1997 Ford E-150 problems
The Ford E-Series (also known as the Ford Econoline, Ford Econovan or Ford Club Wagon) is a range of full-size vans manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced for 1961 as the replacement of the Ford F-Series panel van, four generations of the model line have been produced. Marketed for both cargo and passenger transport configurations, the E-Series has been designed with multiple design variations for both retail and commercial sale, including vans, and commercial-grade cutaway van chassis and stripped chassis (a chassis without bodywork).
With over 8.2 million units sold since 1961, the Ford E-Series is the third-best selling van line in history (outranked only by the Ford Transit and Volkswagen Transporter). Ford retired the E-Series passenger and cargo vans after 2014, replacing them with the Ford Transit. As of current production, the E-Series remains offered exclusively in cutaway and stripped-chassis configurations. In 2021, the model line entered its 60th year of production (becoming the second current Ford line to do so).
The E-Series (cutaway/stripped chassis) is assembled by Ford at its Ohio Assembly facility (Avon Lake, Ohio), which has produced the model line since 1975. Prior to its closure, Lorain Assembly (Lorain, Ohio) assembled the model line from 1961 to 2005.
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Common 1997 Ford E-150 problems
The Ford E-150 1997 is known for various mechanical issues that can affect its performance and reliability. Here are some common problems based on complaints from owners of this car:
- Engine Oil Leaks from Cylinder Head Area: Another common problem with the Ford E-150 1997 is engine oil leaks from the cylinder head area, which can be caused by a damaged cylinder head gasket. The best option is to replace the head gasket and mating surfaces on the cylinder head and block. In extreme cases, the cylinder head may need to be replaced. The average cost for replacing a head gasket is between $1100-$1400.
- Front End Makes Rattle Noise Over Bumps: If your E-Series Van is rattling over bumps, there may be handling issues and excessive play in the upper and lower ball joints. The ball joints will need to be replaced due to entry of moisture and lack of lubrication. Replacing one ball can cost around $250 while replacing both is about $550.
- Loud Popping Noise and Misfire: If you are hearing a loud popping noise and a misfire is experienced right after, the spark plug may have been dislodged from the cylinder head causing the threads on the spark plugs to be stripped. If your vehicle is still under warranty, it is recommended that the cylinder head be replaced. If it is not under warranty, we recommend using “Lock-N-Stitch” aluminum inserts to replace threads in the cylinder, which can start around $500 just to rent the Tool Kit.
- Coolant Leakage from Heater Core: The electrolysis that runs through the coolant can cause corrosion and deterioration of heater core and radiator parts. Coolant liquid often finds its way onto the passenger side footwell. Replacing the heater core is a $200-$300 fix. Adding ground straps on top of that can help prevent future corrosion of components.
It is important to note that these are common issues that have been reported by owners of the Ford E-150 1997. However, not all vehicles will experience these problems, and the frequency and severity of these issues can vary. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent these issues and ensure the longevity of the vehicle.
Are Ford Econolines good on gas?
I average 13 in city, sometimes towing. I get a solid 15-16 hwy as long as I keep my foot out of it. If you do plan to go 4wd in the future, I would recommend stepping up to the diesel or V10.
What engine goes in Ford Econoline 150 1995?
Standard: 4.9L V-6 / 150 HP / 260 ft. lbs.
What kind of gas does a Ford e150 take?
Regular Gasoline
Compare Side-by-Side
| Vehicle Specification Data | |
|---|---|
| Supercharger | No |
| Passenger Volume | |
| Luggage Volume | |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline or E85 |
Do Ford vans take regular gas?
If you drive a new Ford truck, car or SUV, regular unleaded gasoline should work fine for your vehicle.
Why does my Ford e150 shut off while driving?
The most common reasons a Ford E-150 engine stalling are the fuel system, the air intake system, or the ignition system.
What is the towing capacity of a 1997 Ford e150?
Tow Capacity for a 1997 Ford E-150 Van:
| Year | Make | Tow Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Ford | 6600 lb |
| Notes: Requires automatic transmission. Requires 3.55:1 axle ratio. Requires weight-distributing hitch. Requires Trailer Towing Package. A higher tow rating is listed for pickups that tow fifth-wheel trailers. |
What engine goes in Ford Econoline 150 1995?
Standard: 4.9L V-6 / 150 HP / 260 ft. lbs.
Why does my van keep shutting off?
Common culprits include a faulty fuel pump or fuel pump relay. A clogged fuel filter or bad fuel pressure regulator is also common on return-type fuel systems. Another often overlooked problem is the vehicle simply being out of fuel. Sometimes the fuel gauge breaks or is inaccurate.
1997 Ford E-150 complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Ford E-150.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
1997 Ford E-150 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 1997 Ford E-150.
- Manufacturer: ALL IN ONE MOBILITY, INC.
- Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
- Summary: ALL IN ONE MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2008 CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A DEFECTIVE WELD AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE PIVOTING PLATE AND THE PIVOTING PLATE PIN.
- Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY BE INJURED IF THE SEAT BASE PIN WERE TO BREAK.
- Remedy: ALL IN ONE MOBILITY WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALL IN ONE MOBILITY AT 1-503-255-5005.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
- Summary: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
- Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, ROUGH ROAD OR SPEED BUMP EVENTS, THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK COULD DEVELOP A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. IF THE FUEL TANK CRACKS, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
- Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. 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.
Negative 1997 Ford E-150 car reviews
Positive 1997 Ford E-150 car reviews
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This solid and reliable family van comes with a folding rear seat that can be transformed into a comfortable bed. It's not too high like hightop vans, which means it fits perfectly in a standard garage door opening.
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I bought the van used with 137K miles. Fortunately, any initial problems with the throttle position sensor were quickly dealt with and have not recurred. It rides smoothly and quietly on the highway and has plenty of power thanks to its 5.8L V8 engine. I took out the seats and built a bed and storage inside, making it perfect for camping several months a year. At this point, I would keep this van until the wheels fall off, as it seems to be solid and shows no signs of problems.
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I named my new van Fenway because of its green color, which reminded me of the Green Monster. Unfortunately, the fuel pump acted up in its early days and was not diagnosed by dealerships until it completely failed in the summer of 2000. Additionally, the rear heater pipes have rusted out twice. However, despite these issues, the van has been a reliable vehicle for family vacations. For the first nine years, we pulled a pop-up trailer, and for the last two years, we pulled a 30 ft travel trailer. The van gets mid-16 miles per gallon on the highway with just the family, and slightly better than 10 with the big trailer. The interior is holding up well, with little wear showing on the seats, even though I am the height and weight of most NFL linemen.
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This has been our best vehicle! We've owned it for 12 years now, hauling lots of kids and drywalling, among other things. We have quad seating and added a 2nd bench so that we can carry 10-11 people. This van worked great for vacations - lots of room! I've loved sitting up high and used it to teach my children to drive. The air still runs cold and we've had no major repairs! We've only had to replace the idle arm, battery, and tires. I will be sad when we replace the 'Vanmobile'.
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We have successfully transported our family of five, including one handicapped child, on semi-annual 500-mile trips without ever running out of space or sacrificing comfort. The van was covered by a 3-year service contract and we experienced no major issues until we replaced the transmission at 140,000 miles. Unfortunately, the A/C is now unrepairable and we have decided to trade it in for a new vehicle.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Ford E-150 problems:
Q&A: Troubleshooting 1997 Ford Econoline E150 Van | JustAnswer
May 10, 2012 ... Your 1997 4.2 has known issues with the EGR passeges getting plugged up and when thei happens it will usually cause on the #5 and or #6 cylinder ...
1997 Ford E-150 Econoline Problems and Complaints - 9 Issues
Top 1997 Ford E-150 Econoline Problems · Rough Running Engine and Possible Check Engine Light · Loud Popping Noise and Misfire Experienced · Front End May Make ...
Ford E-150 Van Q&A: Common Problems, Transmission Issues, and ...
Sep 19, 2009 ... What causes acceleration problems in a Ford E150 Van w 4.2L - Answered by a verified Ford Mechanic.
Ford E-Series Questions - Intermittant electrical problem - CarGurus
Oct 10, 2012 ... Common problem with fords in that time frame. ... problem: I have a 1998 e150 econoline ... good , I changed the Battery terminals als... 1997 Ford ...
1997 Ford E-150 Van Heater and Air Conditioner Door Problem ...
Start by doing a little bit of internet searching and see if it's a common problem with your vehicle. There may be a E-150 forum out there. In ...
Other years of Ford E-150
Are you having problems with your 1997 Ford E-150?
Dan Swaniawski 2024-11-29
This van was a great work van, except for the transmission. I put 250,000 miles on it, but unfortunately had to replace the transmission three times. However, I did a lot of stop and go driving, which may have contributed to the issue.
Winston Bernhard 2024-11-23
The ownership experience of this vehicle has been frustrating due to the need for frequent repairs and maintenance. Despite spending $1000 to fix the issue, the vehicle still stalls upon backing. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the customization package overloads the chassis, causing these problems. As a result, I have decided not to purchase a Ford vehicle again.
Jaylin Barrows 2024-11-12
This van is excellent and has proven to be very reliable, with no major failures and only a few minor ones after 107,000 miles. However, the quality of the conversion package was not great (Imperial). It has a gas mileage of 12-14mpg due to the 5.7L engine with towing package. Overall, it's a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable van.
Stephan Crona 2024-03-12
Coolant leaks along with rebuilt engine at 42,000 (Yes, I did have the extended warranty, it is a Ford!). The van is slightly underpowered but works well for around town driving. The interior has a large cargo space and removable seats, making it very flexible.
Archibald Stroman 2024-01-18
I am a proud GMC owner now, after having a less than satisfactory experience with my previous Ford vehicle. Since switching to GMC, I have been extremely satisfied with my ride.