VehicleVerdict

1997 Ford F-450 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 1997 Ford F-450 Sd — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other F-450 Sd years?

See all F-450 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Ford F-450 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine333%
Suspension222%
Transmission222%
Brakes111%
Tires & Wheels111%

Does the 1997 Ford F-450 Sd have recalls?

4 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.

07V553000EngineDecember 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

06V286000Speed ControlAugust 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 units

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)

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

THE FLYWHEEL ON THIS VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TEAR UP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS FLYWHEEL, BUT ONCE MY WARRANTY IS UP THE DEALER WILL NO LONGER REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD TO PAY $100 EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FLYWHEEL HAS ACTAULLY NEEDED REPLACING MORE TIMES,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 23, 1998

VEHICLE #1: BROKE DOWN AT 17 MILES. NEW TRANSMISSION AT 900 MILES. EMERGENCY BRAKE PROBLEMS. VEHICLE #2: TURBO WAS MALFUNCTIONING. OIL LEAK. SHAKES VIOLENTLY. TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR--BROKEN FLYWHEEL AND CONNECTING SPLINE CAUSED SHAKING. TWO OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE THAT THEY OWN HAVE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 1, 1998

THE VEHICLE REAR END SNAPS VIOLENTLY JERKING THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SIDEWAYS. IT DOES THIS 2-3 TIMES A WEEK. IT HAS NEVER DONE IT WHEN THE DEALER TEST DRIVES. THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSES THIS AND WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 1, 1997

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD BOOMING NOISE THAT CAME FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAR INSIDE FIRESTONE, STEELTEX RADIAL R4S TIRE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION. TIRE SIZE IS LT225/75R16E, FORD, F450HD. *AK DOT NUMBER VD1L1XA456. *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 1, 2001

VEHICLE #1: BROKE DOWN AT 17 MILES. NEW TRANSMISSION AT 900 MILES. EMERGENCY BRAKE PROBLEMS. VEHICLE #2: TURBO WAS MALFUNCTIONING. OIL LEAK. SHAKES VIOLENTLY. TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR--BROKEN FLYWHEEL AND CONNECTING SPLINE CAUSED SHAKING. TWO OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE THAT THEY OWN HAVE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 1, 1998

1997 Ford F-450 Sd — common questions

Is the 1997 Ford F-450 Sd reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1997 Ford F-450 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Ford F-450 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Ford F-450 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-450 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-450 Sd years to avoid are 2008, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2004, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2018. The cleanest record among F-450 Sd years belongs to 2026.

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.