Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
211,000 miles · Jul 13, 2016
SteeringSuspension
SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HIT A POT HOLE OR A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT WILL SHAKE SO BAD THAT YOU HAVE TO EITHER COME TO A STOP OR SPEED UP HOPING THAT IT WILL STOP SHAKING. IT IS VERY HARD TO HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND KEEP IT IN THE LANE THAT YOU ARE IN. IT FEELS AS IF THE TRUCK IS GOING TO SHAKE APART AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT …
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SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HIT A POT HOLE OR A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT WILL SHAKE SO BAD THAT YOU HAVE TO EITHER COME TO A STOP OR SPEED UP HOPING THAT IT WILL STOP SHAKING. IT IS VERY HARD TO HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND KEEP IT IN THE LANE THAT YOU ARE IN. IT FEELS AS IF THE TRUCK IS GOING TO SHAKE APART AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT DOES IT ON BOTH THE HIGHWAY AND ON THE STREET. IT IS ALMOST LIKE HITTING A TUNING FORK, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T SHAKE AND OTHER TIMES IT SHAKES SO HARD IT WILL KNOCK YOU OUT OF YOUR SEAT.
NHTSA ODI #10884542
210,000 miles · Jan 11, 2015
Steering
STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS NO LONGER WORKING IN MY TRUCK. I KNOW OF ATLEAST 2 OTHER FORD F-SERIES TRUCKS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE GONE OUT ON. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES LOCKS UP, AND ALL OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS ON MY STEERING WHEEL (CRUISE CONTROL, HORN, ETC) NO LONGER FUNCTION AT ALL. THIS H…
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STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS NO LONGER WORKING IN MY TRUCK. I KNOW OF ATLEAST 2 OTHER FORD F-SERIES TRUCKS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE GONE OUT ON. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES LOCKS UP, AND ALL OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS ON MY STEERING WHEEL (CRUISE CONTROL, HORN, ETC) NO LONGER FUNCTION AT ALL. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED MY STEERING WHEEL TO HAVE 2-3 INCHES OF PLAY. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING SHAFT MAY ALSO HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE SOMETIMES THIS DEFECT DAMAGES IT. I TOOK THIS AS THE REPRESENTATIVE SAYING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND HAS DONE NOTHING. I FEEL UNSAFE WHEN I'M DRIVING MY TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671668
245,292 miles · Dec 30, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 REGENCY FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE THAT WAS SIMILAR TO AN ENGINE BEING STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT THE GEM MODULE, FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THE FUSE PANEL N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 REGENCY FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE THAT WAS SIMILAR TO AN ENGINE BEING STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT THE GEM MODULE, FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THE FUSE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,292.
NHTSA ODI #10557686
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Regency Ford F250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year