1997 Ford E-250 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 8%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,070miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Ford E-250, 8% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,070 miles.
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.
“Steering box failure. Set screw on race nut backed out causing gear race nut to completely back out causing gear input shaft to move and bind on gear valve housing. This caused my steering to lock up to the right and force me off the freeway at 45 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #10020660, filed 2003-05, 81,070 miles“Tie rod enf snapped off. Vehicle had no steering. Also, there was looseness in front end, causing excessive wear of tires. Mechanic said normally it was caused by ball joints, but they had never seen anything like it & had no explanation for it.”
NHTSA complaint #875867, filed 2000-12Related service bulletins
- 10148820Apr 6, 2018This 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…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 17% |
| 2005 | 2 | 18% |
| 2004 | 1 | 13% |
| 2003 | 3 | 18% |
| 2000 | 2 | 11% |
| 1999 | 2 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 25% |
| 1997 | 2 | 8% |
| 1995 | 1 | 7% |
| 1994 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford E-250
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford E-250
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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