Total Complaints
31 filings
FORD E-250 · model year
1997 FORD E-250
31 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997FORDE-250 carries 31 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 E-250 is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor with 3 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1997 E-250, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
31
Complaints
0
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 3 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | 1 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20150707FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-250. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FAN SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE FAN SPEED MELTED AND BURNED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PULLED THE COVER FOR THE DASHBOARD, AND REMOVED THE WIRES THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BURNED WIRES SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,092.
Mileage: 236,092
20090228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SPARK PLUG EJECTION. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Mileage: 97,000
20080725TIRES
I HAVE MICHELIN XPS 235-83/R16 TIRES ON MY MOTORHOME, LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. FOR NO REASON, I HAVE HAD 3 FAILURES OUT OF 4 TIRES. THE LAST FAILURE WAS IN THE RV LOT, WHERE I HAVE BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS, AND THE TIRE JUST BLEW OUT, SAME WITH THE OTHER 3 TIRES. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FILED ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE RECALL ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES.. *TR
20080202VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SERVICE TO REMEDY THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL SPECIFIED IN ODI ID NUMBER : 10056190. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIPS IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA & BLACK MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA MONTHLY SINCE I WAS ADVISED OF THE RECALL AUGUST, 2007. EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS UNAVAILABLE FROM FORD. *TR
20060214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM CYLINDER HEAD AND REPEATEDLY STRUCK PRESSURIZED FUEL RAIL. *JB
Mileage: 150,000
20050330FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FORD ECONOLINE ( 25V) 1997, ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. *BF PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE FIRE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT ARE IN FORD VEHICLE. *JB
20050330FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
FORD ECONOLINE ( 25V) 1997, ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. *BF PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE FIRE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT ARE IN FORD VEHICLE. *JB
20050131ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HEATER TEMP CONTROL FAILS. *AK
Mileage: 35,975
20040130VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, ENGINE SPED UP, LOSS OF BRAKES
Mileage: 134,511
20031230FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
BLOWN SPARK PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE HEAD, TOOK THE THREADS WITH IT COSTING OVER $3000.00 FORD WILL NOT EXCEPT RESPONSABILITY FOR THERE NEGLIGENCE IN THERE MACHINE SHOP CAN YOU HELP?
Mileage: 100,000
20030609SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THE BALL JOINTS AND TIRES WORE OUT FASTER THAN NORMAL. DRIVER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM EVERY 5000 MILES. THE CAUSE WAS LACK OF LUBRICATION. *AK BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE FRONT RIM AND THE ROTORS. *PH *JB
Mileage: 15,000
20030609SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE BALL JOINTS AND TIRES WORE OUT FASTER THAN NORMAL. DRIVER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM EVERY 5000 MILES. THE CAUSE WAS LACK OF LUBRICATION. *AK BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE FRONT RIM AND THE ROTORS. *PH *JB
Mileage: 15,000
20030609WHEELS:RIM
THE BALL JOINTS AND TIRES WORE OUT FASTER THAN NORMAL. DRIVER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM EVERY 5000 MILES. THE CAUSE WAS LACK OF LUBRICATION. *AK BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE FRONT RIM AND THE ROTORS. *PH *JB
Mileage: 15,000
20030609SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE BALL JOINTS AND TIRES WORE OUT FASTER THAN NORMAL. DRIVER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM EVERY 5000 MILES. THE CAUSE WAS LACK OF LUBRICATION. *AK BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE FRONT RIM AND THE ROTORS. *PH *JB
Mileage: 15,000
20030528STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
STEERING BOX FAILURE. SET SCREW ON RACE NUT BACKED OUT CAUSING GEAR RACE NUT TO COMPLETELY BACK OUT CAUSING GEAR INPUT SHAFT TO MOVE AND BIND ON GEAR VALVE HOUSING. THIS CAUSED MY STEERING TO LOCK UP TO THE RIGHT AND FORCE ME OFF THE FREEWAY AT 45 MPH.
Mileage: 81,070
20020719ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WAS TOWED DUE TO ENGINE LOCKING UP, ENGINE WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A TSB REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, TSB99-20-7. *SLC
20011115SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW THE FRONT END AND BRAKES HAS CONSTANTLY GIVEN ME PROBLEMS.VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING OR IF YOU LET THE WHEEL LOOSE. CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS, MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE'S, ROTOR FAILURES, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD FAILURES,CALIPER FAILURES, ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. VEHICLE SHAKES AT 65-70MPH TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 57000 MILES AND BALANCED, THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP SHAKING. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THIS SHAKE. DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY BRAKE PARTS SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW. I JUST HAD ANOTHER BRAKE JOB COMPLETED AT DEBARTOLO'S SERVICE,INC 860/739-6073 AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE FRONT END CAN NOT BE ALIGNED AND THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE REASON WHY THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. MR. DEBARTOLO SAID IT IS POSSIBLE THE VEHICLES FRAME MAY BE BENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND MR. DEBARTOLO SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE A FACTORY PROBLEM SINCE THIS VE
20011115SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW THE FRONT END AND BRAKES HAS CONSTANTLY GIVEN ME PROBLEMS.VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING OR IF YOU LET THE WHEEL LOOSE. CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS, MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE'S, ROTOR FAILURES, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD FAILURES,CALIPER FAILURES, ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. VEHICLE SHAKES AT 65-70MPH TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 57000 MILES AND BALANCED, THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP SHAKING. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THIS SHAKE. DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY BRAKE PARTS SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW. I JUST HAD ANOTHER BRAKE JOB COMPLETED AT DEBARTOLO'S SERVICE,INC 860/739-6073 AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE FRONT END CAN NOT BE ALIGNED AND THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE REASON WHY THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. MR. DEBARTOLO SAID IT IS POSSIBLE THE VEHICLES FRAME MAY BE BENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND MR. DEBARTOLO SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE A FACTORY PROBLEM SINCE THIS VE
20011115SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW THE FRONT END AND BRAKES HAS CONSTANTLY GIVEN ME PROBLEMS.VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING OR IF YOU LET THE WHEEL LOOSE. CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS, MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE'S, ROTOR FAILURES, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD FAILURES,CALIPER FAILURES, ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. VEHICLE SHAKES AT 65-70MPH TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 57000 MILES AND BALANCED, THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP SHAKING. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THIS SHAKE. DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY BRAKE PARTS SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW. I JUST HAD ANOTHER BRAKE JOB COMPLETED AT DEBARTOLO'S SERVICE,INC 860/739-6073 AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE FRONT END CAN NOT BE ALIGNED AND THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE REASON WHY THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. MR. DEBARTOLO SAID IT IS POSSIBLE THE VEHICLES FRAME MAY BE BENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND MR. DEBARTOLO SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE A FACTORY PROBLEM SINCE THIS VE
20010906TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO FRONT TIRES OF MY VAN. VAN STARTED TO VIBRATE, AND DEVELOPED A SHIMMY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. VAN WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS TREAD SEPARATION.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 7BAK PDA TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)
Compare 1997FORDE-250 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 FORD E-250 have?▼
The 1997 FORD E-250 has 31 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 FORD E-250?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 FORD E-250 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:TREAD/BELT and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1997 FORD E-250 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.