1997 Ford E-150 Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1997 Ford E-150 recalls

Most common 1997 Ford E-150 problems

Problem areas named in the 102 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Fuel System, Gasoline	22
Engine And Engine Cooling	21
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	16
Electrical System	8
Tires	8
Suspension	7
Steering	7
Vehicle Speed Control	5
Power Train	5
Visibility	4

What owners report

2024-11-19, Air Bags
The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-150. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a parking lot, the contact leaned over to the passenger’s side to pick up the cell phone. The contact stated that after sitting back straight in the seat, the air bag deployed unintendedly and without impact. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s eyes and jaw were injured and required medical attention. The contact’s vision became blurry but has since started to improve. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

2021-07-06, Tires
The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-150 equipped with Milestar Tires, Tire Line: Grantland, Tire Size: 235/75/R15, DOT number: TB20R028. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 mph, the tires were bouncing. The contact stated upon checking the tires, his son noticed that the tires were cracked and had holes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the tires were defective. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate vehicle mileage was 150,258. The approximate tire failure mileage was 800.

2019-02-11, Air Bags
MY HUSBAND HAD JUST STARTED UP HIS E150 ECONOLINE VAN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE AIRBAG JUST DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO REASON HE WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT HE DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING HE DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. IF HE HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE THAT HE DRIVES EVERY DAY HE COULD HAVE DIED OR KILLED SOMEONE.

2017-09-07, Steering
WHILE BACKING OUT OF TIGHT PARKING SPOT 9/1/17, WITH MULTIPLE TURNS OF THE WHEEL, TURNED WHEEL ONE LAST TIME TO PULL FORWARD INTO PARKING SPOT DRIVE AREA BUT AT THAT POINT, HEARD A CLUNK AND ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS GONE. CALLED FOR A TOW. TOW TRUCK DRIVE ASSISTED IN THE DIAGNOSIS NOTING THAT THE STEERING BOX HAD DISCONNECTED FROM VAN FRAME RENDERING STEERING WHEEL CONNECTION LINES USELESS. HAD VAN TOWED HOME. AFTER ONLINE READ, LOOKED AT FRAME THROUGH LEFT FRONT TIRE ACCESS AND SAW THE 3 BOLTS WE READ ABOUT. GRABBED THE TOP BOLT AND IT CAME RIGHT OUT. SAME WITH SECOND BOLT. LAST (THIRD) BOLT WAS A BIT JAMMED DUE TO THE STEERING BOX DROP, BUT ALL 3 BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND ALL STEERING WAS LOST

2016-12-08, Structure
DRIVING ON BESTBUY PARKING LOT, WENT OVER A SPEED BUMPER HEARD A LOUD CLUNK COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. DROVE HOME, STOPPED VAN, GOT HELP, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING TO LEFT, LOUD METAL CLUNK FROM THAT DRIVER SIDE, HELPER ON FLOOR NOTICED THAT BOTTOM BOLT HOLDING POWER STEERING BOX IS GOING IN AND OUT, RUSTED ON FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME, THIS BOX SHOULD BE MOUNTED ON REINFORCED BRACKETS FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME THEN WELDED TO FRAME TO PROTECT OCCUPANTS FROM POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF BOX AND FRAME WITH CONSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT (COULD BE FATAL WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE). SO, WITH THE ENGINE ON, IN PARK, IF THE STEERING IS TURN TO THE LEFT, DRIVER WILL FEEL AND HEAR TH

1997 Ford E-150 questions

Does the 1997 Ford E-150 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 1997 Ford E-150: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility; Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control; Vehicle Speed Control; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford E-150?

Based on 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Fuel System, Gasoline (22), Engine And Engine Cooling (21), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (16).

How do I check if a recall on my 1997 Ford E-150 has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.