1997 Ford F-150 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 529about this part
- Share
- 19%of 2,758 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 529 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford F-150, 19% of the 2,758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 38 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I last drove my truck on 06/20/2011. When I woke up to feed my animals I heard a sound like a bird caught under my truck. I looked under the drivers side fender and saw flames. I popped the hood and saw the master cylinder was on fire. I grabbed my fire extinguisher from my barn and put the fire out.”
NHTSA complaint #10409688, filed 2011-06, 197,690 miles“97 f150 with 130k engine gasket blew. This engine had a recall on engine and timing cover gaskets, and when I typed my VIN number in on the Ford site, they said I had no outstanding recalls. I asked Ford for the name of the dealer who lied and said they did the work and only got paid for it, and Ford said they had no info. I got the shaft, and it cost 5k to get engine rebuilt myself.”
NHTSA complaint #10345180, filed 2010-07, 133,066 miles“1997 Ford f150 4.2 motor failure. I have had to add coolant a few times over the past few years and could not find any leak, kept the oil changed every 3 thousand miles. The motor threw a rod and all the oil leaked out of the back of the engine. I found out on the internet that this is an ongoing problem with Ford, and they will not fix the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10161937, filed 2006-07, 117,263 miles“I recently noticed a loss of coolant and foamy engine oil. I found an online forum explaining this as a problem called hydrolocked.Ford has known about this problem since 1999 an has issued a TSB 99-20-7 and onp 99b29.why has Ford motor company not been held financially responsible for this ?”
NHTSA complaint #10257120, filed 2009-02, 61,474 miles“1997 Ford F-150 intake manifold gasket failed along with a ton of other people. Had to pay a hefty repair fee. There were no events leading up to it, just saw white smoke coming from my tail pipe. Luckily I caught it real quick and it only cost the me repair of the entire gasket. A lot of times it is a whole new engine. My repair cost $500.”
NHTSA complaint #10153562, filed 2006-03, 104,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 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…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10014685Mar 21, 2005Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine.
- 10014666Mar 7, 2005Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine 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.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 2% |
| 2020 | 11 | 1% |
| 2019 | 62 | 5% |
| 2018 | 88 | 4% |
| 2017 | 70 | 5% |
| 2016 | 30 | 1% |
| 2015 | 25 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 1% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 17 | 1% |
| 2011 | 33 | 2% |
| 2010 | 31 | 4% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 22 | 6% |
| 2007 | 41 | 8% |
| 2006 | 77 | 13% |
| 2005 | 111 | 10% |
| 2004 | 167 | 8% |
| 2003 | 69 | 16% |
| 2002 | 196 | 24% |
| 2001 | 234 | 19% |
| 2000 | 135 | 13% |
| 1999 | 219 | 21% |
| 1998 | 174 | 13% |
| 1997 | 529 | 19% |
| 1996 | 23 | 7% |
| 1995 | 71 | 11% |
| 1994 | 52 | 8% |
| 1993 | 52 | 9% |
| 1992 | 37 | 8% |
| 1991 | 17 | 6% |
| 1990 | 21 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 6% |
| 1988 | 11 | 8% |
| 1987 | 9 | 10% |
| 1986 | 9 | 15% |
| 1985 | 4 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 13% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F-150
305 complaintsFuel system
246 complaintsBrakes
233 complaintsBody and structure
226 complaintsVehicle speed control
223 complaintsSuspension
204 complaintsSteering
202 complaintsElectrical system
198 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
151 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
148 complaintsWheels
115 complaintsAir bags
99 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford F-150
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