1997 Ford F-350 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 17%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,526miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford F-350, 17% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,526 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving my 1997 Ford f350 diesel pickup, pulling a 36ft gooseneck horse trailer with my two teenage daughters and their four horses, the engine in my pickup spontaneously ignited. There was no check engine warning light, and the engine temperature gauge showed normal. The only warning I had was smoke coming up from the left wheel well upon speed decrease to turn a corner. I was traveling a short distance from home and at a low rate of speed (less than 40mph) during the travel from my home to the local fairgrounds for rodeo practice. As I turned the corner, the smoke billowed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10586547, filed 2014-05, 173,000 miles“Stopped at a stop signal and engine quit. Cranked okay, but would not start. Got it towed to my house. After lots of trouble shooting for not starting, noticed that the engine tachometer was not working when trying to start. Replaced the cam position sensor, f7tz-12k073-b. The truck started right up.”
NHTSA complaint #10191248, filed 2007-05, 235,362 miles“The water pump bearings failed in my 1997 Ford, F-350, 7.3 liter diesel. This vehicle had 90,053 miles and had been serviced regularly. The serpentine belt broke as a result of the above failure, nearly causing loss of control of the vehicle, by approximately 50% reduction of steering and braking capability.”
NHTSA complaint #10082206, filed 2004-07, 90,053 miles“(1) vehicle randomly dying while driving in traffic (2) cam postion sensor, engine dies , loss of power steering, loss of power brakes (both a nessesity with a diesel pick up to be able to maintain control due to thier weight) (3) replace the cam position sensor at appoximately $140.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10140059, filed 2005-10, 78,000 miles“Cam shaft position sensor in truck has gone out suddenly and could be very dangerous when moving - loss of power steering and brakes. Evidently almost all engines have this part fail at some point and have done nothing to help the consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #10190564, filed 2007-05, 145,000 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 | 3% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 8 | 5% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 31 | 24% |
| 2007 | 3 | 8% |
| 2006 | 21 | 14% |
| 2005 | 17 | 15% |
| 2004 | 64 | 40% |
| 2003 | 19 | 21% |
| 2002 | 19 | 16% |
| 2001 | 12 | 8% |
| 2000 | 17 | 6% |
| 1999 | 22 | 5% |
| 1998 | 1 | 8% |
| 1997 | 26 | 17% |
| 1996 | 17 | 13% |
| 1995 | 25 | 19% |
| 1994 | 13 | 14% |
| 1993 | 21 | 21% |
| 1992 | 10 | 19% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 9 | 23% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F-350
32 complaintsTires
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford F-350
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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