1997 Ford Ranger Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 67about this part
- Share
- 16%of 411 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 67 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 16% of the 411 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,000 miles. 2 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.
“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“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“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“Within the past two months I had a split in the flexible fuel filler pipe on my 1997 Ford Ranger xlt. In the course of having it replaced, the repair shop removed the gas tank and found the same condition with the metal straps that hold the gas tank in place, extensive corrosion as reported on the Ford f150. It appears the possibility of gas tanks dropping out of the vehicle may be more extensive than the initial reports and may apply to other Ford pick-up trucks.”
NHTSA complaint #10399827, filed 2011-05, 113,900 miles“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 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 5% |
| 2024 | 8 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 8 | 7% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 6 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 16 | 6% |
| 2005 | 50 | 17% |
| 2004 | 21 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 31 | 6% |
| 2000 | 26 | 4% |
| 1999 | 18 | 2% |
| 1998 | 18 | 3% |
| 1997 | 67 | 16% |
| 1996 | 35 | 8% |
| 1995 | 23 | 7% |
| 1994 | 63 | 14% |
| 1993 | 21 | 9% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 4 | 3% |
| 1990 | 11 | 10% |
| 1989 | 10 | 14% |
| 1988 | 6 | 7% |
| 1987 | 7 | 14% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
| 1985 | 2 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 8% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Ranger
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 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 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