1997 Ford Ranger Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1997 Ford Ranger most often describe fuel leaks during refueling, usually traced to a cracked or corroded fuel filler hose or neck, and many say the part required a dealer-only replacement. A second common theme is rust-related problems on high-mileage trucks: fuel tank straps and rear suspension or subframe parts corroding through. Tires and brake-line corrosion also come up, and several complaints describe issues appearing only after the truck had well over 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Cracked fuel filler hose leaks gas when refueling

   Mentioned in 22 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe gasoline spilling or dripping underneath the truck when filling the tank, especially at the last gallon or with the nozzle fully inserted, along with a persistent fuel smell. Inspections typically find the rubber filler hose or neck cracked or split, often at the hose clamps or where it meets the tank. Complaints say the part was usually dealer-only, and some were quoted several hundred dollars for a short hose, with the dealer describing the failure as common; some also report strong fuel odor without an obvious leak. Reported from as low as a few thousand miles up to roughly 200,000 miles, with many complaints in the 50,000-130,000 mile range.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel filler hose or neck has been replaced, and inspect it for cracks at the clamps. Fill the tank fully at a pump and watch underneath for drips.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have been smelling gas from between the cab and bed of the truck, a 1997 Ford Ranger 2.3l. I pulled the bed off the frame and found the gas filler neck split at both the top and bottom at the hose clamps. The splits are severe enough to cause gas to leak from the fuel tank as well as fumes. This is a dangerous situation and should be addressed by the manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10134597, filed 2005-08, 55,000 miles

   “1997 Ford Ranger. Whenever I fill up with gas, it leaks out the vent or the filler tube. Not exactly sure yet. If I push the fuel nozzle all the way in the filler I can get almost a full tank before it leaks out the bottom. If I just install the filler hose and let it fill automatically it will start leaking almost immediately.”

   NHTSA complaint #10174065, filed 2006-11, 23,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Rusted fuel tank straps and subframe

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the metal straps holding the fuel tank rusting through and breaking, in some cases letting the tank hang from the truck. Others describe severe corrosion of the underside, subframe or spring mounts, with the tank or suspension no longer properly secured. Complaints note that dealers said a recall did not apply to the Ranger and offered no assistance, and some owners ask whether the truck is covered under recalls issued for other Ford trucks. Seen mainly on high-mileage trucks, generally from about 120,000 miles upward, with examples near 225,000-300,000 miles.

   What to check: Look underneath at the fuel tank straps and the frame rails for flaking rust or thin metal, and check that the tank is tight.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #10417449, filed 2011-08, 127,000 miles

   “Looked under my Ford Ranger and saw that both of the metal straps that hold the fuel tank to the vehicle had rusted through and broken in half. I saw that there was a recall for the same issues on my year, but only for the Ford f150, not the Ford Ranger, even though the issue is the same.”

   NHTSA complaint #10715470, filed 2015-05, 129,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Cruise control and speed control switch problems

   • 19 complaints (5%)
   • median 128,000 mi at 14.4 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2016

   Owners report the speed control deactivation switch leaking fluid onto the engine compartment or driveway, and in some cases melting or failing to engage cruise control. Several complaints mention the truck had already been repaired under the speed control recall and still had problems afterward. A related complaint describes abnormal self-acceleration and rising idle speed that made braking less effective. Reported from around 75,000 to 150,000 miles, often after many years in service.

   Recall 09V399000

   What to check: Ask whether the 09V399000 speed control recall was completed, and check the switch on the brake master cylinder area for fluid residue or melting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Due to the recent recall of Ford f-150 pickups, I thought I would pass this along. I own a 1997 Ford Ranger pickup. It too had a failure of the cruise control deactivation switch. Although it leaked brake fluid onto my driveway and sprayed fluid throughout the left side of the engine compartment no serious damage occurred. It cost me the price of a new switch, brake fluid and the cleaner for the drive and engine compartment. I can see a potential for brake failure and fire if left undetected.”

   NHTSA complaint #10136044, filed 2005-09, 150,000 miles

   “Idle speed rises to 3,000 RPM in between shifts and while coasting with clutch pedal depressed. Does not drop to normal idle speed until vehicle comes to a complete stop. This causes braking to be less effective.”

   NHTSA complaint #10883846, filed 2016-07, 180,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Rear leaf spring and shackle mounts rust through

   • 12 complaints (3%)
   • median 123,124 mi at 14.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2000–2015

   Complaints describe loud bangs from the rear, the back of the truck stepping sideways, or both rear springs dropping out while driving, traced to rear leaf spring mounts and shackle supports rusted away. Owners say the rest of the truck could look fine, which made the failure unexpected, and the vehicles were usually not repaired after dealers declined responsibility. One separate complaint describes rear brake lines corroding through and losing brake fluid. Mostly reported above 100,000 miles, typically on trucks in the 119,000-172,000 mile range.

   What to check: Have the rear spring hangers, shackle supports and brake lines inspected for corrosion before buying, preferably on a lift.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Sudden brake failure --two instances first in sept 2009 and today --severe corrosion on rear brake lines and lose of brake fluid and no brakes ---need to check all 1997 Ford rangers xlt for similar problems as can result in a crash. I have had repairs made as afraid of repeat also notice corrosion at front brake lines.”

   NHTSA complaint #10293426, filed 2009-11, 170,800 miles

   “Ford Ranger 1997 rear leaf spring mounts completely rusted away. Heard loud banging noise when driving. Inspected truck and found both driver and passenger rear spring mounts completely rusted away. Front spring mounts almost rusted away -near loss of rear axel and suspension !!! Very dangerous failure without any warning. If had occurred at highway speed could have been total loss of rear suspension. Also dropping axel with leaf springs not good for any traffic following vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10402406, filed 2011-05, 123,248 miles
5. 5
   Tires

   Tire tread and belt separation

   • 59 complaints (14%)
   • median 56,839 mi at 10.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2018

   Owners describe tread separating or sidewall belt bulging at highway speeds, causing vibration and difficulty steering, on tires that still showed usable tread. Some had a blowout on the freeway with temporary loss of control, and a few replaced several tires in a short period. Complaints name specific tire brands and sizes rather than the truck itself. Reported at widely varying mileage, from under 60,000 to over 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Check tire date codes and look for bulges or uneven wear, and plan on replacing aged tires regardless of remaining tread.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Belt separation on 2 tires in one month time span. Fusion touring 195 70r14 91t. These tires have 8/32 tread remaining. Failures were front right, then left read one month later. Caused difficulty steering as the car was all over the road plus bumpy ride. The tires are visibly bulging baloon. I felt tire temp with my hand. Uniformly warm except at the bulge where it was so hot as to burn my hand. Would ntsb like me to save a tire for evaluation? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11149672, filed 2018-11, 63,300 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10326662, filed 2010-04, 1,500 miles

Buying note. Check the underside for rust on the fuel tank straps, spring mounts and brake lines, and confirm the fuel filler hose and the speed control recall have been addressed. Most reported problems on this model year show up on higher-mileage trucks, so a careful pre-purchase inspection matters more than the odometer.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.