1997 Ford E Series Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 28,650miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Ford E Series (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford E Series. The part named most often is tires, with 12 complaints (75% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and suspension (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,650 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 8 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Tires12 75%
- Brakes2 13%
- Suspension2 13%
- Electrical system1 6.3%
- Fuel system1 6.3%
- Steering1 6.3%
- Wheels1 6.3%
Example complaints
Tires: “While driving 60 MPH and without warning, the rear passenger outer tire blewout, which resulted in tread separation, within the next 24 hours, the driver's side inner tire also blewout. Firestone had been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #8011999, filed 2002-07, 25,315 milesBrakes: “I was aware of a problem with the Ford brake pressure switch starting fires in explores and rangers I believe. Our company owns 17 econoline chassis vehicles at this division. I was just concerned when I found a blown fuse in the 4-way flasher circuit of our 97 e-super duty van. Which this circuit also contains the brake pressure switch. When reinstalling the fuse the brake pressure switch started to smoke and get hot enough to get the brake fluid to its flash point. The brake fluid proceeded to smoke and push its way past the switch. No damage was done other than a new switch. …”
NHTSA complaint #10124874, filed 2005-06Suspension: “We purchased a 1997 Ford e150 raised roof conversion van from jim o'neal Ford in sellersburg, indiana just across the border from louisville, kentucky. The conversion was by superior in louisville. We purchased that particular van because it was highly rated by Ford motor company as a conversion company. We drove the van for six years and just recently traded it in. It has 97,000 miles on it. The major problem we had with the van was with the front end. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070333, filed 2004-01Electrical system: “Dt: Ford expedition. Nothing was apparent before the failure. Two minutes after arriving home there was an explosion in the engine compartment. Contacted Ford, the police, and the fire department. The fire department put the fire out, and said it was in the engine area with electrical arcing. Ford said they were going to send an inspector on 3 different occasions, but now said the case was closed and will not be send an inspector.”
NHTSA complaint #10126208, filed 2005-06, 100,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,315 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V553000Dec 5, 2007Engine and engine cooling › Engine › DieselCovers: Ford E Series 1997–2003, F-450 SD 1997–2003, F-550 SD 1997–2003 +3 more
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Recall details for the 1997 Ford E Series → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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. 8 on record; the latest 8 are shown.
- 10042864Nov 17, 2011Engine cooling. Ford: the blower motor on some vehicles are operating either incorrectly or not operating or just functioning on one speed.
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Engine cooling. Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes f-53 motorhome…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Engine cooling. Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10014666Mar 7, 2005Engine cooling. Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow.
- 10012941Feb 7, 2005Electrical system. Diagnostic trouble code b1876, b1880, b1915 and/or b1920 in the ecs module - vehicles equipped with aftermarket high current devices.
- 10014275Jan 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. A driveline clunk or bump when starting from a stop.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine cooling. Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Other model years of the Ford E Series
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | 19,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 10 | 50,000 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 5 | 73,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 6 | 9,793 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 6 | 65,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 6 | 95,105 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 13 | 18,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 16 | 28,650 | 1 | — | — | — | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Ford E Series have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford E Series as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Ford E Series is reported most often?
Tires is named most often, in 12 complaints (75% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1997 Ford E Series been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Ford E Series reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,650 miles and the middle half falls between 25,315 and 100,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
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.