103,000 mi
Power train	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal	1	55,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	1	—
Power train: driveline	1	—
Power train: manual transmission	1	—
Seats	1	—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid	1	110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	—
Steering: column	1	74,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector	1	120,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	1	90,200 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	114,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	1	—
Suspension: front: shock absorber	1	—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar	1	—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system	1	—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly	1	—
Vehicle speed control: linkages	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element	1	—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring	1	70,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring	1	—
Wheels: rim	1	—

The 1996 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.