1997 Ford Ranger Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 411 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 3% of the 411 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1997 Ford Ranger truck-shortly after leaving my home, within 10 minutes, I noticed a clicking noise. I thought it was the car next to me, I looked at my gauges and noticed nothing unusual. Within approximately 1 minute the car lost power. I immediately pulled to the shoulder and turned the car off. Just before turning off the ignition the temperature gauge spiked to hot. Upon examination it was determined that without any warning the engine got hot enough to crack all four valves in the engine head. Basically a new engine in a car with 84,000 miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10042951, filed 2003-10, 84,295 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10329668, filed 2010-05, 70,000 miles“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. The consumer stated he needed new tires and the 4-wheel drive did not work.”
NHTSA complaint #10148690, filed 2006-01, 45,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Ranger. While driving approximately 65 MPH on normal road conditions, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicator remained lit until the engine was turned off. When the speed was reduced, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. On a separate occasion, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a transmission shop for inspection and the transmission was re-built replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10265248, filed 2009-04, 59,099 miles“Consumer stated when starting vehicle it idled and would not slow down. Also, while driving vehicle suddenly took off while still idling very high. Consumer took vehicle to dealer 3 times, and each time , the vehicle was put on the diagnostic machine and nothing was found. Consumer was afraid of an accident if this continued.”
NHTSA complaint #10067241, filed 2004-09Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 3% |
| 2004 | 17 | 4% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 39 | 11% |
| 2001 | 29 | 6% |
| 2000 | 37 | 6% |
| 1999 | 45 | 6% |
| 1998 | 51 | 9% |
| 1997 | 14 | 3% |
| 1996 | 31 | 8% |
| 1995 | 14 | 4% |
| 1994 | 23 | 5% |
| 1993 | 12 | 5% |
| 1992 | 16 | 8% |
| 1991 | 16 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 10% |
| 1989 | 11 | 15% |
| 1988 | 13 | 15% |
| 1987 | 7 | 14% |
| 1986 | 7 | 20% |
| 1985 | 3 | 11% |
| 1984 | 2 | 17% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
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 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsSteering
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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