Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 9
Average Mileage:
46,358 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford F-150:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #83

May 062008

F-150

  • miles

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

My F150 truck was parked under the carport when the truck caught on fire as our family was sleeping. My daughter's car, parked beside the truck, began to burn as well and the car alarm system sounded. My family awoke as the windows of the house under the carport were breaking out and the house fire alarm began to sound. Everyone got out ok, thank goodness, and the house was saved, although damaged. We lost the truck, carport, riding lawn mower, 4 wheeler and several other small items. The inside of the house suffered major smoke and water damage. The fire was determined to have started with the cruise control part which Ford has a recall on.

- Brantley, AL, USA

problem #82

Jun 012007

F-150

  • miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. She received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control (NHTSA campaign id #08V051000) in June 2007. The dealer disconnected the vehicle speed control but was unable to provde a date when the part would be available. As of May 2, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The current mileage was 131, 298 and there had been no failure to date.

- Huntsville, TX, USA

problem #81

Apr 232008

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 197,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked in his parking lot. The fire originated underneath the hood. The vehicle was destroyed. The Saturn vue next to his vehicle was burned and damaged. The exterior of the apartment building received smoke and fire damage. A police and fire report were filed. The contact has pictures and a video. NHTSA campaign id number 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) was referenced. The purchase date and VIN were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 197,000.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #80

Apr 072008

F-150

  • miles

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

In response to Ford's cruise control deactivation switch recall. Yes, I have been notified of my vehicle affect by this recall. But have been to the dealer twice with them telling me they have no parts to resolve the issue. Also, have not allowed then to just deactivate the cruise control because of the low possibility of having an issue. I spent money for this so I have it to use when needed not to be deactivate because Ford cannot provide parts to fix it. So at this point I have decided it would be best to take matter in my own hands to resolve this issue. I know Ford is making effort to resolve this issue but feel it is weak by the fact they send you a notice and they have no parts. Not just once but twice. So I have found an after market oem replacement part to replace the affected part. But no one can tell me whether this part is a newly designed part and resolves the recall issue. One would assume it would be but assumption can be wrong. The published technical documentation for this recall issue is weak and the Ford dealers are also clueless. So what does the NHTSA have to offer besided the documented conversation between the Ford and NHTSA. Their needs to be a document for the industry and consumer uses to determine what parts are good or suspect. Being an safety organization, one would think the NHTSA would be all over this and have this well documented, pulished and controlled and help the industry and consumers resolve issue like this insisted of relying on corporate America alone. Corporate America has only one interest which is profit not personal well being ! regards.

- Seabrook, TX, USA

problem #79

Mar 252008

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. He received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control (NHTSA campaign id #07V336000). As of March 25, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle because the part is unavailable. The contact stated that he is very unhappy with the delay. The current mileage was 123,000 and there had been no failure to date. The VIN appeared to be invalid.

- Milladore, WI, USA

problem #78

Dec 152005

F-150 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150 pickup. He received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control in December of 2007. As of March 24, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The current mileage was 162,000 and there had been no failure to date. The purchase date was not available. Updated 4/23/08 the consumer stated the dealers do not have the parts available for the recall. Updated 04/23/08

- Amarilla, TX, USA

problem #77

Aug 152007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

The contact owns a 1997 F150 Ford pickup truck. The contact received a safety recall notice for the vehicle speed control in August of 2007. As of March 24, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The current mileage was 156,000 and there had been no failure to date. Updated 4/23/08 the consumer stated while trying to get the recall work performed on the vehicle he is informed there aren't any parts available to perform the recall each time the consumer calls to schedule a recall repairs. Updated 04/23/08

- Carbondale, CO, USA

problem #76

Mar 042008

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 215,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. Approximately 45 minutes after parking the vehicle, the contact heard a popping sound. He looked out the window and noticed flames a foot high above the hood of his vehicle. The fire ultimately spread to the passenger compartment and part of the bed of the vehicle. The fire damaged three other vehicles that were parked in the vicinity. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 215,000.

- Smellville, GA, USA

problem #75

Dec 012007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact received Ford recall notice number 05S28 for the vehicle speed control in December of 2007. The dealer continues to stated that they do not have the parts for the recall repair and are unsure as to when they will be available. The manufacturer stated that the part will be available in June of 2008. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 169,000.

- Union, MS, USA

problem #74

Dec 172006

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. In 2006, the contact received a notice for recall number 05S28. The vehicle has yet to be repaired. The vehicle speed control has not been disconnected. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 134,000. Updated 01/29/08 updated 01/29/08

- Silver Cliff, WI, USA

problem #73

Aug 062007

F-150 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 110,487 miles

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

Vehicle was parked in driveway with doors locked and ignition in the off position. No one was near or in the vehicle. Looked out window and noticed what looked like mist from a water sprinkler from the front side of truck. Looking closer, I realized it was smoke and then saw flames from the tire well and under the hood by the windshield wipers. Called 911. The fire department arrived very quickly, putting the fire out. Their assessment was it was an electrical short which had caused the fire. The fire caused the hood hydraulic lift to explode like a rocket, hitting the windshield, cracking it and then shooting off into the yard. The frames inside the engine housing by the drivers tire burnt the housing completely away. The wiring has been completely burned and melted away inside the engine compartment. All the plastic fluid containers melted, the entire engine housing, engine and all electrical components under the hood were burned up or damaged in some way by this fire. The truck will not start or run. None of the lights work, radio, heat, air or power functions work. The truck is totally inoperable. I contacted the insurance company and they directed me to this site to look for fire related defects and to file a complaint. The truck has not been repaired as it is beyond repair since all the wiring and most of the insides under the hood have burned up or melted.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #72

