1997 Ford F-150 Fuel System, Gasoline Problems
Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 1997 Ford F-150, 8% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 140,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “fuel tank” (57% of reports).
- 215fuel system, gasoline complaints
- 140,000median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $530typical repair cost reported by owners
- 18%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel tank: mentioned in 122 of 215 complaints (57%)
- Assembly mounting: mentioned in 38 of 215 complaints (18%)
- Gasoline storage: mentioned in 38 of 215 complaints (18%)
- Straps fractured: mentioned in 14 of 215 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical fuel system, gasoline repair on the 1997 Ford F-150 at $530, and half of them between $370 and $750.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?
Based on 157 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 215 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 2 an injury.
Ford F-150 fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel System, Gasoline complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 F-150 | 1 | 1% | 22,000 |
| 2023 F-150 | 1 | 0% | 32,500 |
| 2022 F-150 | 54 | 9% | 33,000 |
| 2021 F-150 | 40 | 4% | 51,000 |
| 2020 F-150 | 2 | 0% | 51,004 |
| 2019 F-150 | 2 | 0% | 87,700 |
| 2018 F-150 | 6 | 0% | 83,250 |
| 2017 F-150 | 1 | 0% | 60,000 |
| 2016 F-150 | 12 | 1% | 89,500 |
| 2015 F-150 | 6 | 0% | 137,274 |
| 2014 F-150 | 9 | 1% | 84,000 |
| 2013 F-150 | 29 | 1% | 13,900 |
| 2012 F-150 | 35 | 2% | 19,650 |
| 2011 F-150 | 43 | 2% | 35,500 |
| 2010 F-150 | 13 | 2% | 20,750 |
| 2009 F-150 | 9 | 3% | 46,500 |
| 2008 F-150 | 5 | 1% | 82,000 |
| 2007 F-150 | 16 | 3% | 58,906 |
| 2006 F-150 | 34 | 6% | 56,000 |
| 2005 F-150 | 53 | 5% | 50,000 |
| 2004 F-150 | 40 | 2% | 66,703 |
| 2003 F-150 | 20 | 5% | 102,611 |
| 2002 F-150 | 62 | 8% | 123,500 |
| 2001 F-150 | 114 | 9% | 129,000 |
| 2000 F-150 | 122 | 11% | 121,453 |
| 1999 F-150 | 112 | 11% | 135,356 |
| 1998 F-150 | 177 | 13% | 137,500 |
| 1997 F-150 | 215 | 8% | 140,000 |
| 1996 F-150 | 42 | 13% | 102,000 |
| 1995 F-150 | 59 | 9% | 74,602 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting
Problem: Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from june 20, 1995, through august 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps which secure the tank to the vehicle.
Risk: As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak presenting a fire hazard.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. Any repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 11s21
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks manufactured at the kansas city or norfolk assembly plants. The front fuel line assembly could have a hole rubbed through in one of two locations. The first location is below the fuel rail connection where the flexible hose is crimped to the steel tube. The bracket that attaches the front fuel line to the transmission could have been bent during assembly. The second location is at the rear steel tube section forward of the rear bracket. During installation the rear steel tubes of the front fuel line assembly could have been bent downward. In vehicles equipped with a manual 4xz4 transfer case shifter, the shifter linkage may contact the steel tubes as it is being shifted between 4h, 4l, 2l and neutral.
Risk: This condition could result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect these lines and replace the front fuel line assembly if necessary. Owner notification began october 27, 2000. 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly; suspension:rear:springs:leaf spring assembly
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. If the vehicle is overloaded, the rear leaf springs can be overstressed. A fatigue fracture of the spring can occur. The center leaf of the spring can fracture at the forward edge of the spring seat and, in some cases, contact the fuel tank.
Risk: Fuel tank contact can damage the tank and result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear springs and install an additional clip on the forward end of the rear springs to prevent fuel tank contact in the event of a leaf fracture. Any fractured springs will be replaced.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have his brakes serviced. While there, he was informed of nhtsa campaign number: 00v231000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact took the vehicle to vancouver ford, inc. (6801 ne 40th st…
1997 ford f150 4.6l 4x4 fuel line is leaking above the transmission where the lines connect between the fuel filter and the top rear of engine. Fuel lines are rubbing on the frame of the truck. Ford has recalled over 600,000 of this model truck for this problem in august, 2000, (ford mfg. Recall#…
I went to a automotive shop to have some brake work done on my 1997 ford f-150 truck. The mechanic said i have something to show you & what they show was one of my fuel tank strap was broken and also they said my gas tank drop down a little.so i call a ford dealer & they say there no recall on my…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1997 Ford F-150s have fuel system, gasoline problems?
No. NHTSA has 215 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the 1997 Ford F-150 (8% of the 2,758 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Ford F-150 fuel system, gasoline?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems start?
The median reported mileage is 140,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix fuel system, gasoline problems on the 1997 Ford F-150?
Owners report a typical cost of $530 (half paid between $370 and $750), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 1997 Ford F-150?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel tank”, in 122 of 215 complaints, followed by “assembly mounting” (38).
Other 1997 Ford F-150 problems
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (529)
- Tires problems (305)
- Structure problems (226)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (223)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (213)
- Suspension problems (204)
- Steering problems (202)
- Electrical System problems (198)
See all 1997 Ford F-150 problems or fuel system, gasoline problems across all F-150 years.