1997 Ford F Series (light) Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 33%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 115,306miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford F Series (light), 33% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 115,306 miles.
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.
“I had just arrived back in lakeland fl from a trip to the east coast. I stopped at a store to buy a few things and when I came out and started my 5.4 liter f- 250 light duty truck it blew a spark plug on the passenger side. It was the second plug from the rear. My truck is a 1997 Ford with 100500 approximately miles on it. I had it towed to the Ford dealership that I bought it from for repair. The service manager said he had never heard of triton engines blowing spark plugs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10078508, filed 2004-06, 100,500 miles“I used to be a proud owner of a 1997 Ford f150 4.2 liter v6. That was until today when my engine hydrolocked for the third time. The truck now has 164000 miles on it, however, the first time happened at approx. 110000 miles. After doing some research it was discovered that this is a common problem with the v6 engines, and that Ford will not do anything do to the high miles. I replaced the engine with a complete new short bock,and the recommended by Ford 4mm head gaskets instead of the 3mm that they originally installed. This engine lasted another approx 20000 miles before it hydrolocked again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10158629, filed 2006-05, 110,000 miles“Upon starting one morning, the engine made a loud banging noise. Had the engine inspected and found that an intake manifold gasket had failed. The engine had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10163621, filed 2006-07, 120,611 milesEngine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F Series (light)
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford F Series (light)
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