1997 Ford F-250 SD Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 18%of 39 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Ford F-250 SD, 18% of the 39 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The failure was the cruise control started a fire in my 1997 Ford f250 while my wife ,our 16 month old and myself were sleeping. Luckily we got out but everything we had is a total lose.”
NHTSA complaint #10312330, filed 2010-02, 256,000 miles“Speed control on my 1997 Ford f250 diesel stopped working. Found fluid leaking from pressure switch that apparently shorted the harness our. Disconnected harness for safety.”
NHTSA complaint #10200758, filed 2007-08, 203,125 miles“On december 4, 2004, I took my truck on about a 600 mile trip. During the trip I tried the cruise control, which worked about 5 months earlier & found it to be nonfunctional. The next day, I found myself in a position that required engaging the four-wheel drive, however it would not engage. I parked the truck that evening & had not touched it in the following month and a half. On december 10, 2004 my wife canceled the insurance since my plan was to leave it parked until spring or I could afford to get it fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10112749, filed 2005-03, 109,000 miles“Went to start my truck one morning and smoke came out from underneath the hood. The cruise control switch on top of the brake master cylinder burned. I turned off the ignition, opened the hood and pulled the wire from the switch. Truck is 1997 Ford f250. I am the original owner of the truck. I took the truck to clinton Ford in rock hill, sc and they put a cruise control switch in at a cost of $292.09. Now I see that there was a recall 05s28 that applies to the truck that I never received notice for. My complaint is that Ford did not notify me od this safety recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10192214, filed 2007-05, 179,885 miles“Truck was parked on street for approximately 2 hours. Noticed an orange glow through the trees. Ran out and discovered my truck totally engulfed in flames. Police and fire company arrived on scene. Fire was extinguished. Insurance has totaled the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10135709, filed 2005-09, 150,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150…Covers: Ford F-250 SD 1993–1997, 1999–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 4 | 9% |
| 2022 | 3 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 14 | 1% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 11 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 10 | 3% |
| 2004 | 17 | 7% |
| 2003 | 10 | 6% |
| 2002 | 14 | 6% |
| 2001 | 11 | 4% |
| 2000 | 15 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 3% |
| 1997 | 7 | 18% |
| 1996 | 2 | 18% |
| 1995 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F-250 SD
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford F-250 SD
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