1997 Ford F Super Duty recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND CHASSIS. THE TIRES ON THESE VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED DURING MOUNTING ONTO THE WHEELS. ONLY TRUCKS PRODUCED AT THE CUAUTITLAN, MEXICO PLANT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 1996, AND JULY 17, 1997, WERE AFFECTED BY THE DEFECT.
What could happen: THE BEAD AREA OF THE TIRE WAS CUT WHICH COULD RESULT IN AIR LOSS. SUDDEN AIR LOSS COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The fix: DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES AND THIS RECALL AFFECTING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ONLY, FORD WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT CLAIMS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 F SUPER DUTY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V187000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: TIRES:BEAD
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND CHASSIS. THE TIRES ON THESE VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED DURING MOUNTING ONTO THE WHEELS. ONLY TRUCKS PRODUCED AT THE CUAUTITLAN, MEXICO PLANT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 1996, AND JULY 17, 1997, WERE AFFECTED BY THE DEFECT.
Consequence: THE BEAD AREA OF THE TIRE WAS CUT WHICH COULD RESULT IN AIR LOSS. SUDDEN AIR LOSS COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES AND THIS RECALL AFFECTING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ONLY, FORD WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT CLAIMS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.
Notes: FORD RECALL NO. 97S90. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 1, 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FIRESTONE DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE AT 1-800-457-6281. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS. HOT EXHAUST GASSES CAN LEAK FROM THE EXHAUST GAS RETURN (EGR) TUBE ON THE ENGINE. A HOLE CAN DEVELOP IN THE FLEXIBLE SECTION OF THE TUBE. HEAT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FLOOR AND FLOOR COVERING CAN OCCUR.
What could happen: DEPENDING ON THE MATERIALS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMPLETED VEHICLE, IGNITION OF THESE MATERIALS COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EGR TUBE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 F SUPER DUTY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V209000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS. HOT EXHAUST GASSES CAN LEAK FROM THE EXHAUST GAS RETURN (EGR) TUBE ON THE ENGINE. A HOLE CAN DEVELOP IN THE FLEXIBLE SECTION OF THE TUBE. HEAT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FLOOR AND FLOOR COVERING CAN OCCUR.
Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE MATERIALS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMPLETED VEHICLE, IGNITION OF THESE MATERIALS COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EGR TUBE.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 19, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD MOTORHOME CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-444-3311. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
3. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. A PLASTIC COATED STEEL SUPPORT STRAP FOR THE BATTERY CABLE WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS CRIMPED ONTO THE CABLE.
What could happen: THIS DAMAGE CAN RESULT IN THE BATTERY CABLE DEVELOPING A SHORT TO GROUND. A SHORTED BATTERY CABLE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE INSULATION AND REPLACE THE SUPPORT STRAP WITH A REVISED, UNCRIMPED STRAP ATTACHED WITH TAPE. IN ADDITION, CONVOLUTE WILL BE ADDED BETWEEN THE CABLE AND THE SUPPORT STRAP. DAMAGED BATTERY CABLES WILL BE REPLACED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 F SUPER DUTY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V177000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Summary: A PLASTIC COATED STEEL SUPPORT STRAP FOR THE BATTERY CABLE WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS CRIMPED ONTO THE CABLE.
Consequence: THIS DAMAGE CAN RESULT IN THE BATTERY CABLE DEVELOPING A SHORT TO GROUND. A SHORTED BATTERY CABLE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE INSULATION AND REPLACE THE SUPPORT STRAP WITH A REVISED, UNCRIMPED STRAP ATTACHED WITH TAPE. IN ADDITION, CONVOLUTE WILL BE ADDED BETWEEN THE CABLE AND THE SUPPORT STRAP. DAMAGED BATTERY CABLES WILL BE REPLACED.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEING OCTOBER 7, 1996.
NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1997 Ford F Super Duty owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (15), Engine (3), Vehicle Speed Control (2), Suspension (2), Brakes (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/27/2008 · Engine
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A1997 FORD F SUPER DUTY. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, WHICH CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING. HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THAT PROBLEM WHENEVER HE APPROACHED LOWER SPEEDS IN HIS VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR WITH A NEWER AND NON-DEFECTED SENSOR. AFTER THEY REPLACED THE SE…
01/15/2008 · Vehicle Speed Control
1997 FORD F-SUPER DUTY WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER PUT HIM ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. HE STATES THAT THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING HIM THE PARTS ARE NOT IN AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE IN. *KB
11/19/2007 · Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-530 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE OF ARRIVAL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE WAIT TIME FOR THE RECALLED PART WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE…
07/02/2007 · Wheels / tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F SUPER DUTY. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POUNDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. A TIRE SHOP INSPECTED THE TIRE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR T…
06/22/2005 · Suspension · crash · fire
THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE BRAKES RESERVOIR EMPTY, THEN INSPECTED THE BRAKE LINES AND SAW A HOLE IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE. *NM CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKES WENT OUT AND WENT OVER A CURB, OVER PARKING LOTS, INTO A PARKING LOT, AND CAUSED FUEL TANK AND STRAP DAMAGE, FRONT END AND REAR TAD AXLE OUT OF THE ALIGNMEN…
03/27/2003 · Suspension
THE RV VIBRATED AT SPEED OFF 55 MPH AND HIGHER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVELINE WAS UNDER COATED AND OUT OF ROUND. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS REPLACED/REPAIRS THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. *PH *NLM
07/17/2002 · Wheels / tires
HAD TREAD SEPARATION OCCUR AT 60 MPH ON RIGHT REAR INBOARD DULEY. AIR TEMPERATURE WAS 90 F.*AK
12/03/2001 · Brakes
WHILE DECELLERATING, BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED, AND VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH FRONT BRAKES ONLY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. INSPECTION REVEALED LEFT REAR BRAKE HOSE (FLEXIBLE) HAD BEEN ABRADED BY AFTERMARKET MODIFICATION BY THE MOTORHOME MANUFACTURER, FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES. TAG AXLE LINKAGE ADDED BY FLEETWOOD ADJACENT TO BRAKE H…