Recall Register

1997 Ford F-250: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 1997 Ford F-250. The newest campaign is 11V385000. NHTSA received the report on 29 Jul 2011. The NHTSA record gives the component Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly / Mounting. NHTSA has 304 complaints on file for this model year. 3 NHTSA investigations name this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 11V385000, in the NHTSA record

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

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.

NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on . Complaint file through . Recall file through .

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

10 campaigns, newest first. 10,195,525 units in total.

  • 11V385000Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly / Mounting
  • 06V286000Vehicle Speed Control
  • 05V388000Vehicle Speed Control
  • 03V196000Steering / Gear Box / Shaft Sector
  • 00V231000Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
  • 98V095000Wheels / Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
  • 97V187000Tires / Bead
  • 97V171000Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
  • 96V184000Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder
  • 96V161000Equipment / Other / Labels
  1. 11V385000Received . 1,100,000 units.

    Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly / Mounting

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    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

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 11S21. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

  2. 06V286000Received . 1,200,000 units.

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    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)

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 05S28. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

  3. 05V388000Received . 4,500,000 units.

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    A fire at the switch could occur.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    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)

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 05S28. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

  4. 03V196000Received . 171,446 units.

    Steering / Gear Box / Shaft Sector

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    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.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 03S02. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

  5. 00V231000Received . 670,509 units.

    Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    This condition could result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    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.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 00S22. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

  6. 98V095000Received . 1,520,000 units.

    Wheels / Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    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.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

  7. 97V187000Received . 31,600 units.

    Tires / Bead

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    Due to the age of the vehicles and this recall affecting original equipment tires only, ford will no longer accept claims for this campaign.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 97S90. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

  8. 97V171000Received . 866,000 units.

    Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    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."
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    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.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

  9. 96V184000Received . 1,200 units.

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    The retainer clip that holds the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal arm is missing.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    A loss of service braking can occur increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    Dealers will inspect to verify that the retainer clips are installed and if clips are missing will install clips.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

  10. 96V161000Received . 134,770 units.

    Equipment / Other / Labels

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    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."
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    Incorrect inflation pressures could cause premature wear of the rear tires. .
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    Owners will be provided with correct certification labels and instructions for installing these labels. Dealers can install this label if the owner so desires.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

304 complaints, 348 component mentions.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

  • 1997 Ford F-250
  • All 1997 vehicles
1997 Ford F-250: complaints by component, per 1,000 component mentions
Component1997 F-250All 1997 vehiclesF-250, all yearsMentions
Tires135.153.990.247
Power Train106.387.574.537
Service Brakes, Hydraulic89.1100.877.831
Suspension86.264.1140.930
Engine and Engine Cooling83.3128.686.329
Fuel System, Gasoline74.749.444.126
Steering6969.9147.624
Electrical System54.681.754.919
Structure51.740.125.318
Vehicle Speed Control43.143.736.815

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 24.

Complaints that report a crash
20
Complaints that report a fire
19
Injuries in the complaints
12
Deaths in the complaints
0
Date of the newest complaint
26 Aug 2024

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Complaints about the 1997 Ford F-250, by the year NHTSA received them. The largest year is 2000, with 56 complaints.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 1997 Ford F-250
NumberTypeSubjectComponentOpenedClosedCampaign
DP05005Defect petitionSPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADEngine and Engine Cooling / Engine22 Sep 20054 Jan 2006
EA05005Engineering analysisENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESElectrical System22 Mar 20052 Aug 200605V388000
EA02001Engineering analysisSTEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONSteering6 Feb 200229 May 200303V196000

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

  1. 19790
  2. 19890
  3. 19900
  4. 19915
  5. 19924
  6. 19936
  7. 19948
  8. 19953
  9. 19964
  10. 199710
  11. 19986
  12. 199914
  13. 20005
  14. 20014
  15. 20022
  16. 20032
  17. 20042
  18. 20050
  19. 20061
  20. 20072
  21. 20085
  22. 20090
  23. 20100
  24. 20112
  25. 20121
  26. 20130
  27. 20140

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

Official channels

Cite this page

Recall Register. 1997 Ford F-250: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/ford/f-250/1997/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through .

Sources

Source
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence
US government work, public domain
Recall file through
30 Sep 2026
Complaint file through
30 Sep 2026
First complaint in the file
1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file
FORD MOTOR COMPANY

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1997 Ford F-250?
10,195,525 units in 10 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Ford F-250 have for all model years?
NHTSA lists 54 recall campaigns for the Ford F-250, model years 1979 to 2014. 10 of them name the 1997 model year.
Which component do the complaints about the 1997 Ford F-250 name most often?
Tires: 47 of 348 component mentions, or 135.1 per 1,000. For all 1997 vehicles the figure is 53.9 per 1,000.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1997 Ford F-250 open?
No. Each of the 3 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.