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-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-250. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent auto repair facility for an unrelated repair when the technician detected that five of the seven spokes on the front driver's side wheel were completely rusted. The other three wheels exhibited rust holes and cracks. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 145,318. Updated 09/05/12 the consumer stated the problem was found after the axle, hub and rotor were replaced at a cost of $ 1000.00. Updated 09/10/12
I have a 1997 Ford f250 that wont go into park. Therefore, you can't start the vehicle without putting it into neutral. The truck rolls when turned off, because it's not engaged. I googled the problem and found this recall http://www.arfc.org/complaints/1997/Ford/f250 . I called the local dealership and they said it didn't pertain to my truck, called the Ford motor company and they said the same thing. Just another example of how Ford doesn't take care of their customers.
While driving, the seat reclined which left the driver laying completely down. The seat base assembly had broken on the driver's side front seat. The tie rods had to be replaced. The consumer was unable to shift gears, because the shifter bolts had broke loose from the dash mounts, the head gaskets failed and the check engine light never illuminated. The hub/axle seals were replaced.
While driving in a field the vehicle hit a rock, the 4-wheel drive skid plate crushed, allowing the rock to damage the drivetrain. Vehicle lurched forward and operated erratically, resulting in a collision.
When speedometer stopped working the transmition slammed down to 1st gear speed went down to below 10 m/p/h then slammed back into overdrive and started to speed back up to highway speed. Luckly we were not in rush hour traffic. Equipment that was tied down on our trailer broke loose. Ford said that the speedometer head was not usual problem but everother landscaper that we have talked to has had the same problem with all Ford trucks with the same electric speedo head my mother has an e350 with as motorhome and is starting to have some kind of speedo problem.
When applying brakes while towing a trailer, transmission kicked out of gear into neutral. This could cause a bad crash because vehicle was just free wheeling. Ford was contacted about the problem. After taking vehicle to two dealerships, owner was told that transmission was operating normally. Any time the driver steps on the brake, the gear shifts automatically to neutral causing safety hazard.
Transmission warning light keeps flashing on dash. This only happens in overdrive. When the light begins to flash vehicle starts to jerk, it stops when the vehicle is taken out of overdrive. Delaer has been contacted. To take the vehicle out of our drive the vehicle has to stop and the engine should be turned off. Several dealer could not fix the problem.
While indicating that automatic transmssion was in "park" position, in fact transmission gear was in "nuetral position" which May have caused a rollaway. Manufacturer stated that this vehicle was not included in recall 97v17000 although it had the same problem. Please provide further information.
The exhaust pipe heat shield was in contact with the metal transmission fluid tube from the transmission to the radiator. Over a period of time the shield wore a small hole in the tube, resulting in a pinhole, which caused the transmission fluid to be released under pressure directly onto the exhaust pipe.
When driving 40 MPH and above, letting off the accelerator pedal, the transmission goes in neutral. The torque converter locks and unlocks. This is a dangerous situation when towing a trailer. The problem has been reported to the dealership. Dealer stated that the truck was designed to work like that.
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.
Transmission complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Ford F-250, 11% of the model year's 304 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford F-250 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-171 (gear position indication (prndl), Oct 7, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-250 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 145,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.