FORD F-350 · model year

1997 FORD F-350

188 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997FORDF-350 carries 188 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 15 fires, 3 injuries, 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 F-350 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 16 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (14) and tires:tread/belt (14). 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 F-350, 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.

188
Complaints
14
Crashes
15
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

188 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE14
TIRES:TREAD/BELT14
TIRES13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
SUSPENSION:FRONT5
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
TIRES:SIDEWALL4
STEERING3

Recent Complaints

20191024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. TO REPLACE THIS ORING WITH A PROPER OIL COMPATIBLE ONE REQUIRES THE DISASSEMBLY OF THE MOTOR AND THE REMOVAL OF THE MOTOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE DEFECTIVE PART. THIS IS A C

Mileage: 155,000

20191024ENGINE

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. TO REPLACE THIS ORING WITH A PROPER OIL COMPATIBLE ONE REQUIRES THE DISASSEMBLY OF THE MOTOR AND THE REMOVAL OF THE MOTOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE DEFECTIVE PART. THIS IS A C

Mileage: 155,000

20191024POWER TRAIN

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. TO REPLACE THIS ORING WITH A PROPER OIL COMPATIBLE ONE REQUIRES THE DISASSEMBLY OF THE MOTOR AND THE REMOVAL OF THE MOTOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE DEFECTIVE PART. THIS IS A C

Mileage: 155,000

20170808ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20150421ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 92,000

20150415TIRES

WE WERE TRAVELLING 65 MPH ON THE 91 FREEWAY TOLL ROAD WHEN MY LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CASING CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SWERVE AND JUMP AND CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, INCLUDING DAMAGING THE FUEL FILL LINE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO FUEL LEAKAGE. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE SO THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE OR OTHER EXTERNALLY CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TIRE OR VEHICLE. I TOOK THE TIRE TO A BF GOODRICH DEALER ON 10/19/14 FOR INSPECTION, THE TIRE WAS STILL FULLY INFLATED. THE DEALER DEFLATED THE TIRE OUT OF SAFETY CONCERNS. HAD THIS BEEN A FRONT TIRE THE POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGE AND INJURY WOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2012 AND WAS JUST OVER 2 YEARS OLD. TIRE DOT# IS BFW8 0211 0712. *TR

Mileage: 319,000

20140505FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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. MY FIANCE, WHO WAS TRAVELING BEHIND US IN ANOTHER VEHICLE, TRIED PUTTING THE FIRE OUT WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER I CARRIED IN MY PICKUP, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AS AN EMERGENCY RESPONDER H

Mileage: 173,000

20140505FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. MY FIANCE, WHO WAS TRAVELING BEHIND US IN ANOTHER VEHICLE, TRIED PUTTING THE FIRE OUT WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER I CARRIED IN MY PICKUP, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AS AN EMERGENCY RESPONDER H

Mileage: 173,000

20130604STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20111001CrashWHEELS

REAR DRIVER SIDE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE AT 75MPH IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.22HRS. LATER IN THE STATE OF OHIO THE PASSENGER REAR SEPARATED. CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 26,000

20110808FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE METER SUDDENLY INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE PANEL FOR THE FUEL TANK WAS DETACHED, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO BE SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,823.

Mileage: 115,000

20101007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 42,000

20100720FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WE DROVE THE TRUCK AND IT NEVER GOT HOT OR ACTED UP THEN WE PARKED IT AND A LITTLE BIT LATER IT WAS ON FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 120,858

20100330FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-350 WITH A DIESEL ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT UNUSUALLY WEAK AND THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS OF 10 MPH AND MADE A TURN. IN DOING SO, HE NOTICED FLAMES FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT WANT THE VEHICLE ON THE PROPERTY AND THE CONTACT TO REMOVE IT IMMEDIATELY. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO A LOCAL JUNKYARD. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 275,404 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 275,404.

Mileage: 280,000

20080610CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

A STEEL BRAKE LINE ON MY TRUCK RUSTED AND RUPTURED CAUSING A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND HAD A PARTIAL FAILURE, CAUSING A LEAK. THE RUSTED SECTION WAS REPLACED ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. THE RECENT LINE FAILURE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

20071012FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE FIRE 1997 FORD F350, CAUSED BY FIRE STARTING IN BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. *JB

Mileage: 247,022

20071012FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE FIRE 1997 FORD F350, CAUSED BY FIRE STARTING IN BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. *JB

Mileage: 247,022

20070519ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

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.*AK

Mileage: 235,362

20070512ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IN TRUCK HAS GONE OUT SUDDENLY AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MOVING - LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. EVIDENTLY ALMOST ALL ENGINES HAVE THIS PART FAIL AT SOME POINT AND HAVE DONE NOTHING TO HELP THE CONSUMER.*AK

Mileage: 145,000

20070311ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

I HAVE HAD TWO CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURES ON MY 97' F350 7.3L DIESEL IN A MATTER OF ONE YEAR. THIS LEFT ME STRANDED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. I DISCOVERED ON SEVERAL FORD TRUCK DISCUSSION FORUMS THAT THIS IS ONE THE MOST COMMON FAILURES ON THESE TRUCKS THROUGH A VARIETY OF YEARS. I COULD NOT FIND ANY PERSON WHO OWNED A SIMILAR YEAR TRUCK AND DID NOT HAVE THIS COMPONENT FAIL ON THEM. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS ISSUE. *JB

Compare 1997FORDF-350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 FORD F-350 have?
The 1997 FORD F-350 has 188 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 15 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 FORD F-350?
The most-complained component for the 1997 FORD F-350 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and TIRES:TREAD/BELT.
Is the 1997 FORD F-350 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.