FORD MOTOR HOME · model year

1997 FORD MOTOR HOME

15 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997FORDMOTOR HOME carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 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 MOTOR HOME is tires:tread/belt with 5 filings, followed by tires (2) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (2). 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 MOTOR HOME, 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.

15
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

15 filings

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

ComponentCount
TIRES:TREAD/BELT5
TIRES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL1

Recent Complaints

20080220VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. HE IS DISSATISFIED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. FORD STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE READY IN DECEMBER OF 2007, BUT THE CONTACT HAS YET TO RECEIVE ANYTHING. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,561.

20080205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON OUR 1997 FORD RV FOR A WIRING HARNESS IN SEPT. 2007. WE CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE "ON BACK ORDER." WE HAVE STILL NOT RECEIVED REPAIRS. FIVE (5) MONTHS IS AMPLE TIME TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IN THE MEANTIME WE ARE UNABLE TO USE THE CRUISE ON AN RV. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20080205VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON OUR 1997 FORD RV FOR A WIRING HARNESS IN SEPT. 2007. WE CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE "ON BACK ORDER." WE HAVE STILL NOT RECEIVED REPAIRS. FIVE (5) MONTHS IS AMPLE TIME TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IN THE MEANTIME WE ARE UNABLE TO USE THE CRUISE ON AN RV. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20040525ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ON MAY 5TH AT A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE THE MECHANIC NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT (APX. 2 TEASPOON) OF ANTIFREEZE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN. PREVIOUS TO THIS THE OIL HAD BEEN CHECKED & THE LEVEL & COLOR WAS NORMAL. ANTIFREEZE LEVEL WAS NORMAL. DRIVEN 1 MILE HOME TO BE CHECKED OUT COMPLETELY NEXT DAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ENGINE WAS NORMAL & OK. 2.MAY 6, 2004: STARTED ENGINE - TERRIBLE CLUNKING & KNOCKING NOISE. WHITE SMOKING OUT OF TAIL PIPE. DETERMINED BY FORD MECHANIC: ROD WAS BENT & THE CYLINDER SCORED. THE HEAD WAS EXAMINED: HEAD GASKET & INTAKE GASKET NORMAL. NO CRACKS IN HEAD - IT WAS SENT OUT FOR INSPECTION; NO VISUAL OR NON-VISUAL CRACKS IN THE HEAD. MECHANICAL REASON COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. 3B. WE HAD TO HAVE A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE PUT IN. WE WERE UNABLE TO KEEP THE ENGINE. *NM

Mileage: 48,523

20020719FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

1997 FORD V-10. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE WHICH STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *TT

20020715TIRES

WHILE DRIVING FRONT LEFT TIRE SEPARATED AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. SIZE LT2252/R75, R16 M/S STEELTEX R4S ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.*AK THIS IS A MOTORHOME ON A 1997 FORD E SUPER DUTY CHASSIS.*JB

20010907TIRES:TREAD/BELT

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1997, FORD, SUPER DUTY, LT225/75R16 SIZE, DOT#: VDILIXA386. REAR OUTSIDE DUEL TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM INSIDE WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. FIRESTONE WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK *SLC

20001025TIRES:TREAD/BELT

FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL P225 75 R16 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND CRACKING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LP GAS LINE ON MOTORHOME. *SLC

20001024TIRES:TREAD/BELT

FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL P225 75 R16 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND CRACKING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LP GAS LINE ON MOTORHOME. *SLC

20001017TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TRAVELING 55MPH WHEN FRONT END BEGAN TO BOUNCE & SHAKE. PULLED OVER & CHECKED. NOTICED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD A WIDE TREAD SEPARATION IN TIRE. IT WAS NOT FLAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO TIRE RETAILER & HAD ALL SIX TIRES CHANGED ON THE MOTORHOME. DO NOT HAVE THE TIRES. FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX, RADIAL LT22575R16 WITH 35,000 MILES ON A 1997 FORD CHASSIS.*AK

20000911TIRES:TREAD/BELT

THE ENTIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE (LOOKED LIKE A RETREAD). IT WAS AN INSIDE TIRE ON A DUAL WHEEL CAMPER. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A 1/2 MILE WHEN THE TIRE BLEW. WHEN WE STOPPED WE LOOKED BACK AND SAW THE TREAD FROM THE TIRE IN THE ROAD. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO RETRIEVE THE TIRE TREAD AS WE WERE BOTH IN OUR LATE 60'S AT THE TIME. WE HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL HOURS BESIDE THE ROAD ON A HIGHWAY UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. THE ORIGINAL TIRE DEALER THAT REPLACED THE TIRE 31W TRUCK TIRE CENTER REFUSED TO GIVE US ANY COMPENSATION FOR THE TIRE BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE TIRE TREAD ON SEPT 7TH. HOWEVER, TIRE DISTRIBUTIONS SYSTEMS INCORPORATED, 1201 DEMONBREUN, NASHVILLE, TN TOOK THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE TIRE WHEN WE WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE LACK OF ADJUSTMENT BY THE OTHER DEALER. THEY DID REPLACE A TIRE ONLY BECAUSE WE BOTH TWO MORE NEW TIRE FROM THEM AND WE PAID THEM FOR ONE. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 TIRES IN TOTAL FOR THE ONE BAD TIRE TO GET ANY ADJUSTMENT. THE ADJUST

20000822TIRES

TREAD CAME OFF TIRE, TORE OUT LP GAS LINE TO REFRIGERATOR. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE DID NOT HAVE A FIRE OR WORSE. WE WERE LEAVING NEW BERN, NC AT THE TIME; WE RETURNED TO NEW BERN TO A FIRESTONE DEALER AND HAD THE TIRE REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD THAT FIRESTONE WOULD MAKE NO ADJUSTMENT FOR THE TIRE. OUR MOTORHOME IS IN STORAGE ABOUT 25 MILES AWAY, THEREFORE, AT THIS TIME WE DO NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE TIRE INFORMATION, HOWEVER THE TREAD CAME OFF JUST AS WE HAVE TODAY SEEN PICTURES ON TV OF TIRES FROM ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE TIRES. WE FELT COMPELED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO YOU AT THIS TIME AND WILL FOLLOW UP WITH COMPLETE INFORMATION WHEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO RETREIVE THE INFORMATION FROM THE RV. WE WILL CONTACT SHASTA AND REPORT THIS TO THEM ALSO. WE ARE NOW CONCERNED THAT THE REPLACEMENT TIRE AND THE REMAINING 5 PLUS SPARE ARE A HAZARD TO US AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WE FEEL IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE ALL TIRES ON THE MOTORHOME NOW. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

20000322UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PROPANE FURNACE FAILED. YH

20000322SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT OR SPONGY BUT THE CONSUMER HAS HAD NO TROUBLE IN STOPPING. YH

20000322ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WIRING ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE MISS AND SURGE. YH

Compare 1997FORDMOTOR HOME to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 FORD MOTOR HOME have?
The 1997 FORD MOTOR HOME has 15 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 FORD MOTOR HOME?
The most-complained component for the 1997 FORD MOTOR HOME is TIRES:TREAD/BELT with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1997 FORD MOTOR HOME 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.