FaultScore report
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the 1997 Ford Club Wagon with NHTSA between 1998 and 2020. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 6 worst.
FaultScore 76/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford Club Wagon.
How this is worked out40
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 95,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 62,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
#4 SPARK PLUG CAME OUT OF MY 1997 FORD E350 VAN WITH A V-10 ENGINE. THE VAN HAS ONLY 62,000 MILES AND HAS THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS. THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10263302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING THE WHEEL CYLENDERS TO LOCK UP RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. YH
NHTSA complaint #551120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL LUGS: NUTS HAD BEEN STRIPPED OFF COMPLETELY. THE ENTIRE WHEEL, ALONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, HAD CAME OFF. THERE WAS NO CARTER KEY USED ON THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR, JIM WILLIAMS.
NHTSA complaint #843681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL LUGS: NUTS HAD BEEN STRIPPED OFF COMPLETELY. THE ENTIRE WHEEL, ALONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, HAD CAME OFF. THERE WAS NO CARTER KEY USED ON THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR, JIM WILLIAMS.
NHTSA complaint #843681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED DURING A BROADSIDE COLLISON. THIS SEVERELY INJURED MY 13 YEAR OLD SON WHO IS 5'2" TALL. THE COVER OF THE METAL AIRBAG FLEW UP, STRKING HIM IN THE FACE AND CAUSING A 4INCH DEEP LARCERATION ON HIS FOREHEAD, REQUIRING STITCHES AND PLASTIC SURGERY. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT AT THE TIME. I THINK THE DESIGN OF THIS AIRBAG COVER IS ATROCIOUS AND DANGEROUS. WE HAVE PHOTOS OF HIM AND THE AIRBAG. WE WANT TO KNOW IF SAMETHING WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN IF WE PURCHASE THE SAME VEHICLE MODEL YEAR 1999, EVEN IF IT NOW IS A REDUCED FORCE AIRBAG--THE COVER DESIGN LOOKS THE SAME.
NHTSA complaint #704846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
TIRES
DURATURN TRAVIA H/T DELAMINATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MONDAY OCTOBER 26, 2020. 1 TON VAN SHUDDERED AND SHOOK THE STEERING WHEEL. REDUCED SPEED AND LEFT THE FREEWAY. CHANGED TO SPARE TIRE. DURATURN VISIBLY MIS-SHAPED BUT REMAINED ON THE RIM. VIEWED RECALL IN PROGRESS FOR DURATURN TRAVIA A/T TIRES, INCLUDING MY SIZE 245/75R16 (WHICH ARE LOAD RANGE E). THE DATE RANGE ON MY TIRES IS IN THE DATE RANGE OF THE RECALL (2016). CALLED THE RECALL WEBPAGE PROVIDED REP (DAVE 626-513-8989) TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND LEFT MESSAGES EACH DAY. NO REPLY. NO OTHER CONTACT PHONE NUMBER OPTIONS FOUND ONLINE. MY 4 VAN TIRES HAVE ABOUT 85% TREAD LEFT AND ARE ALL THE SAME BRAND ETC. DOT UFRN EL8 1116 IS MOLDED INTO THE FAILED TIRE. VAN IS 1997 FORD CLUBWAGON WHICH HOLDS UP TO 15 PASSENGERS.
NHTSA complaint #11367064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
#4 SPARK PLUG CAME OUT OF MY 1997 FORD E350 VAN WITH A V-10 ENGINE. THE VAN HAS ONLY 62,000 MILES AND HAS THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS. THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10263302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO CHANGE TIRE. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. TIRE SIZE 2457516.
NHTSA complaint #10051923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
UPON RETURNING FROM A ROUTINE DRIVE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT TWO LUGS: NUTS WERE COMPLETELY MISSING AND FIVE OF THE REMAINING SIX WERE LOOSE. THE WHEELS ARE CONSTRUCTED OF POLISHED ALUMINUM AND ARE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER (WHEELED COACH). FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED DETERIORATION AS A POSSIBLE RESULT OF THE ALUMINUM IN THE WHEELS REACTING WITH THE STEEL OF THE LUGS. BECAUSE THIS IS AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE, ONE OF THOUSANDS ON THE ROAD, IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION TO EMS PROVIDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ADVISE THEM TO ROUTINELY CHECK THEIR LUG NUTS, ESPECIALLY ON ALUMINUM WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #767305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TIRES. THE RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO THE SPARE BECAUSE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE OTHER FOUR TIRES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE SALES ASSOCIATE INSPECTED THE TIRE AND INFORMED CONSUMER HE COULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRE WITH OUT A CODE FROM GOODYEAR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE AND TIRE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE ONE IN STOCK AND TOLD CONSUMER TO COME BACK ON MONDAY TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED. ON MONDAY THE TIRE HAD NOT BEEN ORDERED. IT TOOK CONSUMER 5 TRIES TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED AS STATED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #565825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN DRIVING AT 60 MPH FRONT END OF VEHICLE VIBRATES AND BRAKES BECOME INOPERABLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERA TIMES. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED AS OF YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
NHTSA complaint #8007712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH A MODIFICATION--ELECTRONIC HAND CONTROLS PROVIDED BY EMC CO IN LOUISIANA. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES: THEY ARE ELECTRONIC HAND CONTROLS THAT WORK WITH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR. THREE TIMES THE CONTROLS HAVE FAILED TO WORK SO THAT EITHER THE ACCELERATOR HAS BEEN STUCK OR THE BRAKES HAVE NOT WORKED. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND DOING A LITTLE INVESTIGATION OF MY OWN, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, BUT I CAN FIND NO INFORMATION ON THE WWW REGARDING IT. I HOPE YOU'LL LOOK INTO IT.
