FaultScore

1997 Ford F-250 window and wiper problems

14 of the 348 complaints about the 1997 Ford F-250 are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 99,000 miles.

B

14

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Windshield Wiper/Washer 6 42.9%
Windshield 3 21.4%
Exterior 1 7.1%
Electrical Heating Element 1 7.1%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices 1 7.1%
Switch/Wiring 1 7.1%
Switch/Wiring 1 7.1%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Ford F-250 year

1997 14 30.4%
1999 22 47.8%
2000 10 21.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 99,000 miles Warwick, RI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON RT 295 DURING A RAIN STORM AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONETS IN MY TRUCK. I DRIVE A 97 FORD F250 4X4 XLT. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO BE FIXED WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY GEM MODULE AND FUSE BOX. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE MODEL OF MY TRUCK IS KNOWN TO LEAK AND DAMAGE THOSE COMPONETS. I COULD OF GOT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT DAY, RESULTING IN DEATH OF ME OR OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10145770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Warwick, RI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON RT 295 DURING A RAIN STORM AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONETS IN MY TRUCK. I DRIVE A 97 FORD F250 4X4 XLT. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO BE FIXED WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY GEM MODULE AND FUSE BOX. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE MODEL OF MY TRUCK IS KNOWN TO LEAK AND DAMAGE THOSE COMPONETS. I COULD OF GOT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT DAY, RESULTING IN DEATH OF ME OR OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10145770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Mentor, OH

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

1997 FORD F-250LD REAR WINDOW LEAKS. YOU GUYS HAVE ALREADY LOOKED INTO THE PROBLEM BUT I THINK IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I AND MANY OTHERS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO WITH THE SLIDING REAR WINDOW HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS DESTROYING THE HEAD LIGHTS IN THESE TRUCKS PLUS OTHER DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AND WHAT'S IN IT. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME IT RAINS HARD OR SOFT AND WHEN I WASH THE TRUCK. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT WORKS AS A MECHANIC FOR FORD AND HE SAID HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS. FORD DOES NOT REALLY HAVE A GOOD ANSWER FOR THE PROBLEM AND WHEN THEY DO FIX IT, IT DOES NOT LAST FOR LONG. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH FORD TRUCKS AND WOULD BUY THEM AGAIN AND I THINK THAT THEY NEED TO FIND HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND FIX ALL THE TRUCKS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEMS. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10043481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frewsburg, NY

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

MIRROR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR OPERATES ERRATICALLY, IT IS DIFFICULT TO JUDGE DISTANCE WHEN IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SEE OUTSIDE OF REAR VIEW MIRROR. * AK

NHTSA complaint #887288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reno, NV

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE WINDSHIELD WASHER OPERATED SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON, COMPLETELY OBSCURING FORWARD VISION IN THE FIRST INCIDENT. IN THE THREE SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS BOTH THE WASHERS AND WIPERS OPERATED SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON BUT VISIBILITY WAS OK BECAUSE THE WIPERS CLEARD THE WASHER FLUID AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #742773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peralta, NM

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK SPORADICALLY. SOMETIMES THEY COME ON WITHOUT APPLICATION, AND OTHER TIMES THEY CUT OFF WITHOUT APPLICATION. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SWITCH BEFORE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #873894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peralta, NM

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK SPORADICALLY. SOMETIMES THEY COME ON WITHOUT APPLICATION, AND OTHER TIMES THEY CUT OFF WITHOUT APPLICATION. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SWITCH BEFORE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #873894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenbrook, NJ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHENEVER WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE IN USE, THEY WOULD FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. WOULD CUT ON OR OFF ON THEIR OWN. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO HAVE POOR VISIBILITY AT A TIME OF NEED.

NHTSA complaint #847257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tehachapi, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

HEATER ADJUSTMENT FAILED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #606891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fallbrook, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR LOOSE; NEEDED REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #607559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charolettesville, VA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

IN COLD CLIMATE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STICK IN UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN TURNING OFF, THE WIPERS REMAIN IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHICH MAY CAUSE VISUAL DIFFICULTY. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.THE SOLUTION IS TO PLACE HOT WATER ON THE POST OF WHERE THE BLADE IS ATTACHED TO. PAUL OBAUGH FORD HAD ABOUT 40 - 60 PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM IN A WEEK. *AK.ET.

NHTSA complaint #833129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charolettesville, VA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

IN COLD CLIMATE THE WINDOWS ARE NOT FROZEN. HOWEVER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS GET STUCK IN UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN TURNING OFF THE WIPERS, THEY ARE STILL STUCK IN A UPRIGHT POSITION. (SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS OTHER F250). PAUL OBAUGH FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION IS TO PLACE HOT WATER IN THE WIPER POST WHERE THE BLADE IS ATTACHED TO. *AK.ET.

NHTSA complaint #833131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alta, UT 1 injured

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

DRIVER SIDE GLASS SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH. INTERIOR OF VEHICLE AND PASSENGERS WERE LEFT COVERED WITH GLASS.

NHTSA complaint #531348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peoria, AZ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK, THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BLEW OUT. THE DRIVER WAS GOING ABOUT 40-45 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #821151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Ford F-250 problems

← Full 1997 Ford F-250 report