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1997 Ford F-550 SD problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Ford F-550 SD is brakes. It has fewer complaints than a typical F-550 SD model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
5
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 1997 Ford F-550 SD problems

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

  • Brakes
    1
  • Tires
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Brakes
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 3

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

Engine and engine cooling: engine: dieselReported December 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk
In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 29, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 07V553000 · 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 3 recalls for the 1997 Ford F-550 SD

Defect 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

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Ford F-550 SD 5

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

What 1997 Ford F-550 SD owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 11, 2014 · Brakes · 32,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 coachmen mirada rv equipped with a 1997 ford f-530 sd chassis. (na) the contact stated while driving down an incline approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal went to the floor when depressed. After down shifting, the vehicle reduced speed and resumed normally. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2002 · Tires · 50,000 miles · CA

P22570/19.5. Original equipment. Consumer stated that the inner right rear tire tread separated. Ts general lmt460. P22570/19.5. Dot # a39y1hc168, dot # a39y1hc158. Two failures blew out while towing a travel trailer and the third had a bulge in the sidewall. The tires appeared to be in good condition with no visible cracks or defects with 50% tread remaining with 95 psi.

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Questions about the 1997 Ford F-550 SD

Is the 1997 Ford F-550 SD reliable?

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 1997 Ford F-550 SD, fewer than a typical F-550 SD model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford F-550 SD?

Brakes, with 1 complaint. Next is tires (1).

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford F-550 SD have?

3 recalls, covering vehicle speed control and engine and engine cooling.

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