Most common 1997 Ford F-250 SD problems
Share of the 39 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-250 SD complaints by model year
Best F-250 SD years: 2013, 2014, 2012. Years to avoid: 2019, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2016. Compare all years →
1997 Ford F-250 SD 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…
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 3 possible defects involving the 1997 Ford F-250 SD:
Engine stalling
In a December 3, 2007 letter, Ford advised NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall to replace the cam position sensor (cps) in approximately 1.2 million subject vehicles to address reports of engine stalling.a new design cps with improved performance and durability will be installed as a remedy.owner notifications will begin in December 2007.
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…
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 F-250 SD owners say
Engine & cooling
Consumer stated that the oil pan rusted right through. Also, it a ignited a fire under the base of the vehicle. Consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer, and neither were willing to assist the consumer.
1997 Ford f250hd mileage of 40,036 and garage kept exhaust manifold rusted, corroded and cracked-bolts rusted to the manifold, can't get spark plugs out because rusted to the head - motor mount steel is rusted along with the bolts, valve cover has rust holes and corrosion, coil that bolts onto the valve cover is swollen from rust and corrosion- bolts have popped out and are rusted, all emissions tubes are rusted through and rusted together, oil pan bolts are all rusted and disintegrated, transmission lines are rusted into the radiator, steering gearbox is severely corroded and bolts are rusting off, power steering lines and power steering are rusted through, airconditioning lines are rusted through, ****brake lines are rusted through and proportionate valve for brakes is severely rusted*****, dust covers on front wheels rusted through, front drive shaft and universal joint are severely …
Transmission & drivetrain
On December 4, 2004, I took my truck on about a 600 mile trip. During the trip I tried the cruise control, which worked about 5 months earlier & found it to be nonfunctional. The next day, I found myself in a position that required engaging the four-wheel drive, however it would not engage. I parked the truck that evening & had not touched it in the following month and a half. On December 10, 2004 my wife canceled the insurance since my plan was to leave it parked until spring or I could afford to get it fixed. Then on January 26, 2005 @ 05:00 am, my wife woke me up saying that my truck had just exploded. I went outside & saw the fire in the engine compartment. At that time the main concentration of the fire was on the driver?s side. I notified Ford, to which their reply was sorry for your inconvenience but there are no recalls on your vehicle & it is also out of warranty.
1997 Ford f250hd mileage of 40,036 and garage kept exhaust manifold rusted, corroded and cracked-bolts rusted to the manifold, can't get spark plugs out because rusted to the head - motor mount steel is rusted along with the bolts, valve cover has rust holes and corrosion, coil that bolts onto the valve cover is swollen from rust and corrosion- bolts have popped out and are rusted, all emissions tubes are rusted through and rusted together, oil pan bolts are all rusted and disintegrated, transmission lines are rusted into the radiator, steering gearbox is severely corroded and bolts are rusting off, power steering lines and power steering are rusted through, airconditioning lines are rusted through, ****brake lines are rusted through and proportionate valve for brakes is severely rusted*****, dust covers on front wheels rusted through, front drive shaft and universal joint are severely …
Speed control & acceleration
On December 4, 2004, I took my truck on about a 600 mile trip. During the trip I tried the cruise control, which worked about 5 months earlier & found it to be nonfunctional. The next day, I found myself in a position that required engaging the four-wheel drive, however it would not engage. I parked the truck that evening & had not touched it in the following month and a half. On December 10, 2004 my wife canceled the insurance since my plan was to leave it parked until spring or I could afford to get it fixed. Then on January 26, 2005 @ 05:00 am, my wife woke me up saying that my truck had just exploded. I went outside & saw the fire in the engine compartment. At that time the main concentration of the fire was on the driver?s side. I notified Ford, to which their reply was sorry for your inconvenience but there are no recalls on your vehicle & it is also out of warranty.
Went to start my truck one morning and smoke came out from underneath the hood. The cruise control switch on top of the brake master cylinder burned. I turned off the ignition, opened the hood and pulled the wire from the switch. Truck is 1997 Ford f250. I am the original owner of the truck. I took the truck to clinton Ford in rock hill, sc and they put a cruise control switch in at a cost of $292.09. Now I see that there was a recall 05s28 that applies to the truck that I never received notice for. My complaint is that Ford did not notify me od this safety recall. Then when the recall repair was performed, I was billed for the repair.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford F-250 SD a good car?
Based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 F-250 SD rates better than average: 84% fewer complaints than a typical year of the F-250 SD at the same age. 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 F-250 SD?
The engine & cooling — 11 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (8) and speed control & acceleration (7).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford F-250 SD have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 Ford F-250 SD, 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 F-250 SD?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2014 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2016. See the full Ford F-250 SD years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-250 SD problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 98,000 miles; 10% 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.