Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am sending in a full letter to explain the "failures". It centers around TSB 99b29 and lack of owner notification of a bad front cover design that can lead to engine failure, which occurred in this case. Additionally, I had a tie rod failure that was not addressed under warranty, but later broke while driving. Also, my crank shaft pulley / dampener assembly fell off while highway driving (70 MPH). There are other issues including door lock / key sticking. Campaign id number : 03V196000 component: steering:gear box:shaft sector. The engine cover gasket failed. The serpentine failed, the transmission had an akward shift, the wipers operated periodically by themselves on high speed, there was little heat coming from the vents through the floor.
1/28/03 - heater core failed and was replaced. 11/29/03 - heater core failed again and was replaced. Ford didn't charge me for another core but I did have to pay agion for the labor, $400.00. This part should not fail after 11 months.
I purchased a 1997 Ford f-150 June 11, 2001 from two rivers cheverolet on 2/04/02 a hole was patched in the radiator of the vehicle. On 9/02/02 the radiator had another hole in it and this time had to be replaced. On 9/27/02 the heater core began leaking and had to be replaced. At that time I had taken the vehical back to the radiator specialist and he sugguested that the vehical might have electryolisis, said take the vehicale to the Ford . I did they replaced the heater core and I had suggested to the service technian that it could have electroylisis. The service tech. Said that, that was not very possible. On 12/03/02 I took the vehicle back to the same Ford garage for leaking of antifreeze, they said that they could not find any leaks and sent me on my way. …
1997 Ford f-150. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle repaired with defective parts. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer because of an A/C problem. The A/C clutch assembly was making noise when the air conditioning was turned off. As the dealer was preparing to install a new A/C clutch assembly, the compressor fell apart when they removed the clutch. So, the vehicle needed a new compressor as well. The consumer gave approval for the repairs, thinking the dealer was going to use new parts. On June 25, 2011, as the consumer was driving 65 MPH, the A/C compressor suddenly seized and broke the serpentine drive belt, which took out the power steering. The vehicle pulled hard to the left and it almost took him half way into the lane of on-coming traffic. The next the day, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where they replaced the compressor and drive belt free of charge. …
Consumer had taken the vehicle to dealer for repairs of the lugs: nuts:bolts, but dealer did not had the parts to repair vehicle for the first time, and now the vehicle has the same problem. Dealer has been contacted. Consumer has became aware of recall 98s14, regarding the lugs/nuts/bolts. Steering not operating properly, it locks up when it rains. Transmission does not operate properly, consumer was informed of recall 97s86, however dealer stated that consumer would have to work with their schedule for repairs. Windshield wipers start by themselves. Turn signals worked too fast, dealer found a loose wire. Brakes did not work efficiently, takes a longer distance to stop. A/C was not cold enough. Serpentine belt was replaced. Door was out of adjustment, making it hard to open from the inside.
1) air conditioner hose spontaneously developed leak at start-up causing complete loss of freon and requiring 800+ dollar repair/replacement of components. No wear areas on part, no rub spots present and per service technician, no reason for part to have failed. 2) disc brake rotor failed at 57,000 miles without apparent reason, causing need for replacement and repair of disk brake assembly. Service technician again noted no reason for failure, no caliper failure, a recent pad replacement and highway driving pattern.
I had an electrical short under the dash caused by moister in the fuse box , which was caused by water leaking around the windshield. I was not to concerned until I took it to the shop and found out that there is 13 pages of service bulletin about moisture get into the fuse box. It does thing as wiper not working while in drive or reverse but will work any other time. Radio not turning off, blower motor not shutting off. Trying to engage the starter while the vehicle is running.
Heater core failed and leaked anti-freeze inside heater box mist left oily film on windshield and could not clean . Had to drive 2 hours with drivers window open to see. Replaced in jan of 2000 and failed 8 months later same result both times I was driving home from work at 3 a. M. See TSB 01-15-6 repeated heater core failure. Contacted Ford and they will give me another core but I have to install again 12 to 16 hour job. Very serious safety issue needs to be addressed. Thank you.
1st service at 3000 mileage-A/C leaked twice; later - alignment at the back (bed) area was croocked due to shocks; built-in floor mats almost caused an accident when the gas pedal became stuck to the the floor mat while driving; lastly,power steering wheel locked itself while driving on the road and was unable to manuever/control the pick-up's steering wheels; joeten representatives concluded that power steering pump failed/broke.
Heater core leaking. Heater core leaked causing antifreeze to leak out and get on the windshield. Dealer replaced said had replaced several others in same model of truck. They billed me 568.00 dollars for this. I only agreed to pay them 240 because that is what they quoted over the phone. This is a part that really doesn't ware out. The dealer claimed that they didn't know what was causing this to happen.
AC & Heater complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 1997 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 1997 Ford F-150, 1% of the model year's 2,758 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford F-150 ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 1997 Ford F-150, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-150 ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 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.