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1997 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ranger years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

110 reports with mileage · 301 unknown

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.

  • Tires. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports8 fire reports30 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

55 reports
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225,000 miles · Jan 30, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FUEL STRAP WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT FUEL STRAP WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FUEL STRAPS ON THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FUEL STRAP WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT FUEL STRAP WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FUEL STRAPS ON THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

NHTSA ODI #10445812

127,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS TANK STRAPS ON MY 1997 RANGER HAVE RUSTED THROUGH DROPPING THE FUEL TANK WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR STRAP HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. THE TANK IS BEING HELD UP WITH COMMERCIAL GRADES STRAPS. IS THIS MODEL BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECENT FORD RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT? I DID NOT SEE THE EXTENDED CAB…

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THE GAS TANK STRAPS ON MY 1997 RANGER HAVE RUSTED THROUGH DROPPING THE FUEL TANK WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR STRAP HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. THE TANK IS BEING HELD UP WITH COMMERCIAL GRADES STRAPS. IS THIS MODEL BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECENT FORD RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT? I DID NOT SEE THE EXTENDED CAB RANGER MODEL MENTIONED.

NHTSA ODI #10417449

105,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION/RUST CAUSING FUEL TANK TO PARTIALLY FALL. DEFECTIVE STRAPS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416601

113,900 miles · May 10, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

WITHIN THE PAST TWO MONTHS I HAD A SPLIT IN THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILLER PIPE ON MY 1997 FORD RANGER XLT. IN THE COURSE OF HAVING IT REPLACED, THE REPAIR SHOP REMOVED THE GAS TANK AND FOUND THE SAME CONDITION WITH THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE, EXTENSIVE CORROSION AS REPORTED ON THE FORD F150. IT APPEARS THE POSS…

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WITHIN THE PAST TWO MONTHS I HAD A SPLIT IN THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILLER PIPE ON MY 1997 FORD RANGER XLT. IN THE COURSE OF HAVING IT REPLACED, THE REPAIR SHOP REMOVED THE GAS TANK AND FOUND THE SAME CONDITION WITH THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE, EXTENSIVE CORROSION AS REPORTED ON THE FORD F150. IT APPEARS THE POSSIBILITY OF GAS TANKS DROPPING OUT OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE MORE EXTENSIVE THAN THE INITIAL REPORTS AND MAY APPLY TO OTHER FORD PICK-UP TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399827

84,000 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL LINE CRACKED ABOVE GAS TANK . STRONG GAS ODOR AFTER DRIVING OR DURING REFILL -GAS WILL SPILL OUT WHEN FILLING TANK UP TO FULL AND GAS SMELL CAN ALSO BE SMELLED DURING COMMUTE. WILL BE TAKING IT IN TO GREENWAY FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN ORLANDO THIS WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386129

72,000 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FILLED WITH GASOLINE, THE GAS WILL SPILL BACK OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BOTTLE NECK ON THE FILLER CAP IS CORRODED. THIS CAUSES A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS VERY FAMIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FILLED WITH GASOLINE, THE GAS WILL SPILL BACK OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BOTTLE NECK ON THE FILLER CAP IS CORRODED. THIS CAUSES A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY ALL AND THERE IS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75000.

NHTSA ODI #10356995

125,000 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

CRACK IN GASOLINE FILLER TOP CAUSING FUMES AND GASOLINE ODOR IN CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING RIGHT. * WHEN FILLING TANK WITH GASOLINE, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK ONTO THE GROUND WHILE FILLING AT THE GAS STATION, AS IF YOU WERE SLOWLY POURING A GLASS OF WATER, MUCH MORE THAN A DRIP. COULD NOT FILL TANK FULL UNTIL …

