1997 Ford E-150 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 20%of 102 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,123miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford E-150, 20% of the 102 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,123 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 97 Ford e150 has the 5.4 motor in it. The problem I am having is spark plug blow outs. This is my second in a years time. This could cause a fire due to raw fuel coming out of the spark plug hole and the coil land on the head could case a spark and boom bad fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10161255, filed 2006-07, 125,946 miles“Engine coolant leaked into cylinder due to gasket failure causing piston rod to bend. I have learned that this is all to common problem with 1997 4.2 v6. I am unable to have my truck repaired at this time .the engine needs to be replaced $4,000.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10168587, filed 2006-09, 144,000 miles“I dropped a rod today in my 1997 Ford-f150 with 77,000 miles. Check engine light seems to come on every 1000 miles. Highly unlikely that I would never purchase another Ford product. Maybe 1997 model was a problem with Ford acknowledging problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10064486, filed 2004-04, 77,123 miles“Engine hydro-lock. I own a 1997 E-150 conversion van. It has the 4.2l v-6 engine. I have had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced along with the water pump and gasket and also timing gear gasket. All due to a faulty intake manifold gasket. Ford replaced this in the v-8 model cars due to reading a lawsuit about it on their site. I have read in many forums that I'm not alone in this costly repair. I contacted Ford to be told that the lawsuit did not pertain to my van. Since I'm not alone, I would like to know what if anything can I do? …”
NHTSA complaint #10185463, filed 2007-03, 48,008 miles“I experienced the same symptoms described in the camshaft position sensor recall which affects e-series vans. On 05nov07 my engine light came on and my engine began to hesitate, as if it would stall. I took the van to the Ford dealer on 06nov07. They said they could not find anything wrong. They reset the codes and the engine light went off. On 09nov07 the engine light came on again and the engine began to run sluggishly. I did not drive the van over the weekend because I was afraid it would stall while I was driving. On 12nov07 the dealer replaced the dpfe sensor at a cost to me of $364.04. …”
NHTSA complaint #10211135, filed 2007-12, 135,039 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 9% |
| 2007 | 1 | 8% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2005 | 1 | 6% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 14% |
| 2002 | 2 | 7% |
| 2001 | 5 | 14% |
| 2000 | 3 | 6% |
| 1999 | 11 | 13% |
| 1998 | 15 | 25% |
| 1997 | 20 | 20% |
| 1996 | 11 | 19% |
| 1995 | 6 | 8% |
| 1994 | 17 | 14% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 11 | 17% |
| 1991 | 1 | 7% |
| 1989 | 5 | 16% |
| 1987 | 4 | 24% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford E-150
22 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsTires
8 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsAir bags
3 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 27, 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