1997 Ford F-150 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 223about this part
- Share
- 8%of 2,758 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 223 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Ford F-150, 8% of the 2,758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 14 of these say a crash was involved and 92 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Ford truck accelerated uncontrollably just like the toyotas. I filed a complaint with you guys, twice, and never heard back. I can make my truck do this!!! If someone wants to look at my truck, while it's doing this, please do!!!my next step is to call my congressman. Thank you. Updated 03/09/10 updated 03/26/10.”
NHTSA complaint #10316221, filed 2010-03, 155,100 miles“Cruise control had not worked for a few months. Just backed truck into driveway from parked on street. Went into the house. Within 5 minutes, my neighbors alerted me to the fire. I put it out with an extinguisher. The origin of the fire was at the cruise control switch at the master cylinder. Vehicle is in the process of being fixed at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10189403, filed 2007-05, 154,137 miles“My truck was turned off in my driveway for about an hour and it caught on fire under the hood. A neighbor came to tell us and the fire department had to come put out the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10904737, filed 2016-09, 200,000 miles“My Ford f150 1997 was parked in my driveway when the alarms sounded. I checked and thought at first someone might be trying to steal the truck then. I then saw it was on fire. I got the water hose and told my wife to call the fire dept. She also called a couple of our neighbors to help. The vfd came along with the sheriff and deputy sheriff. No one was injured, but the truck was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10189834, filed 2007-05, 241,000 miles“Dt this saturday july 9th, my vehicle caught fire up under the hood, the vehicle setting in the yard. It had been setting there for about a hour. Have contacted Ford they are having a consumer contact me. The fire started on the drivers side and that where most of the damage is. Melted everything up under the hood was able to put it out before it got to the cab of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10128346, filed 2005-07, 183,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V388000Sep 7, 2005On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.Covers: Ford F-150 1994–2002, F-250 1994–1999, Expedition 1997–2002 +3 more
- 98V007000Jan 21, 1998Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with a 4.2l engine and originally sold or currently registered in one of the following states: alaska…Covers: Ford F-150 1997–1998
- 96V251000Dec 18, 1996Vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, montana, north dakota, minnesota, wisconsin, michigan (upper peninsula), new…Covers: Ford F-150 1997
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 11 | 10% |
| 2024 | 8 | 4% |
| 2023 | 18 | 4% |
| 2022 | 16 | 3% |
| 2021 | 21 | 2% |
| 2020 | 17 | 2% |
| 2019 | 44 | 3% |
| 2018 | 73 | 3% |
| 2017 | 66 | 5% |
| 2016 | 102 | 5% |
| 2015 | 146 | 8% |
| 2014 | 102 | 7% |
| 2013 | 304 | 10% |
| 2012 | 194 | 11% |
| 2011 | 213 | 10% |
| 2010 | 39 | 5% |
| 2009 | 54 | 17% |
| 2008 | 41 | 11% |
| 2007 | 54 | 11% |
| 2006 | 31 | 5% |
| 2005 | 57 | 5% |
| 2004 | 70 | 3% |
| 2003 | 32 | 8% |
| 2002 | 86 | 10% |
| 2001 | 180 | 15% |
| 2000 | 188 | 17% |
| 1999 | 79 | 8% |
| 1998 | 116 | 8% |
| 1997 | 223 | 8% |
| 1996 | 36 | 11% |
| 1995 | 76 | 12% |
| 1994 | 76 | 11% |
| 1993 | 40 | 7% |
| 1992 | 13 | 3% |
| 1991 | 10 | 3% |
| 1990 | 5 | 2% |
| 1989 | 13 | 6% |
| 1988 | 4 | 3% |
| 1987 | 4 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 2 | 13% |
| 1983 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F-150
529 complaintsTires
305 complaintsFuel system
246 complaintsBrakes
233 complaintsBody and structure
226 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 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