Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 1997 Ford F-Super Duty — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
28
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
2
Investigations
3
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires & Wheels | 14 | 50% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 3 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 2 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 2 | 7% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 1 | 4% | new |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS. HOT EXHAUST GASSES CAN LEAK FROM THE EXHAUST GAS RETURN (EGR) TUBE ON THE ENGINE. A HOLE CAN DEVELOP IN THE FLEXIBLE SECTION OF THE TUBE. HEAT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FLOOR AND FLOOR COVERING CAN OCCUR.
Consequence
DEPENDING ON THE MATERIALS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMPLETED VEHICLE, IGNITION OF THESE MATERIALS COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EGR TUBE.
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
A PLASTIC COATED STEEL SUPPORT STRAP FOR THE BATTERY CABLE WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS CRIMPED ONTO THE CABLE.
Consequence
THIS DAMAGE CAN RESULT IN THE BATTERY CABLE DEVELOPING A SHORT TO GROUND. A SHORTED BATTERY CABLE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE INSULATION AND REPLACE THE SUPPORT STRAP WITH A REVISED, UNCRIMPED STRAP ATTACHED WITH TAPE. IN ADDITION, CONVOLUTE WILL BE ADDED BETWEEN THE CABLE AND THE SUPPORT STRAP. DAMAGED BATTERY CABLES WILL BE REPLACED.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“ONE TIRE BLEW OUT LAST YEAR ON THE RIGHT REAR. THE OUTER TREAD SEPERATED. I REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER JUST LIKE IT. I HAD ANOTHER BLEW THIS YEAR THE SAME WAY. AFTER BLOWING THE SECOND TIRE I THEN REPLACED ALL FOUR REAR TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND. (TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE:…”
“THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE BRAKES RESERVOIR EMPTY, THEN INSPECTED THE BRAKE LINES AND SAW A HOLE IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE. *NM CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKES WENT OUT AND WENT OVER A CURB, OVER PARKING LOTS, INTO A PARKING LOT, AND CAUSED FUEL TANK AND STRAP…”
“TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER REGARDING RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED, DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AND CANT GET THEM, HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RECEIVE THEM FROM MANUFACTURER. *AK CONSUMER STATES HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND DEALER STILL UNABLE TO GET PART.*JB”
“THE RV VIBRATED AT SPEED OFF 55 MPH AND HIGHER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVELINE WAS UNDER COATED AND OUT OF ROUND. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS REPLACED/REPAIRS THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. *PH *NLM”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-530 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE OF ARRIVAL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE WAIT TIME FOR THE…”
The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (14 complaints), engine (3 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Ford F-Super Duty. 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-Super Duty years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among F-Super Duty years belongs to 1991.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.