Most common 1997 Ford F Super Duty problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F Super Duty complaints by model year
Best F Super Duty years: 2004, 1996, 1995. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2008. Compare all years →
1997 Ford F Super Duty recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
Vehicle description: motor home chassis. Hot exhaust gasses can leak from the exhaust gas return (EGR) tube on the engine. A hole can develop in the flexible section of the tube. Heat damage to the passenger compartment floor and floor covering can occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR tube.
Tires › Bead
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and chassis. The tires on these vehicles were damaged during mounting onto the wheels. Only trucks produced at the cuautitlan, Mexico plant between September 1, 1996, and July 17, 1997, were affected by the defect.
Remedy: Due to the age of the vehicles and this recall affecting original equipment tires only, Ford will no longer accept claims for this campaign.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
A plastic coated steel support strap for the battery cable was damaged when it was crimped onto the cable.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the cable insulation and replace the support strap with a revised, uncrimped strap attached with tape. In addition, convolute will be added between the cable and the support strap.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1997 Ford F Super Duty:
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.
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 Super Duty owners say
Wheels & tires
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford f Super Duty. The vehicle has Firestone steeltex radial tires. While driving 50 MPH, the contact heard a loud pounding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. He noticed the tread had separated on the rear passenger side tire. A tire shop inspected the tire and stated that they were unable to determine the reason for the failure. Approximately one week later, while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began vibrating. The contact noticed the tread on the rear driver side tire had separated. The tire has not been inspected. The current mileage is 38,000 and failure mileage was 37,000.
I took the motorhome in for routine check at the Ford dealer in 12/99. They noted a problem with a tire and sent me to the Firestone dealer in town. Replaced the tire. Drove the motoron a 1,000 mile trip in early April and another 500 miles at the end of the month. In June took the motorhome to oregon for our daughter'wedding. One the way home, 6/18, had a blow-out on hwy. 395 in southeastern oregon. When we got to reno, nv. Took the motorhome to the Firestone dealer and had that tire replaced and all of the others inspected. Replaced another tire at that time. When we left reno we got 450 miles, almost home, and we had another blow-out on i15 is extremely crowded Sunday afternoon traffic. It is amazing someone wasn't hit with flying rubber and debris. We took the motorhome in to our local dealer again and have now replaced all of the original tires. …
Engine & cooling
The brakes failed while driving. The consumer found the brakes reservoir empty, then inspected the brake lines and saw a hole in the rear brake line. Consumer lost control of vehicle when brakes went out and went over a curb, over parking lots, into a parking lot, and caused fuel tank and strap damage, front end and rear tad axle out of the alignment. Consumer found wear hole in rear brake line, EGR tube corroded, burnt engine cover, and carpet.
Tl*- the contact owns a1997 Ford f Super Duty. He received a recall notice on the camshaft position sensor, which can cause engine stalling. He had been experiencing that problem whenever he approached lower speeds in his vehicle. He took the vehicle to the dealership they replaced the sensor with a newer and non-defected sensor. After they replaced the sensor the vehicle would not start. They tried several sensors and none of them would start the engine. The mechanic then placed the old sensor back into the vehicle and the engine was able to turn on. The mechanic told him to bring the vehicle back in the following day. When he took the vehicle back in the next day, they replaced the sensor once again and the vehicle would not start. They placed the older sensor back into the vehicle and he was able to drive away. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford F Super Duty a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 F Super Duty rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the F Super Duty 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 Super Duty?
The wheels & tires — 13 complaints, 54% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the engine & cooling (3) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford F Super Duty have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1997 Ford F Super Duty, the most recent from November 13, 1997 (gas recirculation valve (egr valve)). 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 Super Duty?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 1996 and 1995. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2008. See the full Ford F Super Duty years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F Super Duty problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 37,000 miles; 67% 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.