1997 Ford F-150 Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 115about this part
- Share
- 4%of 2,758 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 115 complaints about the wheels of the 1997 Ford F-150, 4% of the 2,758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I have a 1997 F-150 in which I had two wheels rust through so that the tires leaked air. The other two whheels were ex essively rusted as well. The only solution was to replace the 4 wheels. I saw no recalls, so I suspect this is a regional issue ( salt in winter) as I've seen other 1997 f-150s with similar rusted wheels. Please look into this. This should be a manufacturer recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10116794, filed 2005-04, 45,000 miles“I own a Ford f150 truck bopought new in march of 1997. I recently experienced a low tire and the service person said that the wheel was leaking air and showed me the problem. The area around the valve stem was very rusty and was leaking air through the steel material of the wheel. I've never had this happen to any of the many vehicles owned by me in the past. A question to the local dealer indicated no recalls or service bulletins from Ford regarding this matter. I consider this to some degree a safety issue since low tire pressure contributes to the possibility of accidents. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000369, filed 2002-12, 35,000 miles“My right side wheel/the lug/nuts are rusted off and the lug cap completely melted off from where the exhaust comes out from in front of the wheel. The lugs will not tighten on the wheel. I purchased the F-150 truck used and never was notified of a recall on the lug/nuts. The owner before me purchased the truck from john megal dealership in dahlonega georgia.”
NHTSA complaint #10014466, filed 2003-04“For the 3rd time in the last 10 months I have had the same problem with the factory rims on my truck. The problem is a hair-line crack on the inside of the rim that causes loss of tire pressure. On the first occassion Ford replaced the wheel at no charge because of the 3 yr 36000 mile factory warranty . On the second occassion they would not cover the wheel because 36 month warranty was expired . As of today my truck is in the Ford dealership for the third time with the same problem . …”
NHTSA complaint #728567, filed 2000-08“In may 99 heard rattle from left rear. Found spring clamp missing bushing, no big deal. But did notice bottom leaf was kicked out on aft end (and kicked in of fwd end) appx 1/4 to 3/8 . While dealer replace lugs: nuts on recall said leaf spring no big deal. I wrapped loose clamp in tape to stop rattle. Now in 11/99 while washing car I noticed lower leaf is kicked out considerably farther, now measuring a full 1 . I have contacted Ford cac, and the dealer will probably install a kit per sb99-6477. …”
NHTSA complaint #715116, filed 1999-11Related recalls
- 98V095000May 13, 1998Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles and light duty pickup trucks. The lug nuts on these vehicles may not create sufficient clamp load allowing wheel…Covers: Ford F-150 1997–1998, Expedition 1997–1998, F-250 1997–1998 +1 more
Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 21 | 5% |
| 2022 | 8 | 1% |
| 2021 | 27 | 3% |
| 2020 | 5 | 1% |
| 2019 | 10 | 1% |
| 2018 | 43 | 2% |
| 2017 | 44 | 3% |
| 2016 | 53 | 3% |
| 2015 | 40 | 2% |
| 2014 | 25 | 2% |
| 2013 | 39 | 1% |
| 2012 | 18 | 1% |
| 2011 | 13 | 1% |
| 2010 | 12 | 1% |
| 2009 | 7 | 2% |
| 2008 | 7 | 2% |
| 2007 | 8 | 2% |
| 2006 | 10 | 2% |
| 2005 | 16 | 1% |
| 2004 | 21 | 1% |
| 2003 | 13 | 3% |
| 2002 | 13 | 2% |
| 2001 | 14 | 1% |
| 2000 | 13 | 1% |
| 1999 | 16 | 2% |
| 1998 | 44 | 3% |
| 1997 | 115 | 4% |
| 1996 | 6 | 2% |
| 1995 | 11 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 0% |
| 1993 | 4 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 1% |
| 1989 | 3 | 1% |
| 1988 | 2 | 1% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
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 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 28, 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