Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford F-350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On the passenger side of the engine pan the dipstick adapter was manufactured poorly. The oil from the crankcase has caused the oring to swell and leak oil. The oil leak is getting on the starter and clutch. The oil can cause a short in the electrical system. This can cause an accident or death while driving. The oil on the clutch can cause loss of control and cause an accident or death. The oring can swell and fall off the adaptor and become lodged in the oil pickup. This will starve the motor of oil and cause a catastrophic failure of the motor while driving. This can cause an accident or death. Due to the inherent poor design the oring that is submerged in oil should be compatible with oil or be able to be replaced. It is not possible to replace the oring due to due to the terrible design of the dipstick assembly. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-350. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly stall. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the cam shaft position sensor was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V553000 (engine). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-350. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and it stalled a second time. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive home. Gladian repair shop of pittsburg, virginia was made aware of the failure and suggested a list of unknown repairs. Camel brothers repair shop of prince george, virginia replaced the accelerator pedal position switch sensor, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
While driving my 1997 Ford f350 diesel pickup, pulling a 36ft gooseneck horse trailer with my two teenage daughters and their four horses, the engine in my pickup spontaneously ignited. There was no "check engine" warning light, and the engine temperature gauge showed normal. The only warning I had was smoke coming up from the left wheel well upon speed decrease to turn a corner. I was traveling a short distance from home and at a low rate of speed (less than 40mph) during the travel from my home to the local fairgrounds for rodeo practice. As I turned the corner, the smoke billowed. I immediately pulled over and smoke filled the cab of the pickup. My two daughters and I quickly evacuated the vehicle and called 911. We quickly unloaded the livestock from the trailer and got far away from the scene. …
Vehicles engine will shut off when coasting down grades loosing steering and brakes. Problem was in my 1996 power stroke diesel Ford truck that was bought back. Consumer was given newer 1997 truck with same problems and now 4 years later, dealer is still working on problem. Truck is dangerous and I recently lost control of vehicle 4 times running off road twice. When vehicle shuts off I need to put in neutral shut-off key then restart and put in gear. This is normally when you are going down grade and reaching speeds of 80-90mph. Consumer recently broke off end of shift lever in a panic situation down shifting to low along with indenting steering wheel from white knuckles trying to stop vehicle when consumer was unable return to neutral. Consumer have found other owners of this vehicle with same problem. Consumer notified NHTSA in 96 and 97, but received no response. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f-350 turbo diesel. The contact stated that the oil gallery plugs in the engine block were leaking oil while he was driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the dealer stated that they would repair the vehicle free of charge. However, the dealer called him and explained that his vehicle was outside the warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired but the contact stopped driving it on the street. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they used a new material when producing those models and the plugs would leak, but refused to assist in repair costs. There were photographs available. The current mileage was approximately 66,700. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
While driving between 55-60 MPH motor vibrated, followed by a loud bang. Consumer pulled off the road, and had vehicle towed to the dealership. The two piece flywheel came apart, which caused the transmission housing to crack where the transfer case (4-wheel drive was located. Dealership indicated that this was a common failure with this year trucks, and the two piece fly wheels were not installed in later model trucks. Transmission housing and the flywheel were replaced.
When traveling at 20 to 35 MPH and upon depressing the brake pedal to make a sudden stop, brake pedal traveled to the floorboard, resulting in extended stopping distance. Consumer also has experienced a problem when traveling, fire shot out of the exhaust system, causing objects in the road to catch on fire. Consumer has contacted the dealer.
The water pump bearings failed in my 1997 Ford, f-350, 7.3 liter diesel. This vehicle had 90,053 miles and had been serviced regularly. The serpentine belt broke as a result of the above failure, nearly causing loss of control of the vehicle, by approximately 50% reduction of steering and braking capability.
Stopped at a stop signal and engine quit. Cranked okay, but would not start. Got it towed to my house. After lots of trouble shooting for not starting, noticed that the engine tachometer was not working when trying to start. Replaced the cam position sensor, f7tz-12k073-b. The truck started right up.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Engine complaints in other F-350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Ford F-350, 19% of the model year's 155 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford F-350 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1997 Ford F-350, though it has 3 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-350 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 117,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.