1997 Ford E-350 Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 30%of 79 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,244miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the tires of the 1997 Ford E-350, 30% of the 79 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,244 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving at 52 MPH (pulling a small u-haul trailer) the left rear tire on my van suffered complete tread separation. The tread subsequently wrapped around the axle and had to be pried loose. The tread was whole and intact (a complete circle), but the carcass of the tire shredded. The tire is (was( a uniroyal lt 245/75 r16 approximately 4 years old. I managed to pull to the side of the freeway on my rim. This occurred on saturday, august 25.”
NHTSA complaint #10472637, filed 2012-08, 84,488 miles“The tire's tread peeled off at 55mph very suddenly and violently causing damage to the body of the truck and the mud flap. This truck had a dual wheel rear axle and I replaced all four tires because I was scared of them( DOT number: ejakdxm tire size: lt225/75r1 )”
NHTSA complaint #730739, filed 2000-09“This is the third set of firestone tires I've had, all on new vehicles, and the third failure of this type (tread separation). I replaced the previous sets at my own expense. I replaced all four rear tires after this recent failure. Upon inspection, a second tire was found to have two bulges in the sidewall. I contacted a local servicing shop who said I could only get an adjustment against another firestone tire. Unacceptable. ( DOT number: unk tire size: 22570r16 )”
NHTSA complaint #726428, filed 2000-08“The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-350 equipped with cooper adventure ht tires (n/a), size 265/75/16r. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the tire tread separated on the rear driver side tire. The failure had occurred previously with four other tires, which had been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 15,000. The vehicle failure mileage was 76,000. The VIN was not available. The tire #8 went bad. The consumer stated the tire replacement also went bad.”
NHTSA complaint #10512113, filed 2013-05, 76,000 miles“These tires has to be investigated! I've had 3 blowouts on separate occasions. Tires had 15,000 miles on them. First blowout occurred on highway at 65mph on front passenger side, tire had multiple belt seperations. Put on spare tire of same brand and size and barely got home before the belt started coming apart. Went to firestone dealer, and they sold me another steeltex for replacement. 2 months later went on a roadtrip to california at about 75mph and the front driver side tire tread completely came off and blew out. The van nose dived off the highway out into the desert and almost rolled. …”
NHTSA complaint #765969, filed 2002-08Tires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 46% |
| 2011 | 4 | 21% |
| 2010 | 2 | 12% |
| 2008 | 3 | 8% |
| 2007 | 4 | 22% |
| 2006 | 4 | 8% |
| 2005 | 2 | 4% |
| 2004 | 4 | 9% |
| 2003 | 2 | 4% |
| 2002 | 8 | 15% |
| 2001 | 5 | 10% |
| 2000 | 18 | 31% |
| 1999 | 24 | 33% |
| 1998 | 14 | 22% |
| 1997 | 24 | 30% |
| 1996 | 17 | 34% |
| 1995 | 8 | 12% |
| 1994 | 6 | 12% |
| 1993 | 6 | 14% |
| 1992 | 5 | 12% |
| 1991 | 2 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1986 | 1 | 9% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford E-350
18 complaintsEngine cooling
15 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 30, 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