1997 Ford F-450 sd problems

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The Ford Super Duty (also known as the Ford F-Series Super Duty) is a series of heavy-duty pickup trucks produced by the Ford Motor Company since the 1999 model year. Slotted above the consumer-oriented Ford F-150, the Super Duty trucks are an expansion of the Ford F-Series range, from F-250 to the F-600. The F-250 through F-450 are offered as pickup trucks, while the F-350 through F-600 are offered as chassis cabs.

Rather than adapting the lighter-duty F-150 truck for heavier use, Super Duty trucks have been designed as a dedicated variant of the Ford F-Series. The heavier-duty chassis components allow for heavier payloads and towing capabilities. With a GVWR over 8,500 lb (3,900 kg), Super Duty pickups are Class 2 and 3 trucks, while chassis-cab trucks are offered in Classes 3, 4, 5, and 6. The model line also offers Ford Power Stroke V8 diesel engines as an option.

Ford also offers a medium-duty version of the F-Series (F-650 and F-750), which is sometimes branded as the Super Duty, but is another chassis variant. The Super Duty pickup truck also served as the basis for the Ford Excursion full-sized SUV.

The Super Duty trucks and chassis-cabs are assembled at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, and at Ohio Assembly in Avon Lake, Ohio. Prior to 2016, medium-duty trucks were assembled in Mexico under the Blue Diamond Truck joint venture with Navistar International.

1997 Ford F-450 sd

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Common 1997 Ford F-450 sd problems

The Ford F-450 Super Duty, particularly the 1997 model, has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. One of the most significant issues is related to the transmission. According to a review from a 2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty XL owner, the truck has a faulty transmission, which is a common problem in this model. This owner reported that the truck broke down in January 2020, less than a year after purchase, due to transmission issues. They also mentioned that Ford is in the process of arbitration because of this widespread problem, yet the company continues to sell these trucks to the public.

Another common issue with the 1997 Ford F-450 Super Duty is the ride quality. A 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty Platinum owner reported that the ride is rough, with every little bump and crack on the road being felt. This can make for an uncomfortable driving experience, especially over long distances or on rough roads.

The 1997 Ford F-450 Super Duty also had recalls related to the suspension, brakes, steering, and transmission. The largest recall of the model came in 1997 when cars were invited to dealerships for troubleshooting with two issues. The common problems for this model included equipment (6), transmission (3), brakes (2), suspension (2), and steering (1).

The "death wobble" is another well-known issue with the Ford Super Duty line, including the F-450. This problem is characterized by a violent shaking of the front end, often triggered by hitting a bump or pothole. The death wobble can be dangerous, especially at high speeds, and has been reported to occur in various Super Duty models, including the F-250, F-350, and F-450.

Lastly, high mileage is a concern for the 1997 Ford F-450 Super Duty. While some Super Duty trucks have been known to last for 800,000 miles or more, the average lifespan of a Ford Super Duty is 200,000 miles.

In conclusion, the 1997 Ford F-450 Super Duty has several common problems, including faulty transmissions, rough ride quality, recalls related to suspension, brakes, steering, and transmission, the "death wobble," and high mileage. These issues can impact the overall driving experience and reliability of the vehicle.

1997 Ford F-450 sd engine

What year Ford f450 is best?

The Best Model Years to Buy a Ford F-450 Super Duty

With the 2022, you would only pay, on average, 100% of the price as new, with 100% of the vehicle's useful life remaining. The 2021 and 2019 model years are also attractive years for the F-450 Super Duty, and provide a relatively good value.

Does Ford make a 450 engine?

2023 Ford F-450 Engine Specifications

The standard 6.7L Power Stroke® turbo diesel engine produces a massive 1,050 pound-feet of torque, while the high-output 6.7L Power Stroke turbo diesel generates up to 1,200 pound-feet of torque.

Is the 1997 7.3 Powerstroke a good engine?

Review. The 7.3L Powerstrokes are known to easily last 400,000+ miles if they are well maintained, with plenty of trucks joining the exclusive million-mile club. Like most diesel engines they can be easily tuned/modified, producing a substantial increase in horsepower/torque.

