Used 1997 Ford F-150 Consumer Reviews
Used F-150 for sale
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.
A pleasure to drive
Chang Limbang, 02/11/2003
1997 Ford F-150 XL 3dr Extended Cab 4WD LB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Power nothing, but A/C & Cruise control makes for a more comfortable ride. I was a bit skeptical about the 4.6L V8 since Ford ditched the 302 from their truck line, but its run out very well for me. My only problem is a clunking noise in the rear end when taking off. I plan on having it looked at soon. Other than that its been a dependable truck for me.
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
Love my F-150
bassmax, 06/04/2008
1997 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought my truck with 8,000 since it was in a trade in on a new one at the end of 97. I have 135,000 on it and the only problem was a leak in the rear window which I fixed with silicon. Front end parts sqweek when turning and other than normal wear and tear, that is it. Always change oil at 3-4,000 and filters. My biggest con is not having disc brakes in the rear (which they did in 98). I would buy another Ford pick up. I like Toyota Tundra's but for the extra money, I am not sure it is worth the difference. After 43 years of driving, this is my first Ford. They did good for me.
Great truck
toolguy1967, 07/29/2003
1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Overall, I have enjoyed owning & driving this truck. I have not put as much mileage on mine as most would have in 6yrs, so we'll see how she holds up at the 75K mark. The only major problems: 1)rear end bearings went out @ 40K, gears are already pitting (I'm told this is a notorious Ford issue). 2) rear window leaks. Would've loved to see more power out of the 97' 4.6L.
Its ok
Jkc , 08/26/2022
1997 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab 4WD LB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had the truck for a couple months now and it ran fine until a couple weeks ago. First off the truck supposedly has 129,000 miles on it but I wouldn't know exactly because the odometer doesn't work, this is common on most fords of this time, secondly the fuel sensor doesn't work. But the big problem is that the truck won't start because of a dead battery, but the battery is not even a month old and is already dead i had it checked and the alternator is fine, so something I don't know what it is is draining the battery down, also the interior plastics are very cheaply made and will break very easily if you try to remove them, and just put new spark plugs and wires and still has a miss on cylinder 6 and still has enough compression to run, it is really a hit or miss if you get a good or a bad truck.
97 4.6L Ford Lariat F150 4x4
Fordicouldafford, 09/13/2021
1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I recently just bought this truck and so far so good. She has been very well taken care of by the condition of the interior. Mileage unknown only thing is from the dealership the coilpack was replaced that and a front right wheel bearing other than that look out for the Body Control Module going out it's also considered a GEM module other than that it is one tough ass truck to be the year. Hopefully it will last me a long time as long as I keep up with the maintenance cheers. Also the truck is from Dearborn Michigan if that has and constitution.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
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.
F150 Work Horse
Bolio, 11/08/2005
1997 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab 4WD LB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had my F150 since I spec'd it out. When I received it, the dealer said it was the 1st LB 4X4 super cab in AZ. The tires were too small, upgraded to 285x16 on stock wheels. Only problems in 8 yrs: R 4x4 actuator module, replaced cylinder #8, intake valve malfunction. Pulls 7000 lb trailer up mountains no problem. Pulls out stumps, 4X4 great, very comfortable. Gas mileage is medium (14-17). Repainted 2 years ago, but paint was OK before that (Bright Red). Had a dent in bed to be repaired. Headlights have faded over. Bedliner a good investment. Very reliable, very versatile, good looking truck. (Got compliments the first years I had it all the time).
Overall very nice truck
Earl, 07/06/2008
1997 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Very comfortable ride. Quiet engine. Mileage good for large truck. Has 100,000 miles on it. Looks and runs like new truck