Ford F-150 1997–2003
10th generation · PN96
NHTSA data through 12 August 202610,446 complaints, 5,060 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 63,878 and 140,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 341 complaints (6.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 35,000
- 25%
- 63,878
- Median
- 99,500
- 75%
- 140,000
- 90%
- 180,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 112 | 2.2% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 47 | 0.9% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 54 | 1.1% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 69 | 1.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 65 | 1.3% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 61 | 1.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 85 | 1.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 111 | 2.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 134 | 2.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 111 | 2.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 129 | 2.5% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 141 | 2.8% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 170 | 3.4% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 154 | 3.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 177 | 3.5% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 152 | 3.0% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 203 | 4.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 208 | 4.1% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 191 | 3.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 165 | 3.3% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 256 | 5.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 130 | 2.6% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 135 | 2.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 138 | 2.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 180 | 3.6% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 133 | 2.6% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 143 | 2.8% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 110 | 2.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 128 | 2.5% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 111 | 2.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 131 | 2.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 69 | 1.4% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 118 | 2.3% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 68 | 1.3% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 87 | 1.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 52 | 1.0% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 64 | 1.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 41 | 0.8% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 45 | 0.9% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 41 | 0.8% |
| 200,000+ | 341 | 6.7% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 10,446 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997–2003 Ford F-150, and 5,060 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 63,878 and 140,000 miles. The median is 99,500 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine and its cooling system (15.5% of complaints, typically around 91,000 miles), throttle and speed control (8.8% of complaints, typically around 104,000 miles), the fuel system (8.6% of complaints, typically around 132,000 miles).
1 recall campaign cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Engine and its cooling system91,000median 91,000 miles, middle half 67,000 to 120,000
- Throttle and speed control104,000median 104,500 miles, middle half 77,000 to 145,000
- Fuel system132,000median 132,000 miles, middle half 104,000 to 167,000
- Electrical system92,000median 92,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 134,000
- Body structure86,000median 86,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 133,000
- Tyres74,000median 74,000 miles, middle half 41,000 to 116,000
- Hydraulic brake circuit68,000median 67,875 miles, middle half 42,000 to 102,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and its cooling system | 1,618 | 15.5% | 91,000 | 67,000–120,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 920 | 8.8% | 104,000 | 77,000–145,000 |
| Fuel system | 896 | 8.6% | 132,000 | 104,000–167,000 |
| Electrical system | 876 | 8.4% | 92,000 | 60,000–134,000 |
| Body structure | 688 | 6.6% | 86,000 | 60,000–133,000 |
| Tyres | 684 | 6.5% | 74,000 | 41,000–116,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 652 | 6.2% | 68,000 | 42,000–102,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 570 | 5.5% | 64,000 | 40,000–100,000 |
| Suspension | 526 | 5.0% | 70,000 | 39,000–120,000 |
| Steering | 513 | 4.9% | 80,000 | 52,000–117,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 99,500 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 15.5% of complaints (1,618 reports, 1,051 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 91,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 66,988 and 120,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 8.8% of complaints (920 reports, 527 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 104,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 76,530 and 145,000 miles.
The fuel system accounts for 8.6% of complaints (896 reports, 753 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 132,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 104,000 and 166,867 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.4% of complaints (876 reports, 561 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 92,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 134,167 miles.
Body structure accounts for 6.6% of complaints (688 reports, 233 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 133,000 miles.
The tyres account for 6.5% of complaints (684 reports, 129 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 74,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 41,000 and 116,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 1997 model year drew the most — 3,285 complaints — while 2003 drew the fewest at 524. The median year sits at 1,323.
That makes 1997 an outlier: roughly 2.5 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 1 recall campaign covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 10,446 complaints filed against this generation, 752 reported a crash; 1,326 reported a fire; 692 reported an injury; 40 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 7.2% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 63,878 and 140,000 miles, with a median of 99,500. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and its cooling system and throttle and speed control are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine and its cooling system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 91,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine 1997–2003
Spark plug ejection from aluminum cylinder heads on 2-valve modular V8s (4.6L/5.4L). Only about four threads engage the plug in the head, so plugs back out under cylinder pressure and strip the head threads; failure is sudden and requires thread inserts to repair.
Engine 1997–2003
Cracked exhaust manifolds and broken manifold studs on Triton V8s producing a cold-start tick.
Fuel System 1999–2003
Fuel pump driver module (frame-mounted) corrodes and fails, causing stalling and no-start.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 3,285 | 976 |
| 1998 | 1,624 | 658 |
| 1999 | 1,323 | 595 |
| 2000 | 1,274 | 779 |
| 2001 | 1,451 | 907 |
| 2002 | 965 | 754 |
| 2003 | 524 | 391 |
Recalls (1)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 11V385000 | 2011-09-12 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting |
What owners reported
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH the air bag warning light illuminated. Within a couple of weeks the cruise control was not operating while driving at approximately 65 MPH. The dealer was contact who stated that the vehicle was not under a recall.…
1997 · 35 miles · Airbag system
An explosion woke us up at approx 4:00 am on july 06. Our 1997 Ford f150 pick up was on fire and destroyed a 2001 4 runner, 2001 larson boat, carport etc.*Ak the vehicle had been parked for 2 days and moved once a very short distabce during that time. The fire seemed to come from the engine compartment. Prior to…
1997 · 150 miles · Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f150. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH when the brakes were applied and the vehicle began to surge. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis on several occassions yet, the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.…
1997 · 1,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
Built from 5,060 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page