← New search

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

Tires complaints

57 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2017
Tires

I HAD FIVE (5) BF GOODRICH RADIAL ALL TERRAIN TA TIRES FAIL WHILE DRIVING THE SAME VEHICLE OVER ABOUT A TEN YEAR PERIOD. EACH FAILURE IS THE SAME. THE STEEL BELT OF THE TIRE PARTIALLY SEPARATES WHILE ROLLING. THE FIRST OCCURRED ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE PULLING A SMALL FLATBED TRAILER. STEEL BELT THEN WHIPS ARO…

Read full complaint

I HAD FIVE (5) BF GOODRICH RADIAL ALL TERRAIN TA TIRES FAIL WHILE DRIVING THE SAME VEHICLE OVER ABOUT A TEN YEAR PERIOD. EACH FAILURE IS THE SAME. THE STEEL BELT OF THE TIRE PARTIALLY SEPARATES WHILE ROLLING. THE FIRST OCCURRED ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE PULLING A SMALL FLATBED TRAILER. STEEL BELT THEN WHIPS AROUND INSIDE WHEEL WELL DAMAGING WHATEVER IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH. BF GOODRICH RADIAL ALL TERRAIN TA TIRES WERE ON THIS TRUCK WHEN PURCHASED USED. SECOND TIRE FAILED APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO THE SAME WAY AT LESS THAN 30 MPH. REPLACED ALL WITH USED SET OF FOUR TIRES WITH 50 % TREAD LEFT. LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER, THIRD TIRE FAILED ON INTERSTATE ONCE AGAIN IN THE SAME WAY. STEEL BELT CUT THE FIBERGLASS REAR OUTER FENDER IN HALF, RIPPED OUT THE REAR WIRING HARNESS, DESTROYED THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT, AND EVEN DAMAGED THE GASOLINE FILL TUBE AND DESTROYED ITS LOCKING GAS CAP FROM THE FORCE OF THE BELT WHIPPING ROUND AND ROUND THE WHEEL, PARTIALLY ATTACHED AND PARTIALLY OFF. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BUT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. ALL TIRES FAILED WHILE IN DRIVER'S REAR WHEEL POSITION. THEN LAST MONTH AGAIN, THE LEFT REAR BF GOODRICH RADIAL ALL TERRAIN TA TIRE STEEL BELT CAME PARTIALLY OFF AT ABOUT 30 MPH. EACH TIME A USED TIRE REPLACED THE FAILED TIRE. THEN TWO DAYS LATER, A FIFTH BF GOODRICH RADIAL ALL TERRAIN TA BEGAN TO FAIL WITH STEEL BELT COMING APART. THIS TIME RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCATION. NOTICED THE FAILURE BEFORE STEEL BELT CAME COMPLETELY OFF AND ANY DAMAGE WAS DONE. REPLACED WITH BF GOODRICH MUD TERRAIN TA THAT WERE ALSO USED BUT HAVE NOT FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #11000343

131,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT TIRES, LINE SIZE 225/70/R14 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE BEGAN TO HEAR A THUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS PEELING. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT TIRES, LINE SIZE 225/70/R14 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE BEGAN TO HEAR A THUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS PEELING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA ODI #10421283

1,500 miles · Apr 20, 2010
EquipmentFuel System, OtherService Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 1997 FORD RANGER XLT 4X4 4.0LTR.MANY SHOPS HAVE WORK ON THE FRONT AXEL WHEEL BEARINGS AND SEALS AND RETAINER NUT THIS NUT TAKES A SOCKET 2.3/8 R-6 MOST SHOPS DON'T HAVE IT SO THEY USE WHAT EVER THEY HAVE,CHISELL,LOCKING PLYERS ECT...CREATING FRONT END DAMAGE TO WHEEL BEARINGS,SEALS, BRAKES,CALIPERS,BRAKE DRUMS, MOST O…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 1997 FORD RANGER XLT 4X4 4.0LTR.MANY SHOPS HAVE WORK ON THE FRONT AXEL WHEEL BEARINGS AND SEALS AND RETAINER NUT THIS NUT TAKES A SOCKET 2.3/8 R-6 MOST SHOPS DON'T HAVE IT SO THEY USE WHAT EVER THEY HAVE,CHISELL,LOCKING PLYERS ECT...CREATING FRONT END DAMAGE TO WHEEL BEARINGS,SEALS, BRAKES,CALIPERS,BRAKE DRUMS, MOST OF AL THE TIRES..I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB ALSO DID NOT REMOVE LCKING PIN FROM SPINDEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326662

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED NEW GOODYEAR MOHAVE R/S (NA), SIZE P215/70R/14 TIRES IN OCTOBER OF 2005. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE IN MAY OF 2007, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED NEW GOODYEAR MOHAVE R/S (NA), SIZE P215/70R/14 TIRES IN OCTOBER OF 2005. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE IN MAY OF 2007, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT OFFERED HER REPLACEMENT TIRES, IF THEY QUALIFIED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL HER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS RARELY DRIVEN AND THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE TIRES SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,697.

NHTSA ODI #10211581

109,130 miles · Jul 3, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER APT III P225/70R14 DOT# Y7FCPT40207. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. HE REPLACED THE TIRE …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER APT III P225/70R14 DOT# Y7FCPT40207. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. HE REPLACED THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 109,170 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,130. THE CONSUMER STATED A BRAND NEW TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES. UPDATED 08/24/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10195220

45,000 miles · Jan 19, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainTires

LTR FM EDWARD KURRELL (PA) RE FAULTY PARTS & POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP OF FORD VEHICLES, THE MOTOR IN HIS 1997 FORD RANGER BLEW UP DUE TO A FAULTY THERMOSTAT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEEDED NEW TIRES AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT WORK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10148690

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2004
Tires

MY SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2004 IN HIS 1997 FORD RANGER PICK-UP. HE WAS HEADED EAST ON I-240 WHEN HIS TRUCK SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL. HE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO BRING HIS VEHICLE TO A STOP SAFELY, WITHOUT A COLLISION. AFTER GETTING OUT TO INSPECT HIS VEHICLE HE FOUN…

Read full complaint

MY SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2004 IN HIS 1997 FORD RANGER PICK-UP. HE WAS HEADED EAST ON I-240 WHEN HIS TRUCK SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL. HE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO BRING HIS VEHICLE TO A STOP SAFELY, WITHOUT A COLLISION. AFTER GETTING OUT TO INSPECT HIS VEHICLE HE FOUND THAT HIS RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS THE CAUSE. THE TIRE, A FIRESTONE 14" WITH PLENTY OF TREAD, HAD SEPARATED (IE. THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE). THE TIRE WAS STILL COMPLETELY FULL OF AIR EVEN AFTER THIS SEPARATION. THE SEPARATION OF THE TREAD CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK (APPROX. $1700.00). THERE WAS NO COLLISION AND THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW OUT, THE TREAD JUST PEELED OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

NHTSA ODI #10093403

50,379 miles · Nov 22, 2003
Tires

AT 50,379 MILES, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE DELAMINATED (IE, THE ENTIRE TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE IN ONE PIECE) WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES. IT, AND THE OTHER THREE, ARE OE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P265/75R15 112S M+S TIRES WHICH WERE MOUNTED ON THE TRUCK WHEN PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 1997. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047372

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Tires

WHILE DRIVING, THE TIRE CASING SEPARATED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD BACKING AND THERE WAS DRY ROT NOTICED BETWEEN THE TREAD LINES, THE OTHER 3 TIRE SHOWED SIGNS OF DRY ROT BETWEEN THE TREAD LINES AS WELL (MARSHAL 791 TOURING A/S, P205/75R14, 95S M&S). NLM

NHTSA ODI #564732

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Tires

BLOWOUT-FEEL FORTUNATE / FIRESTONE SAID IT WASN'T THEIR TIRE, BUT I LOOKED IT UP ON THE WEB AND THERE IS A STORY ABOUT THIS TIRE BEING SUBJECT TO INVESTIGATION. THEY ONLY AUTHORIZED AN INSPECTION. I WILL NOT LET THEM HAVE THE TIRE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: HYHYT71187 TIRESIZE: P215/75R15)

NHTSA ODI #760114

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