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Used 1997 Ford F-150 Consumer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
132 reviews

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Ilovemytruck

jesse/rippinitup01, 09/27/2002
1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

It runs good and is a great first truck!

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great Truck

srr7sk8r, 05/09/2007
1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This truck is now 10 years old and I have owned it for 3 years. It is still reliable everyday and beats the style of the new F-150's by far. The Tritin V8 delivers 210hp and the lariat towing package is a class 3 so i have never had any problems towing anything. Plent of room for up to 6 in the cabin, unlike most tundras. F-150 is all around great american truck, wish they still made them like this. Only improvement would be gas mileage.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Bullet Proof

JF150, 10/15/2002
1997 Ford F-150 XL 2dr Regular Cab SB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

My brother is a "Chevy" man and he warned me about the Fix Or Repair Daily thing (FORD). Well, I have never owned a more reliable vehicle than this pickup. In 6 yrs & over 120K miles, I have had to change: thermostat gasket ($3), fan belt ($18), Battery ($50), tires ($300), look on my brother's face every time I mention it PRICELESS!!!!

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2025 Ford F-150
At a Glance:
  • 7 Colors
  • 1 Trim
  • 3 Packages
  • $38,810starting MSRP
Build & Price Ford.com
Current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for base vehicle. Excludes destination/delivery fee plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge. Optional equipment not included.

4.25 out of 5 stars

Best vehicle I've owned

Allan, 03/16/2005
1997 Ford F-150 XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Other than my heater core going out and the blender-door motor breaking, this truck has been the most reliable and comfortable vehicle I have driven. I must say it is one of Ford's best vehicles ever made. Fuel economy is a downside, but with a K & N air filter and fiberglass tonneau cover, I get 25 mpg on the highway and 16 in the city. If you want a truck, get an F-150.

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3.5 out of 5 stars

Very dissatisfied

BradB, 02/22/2005
1997 Ford F-150 XL 2dr Regular Cab LB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Broken engine at 71,000 miles from ONP 99-20-7 (TSB99-20-7) due to front cover gasket leaking into crankcase. Ford and dealer will do nothing. This vehicle, alone with many others, was not on the notification list about the problem. That means that these owners were never notified that it may fail. I even had it into dealer while under warranty, when the heater quit working. Guess why? You got it - low coolant! Their lame excuse was a disconnected tube or something. They covered it up. It's been sitting in my yard for 2 yrs. Broken tie rod while driving, crankshaft pulley broke off on highway, very poor gas mileage. My new truck is a Silverado.

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3.5 out of 5 stars

redesign engine

NICHOLEMARIE, 09/09/2004
1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 2dr Regular Cab LB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

my f-150 2 dr 4.2 ltr has been sitting at my dealer ship for 6 months. the engine died at 68000 miles and ford will not take responsibility for this. i have gotten in touch with attorney general in my area( consumer protection) and waiting to here from them. i dont think i will ever buy another ford, also the total of the bill is 5000.00 that i don't have! this truck was maintained very well, and this really makes me furious!!!!! is there anyone that i could write to other than what i have done already? is there an address that i could write to and make sure they get it? please let me know. thankyou, lisa

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Super truck

JRaney, 06/26/2008
1997 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I purchased my truck used in 01 and have owned it for 6 years and all I have done is maintenance and changed the tranny fluid 2x. My truck always starts and runs great. My father in law has an 05 Silverado with a 5.3L and we always use my truck for heavy loads because they crush his suspension and all I have is the 4.6L. All I wish was better fuel mileage but the truck is almost bulletproof and the 4x4 system is great. All it needs is a locking rear differential.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Definite Workhorse

pdm2, 04/25/2003
1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 3dr Extended Cab LB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The 60/40 seat style is right out of the 50's as are the springs bounciness. However easilly fixable with quality bucket seats via after market. Weak rear Axle needed replacing by 30,000 mi. Otherwise, pure pleasure I'll keep till the wheels fall off.

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4 out of 5 stars

Dud Engine

yard man, 04/01/2004
1997 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Truck was great until the motor imploded. Research on the web informed me of 4.2/v6 engine problems with Ford. TSB only addressed lower gasket. Recall only fixed a portion of engines mfged' during period. Water coolant leak into motor from upper and lower gaskets displaces oil in motor which results in total engine failure. Clues should have been coolant odor but never a leak on ground. When it happened, loud bang and clank under hood and continual pouring of white exhaust from tailpipe. Also strong odor of coolant from exhaust. End result, $4000.00 Jaspar replacement engine which is the same engine but with improvements of Ford's poor design.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Great Truck

NPLM, 05/10/2002
1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

My F150 is a '97 Ext. cab SB Lariat (exactly like the one in the photo section of this site) with 76,000 miles. It is a great riding truck with plenty of power from the 5.4L V8. It is smooth as glass on the highway. I've noticed that the ride actually improves when adding load or towing. Interior design is elegant as well as user friendly, and the build quality is top notch, with little wind noise or rattles. Has had no problems since new. My only complaint is the 5.4L engine is thirsty, getting an average of around 15-16 MPG,(city driving). I would recommend the 4.6L unless you really need the extra power. Overall great truck.

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