1997 Ford Ranger Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 10%of 411 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,990miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 10% of the 411 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,990 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The engine occasionally races (runaway acceleration) on my 1997 Ford Ranger 4x4 with standard transmission and overdrive and 3.0l engine. The acceleration tends to occur after I have driven the vehicle at highway speeds (70 MPH) and then drive at slower speeds such as in an urban setting. At such times, the idle remains rather high and engine racing occurs when I engage the clutch to shift into second or third gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10325619, filed 2010-04, 135,000 miles“This truck accerlerates by itself, it used to only be between 2nd and 3rd gears but now I can be on the freeway and in 4th gear when I can feel the pedal go down to the floor, I'm forced to put it in nuetral until the rpms go down, trying to get it into another gear only grinds because its running too high. This is a safety issue, if it happens at the wrong time someone could get hurt or the engine will just blow up!”
NHTSA complaint #10104519, filed 2004-12, 84,990 miles“My '97 Ford Ranger standard transmission exhibits high idle conditions while shifting between gears. My dealer was never able to fix the problem since I bought the vehicle new. My vehicle is no longer under bumper to bumper and emissions warranty but I have saved receipts of their attempts to fix the problem during time vehicle was warranted back in 1997. I recently discovered that the Ford motor company has found the exact same high idle problem with their 1998 to 2000 model rangers and they issued a technical service bulletin tsb00-3-5. …”
NHTSA complaint #10018511, filed 2003-05, 21,668 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. The contact stated that one minute after starting, the vehicle failed to shift into gear and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, however the manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 181,000 and the current mileage was 181,760.”
NHTSA complaint #10418551, filed 2011-08, 181,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017891Apr 1, 2005Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2025 | 18 | 40% |
| 2024 | 39 | 41% |
| 2023 | 5 | 28% |
| 2022 | 17 | 45% |
| 2021 | 60 | 50% |
| 2020 | 49 | 38% |
| 2019 | 92 | 34% |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 27 | 7% |
| 2003 | 16 | 7% |
| 2002 | 61 | 18% |
| 2001 | 51 | 10% |
| 2000 | 69 | 10% |
| 1999 | 67 | 9% |
| 1998 | 60 | 10% |
| 1997 | 42 | 10% |
| 1996 | 28 | 7% |
| 1995 | 22 | 7% |
| 1994 | 49 | 11% |
| 1993 | 19 | 8% |
| 1992 | 13 | 7% |
| 1991 | 12 | 9% |
| 1990 | 10 | 10% |
| 1989 | 5 | 7% |
| 1988 | 9 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 6% |
| 1985 | 5 | 19% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Ranger
67 complaintsTires
57 complaintsBrakes
44 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 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