NHTSA complaint #751847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH A MODIFICATION--ELECTRONIC HAND CONTROLS PROVIDED BY EMC CO IN LOUISIANA. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES: THEY ARE ELECTRONIC HAND CONTROLS THAT WORK WITH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR. THREE TIMES THE CONTROLS HAVE FAILED TO WORK SO THAT EITHER THE ACCELERATOR HAS BEEN STUCK OR THE BRAKES HAVE NOT WORKED. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND DOING A LITTLE INVESTIGATION OF MY OWN, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, BUT I CAN FIND NO INFORMATION ON THE WWW REGARDING IT. I HOPE YOU'LL LOOK INTO IT.
NHTSA complaint #751847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEAT BLEND DOOR FAILED, NO FRONT HEAT/DEFROST, SAFETY HAZARD, $391 TO REPLACE. SMALL PLASTIC PIECE BROKE AND ONLY COLD AIR PRODUCED THROUGH FRONT HEATER. FOUND AT LEAST 9 OTHER ODI DOCUMENTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM FOR JUST THE 97 MODEL YEAR, LISTED UNDER E150, CLUB WAGON AND ECONOLINE MODELS. MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE IT SEEMS.
NHTSA complaint #741220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
THE CABLE THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE BROKE. SPARE BOUNCED ONTO HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND US AT THE TIME. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT DEALERSHIP TOLD US CABLE LOOKED "FRAYED." BUT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR IT TO HAVE FRAYED.
NHTSA complaint #735488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
THIS WAS AN R-16, LOAD RANGE E TIRE. THE 3RD TO DELAM ON US IN THE PAST YEAR. THE TREAD DEPTH WAS STILL HEALTHY ON ALL THREE TIRES. ALL THREE CAME APART AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IN SUMMER WEATHER ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS (TWO IN MONTANA, ONE IN MISSOURI) THEY DE-LAMMED QUITE VIOLENTLY, IN TWO CASES THE BODY OF OUR MOTORHOME WAS DAMAGED. HAD ANY OTHER CARS BEEN IN THE AREA WHEN THE TIRES BLEW APART THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN AT RISK FROM THE DEBRIS. WE MAINTAINED THE INFLATION LEVELS RECOMMENDED ON THE TIRES AND ROTATED THE TIRES EVERY 5000 MILES.*AK (TIRESIZE: LT225/75)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225/75 )
NHTSA complaint #732953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:VALVE
DUE TO A BAD VALVE STEM, THE TIRE AND RIM WERE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AND TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALERSHIP (BIG O TIRES) IN MONUMENT CO. FOR REPAIR. THE VALVE STEM WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITHOUT THE TRIE BEING REMOVED FROM THE RIM. THE TIRE WAS REINFLATED TO MANUFACTURER SPECSOF 80 PSI COLD. THE TIRE AND RIM WERE PICKED UP AND PLACED IN THE BACK OF MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE FOR TRANSPORTATION BACK TO MY RESIDENCE. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF BEING IN THE BACK OF THE JEEP, THE TIRE EXPLODED TEARING A 6 INCH GASH IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE, AN INCH AND A QUARTER FROM THE TREAD SURFACE. THE TIRE HAD BEEN INFLATED ALL OF 10 MINUTES WHEN IT EXPLODED. I IMMEDEATELY RETURNED BACK TO BIG O TIRES AND CONFIRMED THE TIRE PRESSURE THEY HAD PLACED IN THE TIRE. I SHOWED THEM THE TIRE AND EXPLAINED HOW IT SEEMED TO SELD-DISTRUCT IN THE BACK ON MY VEHICLE. AGAIN, THE TIRE WAS NOT UNDER PRESSURE AS IT WAS ONLY IN THE BACK OF MY JEEP. THEY , BIG O TIRES, FELT THAT THERE HAD TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE TIRE AND SUGGESTED THAT IT BE TAKEN TO FIRESTONE FOR EXAMINATION. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO FIRESTONE OF CHAPLE HILLS. UPON EXAMINATION, THEY IMMEDEATELY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS THE TIRE BEING CUT FROM THE OUTSIDE AND NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED THE NATURE OF THE INCIDENT NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE FIRESTONE PEOPLE BUT RECEIVED NO HELP. I RETURNED TO BIG O TIRES AND ADVISED THEM OF WHAT FIRESTONE HAD SAID. THEY EXPLAINED THAT A CUT IN THE TIRE COULD CLEARLY NOT BE THE CASE AS IF IT HAD BEEN CUT TO THE DEPTH OF CUTTING THE SIDEWALL BELTING, IT WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO HOLD THE PRESSURE THAT THEY HAD PUT INTO IT. THEY CONTINUE TO BELIEVE, AS DO I, THAT THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TIRE. FIRESTONE TREATED ME AS IF I HAD CUT THE TIRE AND MADE UP A STORY IN ORDER TO SAVE HAVING TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. THERE WAS NO REASON TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE, PRIOR TO THIS EXPLOSION, AS THE TREAD WEAR WAS MINIMAL. (DOT NUMBER: VOIL1XA366 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)
