Ford Ranger Complaints (1997)

411 consumer complaints on file.

#11396643February 17, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11360828September 23, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11149672November 6, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101460June 12, 2018
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
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 THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 233,479. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11080036March 18, 2018
STRUCTURE:BODY
EXCESSIVE RUST NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, HAD SPARE TIRE CARRIER RUST OFF WHILE ON THE ROAD
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11006379July 19, 2017
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL -- I BELIEVE ALL AIRBAGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND MORE DANGEROUS THAN RIDING WITH SEAT BELTS ALONE. I RECOMMEND 100% DISABLING OF AIRBAGS AND THE REMOVAL OF ALL AIRBAGS AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE FROM FUTURE VEHICLES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11000343June 21, 2017
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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 STEEL BELT OF THE TIRE PARTIALLY SEPARATES WHILE ROLLING. THE FIRST OCCURRED ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE PULLING A SMALL FLATBED TRAILER. STEEL BELT THEN WHIPS AROUND INSIDE WHEEL WELL DAMAGING WHATEVER IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH. BF GOODRICH RADIAL ALL TERRAIN TA TIRES WERE ON THIS TRUCK WHEN PURCHASED USED. SECOND TIRE FAILED APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO THE SAME WAY AT LESS THAN 30 MPH. REPLACED ALL WITH USED SET OF FOUR TIRES WITH 50 % TREAD LEFT. LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER, THIRD TIRE FAILED ON INTERSTATE ONCE AGAIN IN THE SAME WAY. STEEL BELT CUT THE FIBERGLASS REAR OUTER FENDER IN HALF, RIPPED OUT THE REAR WIRING HARNESS, DESTROYED THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT, AND EVEN DAMAGED THE GASOLINE FILL TUBE AND DESTROYED ITS LOCKING GAS CAP FROM THE FORCE OF THE BELT WHIPPING ROUND AND ROUND THE WHEEL, PARTIALLY ATTACHED AND PARTIALLY OFF. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BUT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. ALL TIRES FAILED WHILE IN DRIVER'S REAR WHEEL POSITION. THEN LAST MONTH AGAIN, THE LEFT REAR BF GOODRICH RADIAL ALL TERRAIN TA TIRE STEEL BELT CAME PARTIALLY OFF AT ABOUT 30 MPH. EACH TIME A USED TIRE REPLACED THE FAILED TIRE. THEN TWO DAYS LATER, A FIFTH BF GOODRICH RADIAL ALL TERRAIN TA BEGAN TO FAIL WITH STEEL BELT COMING APART. THIS TIME RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCATION. NOTICED THE FAILURE BEFORE STEEL BELT CAME COMPLETELY OFF AND ANY DAMAGE WAS DONE. REPLACED WITH BF GOODRICH MUD TERRAIN TA THAT WERE ALSO USED BUT HAVE NOT FAILED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10995244June 14, 2017
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 DRIVING AT NIGHT. I COULDN'T GET THE LIGHT COVER OFF SO I PULLED THE FUSE WHICH LEAVES ME WITH NO WINDSHIELD WASHER SQUIRTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. NO MATER WHAT IS DONE OR FIXED, THE LIGHT STAYS ON WHICH IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE CARS WILL USUALLY AUTOMATICALLY FAIL INSPECTION WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET IT TO PASS INSPECTION IF ITS ON 90% OF THE TIME? I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY 93 RANGER BUT OTHER PEOPLE WITH RANGERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES & THIS SITE SHOWS OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. WHY WON'T FORD RECALL & FIX IT WHEN ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM? THESE THINGS ARE SAFETY ISSUES!! I CAN'T ADD WHEN THESE THINGS HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY ARE ONGOING ISSUES FOR THE LAST TENISH YEARS!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10971028April 6, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY
FARMR RUSTED THROUGH TRUCK WAS SITTING AT HOME PARKED WHEN IT BROKE THROUGH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10883846July 10, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10806187November 23, 2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781853October 13, 2015
SUSPENSION
REAR LEAF SPRING HANGERS/SHACKLES RUSTED OFF AS WELL AS THE FRONT ONES ON THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS. SPARE TIRE CARRIER FELL DOWN DRAGGING THE SPARE TIRE ACROSS THE ROAD. ONE CROSSMEMBER HOLDING UP THE FRONT OF THE GAS TANK IS READY TO GO. BOTH GAS TANK STRAPS ROTTED OFF. TOYOTA WAS MADE TO FIX THESE ISSUES. WHY NOT FORD? I WORK AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPLACING ROTTEN FRAMES ON TUNDRAS, SEQUOIAS, AND TACOMA VEHICLES. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE AS BOTH THE FRAMES FOR TOYOTA AND FORD ARE BUILT AT THE SAME FACTORY IF I AM CORRECT? THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD ALL TIMES THE ABOVE LISTED FAILED. SOME TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, OTHERS IN TOWN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE SELLING THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WHEN IT'S READY TO GO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10744089July 28, 2015
INTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
GUY NEXT DOOR KNOCKED ON MY DOOR LATE ONE NIGHT TO TELL ME THAT MY DOME LIGHT WAS ON. I LOOKED & IT WASN'T. HE SAID THAT WAS ODD BECAUSE HE EVEN WALKED BY IT & COULD SEE INSIDE. A FEW DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE LIGHT CAME ON BY ITSELF. FROM THAT POINT ON IT WOULD RANDOMLY TURN ITSELF ON. NATURALLY FORD TOLD ME THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP IT WITHOUT PAYING A TON OF MONEY TO A GARAGE WAS TO PULL THE FUSE & I'VE HAD TO USE A FLASHLIGHT IF I NEED A LIGHT AT NIGHT EVER SINCE. MY TRUCK ALSO HAS A THEFT LIGHT BECAUSE A FACTORY ALARM WAS AN OPTION FOR MY TRUCK. I DO NOT HAVE AN ALARM BUT THE WORD ALARM IS STILL ON THE PANEL. THAT LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY TURN ON & SAY THEFT. I DO NOT HAVE AN ALARM! I TOLD FORD & THAT TOLD ME THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE SINCE I DON'T HAVE AN ALARM. I SAID THAT MAYBE A WIRE WAS CROSSED SOMEWHERE BUT FORD TOLD ME," NO! ". TALKING TO OTHER RANGER OWNERS HERE & THERE I'VE FOUND OUT THAT NOT ONLY ARE THERE OTHERS DOING THE EXACT SAME THINGS BUT IT IS ALSO OTHER YEARS BESIDES 1997. I LIKE THE TRUCK JUST TIRED OF FORD & TIRED OF THE BS!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10725116June 13, 2015
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS
AIR BAGS.. DEFLATING, UNSERVICEABLE, DEMAND USELESS, ONLY ON PASSENGER SIDE, DRIVERS SIDE DISLODGED HORN FUEL/PROPULSION.. WITH FUEL TANK FILLED, FIRST HALF(1/2) TANK HAVING EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMED. SECOND (1/2) OF FUEL CONSUMED AT OWNERS MANUAL SPECIFICATIONS OF CITY AND HIGHWAY MILES PER GALLON. THROTTLE PEDAL STIFF, STICKS, AFTER NORMAL DAILY WARM UP, EXTRA FOOT PRESSURE NEEDED TO DISLODGE PEDAL AND CABLE, REAL SLUGGISH AS IF NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH FUEL TO INJECTORS, EVEN AFTER REGULAR MAINTENANCE COMPLETED.. SEAT BELTS.. DRIVERS SIDE HOOKUP RETAINING LATCH MALFUNCTIONS AND " WILL NOT REMAIN LATCHED", SEVERAL ATTEMPTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE GETTING A STRONG SEATBELT CLIP TO LATCH LOCKED ON
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10715470May 9, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LOOKED UNDER MY FORD RANGER AND SAW THAT BOTH OF THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLD THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN IN HALF. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUES ON MY YEAR, BUT ONLY FOR THE FORD F150, NOT THE FORD RANGER, EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE IS THE SAME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10680431February 2, 2015
WHEELS, SERVICE BRAKES
WHEEL BEARINGS KEEP GOING OUT ON FRONT TIRES BECOMING A REAL ISSUE AND HAZARD AND SAFETY THEY LOCK UP ON ROAD AND HAVE GOTTEN SLIDES OFF ROAD. AFRAID IT WILL BE WORSE NEXT TIME. THEY HAVE GONE OUT THREE TIMES AND BEEN REPLACED. THEY ARE GOING OUT AGAIN AND FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY BUT THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE FOR WORK AN APPOINTMENT NEED THIS TRUCK. PLEASE HELP. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP REPLACING BUT LOVE THIS TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10680185January 31, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WALKED OUT OF MY HOUSE ONE MORNING AND MY REAR BUMPER WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND BEHIND MY TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10676529January 19, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN OHIO IN OCTOBER 2014, AFTER PURCHASING I NOTICED QUITE A BIT OF RUST ERODING THE FRAME BEHIND 20" LOW PROFILE TIRES, I PUT FACTORY SUGGESTED TIRES ON IT THE LEAF SPRING HANGERS BROKE IN EARLY DEC. 2014 AFTER THAT WAS FIXED, THE EROSION WAS NOTICEABLE. NOW THE SHOCK HAS FALLEN OFF AND THE FRAME HAS A CRACK THROUGH IT AT THE LEAF SPRING HANGER. THE TRUCK IS NOT DRIVABLE AT THIS POINT. I NEED ANOTHER FRAME OR WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10616734July 28, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10614454July 18, 2014
STEERING, SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES
REPORTING NUMEROUS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASED USED ---ORIGINAL OCCURRENCE DATE NOT CERTAIN BUT OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS MECHANICAL FAILURES OCCURRED THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITIES. THE FAILURES INCLUDE BUT NOT EXCLUSIVE TO ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND LEAKED ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID --REAR BODY SUPPORT SYSTEM GAVE OUT DURING DRIVING AND REAR WHEELS AND AXLES NOT ATTACHED TO BODY ---VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WENT OFF INTO SHOULDER--RADIAL AXIAL ARM RUSTED AWAY AND STEERING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. GAS LEAKS FROM TOP OF TANK IF FILLED TO FULL --LEAKS ON TO GROUND AND COULD RESULT IN GAS FIRE AND EXPLOSION --DO NOT FILL TANK MORE THAN 3/4 ! ALL BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE REPLACED AND FREQUENT CHECKS OF STEERING AND SUSPENSION. I AM REPORTING THIS TO MAKE OWNERS AWARE AND TAKE PRECAUTION TO PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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