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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks

1997 Ford F-150Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 26 safety recalls and 2,855 owner complaints for the 1997 Ford F-150. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (554) and tires (310). The EPA rates it 13–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
13–17mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
26campaigns
Latest Jul 2011
Owner complaints
2,855
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

26 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Remedy pending

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 29, 2011NHTSA 11V385000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
See all 26 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2,855 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 1995 – Apr 2024
  1. Engine and engine cooling554
  2. Tires310
  3. Structure234
  4. Vehicle speed control228
  5. Fuel system, gasoline222
  6. Electrical system209
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic209
  8. Suspension205
  9. Steering204

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each F-150 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996360
19972,855
19981,418
19991,121
20001,206
20011,340
2002955
2003464
20042,036
20051,121
2006589
2007492
2008369
2009324
2010851
20112,137
20121,717
20132,796
20141,362
20151,425
20161,798
20171,148
20181,929
20191,021
2020562
20211,042
2022605
2023419
2024195
2025119
20260
Crashes reported
168
Fires reported
275
Injuries reported
133
Deaths reported
14
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

554 reports5 crashes40 fires
“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. THE WARRANTY COMPANY SENT OUT A SHORT BLOCK AND FORD COMPLETED THE REST OF THE REPAIRS. AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL, MY DAUGHTER WAS USING MY TRUCK AND SHE DROVE IT TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED IT OUT FRONT. IT SAT FOR 2 WEEKS, WHEN I WENT TO START IT, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. REPLACE THE BATTERY AND IT STILL WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AT THAT TIME THE STARTER SMOKED AND TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE STARTER. HE TRIED TO TURN IT OVER AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. HE STATED THEY TRIED USING A TORQUE WRENCH AND STILL COULD NOT TURN THE MOTOR. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY HOME. AFTER READING THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10456371

Tires

310 reports15 crashes
“DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN 1997 FORD F-150 PICKUP ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY. HEARD NOISE TOWARDS REAR OF VEHICLE. NO COLLISION SPARE TIRE EXITED BOTTOM OF BED . BOUNCED ON ROADWAY ACROSS TRAFFIC ON OTHER SIDE OF 4 LANE ON COMING TRAFFIC BEHIND THEN AND IN FRONT OF VEHICLES. SOMEHOW NO ONE COLLIDED WITH THE ROLLING SPARE TIRE AS IT EXITED THE ROADWAY TO THE SHOULD OF ROADWAY. TIRE NOW IN BED OF TRUCK NOT UNDERNEATH UNTIL I CAN REPAIR DUE TO BROKEN CABLE THAT SUPPORTED TIRE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2010Structure, TiresODI 10326073

Structure

234 reports1 crash3 fires
“The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side subframe near the axle of the vehicle was severely corroded. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,788.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2021StructureODI 11435115
All 1997 F-150 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
F150 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151816$3,900555
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,150592
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121613$4,800684
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $4,800/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Ford F-150 as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 3742
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1997 F-150 questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford F-150 have?

26 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1997 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners filed 2,855 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (554), tires (310), structure (234). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Ford F-150 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Ford F-150 at 13–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026