1997 Ford Ranger Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 6%of 411 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 128,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 6% of the 411 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 128,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Today my accelerator failed. I was sitting at a red light. I went to accelerate by pushing on the accelerator pedal with my right foot. There was no acceleration. The accelerator pedal had failed. Further investigation revealed three spot welds that held a plate to the firewall had failed. The accelerator pedal pivots on this plate and attached bolt. I was able to do a temporary repair today. But, the failure in traffic was very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10436644, filed 2011-11, 136,787 miles“Due to the recent recall of Ford f-150 pickups, I thought I would pass this along. I own a 1997 Ford Ranger pickup. It too had a failure of the cruise control deactivation switch. Although it leaked brake fluid onto my driveway and sprayed fluid throughout the left side of the engine compartment no serious damage occurred. It cost me the price of a new switch, brake fluid and the cleaner for the drive and engine compartment. I can see a potential for brake failure and fire if left undetected.”
NHTSA complaint #10136044, filed 2005-09, 150,000 miles“Idle speed rises to 3,000 RPM in between shifts and while coasting with clutch pedal depressed. Does not drop to normal idle speed until vehicle comes to a complete stop. This causes braking to be less effective.”
NHTSA complaint #10883846, filed 2016-07, 180,000 miles“Bracket holding gas pedal detached from car sheet metal that is between engine and passenger compartment. Unit hanging by accelerator cable. There look to be 3 spot welds btn backet and sheet metal that broke. Driver was driving on freeway at the time and decelerated in traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10075202, filed 2004-06, 69,205 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the speed control switch melted. The contact stated that he had not experienced a failure prior to the vehicle being repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10806187, filed 2015-11, 130,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150…Covers: Ford Ranger 1995–1997, 2001–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 11% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 11% |
| 2022 | 3 | 8% |
| 2021 | 8 | 7% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 2% |
| 2004 | 19 | 5% |
| 2003 | 40 | 16% |
| 2002 | 51 | 15% |
| 2001 | 57 | 11% |
| 2000 | 55 | 8% |
| 1999 | 54 | 7% |
| 1998 | 71 | 12% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 34 | 8% |
| 1995 | 20 | 6% |
| 1994 | 23 | 5% |
| 1993 | 23 | 10% |
| 1992 | 7 | 4% |
| 1991 | 5 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 12% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 2 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 4% |
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 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