1997 Ford F-150 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 1%of 2,758 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Ford F-150, 1% of the 2,758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My interior and back exterior lights come on and go off randomly sometimes while driving on the roads. The light in the back above the truck bed is bothersome because it could cause attention of another driver causing a accident. My mother also has a Ford f150 that does the same, however her truck isn't the same year.”
NHTSA complaint #11389085, filed 2021-01, 84,980 miles“Dt: turn signals have never functioned right since it was bought. You have to jiggle the turn signal stock to get them to blink. And you have to hold them a certain position before they blink. There have been no recalls. Have talked to Ford and they said that it would cost the consumer $800.00 to fix the problem. Have talked to dealer also, and that was no help.”
NHTSA complaint #10120782, filed 2005-05, 100 miles“I have had to replace the multiswitch twice now. I am now on the third one already. As far as the front wheel hubs, the clearance is insufficient to allow for normal corrosion. Any front brake job requires that the hubs also be replaced as they are damaged when removed. All of my work was done at a Ford dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #742715, filed 2001-03“I have experienced the 3 defects listed.....first, the powertrain, when four-wheel drive is engaged at a stop and an engagement time of at least 30sec. To 1min. Is given, when I release my brake to proceed the powertrain makes a loud thump, this happens about 75% of the time....second the washer sprayers on the hood do not spray the windsheild. One sprays way off and the other sprays nothing. And third the high beam low beam switch is defected. …”
NHTSA complaint #714288, filed 1999-11“Windshield wipers come on unexpectedly while switch is in off position. This is a safety problem because in the case of my father's ranger, the washer fluid would spray unexpectedly as well, thereby smearing the windshield and causing loss of visibility. Both our trucks were diagnosed with faulty multifunction switches. A recall for this part should be issued as there is a high number of the same complaints listed on this site for various Ford vehicles containing the same part.”
NHTSA complaint #716631, filed 1999-12Related recalls
- 00V168000Jun 19, 2000Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet…Covers: Ford F-150 1997–1998, Windstar 1996–1998, Explorer 1997–1998 +2 more
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 50 | 26% |
| 2023 | 23 | 6% |
| 2022 | 66 | 11% |
| 2021 | 116 | 11% |
| 2020 | 5 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% |
| 2018 | 23 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 16 | 1% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 1% |
| 2012 | 9 | 1% |
| 2011 | 30 | 1% |
| 2010 | 28 | 3% |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 0% |
| 2004 | 17 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 10 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 1% |
| 2000 | 22 | 2% |
| 1999 | 16 | 2% |
| 1998 | 13 | 1% |
| 1997 | 34 | 1% |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% |
| 1995 | 9 | 1% |
| 1994 | 7 | 1% |
| 1993 | 10 | 2% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F-150
529 complaintsTires
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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