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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
95,023 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford F-150 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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1997 Ford F-150 Owner Comments

problem #12

Nov 012023

F-150

  • 245,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission hesitated while shifting gears. The contact stated that when the gear changed, the vehicle would jerk. The contact replaced the control sensor however, the failure recurred. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 245,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #11

Aug 232023

F-150

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into park(P). The contact stated that when he attempted to shift the vehicle into reverse(R), the vehicle shifted instead shifted into drive(D) and vice versa. Additionally, the contact stated that he had to turn the vehicle off and turn the steering wheel towards the direction of the curb in case the vehicle rolled away, increasing the risk of a crash or an injury. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable assembly had detached from the bracket and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V171000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Manchester Center, VT, USA

problem #10

Oct 272016

F-150

  • miles
Linkage bracket broke wont shift completely into park wont strart I have looked this up and also the cruse control switch leaks brake fluid both of these have been recalled by Ford but the dealership where I too it said my VIN # wasnt on recall list even though these are both admitted to be faulty by Ford how can I get mine repaired.

- Roseburg, OR, USA

problem #9

May 262015

F-150

  • 300,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into park and crashed into the neighbor's fence. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. When the contact attempted to shift the vehicle into park, the vehicle would go into drive. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000.

- Moore, OK, USA

problem #8

Aug 162013

F-150

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the gear lever failed to shift from drive into park. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the shift cable and steering column bracket were replaced. The contact referenced two recalls under NHTSA campaign id numbers 97V171000 (power train) and 97V147000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified and they informed the contact that the VIN was not included in either of the two recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #7

Mar 192013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 107,076 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and turned off when it rolled away down a hill and crashed into a neighbor's home. The emergency brake was engaged at the time of the failure. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report of the incident. The contact's insurance company inspected the vehicle and advised that there was an issue with the steering column. The vehicle had not been inspected by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 107,076.

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

problem #6

Sep 292011

F-150 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after receiving notification of NHTSA campaign I.D. 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Tank assembly: Mounting) the contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer stated that the fuel straps were corroded. The dealer was unable to perform the recall remedy due to the severity of the corrosion on the fuel tank straps. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the recall repair and was advised that the manufacturer the fuel tank mount would have to be repaired at the contact's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000. The consumer stated the frame bracket had rotted and the recall could not be performed. The consumer stated the vehicle has a slight hesitation, there was a noise when the gear was in drive, the brakes felt spongy, the brake line had to be replaced, as well as the brakes, calipers and hoses. Updated 04/17/12 updated 04/25/12 updated 05/02/12

- Coventry, RI, USA

problem #5

Oct 292010

F-150

  • 148,200 miles
GEM module failure at high speed. Caused 4X4 to engage at high speed causing loss of control of vehicle. Also, during turns, causes loss of control of steering. Did some research of several Ford F150 web sites and found several complaints for similar or the same problems. Took the vehicle to the Ford dealer for repair and was told the GEM module was the culprit and that there was significant corrosion in the adjacent fuse junction panel. The service department confessed that they have had several complaints for these kinds of conditions and have had to replace many of these GEM modules and fuse panels because of leaks in the windshield or hood cowling. They further told me that unless I replaced these components and any other electrical component, at my expense, they would not warranty any repairs. After a repair bill of $1000, Ford refused to help claiming it was not a design or component part problem. My concern is the possibility of electrical failures in the future or even damage to the drive train components.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #4

Apr 152001

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Over drive went out some were around 56000-58000 miles now at 94,000 miles there is no reverse

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #3

Nov 032000

(reported on)

F-150

  • miles
Speedometer sticks and misreads how fast vehicle is going. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #2

Mar 212000

(reported on)

F-150 4WD

  • miles
Hood began coming up around June of 1999, releases 2 to 3 times a week. Does not release second latch to fly all the way up. The speedometer gauges started working improperly late February of 2000, the mileage counter stops, then after 3-4 hundred miles starts working again. This has happened 3 times since.

- Kodak, TN, USA

problem #1

Apr 211999

F-150

  • miles
Odometer is not working.

- Blue Sprin, MO, USA

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