VehicleVerdict

1997 Ford Ranger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 536 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Ranger year — the 1997 model ranks #5 of 42 Ranger years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 49 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (71), tires & wheels (66), and brakes (53), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

536

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations

43

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

49

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Ranger years?

See all Ranger years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Ford Ranger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System7113%
Tires & Wheels6612%
Brakes5310%
Lighting509%
Transmission448%
Visibility & Wipers367%
Electrical System306%
Body & Structure255%
Suspension255%
Speed Control244%
Airbags224%
Steering224%
Engine194%
Other153%
Seats122%
Seat Belts102%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)71%
Latches & Locks41%
Trailer Hitch10%

Does the 1997 Ford Ranger have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

00T005000Tires & WheelsAugust 21, 2000 · 14,400,000 units

Defect

TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.

Consequence

IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

ENGINE DIED WHILE APROACHING THE INTERSECTION, DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MALFUNCTIONING AND LETTING AIR GET INTO THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE INTERSECTION BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 12, 2000 · crash

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING NORTH ON A CLEAR DAY AND FAIRLY STRAIGHT TWO LANE ROAD FRONT TIRE BLEW AND CAUSED HER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD, AS SHE OVERCORRECTED SHE FLIPPED THE VEHICLE TWO OR THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND SHE BROKE HER PEVLIC BONE.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 26, 1999 · crash

DROVE MY 1997 FORD RANGER TRUCK TO LUNCH AT WORK UPON RETURNING SITTING DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES A COWORKER RAN INTO THE PLANT SAYING MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE MY MASTER CYLINDER FOR MY BRAKES WAS ON FIRE AND WAS PUT OUT THERE IS ALOT OF DAMAGE. I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ABS BREAK SENSOR DON'T KNOW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 19, 2009 · fire

THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK. OWNER WAS SHOWN HOW TO REMOVE THE FUSE IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · February 2, 1999

LOUD NOISE IN REAR RIGHT AXLE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND WENT OFF I 35 INTO CENTER MEDIUM ROLLING THE PICKUP ACROSS THE UNCOMING LINE OF TRAFFIC ON TO THE OUTSIDE SHOLDER OF HYW, TOTAL LOSS OF PICKUP, WHEEL WITH TIRE ON IT WAS RECOVERED IN MEDIUM OF HYW , AXEL WAS BROKEN AT BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 9, 1999 · crash

1997 Ford Ranger — common questions

Is the 1997 Ford Ranger reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 536 complaints put the 1997 model at #5 of 42 Ranger years. It is one of the Ranger years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Ranger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (71 complaints), tires & wheels (66 complaints), brakes (53 complaints).

Does the 1997 Ford Ranger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Ford Ranger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Ford Ranger under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Ranger years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ranger years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1998, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1994, 2004, 1995, 2002, 2005, 2019, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2007, 1993, 2011, 2020. The cleanest record among Ranger years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.