1997 Ford Ranger Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 5%of 411 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,423miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 5% of the 411 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,423 miles. 19 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Air bags.. Deflating, unserviceable, demand useless, only on passenger side, drivers side dislodged horn fuel/propulsion.. With fuel tank filled, first half(1/2) tank having excessive fuel consumed. Second (1/2) of fuel consumed at owners manual specifications of city and highway miles per gallon. Throttle pedal stiff, sticks, after normal daily warm up, extra foot pressure needed to dislodge pedal and cable, real sluggish as if not receiving enough fuel to injectors, even after regular maintenance completed.. Seat belts.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10725116, filed 2015-06, 106,243 miles“We were doing 30mph and we hit a sheet of black ice. Then we hit the guardrail. When we hit the driver side air bag did not go off until the vehicle stopped and the passenger side air bag did not go off.”
NHTSA complaint #10496773, filed 2013-02“1997 Ford Ranger xlt extended cab. When I applied my brakes, instead of stopping at this t hwy intersection, I ran past it, and hit a 12 diameter tree head on. Ice on the road. I was wearing my seat belt. Neither the driver's side nor the passenger side air bags deployed. The indentation on the front bumper was over two feet deep. My head and right side of my body smashed against the steering wheel, and my I broke my left collar bone, fractured and bruised several ribs on my right side, broke my right foot heel bone, cut my nose, plus numerous other minor cuts, bruises and abrasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10019237, filed 2003-05“While traveling approximately 55 to 60 MPH vehicle was struck on the side by another vehicle changing lanes and traveling in same direction. This impact caused driver's side air bag to deploy. Driver received severe facial injuries and burns. No determination has been made as to why the driver's air bag deployed during a non-frontal crash. Please provide any additional information / documentation.”
NHTSA complaint #8000762, filed 2001-12“While driving 45 MPH consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle. Upon impact, neither airbag deployed. Both, driver and passenger sustained injuries, including broken ribs/ neck injuries/ cuts and bruises. Driver hit steering wheel while passenger hit windshield. Vehicle was totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #896351, filed 2001-09Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 4% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 11% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 196 | 83% |
| 2010 | 128 | 82% |
| 2009 | 144 | 85% |
| 2008 | 295 | 90% |
| 2007 | 236 | 87% |
| 2006 | 175 | 64% |
| 2005 | 132 | 46% |
| 2004 | 189 | 47% |
| 2003 | 25 | 10% |
| 2002 | 37 | 11% |
| 2001 | 62 | 12% |
| 2000 | 67 | 10% |
| 1999 | 79 | 10% |
| 1998 | 32 | 6% |
| 1997 | 22 | 5% |
| 1996 | 25 | 6% |
| 1995 | 18 | 6% |
| 1994 | 3 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Ranger
67 complaintsTires
57 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
36 complaintsInterior lighting
34 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology