Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 188 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median F-350 year — the 1997 model ranks #14 of 53 F-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (40), tires & wheels (35), and engine (30), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
188
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
2
Investigations
14
Crash-involved
15
Fires reported
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 40 | 21% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 35 | 19% | — flat |
| Engine | 30 | 16% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 22 | 12% | — flat |
| Steering | 12 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 11 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 8 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 7 | 4% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 7 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 3 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Other | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 1 | 1% | new |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 1% | — flat |
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
Defect
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Consequence
SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND CHASSIS. THE TIRES ON THESE VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED DURING MOUNTING ONTO THE WHEELS. ONLY TRUCKS PRODUCED AT THE CUAUTITLAN, MEXICO PLANT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 1996, AND JULY 17, 1997, WERE AFFECTED BY THE DEFECT.
Consequence
THE BEAD AREA OF THE TIRE WAS CUT WHICH COULD RESULT IN AIR LOSS. SUDDEN AIR LOSS COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES AND THIS RECALL AFFECTING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ONLY, FORD WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT CLAIMS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.
Defect
THE RETAINER CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING.
Consequence
A LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKING CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO VERIFY THAT THE RETAINER CLIPS ARE INSTALLED AND IF CLIPS ARE MISSING WILL INSTALL CLIPS.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHEN TRAVELING AT 20 TO 35 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER ALSO HAS EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WHEN TRAVELING, FIRE SHOT OUT OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING OBJECTS IN THE ROAD TO…”
“REAR DRIVER SIDE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE AT 75MPH IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.22HRS. LATER IN THE STATE OF OHIO THE PASSENGER REAR SEPARATED. CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDENT. *TR”
“WHEN TRAVELING AT 20 TO 35 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER ALSO HAS EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WHEN TRAVELING, FIRE SHOT OUT OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING OBJECTS IN THE ROAD TO…”
“TRUCK WAS PARKED IN LEVEL DRIVEWAY AND JUMPED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE AND ROLLED THRU FENCE, PASTURE, AND SHED. DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO FENCE, SHED AND TRUCK. MY HORSE WAS MODERATELY INJURED DUE TO TRUCK CRASHING INTO SHED AND HORSE RUNNING THRU FENCE. FORD STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF THING CAN HAPPEN AT…”
“PREVIOUS COMPLAINT #ODI747045. I WANTED TO SEND YOU SOME MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM AS I AM AWARE THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES SINCE 96 WHEN FORD BOUGHT BACK MY VEHICLE AND REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. RECENTLY I RAN OFF THE ROAD WITH…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 188 complaints put the 1997 model at #14 of 53 F-350 years. It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (40 complaints), tires & wheels (35 complaints), engine (30 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Ford F-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.