Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into park(P). The contact stated that when he attempted to shift the vehicle into reverse(R), the vehicle shifted instead shifted into drive(D) and vice versa. Additionally, the contact stated that he had to turn the vehicle off and turn the steering wheel towards the direction of the curb in case the vehicle rolled away, increasing the risk of a crash or an injury. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable assembly had detached from the bracket and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V171000 (Power Train). …
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission hesitated while shifting gears. The contact stated that when the gear changed, the vehicle would jerk. The contact replaced the control sensor however, the failure recurred. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 245,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into park and crashed into the neighbor's fence. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. When the contact attempted to shift the vehicle into park, the vehicle would go into drive. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000.
Pull gear shifter down to d1 and smoke and fire came out of the steering column: all of the instrument lights went out and the truck was unable to use the overdrive function. Replaced several fuses and tried again with the same results. I dismantled the steering column and noticed that the wiring harness is two short and routed around the steering column causing it to break everytime the truck is put into d1. Ford motor company nor any auto store have any parts to repair the problem. The truck is still available for inspection. I took my truck to a Ford dealer and they did not have a fix for the problem. They recommend that I not use d2/d1/overdrive.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and turned off when it rolled away down a hill and crashed into a neighbor's home. The emergency brake was engaged at the time of the failure. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report of the incident. The contact's insurance company inspected the vehicle and advised that there was an issue with the steering column. The vehicle had not been inspected by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 107,076.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford f-150. While the vehicle was in park with the key in the ignition, it began to roll backwards. There were no occupants in the vehicle at the time. The vehicle crashed into a tree and a mailbox, but was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (PRNDL)). The current and failure mileages were 200,000.
After stopping in driveway my 1997 f150, 4.6 l would not shift into park and the gear shift seemed to be looser than normal. As I tried several times to shift into park a 1 inch, brass, star head machined screw fell out from under the steering column. Also, the gear shift indicator came to rest between park and reverse. The engine would not start in this position, but did start in neutral. I had a difficult time finding reverse and drive, but once in gear the transmission sounds and runs normally. The safety implication of this problem is the unintended movement of the truck if the emergency brake is not set or defective. My research of the problem disclosed two related recalls of 1997 Ford vehicles; campaign number 97V147000, September 9, 1997 and campaign number 97V171000, October 7, 1997. …
Transmission failure, truck has 112000 miles and the tranny would not shift to 3rd gear, the fluid and filter has been change 5 times more than recommended by manufacturer, I also had aamco install a larger transmission cooler. What happened to the tranny is the c clamp that locks the main drive in the transmission came off, and destroyed the od drum and gears I have always kept my vehicles well maintained and at a cost of $1,900.56 I feel that Ford should re imburse me for this , the truck has never hauled any heavy loads or pulling a trailer with anything heavier than a riding lawnmower. I have a 1970 Ford truck that is a better truck than my 1997. I could only imagine what would happen to a new truck if driven like the commercials they produce. I have always been a Ford man but they are changing my mind quickly. This truck has never been abused. …
Gem module failure at high speed. Caused 4x4 to engage at high speed causing loss of control of vehicle. Also, during turns, causes loss of control of steering. Did some research of several Ford f150 web sites and found several complaints for similar or the same problems. Took the vehicle to the Ford dealer for repair and was told the gem module was the culprit and that there was significant corrosion in the adjacent fuse junction panel. The service department confessed that they have had several complaints for these kinds of conditions and have had to replace many of these gem modules and fuse panels because of leaks in the windshield or hood cowling. They further told me that unless I replaced these components and any other electrical component, at my expense, they would not warranty any repairs. …
Tl* the contact owns 1997 Ford f-150. The contact stated that after receiving notification of NHTSA campaign I.d. 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting) the contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer stated that the fuel straps were corroded. The dealer was unable to perform the recall remedy due to the severity of the corrosion on the fuel tank straps. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the recall repair and was advised that the manufacturer the fuel tank mount would have to be repaired at the contact's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000. The consumer stated the frame bracket had rotted and the recall could not be performed. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The transmission bracket end fitting can separate from the shift cable assembly resulting in operator inability to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new transmission shift control cable.
NHTSA investigations
Automatic transmission control
On September 4, 1997, Ford filed a defect information report concerning approximately 15,000 1997 model year f-150 trucks, manufactured from February 16 through March 4, 1996, and built at the norfolk or kansas city assembly plants.these vehicles could have incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission control cables installed which can result in a separation of the cable end fitting from the cable conduit at the…
Failure transmission park engagement/loc
By letter dated September 4, 1997, the manufacturer advised NHTSA that a safety-related recall action would be initiated to correct a potential failure of the transmission shift cable in approximately 15,000 of the subject vehicles.the suspect cables were supplied to Ford by teleflex automotive and installed in the subject f-150 trucks built at Ford's norforlk and kansas city assembly plants between February 16,…
Transmission complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 151 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Ford F-150, 5% of the model year's 2,758 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (70 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford F-150 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-171 (gear position indication (prndl), Oct 7, 1997); NHTSA recall 97V-147 (automatic transmission, Sep 9, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 2 fires and 7 injuries and 2 deaths to transmission & drivetrain 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.