1997 Ford E-350 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 19%of 79 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,817miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford E-350, 19% of the 79 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,817 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The #3 spark plug on my '97 Ford E-350 van blew out (about 1 year after the plugs were changed) while starting to drive slowly in a parking lot. I have been told by more than one mechanic that this is common on this engine (5.4 l 8-cylinder) and that it is a design defect. I have not had the money to get it fixed yet (estimated by mechanic to be $1500 to pull the head and repair). I have also read that there is a good possibility of fire when this happens, although that did not happen in our case (we shut down the engine right away and had it towed home).”
NHTSA complaint #10252281, filed 2008-12, 203,000 miles“The motor home engine operated fine while we were on an extended 1700 mile trip. The gauges registered normal. We checked the oil & antifreeze & they were at the normal levels. After we returned: at mileage 48526 we started the engine on may 6, 2004 the engine started with a large knocking noise & there was white smoke out the tailpipe. 2. Antifreeze had gotten into the oil so the rod bent & #1 cylinder was scored when the engine was started. 3. The head gaskets & head was normal - the whole engine had to be replaced!”
NHTSA complaint #10082416, filed 2004-07, 48,526 miles“1997 Ford e350 v-10 engine van blew out the number 4 spark plug. Loud popping sound followed by loss of power and strong fuel smell. Also had a neighbor with an f-150 that had same problem and truck burned to the ground in under 5 minutes.”
NHTSA complaint #10245191, filed 2008-10, 108,817 miles“My v10 Ford E-350 motor had a head failure and a spark plug blew out while driving. A fire started in the engine compartment and the explosion sound created a panic and startled response that almost lead to a vehicle crash. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility and they were familiar with the problem. They work on fleet vehicles regularly and they stated they have seen this problem many times before. The aluminum head of the engine was too weak to hold on to the spark plug and that lead to the explosion, fire, and damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10356671, filed 2010-09, 37,414 miles“Spark plug was blown out of the aluminum head of an E-350 Ford v-8 vortex engine. Mechanics I have spoken to have reported familiarity with this exact problem when vehicle reaches 60,000 plus miles. Individual with same type and year (97) truck is having same trouble.”
NHTSA complaint #10002719, filed 2003-01, 63,000 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 20% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 17% |
| 2006 | 13 | 25% |
| 2005 | 16 | 29% |
| 2004 | 10 | 22% |
| 2003 | 6 | 13% |
| 2002 | 16 | 30% |
| 2001 | 14 | 27% |
| 2000 | 6 | 10% |
| 1999 | 12 | 17% |
| 1998 | 8 | 13% |
| 1997 | 15 | 19% |
| 1996 | 3 | 6% |
| 1995 | 4 | 6% |
| 1994 | 8 | 16% |
| 1993 | 7 | 16% |
| 1992 | 4 | 10% |
| 1991 | 2 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1989 | 4 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 9% |
| 1987 | 3 | 21% |
| 1986 | 3 | 27% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford E-350
24 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford E-350
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