1997 Ford Club Wagon problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 40 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 20.0 times the median Club Wagon year — the 1997 model ranks #1 of 25 Club Wagon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Brakes leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (25% of the total).
40
NHTSA complaints
0
Recalls
0
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1997 compare to other Club Wagon years?
What are the most common 1997 Ford Club Wagon problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 10 | 25% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 9 | 23% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 7 | 18% | new |
| Engine | 5 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 3 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Other | 2 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Airbags | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 3% | — flat |
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL LUGS: NUTS HAD BEEN STRIPPED OFF COMPLETELY. THE ENTIRE WHEEL, ALONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, HAD CAME OFF. THERE WAS NO CARTER KEY USED ON THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR, JIM WILLIAMS. *AK”
“HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL LUGS: NUTS HAD BEEN STRIPPED OFF COMPLETELY. THE ENTIRE WHEEL, ALONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, HAD CAME OFF. THERE WAS NO CARTER KEY USED ON THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR, JIM WILLIAMS. *AK”
“HEAT BLEND DOOR FAILED, NO FRONT HEAT/DEFROST, SAFETY HAZARD, $391 TO REPLACE. SMALL PLASTIC PIECE BROKE AND ONLY COLD AIR PRODUCED THROUGH FRONT HEATER. FOUND AT LEAST 9 OTHER ODI DOCUMENTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM FOR JUST THE 97 MODEL YEAR, LISTED UNDER E150, CLUB WAGON AND ECONOLINE MODELS. MORE…”
“#4 SPARK PLUG CAME OUT OF MY 1997 FORD E350 VAN WITH A V-10 ENGINE. THE VAN HAS ONLY 62,000 MILES AND HAS THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS. THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE. *TR”
“FRONT ABS BRAKES WOULD SHIMMY WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED. ALSO, WOULD LOCK UP ON WET ROADS. HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES & BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES. LAST TRIP MECHANIC WOULD NOT WORK ON BRAKES. ADVISED OWNER TO MAKE FORD BUY BACK VEHICLE. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER/ TIRES/DRUMS AND ROTORS, AND…”
1997 Ford Club Wagon — common questions
Is the 1997 Ford Club Wagon reliable?
NHTSA data argues against it: 40 complaints put the 1997 model at #1 of 25 Club Wagon years. It is one of the Club Wagon years to avoid.
What are the most common 1997 Club Wagon problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), tires & wheels (9 complaints), visibility & wipers (7 complaints).
Does the 1997 Ford Club Wagon have recalls?
No. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Ford Club Wagon.
Which Ford Club Wagon years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Club Wagon years to avoid are 1997, 1998. The cleanest record among Club Wagon years belongs to 1984.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.