1997 Ford F-250 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 11%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 145,318miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Ford F-250, 11% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 145,318 miles. 2 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.
“While driving, the seat reclined which left the driver laying completely down. The seat base assembly had broken on the driver's side front seat. The tie rods had to be replaced. The consumer was unable to shift gears, because the shifter bolts had broke loose from the dash mounts, the head gaskets failed and the check engine light never illuminated. The hub/axle seals were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10105420, filed 2005-09, 55,000 miles“I have had problems with the transmission since having purchased the truck it has faid twice needing to be replaced and have talked with many others who have had same problem was given your contact info by our attorney generals office I have a complaint registered with them as well.”
NHTSA complaint #756711, filed 2002-01“When speedometer stopped working the transmition slammed down to 1st gear speed went down to below 10 m/p/h then slammed back into overdrive and started to speed back up to highway speed. Luckly we were not in rush hour traffic. Equipment that was tied down on our trailer broke loose. Ford said that the speedometer head was not usual problem but everother landscaper that we have talked to has had the same problem with all Ford trucks with the same electric speedo head my mother has an e350 with as motorhome and is starting to have some kind of speedo problem.”
NHTSA complaint #716573, filed 1999-12“The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent auto repair facility for an unrelated repair when the technician detected that five of the seven spokes on the front driver's side wheel were completely rusted. The other three wheels exhibited rust holes and cracks. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 145,318. Updated 09/05/12 the consumer stated the problem was found after the axle, hub and rotor were replaced at a cost of $ 1000.00. Updated 09/10/12”
NHTSA complaint #10466989, filed 2012-07, 145,318 miles“Dt: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 97v171000 concerning the gear position indicator. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. The contact repaired the vehicle at his own expense.”
NHTSA complaint #10145294, filed 2005-12Related recalls
- 97V171000Oct 7, 1997Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached…Covers: Ford F-250 1997–1998, F-150 1997–1998, Expedition 1997–1998 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 | 4% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 13 | 5% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 14 | 7% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 4% |
| 2005 | 14 | 10% |
| 2004 | 12 | 8% |
| 2003 | 12 | 10% |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% |
| 2001 | 28 | 13% |
| 2000 | 23 | 7% |
| 1999 | 61 | 11% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 34 | 11% |
| 1996 | 19 | 11% |
| 1995 | 36 | 20% |
| 1994 | 23 | 19% |
| 1993 | 17 | 13% |
| 1992 | 26 | 22% |
| 1991 | 10 | 9% |
| 1990 | 11 | 10% |
| 1989 | 12 | 11% |
| 1988 | 7 | 11% |
| 1987 | 4 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F-250
42 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsFuel system
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 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