VehicleVerdict

1997 Ford E-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 96 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.8 times the median E-350 year — the 1997 model ranks #1 of 53 E-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 10 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Tires & Wheels leads the complaint categories with 26 reports (27% of the total).

96

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

10

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other E-350 years?

See all E-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Ford E-350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels2627%
Brakes1920%
Engine1516%
Suspension66%
Fuel System55%
Transmission44%
Electrical System44%
Speed Control44%
Airbags33%
Body & Structure33%
Seat Belts22%
Other22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Steering11%

Does the 1997 Ford E-350 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

04V562000OtherNovember 26, 2004 · 1,660 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

01V114000Fuel SystemApril 5, 2001 · 151,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, ROUGH ROAD OR SPEED BUMP EVENTS, THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK COULD DEVELOP A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. IF THE FUEL TANK CRACKS, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

CONSUMER HAS A 1997, FORD, E350 VAN. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WITH 27,700 MILES. TIRE SIZE LT225/75R16 DOT# UNKNOWN. REAR PASSENGER FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRE TREAD SEPARATED GOING 65MPH. VEHICLE TURNED 180 DEGREES & HIT THE GUARDRAIL FRONT & REAR, AND WAS TOTALLED. FIRESTONE WILL BE CONTACTED.*AK *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 17, 2000 · crash

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME OR PULLING A LOAD THE BRAKES BECOME WARM AND THE BRAKING POWER DECREASES. THE VEHICLE ALSO VIRBRATES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE SERVICED 8 OR 9 TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WARP DUE TO HEAT WHICH LESSONS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 12, 1996

OUR 1997 FORD F350 TRUCK WAS PARKED IN OUR BARN AND CAUGHT FIRE YESTERDAY MORNING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE TRUCK AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BARN AND ALSO CAUGHT OUR ATV ON FIRE. I LEFT FOR WORK AT 7 A.M. AND HAD BEEN IN THE BARN BEFORE LEAVING. THE FIRST DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 11, 2009 · fire

CRASH RIGHT FRONT,WHEEL BEARING NUT SHEERED OFF, ROTOR BROKE, WHEEL, TIRE ,AND HUB ASSEMBLY CAME OFF VEHICLE. WHEEL AND TIRE UNDAMAGED. *NM. *AK UPDATED 06/22/06 *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 17, 2006 · crash

I HAVE A 97 FORD E-350 AND THE FUEL LINE DEVELOPED A LEAK DUE TO THE PLASTIC OUTER COATING RUBBING AGAINST THE LINE. I CONSIDER THIS A FIRE HAZARD AS IT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 30, 2004

1997 Ford E-350 — common questions

Is the 1997 Ford E-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 96 complaints put the 1997 model at #1 of 53 E-350 years. It is one of the E-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 E-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (26 complaints), brakes (19 complaints), engine (15 complaints).

Does the 1997 Ford E-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Ford E-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Ford E-350 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-350 years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 2005, 1999, 2006, 1998, 2004, 2000, 2002, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2001, 2008, 1993, 1992, 1989, 2013, 2021. The cleanest record among E-350 years belongs to 2027.

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.