1997 Ford E-150 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 102 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 200,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Ford E-150, 3% of the 102 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 200,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My husband had just started up his e150 econoline van pulling out of the driveway and the airbag just deployed. There was no reason he was not in any accident he did not run over anything he didn't hit anything. And no one can tell me why this happened. If he had been on the interstate that he drives every day he could have died or killed someone.”
NHTSA complaint #11176181, filed 2019-02, 200,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-150. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a parking lot, the contact leaned over to the passenger’s side to pick up the cell phone. The contact stated that after sitting back straight in the seat, the air bag deployed unintendedly and without impact. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s eyes and jaw were injured and required medical attention. The contact’s vision became blurry but has since started to improve. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11626259, filed 2024-11“While driving down freeway about 70mph traffic slowed down. Consumer applied brakes and got down to 20mph when vehicle started free wheeling. Abs locked up, and neither airbag deployed. Didn't contact dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #856965, filed 2000-02Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2007 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 3 | 19% |
| 2003 | 1 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2000 | 3 | 6% |
| 1999 | 5 | 6% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 3% |
| 1995 | 2 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 4% |
| 1993 | 3 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford E-150
22 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsTires
8 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford E-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology