Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1997 Ford F-150: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
566 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
307 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
268 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 00V231000, 11V385000, 98V161000.
256 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V184000.
227 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
225 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 05V388000, 96V251000, 98V007000.
211 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V196000.
210 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
207 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
156 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 97V147000, 97V171000.
155 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
116 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V095000.
99 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
60 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V168000.
48 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
42 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V161000.
38 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V256000.
14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on June 19, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 20,637 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on August 17, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 670,509 vehicles across all affected models.
Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on May 27, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 171,446 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on September 7, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 29, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 1,100,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on August 29, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 134,770 vehicles across all affected models.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on September 25, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 1,200 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on December 18, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 22,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on December 27, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 133,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on September 9, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 15,500 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on October 7, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 866,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on January 21, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 45,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on May 13, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 1,520,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 15, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 202,000 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 03V196000.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion. Resulted in recall campaign 11V385000.
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion. Resulted in recall campaign 11V385000.
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion. Resulted in recall campaign 11V385000.
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion. Resulted in recall campaign 11V385000.
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 96V256000.
WHEEL SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 98V095000.
ALLEGED LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
STEERING COLUMN. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Fuel Tank Strap Corrosion/Rust. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Fuel Tank Strap Corrosion/Rust. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Fuel Tank Strap Corrosion/Rust. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Fuel Tank Strap Corrosion/Rust. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 96V256000.
FAILURE TRANSMISSION PARK ENGAGEMENT/LOC. Resulted in recall campaign 97V147000.
WHEEL SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION TORSION BAR. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
TIE ROD END FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
ICE FORMATION IN THE THROTTLE BODY. Resulted in recall campaign 96V251000.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL. Resulted in recall campaign 97V147000.
REAR SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE. Resulted in recall campaign 98V161000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.