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1997 Ford E-450 problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Ford E-450 is body and structure. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical E-450 model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
18
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
12
Worst area
Body

The worst 1997 Ford E-450 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Body
    10
  • Tires
    7
  • Electrical
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Body
    10
  • Tires
    7
  • Electrical
    1

Recalls 2

Vehicle speed controlReported October 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported August 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Risk
Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)

Recall number 06V286000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1997 Ford E-450

Defect investigations

HVAC Switch FailuresOpened December 7, 2009, closed April 21, 2010

ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No injuries were sustained.However, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.The driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.This PE has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to determine if the blower motor switch failures create a situation where a vehicle fire is possible and presents a safety risk to the driver and other passengers.

PE09055

Engine compartment firesOpened March 22, 2005, closed August 2, 2006

Ea05-005 is closed with ford?s actions in recalls 05v‑017, 05v‑388, and 06v‑286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.ford is also including the entire population of 1998 explorers.ford has informed odi that testing to determine the cause of failures in the 1998 explorers will continue after this investigation is closed.odi believes that the vehicles exhibiting the factors causing scds failure described in this report correlate well with the observed failure rates on these vehicles by model and model year.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist in the non-recalled vehicles manufactured with scds that are not included in ford?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the non-recalled population for incidence of engine compartment fires.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for details.

EA05005

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Ford E-450 12

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 12 bulletins for the 1997 Ford E-450

What 1997 Ford E-450 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 13, 2011 · Electrical · 54,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford e-450. The contact stated the heater control switch failed to function; therefore, only cold air emits from the heater system. The contact believed the failure was related to the failure described in a manufactures recall . The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2004 · Tires · OH

The 1997 tires with 18,000 miles on them have large cracks around the entire sidewall of all 6 tires (motorhome). Now afraid to drive because of all the firestone re-calls. Was wondering if these tires had a re-call (firestone steeltex radial r4s, lt225/75r16 m/s). No "incident" as of yet...

Filed Jul 26, 2002 · Tires · VA

Tread separation, would ave caused a serious accident if tire had been located on front wheel.

Filed Sep 12, 2001 · Tires · TX

Had 2 blowouts.1at 22000mi and 1 at 26000.threw all the tread on the 1st one tire cool to touch and outside temp 58deg.looks like tread had never been glued on to carcus.the 2nd tire blew at 55mph outside temp56deg.looked as if part of the tread was glued.I know of 2 other class c motorhomes who have experienced the same problem.between the 3 mh we have had 7 blowouts. *ak (dot number: vd1l 1xd tiresize: 225/75/16)

Filed Aug 16, 2001 · Tires · CA

Both right rear duals blew out. Replaced all 6 tires for family safety. *ak (tiresize: lt22575r16)

Filed May 24, 2001 · Tires · WV

While traveling heard a loud noise. Pulled vehicle over and noticed tread separation. Lt225/75r16. *ak consumer has experienced blow out twice, also has experienced blow outs due to sidewall cracks.

Filed Feb 26, 2001 · Body · AR

The front crossmember cracking at main frame, ford has issued a service bulletin #991411 to address this condition. Rewelding of crossmember has not corrected problem, was still cracking, redone with support added.

Filed Feb 26, 2001 · Body · AR

The front crossmember cracking at main frame, ford has issued a service bulletin #991411 to address this condition. Rewelding of crossmember has not corrected problem, was still cracking, redone with support added.

Filed Feb 26, 2001 · Body · AR

The front crossmember cracking at main frame, ford has issued a service bulletin #991411 to address this condition.

Filed Feb 26, 2001 · Body · AR

The front crossmember cracking at main frame, ford has issued a service bulletin #991411 to address this condition.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1997 Ford E-450 before you buy

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Questions about the 1997 Ford E-450

Is the 1997 Ford E-450 reliable?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 1997 Ford E-450, 1.5 times a typical E-450 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford E-450?

Body and structure, with 10 complaints. Next is tires (7).

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford E-450 have?

2 recalls, covering vehicle speed control.

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