1997 Ford E-250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other E-250 years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Ford E-250. That ranks 2nd out of 24 E-250 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints, 25%), typically at around 98,500 miles. Complaints mention 4 fires, 1 injury. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 24owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Ford E-250 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 25% | 98,500 | — | — |
| Tires | 5 | 21% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 17% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 13% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 8% | 236,092 | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 8% | 81,070 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 8% | 134,511 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 4% | 15,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Ford E-250 recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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.
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control:cruise control
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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.
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: 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.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Problem: On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- HVAC Switch Failures (EA10003) — opened Apr 13, 2010, closed Mar 5, 2012.
- Spark plug ejection from cylinder head (DP05005) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 4, 2006.
- Shift-lock (PE99022) — opened Mar 18, 1999, closed May 28, 1999.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford e-250. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the fan switch that controls the fan speed melted and burned. The contact coasted to the side of the road, pulled the cover for the dashboard, and removed the wires that were connected to the switch. The vehicle was…
Spark plug ejection. Possible fire hazard. *tr
I have michelin xps 235-83/r16 tires on my motorhome, less than 2 years old. For no reason, i have had 3 failures out of 4 tires. The last failure was in the rv lot, where i have been parked for the last 5 months, and the tire just blew out, same with the other 3 tires. There are many complaints…
Ford motor company has failed to provide the necessary service to remedy the cruise control recall specified in odi id number : 10056190. I have contacted the dealerships in asheville, north carolina & black mountain, north carolina monthly since i was advised of the recall august, 2007. Each time…
Spark plug ejected from cylinder head and repeatedly struck pressurized fuel rail. *jb
Other Ford E-250 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 E-250 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 E-250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 E-250 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 E-250 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 E-250 | 7 | 11 |
| 2013 E-250 | 11 | 11 |
| 2012 E-250 | 8 | 12 |
| 2011 E-250 | 6 | 16 |
| 2010 E-250 | 9 | 11 |
| 2009 E-250 | 2 | 17 |
| 2008 E-250 | 6 | 21 |
| 2007 E-250 | 6 | 26 |
| 2006 E-250 | 12 | 29 |
| 2005 E-250 | 11 | 9 |
| 2004 E-250 | 8 | 16 |
| 2003 E-250 | 17 | 7 |
| 2002 E-250 | 17 | 5 |
| 2001 E-250 | 18 | 3 |
| 2000 E-250 | 18 | 5 |
| 1999 E-250 | 31 | 6 |
| 1998 E-250 | 16 | 5 |
| 1997 | 24 | 4 |
| 1996 E-250 | 20 | 3 |
| 1995 E-250 | 15 | 3 |
See all Ford E-250 problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford E-250?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, tires, suspension problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 6 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Ford E-250?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 Ford E-250 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other E-250 model years, the 1997 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.