Which Ford diesel to stay away from?

The 6.4 Powerstroke came after the 6.0 Powerstroke, which was widely panned for its problems and poor performance. The issues with both of these engines eventually led to the end of the working relationship between Ford and Navistar and led to Ford designing its next diesel engine in-house.

1997 Ford F-450 sd car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford F-450 sd problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Suspension problems
  • Power train problems
  • Tires problems
  • Parking brake problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Ford F-450 sd vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1997 Ford F-450 sd complaints

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Ford F-450 sd.

2001-05-18

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-05-01
  • VIN: 1FDLE40S1VH
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD BOOMING NOISE THAT CAME FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAR INSIDE FIRESTONE, STEELTEX RADIAL R4S TIRE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION. TIRE SIZE IS LT225/75R16E, FORD, F450HD. *AK DOT NUMBER VD1L1XA456. *SLC
2000-02-09

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-07-01
  • VIN: 1FDLF47F4VE
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: THE VEHICLE REAR END SNAPS VIOLENTLY JERKING THE BACK OF THE TRUCK SIDEWAYS. IT DOES THIS 2-3 TIMES A WEEK. IT HAS NEVER DONE IT WHEN THE DEALER TEST DRIVES. THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSES THIS AND WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
1999-08-30

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-04-23
  • VIN: 1FDLF47F9VE
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: THE FLYWHEEL ON THIS VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TEAR UP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS FLYWHEEL, BUT ONCE MY WARRANTY IS UP THE DEALER WILL NO LONGER REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD TO PAY $100 EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FLYWHEEL HAS ACTAULLY NEEDED REPLACING MORE TIMES, BUT THIS IS WORK TRUCK & IT IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO PARK FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.
1998-05-21

PARKING BRAKE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-01-01
  • Components: PARKING BRAKE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: VEHICLE #1: BROKE DOWN AT 17 MILES. NEW TRANSMISSION AT 900 MILES. EMERGENCY BRAKE PROBLEMS. VEHICLE #2: TURBO WAS MALFUNCTIONING. OIL LEAK. SHAKES VIOLENTLY. TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR--BROKEN FLYWHEEL AND CONNECTING SPLINE CAUSED SHAKING. TWO OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE THAT THEY OWN HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
1998-05-05

SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: OWNER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END, OIL LEAKS, AND TRANSMISSIONS ON THREE OF VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE.

1997 Ford F-450 sd recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1997 Ford F-450 sd.

2009-10-13
  • 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.
2007-12-05
  • Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.
2006-08-01
  • Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
  • Consequence: 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)
2001-05-22
  • Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  • Components: TIRES:TREAD/BELT
  • Summary: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
  • Consequence: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
  • Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1997 Ford F-450 sd problems:

1997 f450 SD crank no start. Yes another one | Ford Power Stroke ...
1997 f450 SD crank no start. Yes another one | Ford Power Stroke ...
https://www.powerstrokenation.com/threads/1997-f450-sd-crank-no-start-yes-another-one.521210/

Apr 14, 2017 ... ( at this point I haven't done to much reading up online so I was a noobie here) I add new fuses find same problem. I Read about fuel bowl ...

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Aug 25, 2010 ... I know that anything under the sun could happen, but what is likely to fail? 1997 F-250 ex-cab 4x4 100k miles.

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2006 6.8 v10..any problems? | Ford Power Stroke Nation
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Nov 19, 2010 ... No run keep the diesel. Haha. 2009 f-250 dpf deleted kem tuned 1997 f ...

Wandering Steering | Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum
Wandering Steering | Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum
https://www.powerstroke.org/threads/wandering-steering.1385167/

Mar 12, 2021 ... If there's alot of play up and down it's ball joints left and right is tie rod ends. Rag joints are a common problem the u-joint in steering ...

Q&A: Ford P0603 Code - Troubleshooting PCM Processor ...
Q&A: Ford P0603 Code - Troubleshooting PCM Processor ...
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Oct 1, 2011 ... I have a problem with my 1997 F-350 not starting. Will turn over but won't start. Getting diagnostic code P0603 PCM - Answered by a verified ...

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