Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 filled the fuel tank and let the vehicle set in my drive over night. In the morning as I was approaching the vehicle in preparation to drive to work, I smelled a strong odor of gasoline. I looked under the vehicle and saw a wet spot about 3 feet in diameter. The wet spot was gasoline. As i was investigating the leak, I noticed the front fuel tank retaining band rusted in two and fuel tank hanging low. Further investigation revealed there was a leak from the fuel pump access seal and hose connecting the filler neck to the tank. I had just driven the vehicle 130 miles the day before filling the fuel tank. …
Driving at normal speed (45 MPH), no abnormal noises or vibrations present. Loud bang noise came from within engine bay, and truck began to sputter and stumble very badly. Check engine light came on and preceded to flash, put truck into neutral and rolled to the side of the road where truck was shut off. Excessive fuel was found on top of the engine at the third cylinder from the front on the passenger side (4.6l v8 engine). Spark plug was separated from the wire and lying on top of engine. Spark plug boot was melted and smoking suggesting it was previously burning. Spark plug was %100 covered by burnt sooty material.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-150. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have his brakes serviced. While there, he was informed of NHTSA campaign number: 00V231000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact took the vehicle to vancouver Ford, inc. (6801 ne 40th st, vancouver, wa 98661) where he was informed by the mechanic that the recall required for him to check the pvc valve and the fuel line. As per the mechanic, there were no issues with the vehicle and no repairs were performed on the vehicle. The recall was then removed from his VIN. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled and shutoff without warning. The contact also stated that while at a complete stop while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated forward without warning. The contact replaced the pcv valve and the pcv hose himself however, the failure persisted. …
My 17 year old a honor student was going to volleyball practice when the front strap of the fuel tank let go resulting the front of the fuel tank to drop down, grinding on the cement surface of the road wearing a hole in the front bottom corner of the fuel tank releasing the full 24 gallons of gas that was filled into the fuel tank the night before. The local law enforcement/fire dept/Ford dealer were called to handle the situation. Luckily for my daughter -no fire. The law enforcement took a picture of the fuel tank while it was still partially intact with gas flowing from the fuel tank, the fire dept. Was able to contain some of the 24 gallons of gas and then clean up. The local Ford dealership towed the 1997 f-150 to the dealership where the new fuel tank, straps and sensor were replaced. My insurance would not cover any loss on this issue. …
Had fuel tank strap recall done on 3/16/2015 on my 1997 Ford f150. Picked truck up from dealer on 3/20/2015 and took it to my home and parked it by the house. I left my house with my other car for a couple of hours and when I returned home I could smell a strong odor a gas. Upon inspection of my truck I found gas leaking from the fuel tank at the location of the fuel tank straps. I contacted Ford and they sad they are not going to do anything about it. My truck was fine when I took it in for the recall and now after the recall the tank is leaking because the old straps corroded and damaged the tank. Truck goes in for safety recall and comes back undrivable because of a fire safety issue ( leaking fuel tank ) how can this be acceptable or safe.
On October 4 2010 my daughter was driving the 1997 Ford f-150 to school for volleyball practice when the front strap holding the fuel tank broke free thus causing the front of the fuel tank to drop down onto the cement roadway thus wearing a hole in the front corner of the fuel tank and releasing gas onto the cement roadway. She called me right away to tell me of the incident and said there was a little smoke but no fire and that gas was releasing. I then told her to hang up and call 911. Police and fire department responded and handled the situation. The local Ford dealership towed the pickup to the service department and also did the repair work over the next few days.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline). After the repair was performed, the contact smelled fuel and notice a leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the straps had been replaced and the fuel tank had a pinhole fracture, which was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-150. The contact noticed that one of the fuel tank straps failed due to excessive corrosion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed because the vehicle was not manufactured within the state. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-150. While the vehicle was parked, there was a strong odor of fuel coming from the vehicle. In addition, fuel leaked from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 258,000.
Fuel tank straps broke and fuel tank fell to the ground while in motion at slow speed. Fuel filler neck cracked and fuel connection and fuel pump do not work. Vehicle is drivable and temporarily supported by straps. On my own I discovered there was a recall for 1997-2004 Ford trucks and contacted Ford who informed, to my disbelief, that my vehicle was not included in the recall. Ford could offer me no help.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year Ford f-150, 2004 model year Ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 Lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from June 20, 1995, through August 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks manufactured at the kansas city or norfolk assembly plants. The front fuel line assembly could have a hole rubbed through in one of two locations. The first location is below the fuel rail connection where the flexible hose is crimped to the steel tube.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these lines and replace the front fuel line assembly if necessary. Owner notification began October 27, 2000.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: light duty 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. If the vehicle is overloaded, the rear leaf springs can be overstressed. A fatigue fracture of the spring can occur. The center leaf of the spring can fracture at the forward edge of the spring seat and, in some cases, contact the fuel tank.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear springs and install an additional clip on the forward end of the rear springs to prevent fuel tank contact in the event of a leaf fracture. Any fractured springs will be replaced.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Tank Strap Corrosion/Rust
One or both of the steel straps holding up the fuel tank and attaching it to the truck frame can corrode and break.If one strap breaks, the tank may tilt and drop and possibly contact the road surface.If both straps break, the entire tank may drop to the road.If either failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven, contact with the road can abrade the tank and create a hole from which gasoline can spill.When the…
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
One or both of the steel straps holding up the fuel tank and attaching it to the truck frame can corrode and fail (break or separate).If one strap fails, the tank may tilt and drop and possibly contact the road surface.If both straps break, the entire tank may drop to the road.If either failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven, contact with the road can abrade the tank and create a hole from which gasoline…
Fuel System complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 246 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Ford F-150, 9% of the model year's 2,758 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly › mounting (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford F-150 fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-385 (mounting, Jul 29, 2011); NHTSA recall 00V-231 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Aug 17, 2000); NHTSA recall 98V-161 (tank assembly, Jul 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-150 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 140,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 11 fires and 2 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.