1997 Ford E-250 Problems
- Complaints
- 24filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 98,500miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 14 mpgcombined, 4.2L 6-cyl RWD · 12 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Ford E-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford E-250. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (25% of the total), followed by tires (5) and suspension (4). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 98,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling6 25%
- Tires5 21%
- Suspension4 17%
- Brakes3 13%
- Electrical system2 8.3%
- Steering2 8.3%
- Vehicle speed control2 8.3%
- Wheels1 4.2%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Blown spark plug right out of the head, took the threads with it costing over $3000.00 Ford will not except responsability for there negligence in there machine shop can you help?”
NHTSA complaint #10051374, filed 2003-12, 100,000 milesTires: “Tread separation on two front tires of my van. Van started to vibrate, and developed a shimmy from side to side. Van was taken to a local dealer where the problem was identified as tread separation. (DOT number: 7bak pda tiresize: lt225/75r1)”
NHTSA complaint #751624, filed 2001-09Suspension: “The ball joints and tires wore out faster than normal. Driver noticed this problem every 5000 miles. The cause was lack of lubrication. Ball joints were replaced twice along with the front rim and the rotors.”
NHTSA complaint #10022711, filed 2003-08, 15,000 milesBrakes: “Since I purchased this vehicle new the front end and brakes has constantly given me problems.vehicle pulls to the left when braking or if you let the wheel loose. Constant brake problems, master cylinder failure's, rotor failures, excessive brake pad failures,caliper failures, abnormal tire wear. Vehicle shakes at 65-70mph tires have been replaced 3 times in 57000 miles and balanced, this vehicle will not stop shaking. Dealer says they do not know what I'm talking about and they can not reproduce this shake. Dealer has replaced many brake parts since this vehicle was new. …”
NHTSA complaint #754231, filed 2001-11Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 81,070 and 134,511 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Ford E-250 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E250 Econoline 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E250 Econoline 2WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford E-250 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and…
- 08V051000Feb 4, 2008Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Ford E-250 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, Econoline 1992–2003 +10 more
Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car…
- 07V336000Aug 3, 2007Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford E-250 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- 04V562000Nov 26, 2004Equipment adaptive/mobilityCovers: Ford E-250 1997–2000, 2004, E-350 1997–2000, 2004, E-150 1997–2000, 2004 +8 more
On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Recall details for the 1997 Ford E-250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA10003HVAC Switch FailuresClosed · Apr 13, 2010
- DP05005Spark plug ejection from cylinder headClosed · Sep 22, 2005
- PE99022SHIFT-LOCKClosed · Mar 18, 1999
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10148820Apr 6, 2018Steering. This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly…
- 10022675Sep 19, 2007Brakes. Brake booster system may exhibit a brake pedal kickback and/or grabbing condition when applying the brakes.
- 10018941Jan 1, 2005Suspension. Vibration/harshness above 45 mph (72 km/h) after tire balance.
Other model years of the Ford E-250
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 59,830 | 11 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 11 | 40,000 | 11 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 8 | 53,500 | 12 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 6 | 27,746 | 16 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 9 | 81,427 | 11 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 6 | 76,000 | 21 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 6 | 21,500 | 26 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 12 | 5,600 | 29 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 11 | 57,300 | 9 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 8 | 89,500 | 16 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 17 | 50,103 | 7 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 17 | 40,000 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 18 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 18 | 43,519 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 31 | 59,555 | 6 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 16 | 92,300 | 5 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 24 | 98,500 | 4 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 20 | 94,500 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 15 | 115,000 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 11 | 90,012 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 7 | 162,792 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 14 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 41,000 | 2 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Ford E-250 have?
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford E-250 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Ford E-250 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (25% of the total), followed by tires with 5.
Has the 1997 Ford E-250 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford E-250 get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Ford E-250 (E250 Econoline 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Ford E-250 reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 98,500 miles and the middle half falls between 81,070 and 134,511 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.