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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,178 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-250 engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Ford F-250 Owner Comments

problem #14

Oct 092010

F-250 4WD 8-cyl

  • 165,995 miles

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

Ford Motor Co. Refuses to do safety recall 07S57 on my 97 F-250 the recall is for the cam shaft position sensor. It must be replaced because the vehicle stalls while driving which can lead to an accident. They are refusing to do the recall due to a seized bolt. If this bolt breaks they want me to pay $2500 to get the safety recall completed.

- Hatfield, PA, USA

problem #13

Apr 042007

F-250 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
V6 4.2L engine: Gasket failure causing water/fluid fill up the cylinder which causes the rod to blow.

- Albany, OH, USA

problem #12

May 302006

F-250 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 110,000 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. This time it was repaired under the warranty from the engine supplier...thankfully. Now, however there isn't anything to do but replace the engine again. It's not worth much as a running vehicle do to it's age, but as a non-running one it's really worthless. I just hope the someday Ford will be pressured into making some kind of acknowledgement that they have a problem with these engines and at the very least offer advice that truly helps the consumer not just band-aids the issue until it's too late. On a side not I'm not a disgruntled Ford owner I currently own four other Ford vehicles dating from 2003 back to 1986. I just hope maybe I can help get something done by writing this. Thank you for your time.

- Taunton, MA, USA

problem #11

Feb 042006

F-250 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

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

1. loss of coolant 2. pressure test showed front gasket leaking 3.front gasket replaced at cost of $1000, may have lower intake gasket leak now, all common service issue, needs to be recalled.

- Lockport, IL, USA

problem #10

Apr 072004

F-250 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 135,000 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.

- Whitehorse, 00, USA

problem #9

Nov 012004

F-250 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
While driving, the seat reclined which left the driver laying completely down. The seat base assembly had broken on the driver's side front seat. The tie rods had to be replaced. The consumer was unable to shift gears, because the shifter bolts had broke loose from the dash mounts, the head gaskets failed and the check engine light never illuminated. The hub/axle seals were replaced.

- Neosho, MO, USA

problem #8

Jun 032004

F-250 4WD

  • 96,000 miles

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

Consumer request a response to a question he submitted to NHTSA re the 4.6 liter engine exploding in his 1997 Ford F-series pickup truck. The vehicle's engine exploded as the consumer turned the key in the ignition.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #7

May 052003

F-250 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 95,500 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.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #6

Apr 182003

F-250 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Fire started in engine area after being parked for approximately 2 hours. Vehicle at a complete loss. Firefighters could not determine cause of fire other than it originating in middle of engine compartment.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #5

Mar 042003

F-250 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles
Engine failure at 73000 miles, followed all Ford recommended maintenance.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #4

Aug 092001

(reported on)

F-250

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Natural gas vehicle. Clamp in engine was rubbing onto the flexible hose that was hooked to fuel injectors, causing a hole in flexible hose, emitting natural gas. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

- Hayword, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 202001

F-250

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Natural gas vehicle. Clamp in engine was rubbing onto flexible hose that was hooked to fuel injectors, causing a hole in flexible hose, emitting natural gas. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

- Hayword, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 202001

F-250

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Natural gas vehicle. Clamp in the engine was rubbing onto flexible hose that was hooked to fuel injectors, causing a hole in flexible hose, and emitting natural gas. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

- Hayword, CA, USA

problem #1

Oct 011998

F-250 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine oil seals (gaskets) failed.

- San Diego, CA, USA

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