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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
126,167 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford F-350 engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Ford F-350 Owner Comments

problem #6

Aug 212004

F-350 8-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Why has Ford recalled only later model trucks for the criuse control fire issue. It is not a problem limited to those years. I experienced the exact same problem with my 1997 F-350.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #5

Jul 092005

F-350 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
1997 Ford truck F250

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #4

May 192005

F-350 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 147,000 miles
My 1997 Ford F-150 truck was parked in the drive way in front of my house.the keys were not in the vehicle, and no lights were on. I steped out the front door of my house, and smelled something burning. I looked over at my truck, and saw flames in the left front wheel well, and smoke coming out of the hood side and back edges. I got the fire extenguisher from the house, shot up in the wheel well, then opened the hood and put out the rest of the fire. The fire seemed to start in the brake master cylinder area, and I believe as a result of a defect in the cruise control deactivation switch. The master cylinder is destroyed, an evaporative emmission control valve and solenoid are destroyed, and some wiring harnesses have been burnt.the rear anti lock brake control valve is damaged. The left cowl cover and hood seal melted, as did the left inner wheel well.I have not repaired the truck at this time.

- Arcadia, IN, USA

problem #3

May 092005

F-350 8-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine caught fire on the driver's side of the engine compartment. The consumer's carport (port-a couche) caught on fire along with their home. The house was a total loss. The vehicle had not been started or driven for 8 days prior to the fire. The consumer's 1997 Ford F350 was not included in the recall although it had the same cruise control switch as the recalled vehicle's.

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 202004

F-350 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles
Truck started; however, would not go into drive. Connector for cruise control shut off on brake master cylindar was burnt. Occured while in parking lot with engine shut off. Appears that the brake relay leaked brake fluid into connector causing short. Ford did not replace connector. Cruise control no longer functions. Ford only replaced brake relay at my cost. Did not replace fried connector.

- Grassvalley, CA, USA

problem #1

Oct 152004

F-350 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles
I have a 1997 Ford F150 4X4 4.6 litre pickup. The cruise control system has been malfunctioning for the past 6 months. While driving for an extended period, the cruise control will deactivate on its own. When I press resume, it will pick back up and work fine for an undetermined period. It is a random deactivation problem. Due to the recent recall of Ford trucks regarding the cruise control deavtivation switch problem and my symptoms, I have disconnected my cruise control deactivation and contacted a dealership. They would not look at my truck unless I paid them for the evaluation of my problem. I do not feel I should pay for what I feel is a related problem to the cruise control deactivation switch. I am willing to pay for a new switch if needed however I do not feel that I should pay for the labor. I am making this report due to news I heard today that 1997 models of pickups were now being investigated for this problem. I wanted to be made part of the investigation process. I will be happy to make my vehicle available for inspection by your Agency if needed.

- Houston, TX, USA

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