Complaints:
Looking to buy a used Ford Ranger? Here are some complaints / problems and recalls to be aware of.
Engine:
- 4.0L cylinder head cracked.
- High idle. (See TSB 00-3-5)
Fuel:
- Gas pedal bracket broke. [Several reports]
- Fuel fill hose cracked. [Numerous reports]
- Fuel tank straps fail due to rust.
Transmission:
- Automatic transmission hangs up between shifts. Acts like it’s in neutral. [Several reports]
- Automatic transmission failed. [Several reports]
Driveshaft / Axles:
- Rear axle locked up / broke.
Miscellaneous Electrical:
- Dome light / door ajar light stays on. [Numerous reports] (Switch in door latch sticks. Spray with WD-40 to loosen or replace)
- Vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. [Numerous reports]
- Turn signal / wiper muti-switch fails. Wipers come on by themselves, or won’t go off.
- Fire started under the hood. [Few reports] (Cruise control)
Heating / Cooling:
- Only hot air comes out. Stuck on heat. Faulty blend door. (See how to fix it HERE.)
Suspension:
- Rear leaf spring hangers & shackles rusted & failed.
Seat Belts / Air Bag:
- Air bags did not deploy after front end collision. [Numerous reports]
- Seatbelts do not fully buckle, become unbuckled. [Few reports]
Interior:
- Seat back collapses / seat falls back. [Few reports]
Structure:
- Excessive frame rust. [Few reports]
- Rust holes in the frame.
Brakes:
- Rear brakes locked up.
- Brake peddle went all the way to the floor.
Tires:
- Numerous reports of Firestone tires coming apart / failing.
Recalls:
1997 Ford Ranger VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA Campaign #09V399000
Date Announced: OCTOBER 13, 2009 Vehicles Affected: 4,500,000
Summary: 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.
Actions: 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 be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09V399000 »
1997 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS NHTSA Campaign #09E025000
Date Announced: MAY 11, 2009 / Vehicles Affected: 42,540
Summary: 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.
Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09E025000 »
1997 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #09E012000
Date Announced: APRIL 07, 2009 Vehicles Affected: 16,270
Summary: 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.
Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09E012000 »
1997 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS NHTSA Campaign #08E050000
Date Announced: AUGUST 11, 2008 / Vehicles Affected: 1,921
Summary: 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.
Actions: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on December 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 08E050000 »
1997 Ford Ranger TIRES: TREAD / BELT NHTSA Campaign #01X001000
Date Announced: MAY 22, 2001 / Vehicles Affected: 13,000,000
Summary: 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 design to stress, aging, and manufacturing differences between plants. Ford is replacing these tires to prevent possible premature tire failure. Vehicle description: The vehicles listed below may have been originally equipped with Firestone Wilderness AT tires or may have had Wilderness AT tires installed during the Firestone recall launched in August 2000. Certain 1991 throught 2002 Ford Explorer certain 2001 throught 2002 Explorer Sport, and Sport Trac certain 1997 through 2002 Mercury Mountaineer certain 1991 through 2001 Ranger certain 1999 through 2001 Expedition certain 1991 through 1994, and 1997 model year F-series certain 1991 through 1994 Bronco note: Both original equipment and replacement tires are affected.
Consequence: Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 01X001000 »
1997 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #06E026000
Date Announced: MARCH 23, 2006 / Vehicles Affected: 61,944
Summary: 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.
Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 06E026000 »
1997 Ford Ranger TIRES: TREAD BELT NHTSA Campaign #00T005000
Date Announced: AUGUST 21, 2000 / Vehicles Affected: 14,400,000
Summary: 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.
Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 00T005000 »
If you have information about known problems or recalls for the Ford Ranger, please use the ‘Submit Problem / Recall’ button below.
