1997 Model Year

Ford Ranger

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
411
Recalls
0
Crashes
40
Severe
79

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Structure
Feb 2021

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...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 2020

FORD RANGER 4X4 XLT 4.0L HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE BEGINNING FRONT TIRES TWO OUT , FOG LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONING, TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS , CHECK...

Structure
Dec 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT SECURED AND WAS HANGING FROM THE SUBFRAME OF TH...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 2018

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, THE...

Structure
Mar 2018

EXCESSIVE RUST NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, HAD SPARE TIRE CARRIER RUST OFF WHILE ON THE ROAD

Air Bags
Jul 2017

TAKATA RECALL -- I BELIEVE ALL AIRBAGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND MORE DANGEROUS THAN RIDING WITH SEAT BELTS ALONE. I RECOMMEND 100% DISABLING OF AIRBAGS AND T...

Tires
Jun 2017

I HAD FIVE (5) BF GOODRICH RADIAL ALL TERRAIN TA TIRES FAIL WHILE DRIVING THE SAME VEHICLE OVER ABOUT A TEN YEAR PERIOD. EACH FAILURE IS THE SAME. THE...

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
Jun 2017

THE DOME LIGHT STARTED TURNING ITSELF ON WHILE PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. SOMETIMES IT WOULD TURN ITSELF BACK OFF. IT WOULD ALSO TURN ON WHILE I WAS...

Structure
Jun 2017

FARMR RUSTED THROUGH TRUCK WAS SITTING AT HOME PARKED WHEN IT BROKE THROUGH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Oct 2016

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...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 1997 Ford Ranger has 411 complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Tires. 40 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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