1997 Ford F-250: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 348 complaints
348
Total Complaints
114,000mi
Median Mileage
Tires
Top Issue
21
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
86,000
25th Percentile
114,000
Median Mileage
142,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Tires
24
Automatic Transmission
19
Tread/Belt
18
Fuel System, Gasoline
14
Front
12
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
12
Vehicle Speed Control
12
Unknown Or Other
10
Electrical System
9
Door
9
Severity Assessment
21
Crashes
20
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"BRAKES: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH PREPARING TO MAKE LEFT TURN AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. ICE WAS ON HIGHWAY, APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, CAUSE OF FAILURE UNKNOWN , VEHICLE NOT TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER INSISTS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. *AK"
"WHEN DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE BACK BRAKES DO NOT GRAB AT ALL OR SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF DRIVE AND PUT IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. ON 3/14/97 BRAKES ADJUSTED BY DEALERSHIP, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Fuel System, Gasoline
14 complaints
25th: 96,862 mi
Median: 115,603 mi
75th: 141,500 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 42
TX: 25
OH: 17
MO: 16
PA: 13
CO: 12
OR: 12
MI: 11
WA: 11
NJ: 10
Who Files Complaints?
47.4%
Original Owners
52.6%
Second+ Owners
Ford F-250 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (14)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Mounting
Campaign 11V385000 | 29/07/2011
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.
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 STR
Vehicle Speed Control
Campaign 06V286000 | 01/08/2006
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
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)
Headlights
Campaign 06E067000 | 01/08/2006
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Vehicle Speed Control
Campaign 05V388000 | 07/09/2005
A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
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
Tread/Belt
Campaign 01X001000 | 22/05/2001
SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Electrical
Campaign 07E066000 | 28/08/2007
IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
Headlights
Campaign 06E052000 | 12/06/2006
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
Shaft Sector
Campaign 03V196000 | 27/05/2003
THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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 REP
Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Campaign 00V231000 | 17/08/2000
THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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
Bead
Campaign 97V187000 | 29/10/1997
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.
DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES AND THIS RECALL AFFECTING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ONLY, FORD WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT CLAIMS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Campaign 98V095000 | 13/05/1998
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.
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 VE
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign 97V171000 | 07/10/1997
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.
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.
Master Cylinder
Campaign 96V184000 | 25/09/1996
A LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKING CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO VERIFY THAT THE RETAINER CLIPS ARE INSTALLED AND IF CLIPS ARE MISSING WILL INSTALL CLIPS.
Labels
Campaign 96V161000 | 29/08/1996
INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
Extend Your Tire Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Check tire pressure monthly — underinflation is the #1 tire killer
- Rotate tires every 5,000-7,500 miles
- Get an alignment check annually
- Inspect for uneven wear patterns which indicate alignment or suspension issues
- Replace tires when tread reaches 4/32 inch — don't wait for 2/32
Vehicle Rankings
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28