1997 FORD RANGER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
536
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
43
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 FORD RANGER
The 1997 FORD RANGER has received a total of 536 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 43 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Interior Lighting (36 complaints), Tirestreadbelt (34 complaints), and Tires (27 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 FORD RANGER
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 1997 FORD RANGER, potentially affecting up to 32,022,675 vehicles.
Recall 09V399000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 4,500,000 vehicles affected
Defect: FORD 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 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL...
View full details →Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 1,921 vehicles affected
Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 01X001000 — TIRES:TREAD/BELT
| 13,000,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE...
Consequence: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
View full details →Recall 00T005000 — TIRES:TREAD/BELT
| 14,400,000 vehicles affected
Defect: TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
Consequence: IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 FORD RANGER
536 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 FORD RANGER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE INSPECTION AT HALDEMAN FORD OF KUTZTOWN, INC. (15465 KUTZTOWN RD, KUTZTOWN, PA 19530, (610) 683-3553) THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. AFTER HAVING AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.
FORD RANGER 4X4 XLT 4.0L HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE BEGINNING FRONT TIRES TWO OUT , FOG LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONING, TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN NEW AND TO THIS DAY GAS MILEAGE NOT AS STATED ON WINDOW STICKER ,ALSO WINDOWS MOTOR AND CONTROLS
FORD RANGER 4X4 XLT 4.0L HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE BEGINNING FRONT TIRES TWO OUT , FOG LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONING, TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN NEW AND TO THIS DAY GAS MILEAGE NOT AS STATED ON WINDOW STICKER ,ALSO WINDOWS MOTOR AND CONTROLS
FORD RANGER 4X4 XLT 4.0L HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE BEGINNING FRONT TIRES TWO OUT , FOG LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONING, TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN NEW AND TO THIS DAY GAS MILEAGE NOT AS STATED ON WINDOW STICKER ,ALSO WINDOWS MOTOR AND CONTROLS
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? THIS SECOND TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 70 MPH ON I-94 IN MICHIGAN WHEN A SUDDEN VIBRATION OCCURRED AND I OBSERVED THE LEFT REAR FENDER BOUNCING UP AND DOWN. I STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THE BULGE AND HOT SPOT.
Safety Rating for the 1997 FORD RANGER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 FORD RANGER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 FORD RANGER
Ford Motor Company has issued 43 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 FORD RANGER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
14617 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
SUBJECT PERTAINING TO BROKEN THERMOSTAT. *JB
98165 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
EVAPORATOR CORE FAILED, CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONER TO DRIP ON TO PASSENGER FLOOR. YD
99235 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
DURING EXTREME COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, MOISTURE IN THE CRANKCASE MAY ENTER THE PCV SYSTEM, FREEZE AND CAUSE PRESURE IN THE ENGINE CRANKCASE. THE PCV FITTING IN THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY FREEZE OR THE FRESH AIR LINE MAY BECOME BLOCKED. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE, BUT...
7471 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AS REPORTED BY THE CUSTOMER. *TT
13054 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
EXPERIENCING WINDNOISE AT THE TOP OF THE DOOR GLASS SEAL / WEATHERSTRIP MOLDING AREA. *TT
13118 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER AS A PISTON / CONNECTING ROD BEARING KNOCK. *TT
996125 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SUBJECT REGARDING FUEL SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC. *TT
12518 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
CONCERNS WITH THE IN-DASH CD STOPS OPERATING WHEN HOT / RADIO DISPLAY READS CD TOO HOT. *TT
982111 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HIGHTER THAN EXPECTED ENGINE RPMS DURING A 2-3 PARTIAL BACKOUT UPSHIFT OR AFTER A 3-2 OR4-2 WIDE OPEN THROTTLE DOWNSHIFT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES. *YC
12152 — POWER TRAIN
SOME VEHICLES WITH 4 X 4 OPTION OPERATING IN 4 X 2 MODE MAY EXHIBIT A PING SOUND ON SLIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. *MJS
Showing 10 of 43 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 FORD RANGER
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1997 FORD RANGER.
Other Model Years of the FORD RANGER
- 1992 FORD RANGER — 231 complaints
- 1993 FORD RANGER — 272 complaints
- 1994 FORD RANGER — 531 complaints
- 1995 FORD RANGER — 451 complaints
- 1996 FORD RANGER — 533 complaints
- 1997 FORD RANGER (current)
- 1998 FORD RANGER — 744 complaints
- 1999 FORD RANGER — 966 complaints
- 2000 FORD RANGER — 849 complaints
- 2001 FORD RANGER — 684 complaints
- 2002 FORD RANGER — 449 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints