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1997 Ford F-250 electrical problems

19 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 128,465. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
19
of this car's complaints
6%
typical mileage
128,465
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Wiring: front underhood
    4
  • Wiring
    2
  • Wiring: interior/under dash
    1
  • Starter assembly
    1
  • Ignition: switch
    1
  • Horn
    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-250 electrical problems in other years

199019952000200520102014

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Ford F-250 electrical

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

Fire or smoke 14

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

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

What 1997 Ford F-250 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 2, 2017 · Electrical · 253,400 miles · KS

I have had my 1997 ford f-250 for a few years and besides an abi's I'vew previous owner it hasn't given any issue. That is up until a month ago when my instrument cluster up and quit working. There was no warning and no fuses or relays faulty either, I spoke with friends of mine who own similar model years of my truck and they say they have had the same issue.

Filed Jun 16, 2010 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · OK

After several inches of rain my 1997 ford f250 light duty began trying to start while parked in the driveway. The only way to stop it was to disconnect the battery cable. The battery cable was red hot and smoking. Luckily my neighbor noticed or it would have caught fire. This is the second occurrence of this problem for this vehicle. Both followed heavy rains. The first occurrence included spontaneous starting, interior lights coming on, left side window failure, speedometer failure, and continued operation of fan, windows and radio with ignition off. Researching this issue has made me aware that this is a common problem due to water leaking through the windshield and seeping into the generic electronic module and fuse box causing multiple symptoms including the ones stated above.

Filed Sep 8, 2008 · Electrical, Fuel system · 80,000 miles · WA

We responded to fomoco recall #07s57 on march,08, all supporting documents were provided, original receipts,etc. After several follow-up calls to their customer service center, on june,08. Were told all is in order and approved and the reimbursement check for $ 318.41 for repair is in the mail. So far, as of september 08 no word from ford...and no check.

Filed Dec 2, 2006 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · TN

This is third cam position sensor this truck has had (140000 miles on truck). Has died twice while pulling into traffic, very dangerous almost caused accident both times. This is a very wide spread problem that happens with all of these 7.3 powerstrokes. I carry, as a lot of people do, an extra one in the glove box for the next time it happens!

Filed Dec 21, 2005 · Electrical, Visibility · 99,000 miles · RI

I was driving along on rt 295 during a rain storm and my windshield wipers stopped working along with other electrical componets in my truck. I drive a 97 ford f250 4x4 xlt. Luckily I was not injured. I took my truck to be fixed where I was told that I needed to replace my gem module and fuse box. I thought that was odd. The mechanic said that the windshields on the model of my truck is known to leak and damage those componets. I could of got into a serious accident that day, resulting in death of me or other people on the road.

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Electrical · ND · fire

Dt: consumer wanted his switch on front of vehicle fixed. He has been told that the plastic melted and allowed the brake fluid to come out and catch on fire. Consumer said that he knew that 2000 and 2001 year models have been recalled, and consumer wanted his vehicle to be included in this recall.

Filed May 6, 2005 · Electrical · 128,465 miles · OR · fire

While driving 20 MPH driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Driver pulled over and opened the hood. Suddenly, vehicle caught on fire. Driver was able to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed home. *ak the consumer had to unplug the wires connected to the brake master cylinder to stop the fire. Now the vehicle has no automatic cruise control. The consumer was told by local ford service department that the fire was probably caused by the cruise control switch. The manufacture has a recall on f150 pickups but not the f250. The problem has not been repaired and the wires have been left unplugged for now. *bf

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Electrical · 190,000 miles · TX · fire

While the vehicle was parked, a fire started under the hood. The vehicle was totaled. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Electrical · NE · fire

Vehicle was parked for two hours when it caught on fire on its own. The fire department extinguished the fire. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. The cause has not been determined at this time.

Filed Feb 2, 2005 · Electrical · DC · fire

Electrical fire in steering wheel. The wire was too small for amps. *bf the consumer disconnected the wire.

Questions about the 1997 Ford F-250 electrical

Does the 1997 Ford F-250 have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the electrical of the 1997 Ford F-250, 6% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-250 electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 128,465 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Ford F-250 electrical?

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

What year does the Ford F-250 have the most electrical problems?

The Ford F-250 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (36 complaints), 1999 (25 complaints) and 2000 (24 complaints).

Other 1997 Ford F-250 problems

Tires 42Transmission 34Brakes 31Engine 31Suspension 30Fuel system 29Steering 23Body 18Acceleration 15Visibility 12Wheels 10Airbags 7Seat belts 7Seats 5Lights 4Locks 1

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