1997 Ford Ranger Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 411 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the equipment of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 3% of the 411 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,750 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.
“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“The location and connection of the factory alarm system caused the relay switch under the dash to overheat and the battery drained even when the vehicle was turned off. Electrical system on 1997 Ford Ranger is malfunctioning. Abs system lights illuminates when the emergency brake is engaged. The fuel gauge is inoperative, relays under the dashboard started heating up. Consumer concered that air bags may fail if vehicle is involved in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10051581, filed 2003-12, 100,000 miles“Had a right front tire go flat. With the tire flat, the vehicle jack would not fit under the shock absorber as the owners manual describes proper jacking of the vehicle. I contacted the local Ford dealer who said to just move the jack to a nearby location. I did this but was very uneasy doing so as it didn't seem especially secure and I was worried the car could slip off the jack. Odd that with a flat tire, the jack is too tall to place it where the manufacturer recommends.”
NHTSA complaint #742476, filed 2001-03“The tire-jack (bottle-jack) provided with this vehicle, when purchased new, will not fit under the approved front-end jacking point of my Ford Ranger pick-up truck under full flat conditions! There appears to be no safe alternative jacking position to be used with the supplied bottle-jack! This recently caused me to be in danger far longer than would have been otherwise necessary had my vehicle been provided with an adequate jack! I discovered this fact on the narrow paved shoulder of a busy interstate highway during continuous heavy rain and lowered visibility conditions. …”
NHTSA complaint #741883, filed 2001-03“Filed complaint before, you all said it wasn't safty related.it sure is when Ford makes parts out of thin plastic/or put in wrong pleum chamber.the blend door won't operate and breaks on so many explorer/Ranger.you can't even defrost your windows in the rain or in the morning.do they have to wait for someone to get hurt/killed for someone to care.”
NHTSA complaint #10000188, filed 2002-12Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 10 | 3% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 7 | 1% |
| 1999 | 6 | 1% |
| 1998 | 7 | 1% |
| 1997 | 14 | 3% |
| 1996 | 11 | 3% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 6 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1992 | 4 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 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 30, 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