1997 Ford F Series Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 45%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford F Series, 45% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,750 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I first bought the truck in 2001, the engine had approximately 82k miles. I was having a hard time starting and sometimes it would not start. At first the dealer thought it was the starter and they replaced it. They told me to take it to pepboys to get the starter replaced. When they started the car a mass of gray smoke come out of the tail pipe. Two days later the engine froze. Since I had a warranty agreement I took the truck to a local Ford dealer, they stated it had hydrolocked and the engine needed to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456371, filed 2012-04, 82,000 miles“97 f150 began to have an unpredictable coolant leak, never going below minimum coolant level. Within the week noticed water in the oil and went to take the vehicle to a service station. When I started the truck there was a loud knocking, proving to be a damaged rod. Later research showed that this is common in the 4.2 liter v-6 engine due to faulty gasket. Ford ran a campaign, but I never received any notification as to the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10018451, filed 2003-05, 95,500 miles“I didn't really notice anything just one day my engine started making loud knocking sound took it in for servicing and found out I spun a rod I replaced the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10134441, filed 2005-08, 135,000 miles“Upon starting my truck, a loud banging or rattling noise could be heard. The noise was not present prior to that day. I shut it down and upon doing research on the internet, found numerous people who claim that a faulty gasket design caused water to leak into one of the cylinders inspection of the cylinders showed coolant to be pooled in the front, passenger-side cylinder. Certified mechanics attribute coolant in the cylinder to be due to a premature gasket failure. If not corrected, the problem leads to major engine destruction. …”
NHTSA complaint #10133163, filed 2005-08, 140,000 miles“Periodic low coolant levels with no visible leaks, progressively worse low oil pressure, trouble starting, steam in exhaust coolant leaking into cylinder caused bent rod and necessitated engine rebuild.”
NHTSA complaint #10157534, filed 2006-05, 86,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10029029Dec 29, 2008Jerr-dan: anti stall feature for ford f series light duty chassis with v10 gas engine and an engine drive clutch pump. Model years unknown.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 33% |
| 2004 | 2 | 29% |
| 2002 | 10 | 29% |
| 2001 | 12 | 27% |
| 2000 | 10 | 24% |
| 1999 | 12 | 33% |
| 1998 | 7 | 35% |
| 1997 | 21 | 45% |
| 1996 | 2 | 13% |
| 1995 | 2 | 13% |
| 1993 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F Series
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford F Series
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