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1997 Ford Ford Truck

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
34Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1997 Ford Ford Truck

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 34 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Tires: 10 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 6 reports
  • Electrical System: 5 reports
  • Power Train: 4 reports
  • Suspension: 3 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    15
    1994    21
    1995    18
    1996    34
    1997    25
    1998    33
    1999    25
    2000
    Compare all Ford Truck years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Tires
    10    Engine And Engine Cooling
    6    Electrical System
    5    Power Train
    4    Suspension
    3
    All reported categories
    Latches/locks/linkages
    2    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    2    Steering
    2    Structure
    2    Wheels
    2    Exterior Lighting
    1    Interior Lighting
    1    Unknown Or Other
    1    Vehicle Speed Control
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    Limited mileage data: 3 of 34 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

    NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

    What to inspect

    Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

    • Tires. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    2 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

    Steering complaints

    2 reports
    Clear category filter
    Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2004
    Steering

    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 COMPLAINT…

    Read full complaint

    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

    NHTSA ODI #10104146

    Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 1998
    Interior LightingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

    PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKES DUE TO FROZEN BRAKE CALIPER WHILE DRIVING VAN ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION, REPLACED TIE RODS/IDLER ARMS/ FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS/DASH/CEILING LIGHTS AND FRONT END MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #523968

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.