1997 Ford F-350 Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  11
• Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
  2
• Clutch assembly
  2
• Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
  1
• Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
  1
• Manual transmission
  1

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-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. …

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.

Truck was parked in level driveway and jumped from park into drive and rolled thru fence, pasture, and shed. Damage was caused to fence, shed and truck. My horse was moderately injured due to truck crashing into shed and horse running thru fence. Ford stated that this type of thing can happen at any given time when a vehicle gets a lot of miles and parts get weak.

I have had three replacement transmissions model: (e-4od). I now have 48,000 on my truck and I need a fourth transmission. The problem consists of poor shifting (hard shifts, untimely shifting, shifts into od when it is off, and you must depress gas pedal moderatley to proceed in reverse) I reported this problem initially on nov of 98, and the dealership replaced the transmission each time free of charge but they only would put a re-manufactured transmission in it due to they meet the same specs. As new transmissions. I had the engineer from Ford at my dealership two weeks ago and he found no problems but the technician that normally provides service on my truck stated it was not acting up for some reason on that day. …

I have a two year old f350 powertruck diesel and the transmission has gone out of it at 49,000 miles. It is just out of warranty. I believe this to be poor quality workmanship/design when I spend over $30,000 dollars for a vehicle and the transmission goes out of it before 50,000 miles. I never tow over 6,000 lbs with this vehicle and have only completed two trips in excess of 200 miles. All other trips are under 100 miles. The Ford dealer said they might be able to help if I could provide all receipts showing I had the required maintenance completed. I generally service all vehicles myself and have little or no receipts. When I did have a reputable company do my maintenance they were and are unable to locate the appropriate information in their data base. …

Purchased this truck new from the dealer at 51,000 miles they had to rebuild the transmission truck then worked good for a while then they had to replace the trans computer at my expense now at 81,000 miles the transmission is doing the same thing as at 51,000 miles I was told by the dealer that the transmission is only covered for 12,000 miles I feel Ford should be responsible for this seeing as there must be some sort of defect in this unit as others are having the same problem with hard shifting in an automatic from 1st to second and having passing gear kick in all the time.

Traveling at 50 MPH the transfer case locked up and the truck skidded off the road. Damage to front end,engine,transmission. Transfer case replaced. Fought to get transmission replaced as well. Still fighting to get front end and engine damage repaired. Have contacted attorney general for the state of maine. Has contacted repairing dealership as well as selling dealership. Should have some results soon. Would advise all consumers with similar problems of dealerships not standing by thier repairs to contact attorney general in thier state for assistance.

The planetary gear failed while driving. It completely discentrated inside the transmission. A local Ford dealer rebuilt transmission, but now, when the truck is warmed up and the transmission is hot, when you engage reverse it takes off on its own. I have to hold it back with the brake and it eventually stalls. This has happened repeatedly.

Transmission cooler lines rubs on the exhaust downpipe from the turbo. This rubbing has worn through 3/4 of the transmission cooler line with a failure, causing the transmission fluid to be sprayed directly onto the turbo downpipe. This is fire/transmission failure major risk.

Transmission was slipping and locked up. Incident occurred two times. Could not go forward or reverse, it disengaged and became undriveable. Computer check was done and drove vehicle. Heard a bang and the transmission blew up. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

Transmission complaints in other F-350 years