1997 Ford F-250 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 10%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,492miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Ford F-250, 10% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,492 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 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.
“Fuel tank 1 seems to pump fuel into tank 2. Fuel switch on front seems to indicate proper amount of fuel. Fuel switch on rear always reads full. Sometimes fuel will flow out of rear tank as soon as fuel cap is removed. I drove about 75 miles with the fuel switch on rear . When I arrived at my destination, I unscrewed rear tank cap and fuel spewed out.......maybe a gallon or so.”
NHTSA complaint #11100615, filed 2018-06, 130,745 miles“Ref:een19-47774 (to be fwd by mail) the front tank strap on the vehicle failed and the tank dropped until supported by skid plate. Some diesel fuel spilled in garage, creating fire hazard but was cleaned up w/o incident. I contacted diehl Ford in bellingham wa as no Ford dealer in juneau ak at that time. I ordered and they sent 2 straps (f72z-9054-ba), bolts&nuts which I found out later were not authorized by safety recall 11s21! …”
NHTSA complaint #10592574, filed 2014-05, 248,000 miles“The fuel tank straps failed on my truck causing the fuel tank to detach and make contact with the ground while the vehicle was in motion. I had the tank and related parts replaced at a local shop. However, the mechanic informed me that the mounting points for the vehicle's gas tank straps were also rusted and new straps could not be installed in the normal manner. When the recall was issued I took the vehicle to a local Ford dealer that attempted an official repair of the straps but concluded the mounting brackets were too damaged to install new straps. …”
NHTSA complaint #10584323, filed 2014-04, 114,000 miles“After hearing about the Ford recall on august 1, 2011 concerning the metal mounting straps holding up the gas tank(s) on 1997-1999 Ford F-250 trucks, I checked underneath my truck and found that one of the mounting straps on the front gas tank was completely rusted and hanging. The other front strap as well as the two straps on the rear gas tank are also severely rusted and compromised. I contacted my local Ford dealer as well as Ford motor company to let them know about the problem but they refused to do anything about it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10418708, filed 2011-08, 91,150 miles“November,2005 woke up to heavy odor of gas coming from my attached garage found my 1997 F-250 truck had lost gallons overnite took to local Ford dealer told me tank rusty,under skid plate& spare tire. Cost me $734.27 I said is there a problem with these tanks,was asked about recall was told no recall-went home called Ford motor co.told them my situation &costs for a garage kept,rarely saw snow & meticulously kept up inside & out truck ,they were no help at all. Sold this truck approx 2006 to my friend who owns a local harley davidson business,it is still running and looking great. …”
NHTSA complaint #10563491, filed 2014-02, 114,967 milesRelated recalls
- 11V385000Jul 29, 2011Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500…Covers: Ford F-250 1997–1999, F-150 1997–2004, Lincoln Blackwood 2002–2003
- 00V231000Aug 17, 2000Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks manufactured at the kansas city or norfolk assembly plants. The front fuel line assembly could have a hole…Covers: Ford F-250 1997, F-150 1997
Related service bulletins
- 10205038Apr 21, 2016Safety recall 11S21 - Fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action
- 10183774Apr 21, 2016For 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty, or 2002-2003 Blackwood vehicles Safety Recall 11S21 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high…
- 10058101Sep 9, 2014Ford/lincoln: safety recall regarding high corrosion areas for operating, for an extended time, vehicles where both or one strap of fuel tank can fracture, after contacting…
- 10056624Aug 11, 2014Ford/lincoln: safety recall issued due to one or both fuel tank straps fracturing due to being in high corrosion areas for an extended period and dislodging fuel tank. Model…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 11 | 8% |
| 2013 | 9 | 9% |
| 2012 | 20 | 8% |
| 2011 | 22 | 9% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 7% |
| 2006 | 17 | 8% |
| 2005 | 19 | 13% |
| 2004 | 19 | 12% |
| 2003 | 13 | 11% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 41 | 7% |
| 1998 | 6 | 11% |
| 1997 | 29 | 10% |
| 1996 | 15 | 9% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 13 | 11% |
| 1993 | 37 | 28% |
| 1992 | 32 | 27% |
| 1991 | 30 | 28% |
| 1990 | 40 | 36% |
| 1989 | 30 | 27% |
| 1988 | 11 | 18% |
| 1987 | 4 | 11% |
| 1986 | 3 | 8% |
| 1985 | 2 | 10% |
| 1984 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F-250
42 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsWheels
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford F-250
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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