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1997 Ford F-150 body problems

224 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 130,000.

owner complaints
224
of this car's complaints
8%
typical mileage
130,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Body: door
    161
  • Body
    29
  • Frame and members
    22
  • Frame and members: underbody shields
    1
  • Body: trunk lid
    1
  • Body: hood: hinge and attachments
    1
  • Body: door: hinge and attachments
    1
  • Body: bumpers
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford F-150 body problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Ford F-150 body

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Water leak 18

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1997 Ford F-150 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 1, 2021 · Body · 134,788 miles · OH

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side subframe near the axle of the vehicle was severely corroded. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,788.

Filed Jan 9, 2021 · Body, Electrical · SC · fire

December 3, 2020...my husband drove the truck over to a friends house. After being there for approximately 2 hours his friend walked in the building where he was and said, 'hey man, your truck is on fire!' everyone rushed outside to see the truck was in fact on fire. They called the fire department who came and finished extinguishing the fire. It appears the fire started on the drivers side near the tire, or behind the dash. I did not even think to check for a recall, but a friend told me to check because he was aware there was a recall. Sure enough, there is a recall and it describes what happened to my truck exactly. The federal safety agency recall number: 05v017000 date: jan 27, 2005 ford recall number: 05528

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Body · 198,000 miles · LA

My 3rd door won't open and it's a serious safety issue. I have kids and it's the only vehicle I have to transport them around. I went to youtube and found that some cheap plastic retainers that's clipped to cables are broken. The retainers open the top and bottom of the door. Please help. Thanks

Filed Jan 12, 2020 · Body · 198,000 miles · LA

I went to open my 3rd door on the left side of my f 150 and it would not open. I tried both latches on the outside and in inner door frame but no luck. I was parked at the time when I was trying to get some items out of my back seat. I have nothing to upload at this time.

Filed Sep 18, 2018 · Body, Fuel system · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the front to rear fuel straps fractured on the driver's side without warning. The failure caused the fuel lines and fuel tank to fracture. The contact replaced the fuel straps, fuel lines, and fuel tank due to the failure. The contact was not notified of the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v385000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the VIN was included. The dealer (reineke ford lincoln of lima, 419‑223‑3673, 1360 greely chapel rd, lima, oh 45804) was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle needed to be restored to its original condition to perform the recall repair. The dealer refused to repair the vehicle, indicating that the contact welded the driver's side rear fuel strap. The recall repair was not performed. The manufacturer also indicated that the vehicle needed to be restored to its original condition to perform the recall repair. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Sep 14, 2016 · Body · 177,582 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. While looking underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed sections that were rusted all the way through. The bumper and steps near the doors were also rusted and slightly detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,582.

Filed Nov 24, 2015 · Body · 190,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving at 3 MPH, the spare tire detached from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the cable that strapped the spare tire underneath the vehicle had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000. Updated 04/07/16

Filed Dec 15, 2014 · Body · 180,303 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the frame was completely rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the framework needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,303.

Filed Jul 30, 2014 · Body, Steering · 167,166 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the entire subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded. The dealer stated that the entire subframe and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 167,166.

Filed Oct 10, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 97,789 miles · MD

I noticed extreme rust that has eaten away parts of frame and suspension.

Questions about the 1997 Ford F-150 body

Does the 1997 Ford F-150 have body problems?

Owners have filed 224 complaints about the body of the 1997 Ford F-150, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-150 body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 130,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Ford F-150 body?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford F-150 have the most body problems?

The Ford F-150 model years with the most body complaints are 1997 (224 complaints), 2016 (199 complaints) and 2018 (193 complaints).

Other 1997 Ford F-150 problems

Engine 544Tires 303Fuel system 246Brakes 231Acceleration 221Suspension 203Steering 202Electrical 198Transmission 150Visibility 148Wheels 112Airbags 99Lights 56Seat belts 38Locks 14Seats 7Driver assistance 2

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