1997 Ford Ranger Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 3%of 411 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 3% of the 411 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,400 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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“At the speed of 25mph suddenly heard a noise and lost total control of steering wheel. Managed to merge suddenly to right side of road. Battery, engine, and power steering light went on. While looking at vehicle noticed that belt broke and dolley fell off.”
NHTSA complaint #9005085, filed 2002-05“Rear brakes pulled, serviced, reported unverifiable, began locking up in short bursts when stopping, reported, found faulty , replaced complete rear assembly. Windshield cracked across center while driving freeway at 65 MPH, started at top strip passenger side spreading across to drivers side in just minutes. Door ajar switches failed causing dome light to remain on making night time visibility imposible. Transmission began shifting rough in second gear hard to downshift, verified, repaired bearings in shifter. …”
NHTSA complaint #756071, filed 2001-12“Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway, and engine check light came on. Vehicle shut off without prior warning. Consumer had vehicle repaired for a fuel injector.”
NHTSA complaint #889471, filed 2001-05Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 22% |
| 2025 | 6 | 14% |
| 2024 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 13 | 11% |
| 2020 | 14 | 11% |
| 2019 | 34 | 13% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 16 | 6% |
| 2005 | 22 | 8% |
| 2004 | 13 | 3% |
| 2003 | 13 | 5% |
| 2002 | 14 | 4% |
| 2001 | 22 | 4% |
| 2000 | 23 | 3% |
| 1999 | 28 | 4% |
| 1998 | 19 | 3% |
| 1997 | 11 | 3% |
| 1996 | 10 | 2% |
| 1995 | 8 | 2% |
| 1994 | 11 | 3% |
| 1993 | 7 | 3% |
| 1992 | 3 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 2% |
| 1990 | 5 | 5% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 2 | 17% |
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