Most common 1997 Ford E-450 problems
Share of the 18 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford E-450 complaints by model year
Best E-450 years: 2009, 2012, 2010. Years to avoid: 2021, 2022, 1999, 2000, 2005. Compare all years →
1997 Ford E-450 recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control
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…
Remedy: 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…
Vehicle speed control
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2006. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05V017 and 05V388)
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1997 Ford E-450:
HVAC Switch Failures
ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No…
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of…
What 1997 Ford E-450 owners say
Body & structure
The front crossmember cracking at main frame, Ford has issued a service bulletin #991411 to address this condition. Rewelding of crossmember has not corrected problem, was still cracking, redone with support added.
The front crossmember cracking at main frame, Ford has issued a service bulletin #991411 to address this condition. Rewelding of crossmember has not corrected problem, was still cracking, redone with support added.
Wheels & tires
Had 2 blowouts.1at 22000mi and 1 at 26000.threw all the tread on the 1st one tire cool to touch and outside temp 58deg.looks like tread had never been glued on to carcus.the 2nd tire blew at 55mph outside temp56deg.looked as if part of the tread was glued.I know of 2 other class c motorhomes who have experienced the same problem.between the 3 mh we have had 7 blowouts. (dot number: vd1l 1xd tiresize: 225/75/16)
Pe #00020; Firestone, steeltex, p225/75r16. Right inside rear tire tread separated from tire. Vehicle is a ambulance and moving approximately 60 MPH. Dot # begins with vd. Tires were the production tires of the vehicle with 27000 mileage. Vehicle is a Ford, e450, chassis. The ambulance corp. Requests reimbursment for 12 tires that were replaced for tread separation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford E-450 a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 E-450 rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the E-450 at the same age. It is one of the E-450 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford E-450?
The body & structure — 10 complaints, 56% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frame and members. Next are the wheels & tires (7) and electrical system (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford E-450 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 Ford E-450, the most recent from October 13, 2009 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford E-450?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2012 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2022, 1999, 2000 and 2005. See the full Ford E-450 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford E-450 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.