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CRACK IN GASOLINE FILLER TOP CAUSING FUMES AND GASOLINE ODOR IN CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING RIGHT. * WHEN FILLING TANK WITH GASOLINE, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK ONTO THE GROUND WHILE FILLING AT THE GAS STATION, AS IF YOU WERE SLOWLY POURING A GLASS OF WATER, MUCH MORE THAN A DRIP. COULD NOT FILL TANK FULL UNTIL REPAIR WAS DONE. MECHANIC REPLACED FILLER AND FILLER NECK. HAD TO REMOVE GAS TANK AND TRUCK BED TO INVESTIGATE AND REPAIR. BIG JOB, BIG HAZARD!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349527

180,000 miles · Aug 5, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL LEAKING AROUND FILLER TOP. FIRST TIME SERVICE REPLACED THE HOSE CLAMP, BUT NOW THE FILLER TOP IS CRACKED. OEM REPLACEMENT PART IS $500 PLUS LABOR OF REMOVING GAS TANK , ETC. ODOR A PROBLEM AND POTENTIALLY A FIRE HAZARD. GAS STATIONS DO NOT WANT TO PUT GAS IN LEAKING VEHICLE EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347433

90,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

1997 FORD RANGER XLT ,DATE IS APPROXIMATE SINCE FILLER HOSE SLOWLY CRACKED AND GOT WORSE, SMELLED FUEL CONSTANTLY SINCE 80,000 MILES AND HAD TO EVENTUALLY SPEND 600.00 TO GET IT FIXED AT FORD DEALERSHIP FOR WHAT LOOKED LIKE A SMALL RUBBER HOSE, I WOULD HAVE REPLACED MYSELF BUT COULD NOT LOCATE OEM REPLACEMENT ANYWHERE ELSE INC…

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1997 FORD RANGER XLT ,DATE IS APPROXIMATE SINCE FILLER HOSE SLOWLY CRACKED AND GOT WORSE, SMELLED FUEL CONSTANTLY SINCE 80,000 MILES AND HAD TO EVENTUALLY SPEND 600.00 TO GET IT FIXED AT FORD DEALERSHIP FOR WHAT LOOKED LIKE A SMALL RUBBER HOSE, I WOULD HAVE REPLACED MYSELF BUT COULD NOT LOCATE OEM REPLACEMENT ANYWHERE ELSE INCLUDING ALL AUTO STORES (DEALER ONLY PART), THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, I CONSIDERED IT A TIMEBOMB. THANKFULLY NOTHING DANGEROUS HAPPENED BEFORE I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THOUGH DOING A INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CERTAIN YEARS OF FORD RANGERS WHICH SOME PEOPLE DUE TO COST ARE REPLACING WITH A COMMON RUBBER HOSE WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS STATIC THAT COULD MAKE IT GO UP IN FLAMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336123

70,000 miles · May 10, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: 1. INTERMITTENT WIPERS WILL WIPE 2, 3, 4, 5 TIMES AT RANDOM IN A ROW ALWAYS AND NOT IN THAT ORDER. 2. BACKUP LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW FUSE AFTER REPLACING ALL LIGHTING PARTS 3. HORN WORKS 1% OF THE TIME, UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. 4. AC BLOWS HOT AIR INTERMITTENTLY EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BLOWER BLEND DOOR. 5. G…

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ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: 1. INTERMITTENT WIPERS WILL WIPE 2, 3, 4, 5 TIMES AT RANDOM IN A ROW ALWAYS AND NOT IN THAT ORDER. 2. BACKUP LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW FUSE AFTER REPLACING ALL LIGHTING PARTS 3. HORN WORKS 1% OF THE TIME, UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. 4. AC BLOWS HOT AIR INTERMITTENTLY EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BLOWER BLEND DOOR. 5. GAS: WHEN BELOW 1/4 TANK AND MAKING RIGHT TURN TRUCK WILL STALL, EVEN AFTER WORK ON TANK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329668

Official recalls

1

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

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 & remedy

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.

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

2

DP00005 · Front Seat Belt

Opened Oct 2, 2000 · Closed May 15, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE99045 · Steering Knuckle Separations

Opened Jul 6, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available