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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

What owners actually said

34 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2001
Tires

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE MASS. TPKE., AT 60 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A VERY LOUD EXPLOSIVE TYPE SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE MOTORHOME. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DETERMINED THAT THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED, CAUSING EXTREME DAMAGE TO THE MOTORHOME STORAGE COMPARTMENT JUST REAR OF THE AXLE. I CONTACTED ONSTAR WHO THEN N…

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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE MASS. TPKE., AT 60 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A VERY LOUD EXPLOSIVE TYPE SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE MOTORHOME. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DETERMINED THAT THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED, CAUSING EXTREME DAMAGE TO THE MOTORHOME STORAGE COMPARTMENT JUST REAR OF THE AXLE. I CONTACTED ONSTAR WHO THEN NOTIFIED THE STATE POLICE AND HWY. AUTH. THEY DID ARRIVE BUT WERE UNABLE TO STAY AND HELP AS THERE WAS A MASSIVE ACCIDENT ELSEWHERE ON THE TPKE. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH FIRESTONE AND MY INSURANCE CO., AND BOTH ARE SENDING COMPLAINT FORMS TO BE COMPLETED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY AS I STILL HAVE SIX MORE OF THESE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. (DOT NUMBER: URB0998055 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

NHTSA ODI #749733

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

IDLER PULLY BROKE AND FLEW OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65MPH.THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THAT CERTAIN PULLY BUT COVERS THE OTHERS,MUCH TO MY SURPRISE. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER THE TENSION PULLY BREAKS,NOW THAT IS A COVERED ITEM WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOW MY TRUCK IS OVER THE MILEAGE . I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN…

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IDLER PULLY BROKE AND FLEW OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65MPH.THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THAT CERTAIN PULLY BUT COVERS THE OTHERS,MUCH TO MY SURPRISE. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER THE TENSION PULLY BREAKS,NOW THAT IS A COVERED ITEM WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOW MY TRUCK IS OVER THE MILEAGE . I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BESIDES MYSELF AND I HAVE TWO FRIENDS THAT HAVE HAD PULLEY PROBLEMS. PLEASE INFORM ME AS TO WHOM I MAY BE IN CONTACT WITH TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE PULLEYS.,*AK

NHTSA ODI #747299

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2001
Exterior LightingTires

WE RENTED A 15 FOOT RYDER TRUCK FROM SARASOTA, FL TO PERU, ILLINOIS IN FEB. 2001 & THE TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK THE TRUCK UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD AND THE SALESMAN THERE SAID - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT - THEY'LL FIX IT IN PERU" 1300 MILES AWAY!!! 2ND - THE TAILLIGHTS ON …

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WE RENTED A 15 FOOT RYDER TRUCK FROM SARASOTA, FL TO PERU, ILLINOIS IN FEB. 2001 & THE TRUCK WAS A NIGHTMARE. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN MY HUSBAND WENT TO PICK THE TRUCK UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD AND THE SALESMAN THERE SAID - DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT - THEY'LL FIX IT IN PERU" 1300 MILES AWAY!!! 2ND - THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE TRUCK DIDN'T WORK SO WE HAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON & 3RD THE TRUCK HAS A MAJOR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WE HAD IT PACKED CORRECTLY - HEAVY APPLIANCES UP FRONT AND WE COUNTER BALANCED A HEAVY ITEM ON ONE SIDE WITH ANOTHER HEAVY ITEM ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN WE WOULD REACH 55 MPH (SOMETIMES EVEN SLOWER DEPENDING ON ROAD CONDITIONS) THE BED OT THE TRUCK WOULD START TO ROCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ALMOST FLIP OVER SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAD SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND MY MOTHER & I WERE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SO WE SAW IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE FRONT TIRES WERE LIFTING OFF THE GROUND, THAT'S HOW BAD THE TRUCK WAS ROCKING. MY HUSBAND WOULD HAVE TO SLOW TO 30 - 35 MPH TO GET THE TRUCK TO STOP ROCKING & ONE TIME NEARLY CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT INVOLVING 2 SEMI'S. THERE'S A SAFE SITUATION!!! WE CONTACTED RYDER WHEN WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION (WE DIDN'T CALL ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OUR TIME SCHEDULE WAS TOO SHORT) & THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE TOO WORRIED ABOUT IT. THEY RENTED THE TRUCK OUT WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS & SAID IT WAS FINE, BUT IT'S NOT. PLEASE CONTACT US & LET US KNOW WHERE WE NEED TO GO FROM HERE. THANK YOU - DOUG & VICKI ROSENFELDER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #744229

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

FORD MECHANIC DISCRIBE PROBLEM: AS H.C.P. HITCHING AND CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DIESEL CONSUMPTION HAS INCREASED AGREAT DEAL WENT FROM 20MPG TO 8MPG. ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP SEVEN TIMES. WAS CHARGED $100.00 ONE TIME, JAN. 2001 LAST TIME WATER PUMP WAS CHANGED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #741639

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages

MY HOOD POPPED OPEN GOING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY. IT CAME BACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ABLE TO STEER ONTO THE SIDE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #738394

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2000
TiresInjury

ATTORNEY IS WRITTING IN TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE (WORKHORSE LT245/75R16 TIRE) WHICH EXPERIENCED FAILURE RESULTING IN COLLISION IN WHICH FOUR INJURIES OCCURRED, THE VAN WAS USED AS A SCHOOL BUS WITH 11 TOTAL OCCUPANTS 8 CHILDREN AND THREE ADULTS. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #557539

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2000
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FAILURE TO PULL AT SPEEDS 45 TO 50 MPH

NHTSA ODI #736415

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Power Train

THE VEHICLE'S DRIVESHAFT FELL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND WAS STRUCK BY A FOLLOWING VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS

NHTSA ODI #554262

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2000
Tires

AFTER MARKET FIREHAWK ATX 31/1050/16.5 AND DOT # VDXBAXD084, ABOUT 18,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *AK ALSO THE SECOND TIRE FAILED ON THE DATE SHOWN. *YH

NHTSA ODI #869089

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Tires

ORIGINAL TIRES ON VEHICLE AT TIME OF PUCHASE FROM DEALERSHIP( DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XA456 TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )

NHTSA ODI #729087

Official recalls

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.