1997 Ford F-350 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Ford F-350, 5% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 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.
“Why has Ford recalled only later model trucks for the criuse control fire issue. It is not a problem limited to those years. I experienced the exact same problem with my 1997 F-350.”
NHTSA complaint #10143155, filed 2005-11, 80,000 miles“Dt: the engine caught fire on the driver's side of the engine compartment. The consumer's carport (port-a couche) caught on fire along with their home. The house was a total loss. The vehicle had not been started or driven for 8 days prior to the fire. The consumer's 1997 Ford f350 was not included in the recall although it had the same cruise control switch as the recalled vehicle's.”
NHTSA complaint #10120706, filed 2005-08, 105,000 miles“The contact stated the vehicle was parked for several hours when fire and smoke was noticed coming from under the hood near the windshield. The fire department was contact and after the fire was put out, it was determined the vehicle speed control module was responsible for the fire. A fire report was taken by the fire department and photos were available. A police report was not taken. The vehicle was towed to the insurers lot for further investigation. The manufacturer was not yet notified.”
NHTSA complaint #10171605, filed 2006-10, 68,200 miles“The accelerator has malfunctioned 3 times, leaving me and my passengers stranded at various locations. The truck will start but there is no response of the engine to the accelerator pedal making it impossible to move. It is a fly by wire system which has no direct mechanical linkage from the pedal to the engine and the pedal assembly has now been replaced twice. The first time was at 30374 miles on 7/23/98 and now again at 47801 miles on 10/13/99. This is not a component subject to abuse and I believe that this is clearly a manufacturing defect but I still had to pay $100. …”
NHTSA complaint #714330, filed 1999-11“While driving at any speed vehicle jumps and shifts hard. When coming to a stop and downshifting, vehicle lunged forward. Consumer had to keep feet on the brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #852071, filed 1999-11Related recalls
- 06V286000Aug 1, 2006On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.Covers: Ford F-350 1994–2002, F-250 1994–2002, F-450 SD 1994–2002 +10 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 | 3% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 3% |
| 2011 | 5 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 13 | 8% |
| 2003 | 13 | 14% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 8 | 5% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 15 | 4% |
| 1997 | 8 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 9% |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% |
| 1994 | 8 | 8% |
| 1993 | 2 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F-350
32 complaintsTires
29 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsSuspension
9 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 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