Most common 1997 Ford E Series problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford E Series complaints by model year
Best E Series years: 2006, 2007, 2000. Years to avoid: 1997, 1998. Compare all years →
1997 Ford E Series recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle May function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on December 29, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1997 Ford E Series:
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
What 1997 Ford E Series owners say
Wheels & tires
While driving 60 MPH and without warning, the rear passenger outer tire blewout, which resulted in tread separation, within the next 24 hours, the driver's side inner tire also blewout. Firestone had been notified.
We purchased a 1997 Ford e150 raised roof conversion van from jim o'neal Ford in sellersburg, indiana just across the border from louisville, kentucky. The conversion was by superior in louisville. We purchased that particular van because it was highly rated by Ford motor company as a conversion company. We drove the van for six years and just recently traded it in. It has 97,000 miles on it. The major problem we had with the van was with the front end. Both Ford and our local tire dealer have told us that because the van is raised roof and heavier than normal, we should expect excessive tire and brake wear. However, we often would have to put brakes on the van more than once a year and replace all four tires yearly. The front tires would get abnormal wear (cupping) which would destroy all four tires eventually with normal rotation. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford E Series a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 E Series rates use caution: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the E Series at the same age. It is one of the E Series 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 Series?
The wheels & tires — 12 complaints, 75% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the brakes (2) and suspension (2).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford E Series have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Ford E Series, the most recent from December 5, 2007 (diesel). 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 Series?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2007 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997 and 1998. See the full Ford E Series years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford E Series problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 29,000 miles; 67% 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.