1997 Ford F-150 Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the 1997 Ford F-150, 8% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 120,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (40% of reports).
- 223vehicle speed control complaints
- 120,000median miles at failure
- 14mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 57%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.
- Cruise control: mentioned in 89 of 223 complaints (40%)
- Caught fire: mentioned in 44 of 223 complaints (20%)
- Deactivation switch: mentioned in 14 of 223 complaints (6%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 14 of 223 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 101 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 223 complaints, 14 mention a crash, 92 a fire, 11 an injury.
Ford F-150 vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 F-150 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 F-150 | 11 | 10% | 6,500 |
| 2024 F-150 | 7 | 4% | 13,290 |
| 2023 F-150 | 18 | 4% | 22,000 |
| 2022 F-150 | 16 | 3% | 18,000 |
| 2021 F-150 | 20 | 2% | — |
| 2020 F-150 | 16 | 2% | 23,000 |
| 2019 F-150 | 44 | 3% | 35,000 |
| 2018 F-150 | 73 | 3% | 15,500 |
| 2017 F-150 | 66 | 5% | 14,000 |
| 2016 F-150 | 100 | 5% | 38,869 |
| 2015 F-150 | 145 | 8% | 44,000 |
| 2014 F-150 | 102 | 7% | 52,000 |
| 2013 F-150 | 302 | 10% | 69,074 |
| 2012 F-150 | 194 | 11% | 30,500 |
| 2011 F-150 | 213 | 10% | 57,000 |
| 2010 F-150 | 39 | 5% | 52,000 |
| 2009 F-150 | 54 | 17% | 36,370 |
| 2008 F-150 | 41 | 11% | 27,225 |
| 2007 F-150 | 54 | 11% | 44,500 |
| 2006 F-150 | 31 | 5% | 50,000 |
| 2005 F-150 | 57 | 5% | 50,251 |
| 2004 F-150 | 70 | 3% | 39,500 |
| 2003 F-150 | 32 | 8% | 85,000 |
| 2002 F-150 | 86 | 10% | 120,000 |
| 2001 F-150 | 180 | 15% | 103,000 |
| 2000 F-150 | 188 | 17% | 100,000 |
| 1999 F-150 | 79 | 8% | 78,500 |
| 1998 F-150 | 116 | 8% | 108,500 |
| 1997 F-150 | 223 | 8% | 120,000 |
| 1996 F-150 | 36 | 11% | 130,000 |
| 1995 F-150 | 76 | 12% | 121,382 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Vehicle speed control
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.
Fix: By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 06v286)
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with a 4.2l engine and originally sold or currently registered in one of the following states: alaska, montana, north dakota, minnesota, wisconsin, new york, vermont, new hampshire, maine, michigan, idaho, wyoming, south dakota, colorado, nebraska, kansas, iowa, missouri, illinois, indiana, ohio, pennsylvania, and massachusetts. The throttle is unable to return to idle due to ice forming in the throttle body when the temperature ranges from -10 to -40 degrees fahrenheit.
Risk: Increased brake pedal efforts or some increase in stopping distance could result.
Fix: Dealers will install a revised pcv system on these vehicles.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: Vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, montana, north dakota, minnesota, wisconsin, michigan (upper peninsula), new york, maine, vermont, and new hampshire. Operation at highway speeds during extreme cold, northern climate winter conditions, can result in ice forming in the throttle body of the engine.
Risk: This ice can cause the throttle plate to remain in the highway cruising position after the accelerator is released or the speed control is deactivated. Under such conditions, the vehicle stopping distances would be increased possibly resulting in an accident.
Fix: Dealers will install a foam insulating sleeve on the line from the pcv to the hose fitting on the throttle plate.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
1997 Ford F150, had recall 25527072 05S28 performed in March of 2006. The switch installed as part of the recall has failed and brake fluid has leaked from the switched and the harness. It is not apparent that the switch is leaking until the harness connector is removed from the switch. The…
My truck was turned off in my driveway for about an hour and it caught on fire under the hood. A neighbor came to tell us and the fire department had to come put out the fire.
On august 16, 2015, my 1997 ford f150 truck caught fire in my son's driveway while parked. The fire department was called and came out, however my son managed to put out the fire with a garden hose. One of the firemen said it appears to have started with the cruise control switch. The entire cab is…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1997 Ford F-150s have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 223 owner complaints about vehicle speed control 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 vehicle speed control?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems start?
The median reported mileage is 120,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the 1997 Ford F-150?
The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 89 of 223 complaints, followed by “caught fire” (44).
Other 1997 Ford F-150 problems
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (529)
- Tires problems (305)
- Structure problems (226)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (215)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (213)
- Suspension problems (204)
- Steering problems (202)
- Electrical System problems (198)
See all 1997 Ford F-150 problems or vehicle speed control problems across all F-150 years.