NHTSA complaint #732954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING ONE OF THE WHEEL STUDS BROKE OFF AND SEVERAL WERE STRIPPED RESULTING IN THE WHEEL DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND HUB AREAS OF THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #554266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW THE EXHAUST SYSTEM/CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING NOISE AND CAUSING VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN, THE VEHICLE IS NOT ABLE TO BE FIXED AS THE VEHICLE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR THE SYMPTOMS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #551802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
ENGINE EXHAUST PIPING IS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER 14 FOOT SLIDEOUT, AND SLIDEOUT IS NIGHT AIR TIGHT, CAUSIG EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER VEHICLE, AND SETS OFF THE CARBON MONOXIDED DETECTOR.
NHTSA complaint #533144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
FRONT ABS BRAKES WOULD SHIMMY WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED. ALSO, WOULD LOCK UP ON WET ROADS. HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES & BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES. LAST TRIP MECHANIC WOULD NOT WORK ON BRAKES. ADVISED OWNER TO MAKE FORD BUY BACK VEHICLE. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER/ TIRES/DRUMS AND ROTORS, AND ODOMETER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AFTER 39,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #859040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FRONT ABS BRAKES WOULD SHIMMY WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED. ALSO, WOULD LOCK UP ON WET ROADS. HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES & BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES. LAST TRIP MECHANIC WOULD NOT WORK ON BRAKES. ADVISED OWNER TO MAKE FORD BUY BACK VEHICLE. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER/ TIRES/DRUMS AND ROTORS, AND ODOMETER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AFTER 39,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #859040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT ABS BRAKES WOULD SHIMMY WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED. ALSO, WOULD LOCK UP ON WET ROADS. HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES & BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES. LAST TRIP MECHANIC WOULD NOT WORK ON BRAKES. ADVISED OWNER TO MAKE FORD BUY BACK VEHICLE. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER/ TIRES/DRUMS AND ROTORS, AND ODOMETER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AFTER 39,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #859040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
FRONT ABS BRAKES WOULD SHIMMY WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED. ALSO, WOULD LOCK UP ON WET ROADS. HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES & BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES. LAST TRIP MECHANIC WOULD NOT WORK ON BRAKES. ADVISED OWNER TO MAKE FORD BUY BACK VEHICLE. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER/ TIRES/DRUMS AND ROTORS, AND ODOMETER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AFTER 39,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #859040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
FRONT ABS BRAKES WOULD SHIMMY WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED. ALSO, WOULD LOCK UP ON WET ROADS. HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES & BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES. LAST TRIP MECHANIC WOULD NOT WORK ON BRAKES. ADVISED OWNER TO MAKE FORD BUY BACK VEHICLE. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER/ TIRES/DRUMS AND ROTORS, AND ODOMETER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AFTER 39,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #859040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING THE WHEEL CYLENDERS TO LOCK UP RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. YH
NHTSA complaint #551120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER BLEND DOOR FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND DOOR IS BROKEN THE DEFROSTER UNIT DOES NOT WORK AND WINDSHIELD IS FOGGY. YH
NHTSA complaint #551120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON PASSENGER SIDE MAKES THINGS LOOK FURTHER AWAY THAN IT ACTUALLY IS, CAUSING POTETIAL SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #848324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CLUTCH FAN AND THERMOSTAT REPLACED. YH
NHTSA complaint #607087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END PROBLEM CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES. YH
NHTSA complaint #607087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.