Oct 162003

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
Vehicle caught fire sitting in front of home. All wiring is destroyed and dashboard melted. Vehicle had not been running for at least 48 hours prior to the fire. Had no fire insurance on vehicle so took a complete loss. Later learned that Ford had recalled this model for cruise control deactivation switch. Contacted Ford and they claim no liability for the fire.

- Crestwood, IL, USA

problem #71

May 142007

F-150 8-cyl

  • miles
Recall of the cruise control deactivation switch in the 1997 Ford F-150 sons truck caught fire in their garage Ford declined to accept responsibility* the consumer provided a copy of the recall. The consumer stated the dealer never sent a recall notice to the current address and further states they moved to the location in 2006 so Ford could not have mailed the notice in 2005 and the consumer did not own the vehicle in Sept. 2005. The consumer stated even though the recall notice date was listed as Dec 2006, they had not received notice until spring 2007. The consumer stated Ford should be ashamed of putting a child's life in danger and fabricating the truth afterward.

- Myakka City, FL, USA

problem #70

May 022007

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 241,000 miles
My Ford F150 1997 was parked in my driveway when the alarms sounded. I checked and thought at first someone might be trying to steal the truck then. I then saw it was on fire. I got the water hose and told my wife to call the fire dept. She also called a couple of our neighbors to help. The vfd came along with the sheriff and deputy sheriff. No one was injured, but the truck was totaled.

- Mount Olive, MS, USA

problem #69

Apr 242007

F-150 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 154,137 miles
Cruise control had not worked for a few months. Just backed truck into driveway from parked on street. Went into the house. Within 5 minutes, my neighbors alerted me to the fire. I put it out with an extinguisher. The origin of the fire was at the cruise control switch at the master cylinder. Vehicle is in the process of being fixed at this time.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #68

Mar 112007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,200 miles
While traveling on interstate at 70 mph with cruise control set vehicle began accelerating while climbing a grade. Speed continued to increase well past 70 mph set point. I tapped brake to disengage speed control with no success. I had to brake against accelerating engine with speed control still engaged. The only way I could bring vehicle under control was to shift into neutral, turn off engine, and coast to side of road. I disconnected recently installed, Ford recalled, vehicle speed control wiring harness, and activated the speed control on/off steering wheel switch. Combination of actions disengaged speed control with no further incident. On 4/11/07 had vehicle looked at by Ford service center; nothing out of ordinary was found.

- Elizabeth City, NC, USA

problem #67

Mar 072007

F-150 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,100 miles
My 1997 Ford F-150 has had 3 uncommanded throttle surges that I could not stop until I turned the ignition off. The first time it happened, I rode the brakes and was able to slow down to around 55 mph but it wouldn't stop until I turned the ignition on and off 3 times. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealer and they advised that everything checked out just fine. They seem to think I don't know how to use the cruise control...the cruise control was not on during any of these episodes. There was an article on the inter net where a police Crown Victoria did the same thing and the end result was an accident.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #66

Feb 072007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,300 miles
- the contact stated that her 1997 Ford F-150 XLT had a problem with the throttle. The contact stated that on cold days while driving at 50 mph the accelerator pedal stayed down and became stuck when trying to come to a stop. Also, while driving at this speed and trying to come to a stop or slowing down the accelerator pedal continued to go at a high speed. There was recall 96V251000 for the vehicle speed control. She contacted the manufacturer, and they informed her that the vehicle was not on the recall due to the VIN. Took the vehicle to the dealership, and found that there was a service bulletin on the vehicle, and she thought that she should be reimbursed for the repairs due to the faulty throttle. The current and failure mileage were both 11500. Updated 04/05/07.

- Alanson, MI, USA

problem #65

Feb 132007

F-150 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,600 miles
Throttle hung three times: One under cruise, twice without. All instances started at highway speeds when temps where extremely cold. Pumping peddle to break acceleration only allowed for partial deceleration. Repeated attempts required to reduce speed. Could have caused fatality in second occurrence as icy conditions and stopped vehicles could have resulted in a major collision. Shifting into neutral and pumping breaks allowed for a controlled stop. Extremely high idle remained until multiple attempts to break acceleration prevailed. Note: Floor mats are not involved in this issue. Research has uncovered many other owners having the same issue with this vehicle, similar to the Explorer of the same year. When is a recall to get this corrected going to be issued... how many need to be injured or killed before somebody does the right thing!!!

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

problem #64

Dec 312006

F-150 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 143,800 miles
- the contact stated that while the 1997 Ford F-150 was parked in the driveway the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. The fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The fire damaged the engine, electrical wiring, piping, and anything that was made of plastic melted in the vehicle. The contact could provide pictures of damaged vehicle, and a fire department report. Updated 02/28/07.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?