Ford Ranger Complaints (1997)

411 consumer complaints on file.

#10416610August 2, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
UNDERSIDE OF 1997 FORD RANGER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. BUMPER WON'T STAY IN PLACE AND THE SPARE TIRE BOLT WOULD NOT ALLOW SPARE TIRE TO COME OFF. WE HAVE JUST PARKED VEHICLE AFTER WERE WARNED ABOUT IT. WE JUST USE IT FOR SHORT TRIPS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417449August 2, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE GAS TANK STRAPS ON MY 1997 RANGER HAVE RUSTED THROUGH DROPPING THE FUEL TANK WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR STRAP HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. THE TANK IS BEING HELD UP WITH COMMERCIAL GRADES STRAPS. IS THIS MODEL BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECENT FORD RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT? I DID NOT SEE THE EXTENDED CAB RANGER MODEL MENTIONED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416601August 1, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION/RUST CAUSING FUEL TANK TO PARTIALLY FALL. DEFECTIVE STRAPS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402406May 23, 2011
SUSPENSION:REAR
FORD RANGER 1997 REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. HEARD LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. INSPECTED TRUCK AND FOUND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SPRING MOUNTS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. FRONT SPRING MOUNTS ALMOST RUSTED AWAY -NEAR LOSS OF REAR AXEL AND SUSPENSION !!! VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IF HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD HAVE BEEN TOTAL LOSS OF REAR SUSPENSION. ALSO DROPPING AXEL WITH LEAF SPRINGS NOT GOOD FOR ANY TRAFFIC FOLLOWING VEHICLE. MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AS NO OTHER RUST APPARENT ON TRUCK OUTSIDE OR ELSEWHERE UNDER TRUCK. INFERIOR METAL USED FOR SPRING MOUNTS WHICH IS APPARENTLY VERY PRONE TO RUST COMPARED TO REST OF TRUCK. HIGHLY RECOMMEND ALL FORD RANGER OWNERS BE NOTIFIED AND ADVISED TO HAVE SPRING MOUNTS INSPECTED BEFORE FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURS. CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH THAT THERE WERE NO SYMPTOMS NOTED BEFORE FAILURE, AND NO APPARENT RUST ON TRUCK TO INDICATE ANY PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399827May 10, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WITHIN THE PAST TWO MONTHS I HAD A SPLIT IN THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILLER PIPE ON MY 1997 FORD RANGER XLT. IN THE COURSE OF HAVING IT REPLACED, THE REPAIR SHOP REMOVED THE GAS TANK AND FOUND THE SAME CONDITION WITH THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE, EXTENSIVE CORROSION AS REPORTED ON THE FORD F150. IT APPEARS THE POSSIBILITY OF GAS TANKS DROPPING OUT OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE MORE EXTENSIVE THAN THE INITIAL REPORTS AND MAY APPLY TO OTHER FORD PICK-UP TRUCKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386129March 1, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LINE CRACKED ABOVE GAS TANK . STRONG GAS ODOR AFTER DRIVING OR DURING REFILL -GAS WILL SPILL OUT WHEN FILLING TANK UP TO FULL AND GAS SMELL CAN ALSO BE SMELLED DURING COMMUTE. WILL BE TAKING IT IN TO GREENWAY FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN ORLANDO THIS WEEK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374420December 30, 2010
SEATS
I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT OF THE GROCERY STORE I HAD BEEN SHOPPING AT, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE RECLINING SEAT LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CONTROLS THE ANGLE OF, AND LOCKS THE BACK OF THE SEAT INTO POSITION, GAVE WAY AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS CAUSING ME TO GO BACKWARDS AS WELL. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP MY VEHICLE WITHOUT CAUSING A COLLISION OR INJURY. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT HOME, AND WITH INTERNET RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THE RECLINING SEAT LATCH ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN A WEAK POINT WITH FORD RANGER TRUCKS AND FORD EXPLORER SUV VEHICLES FOR YEARS. THE FORD DEALER/SERVICE CENTER THAT I DO BUSINESS WITH, NOW TELLS ME THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS OBSOLETE AND THEY WILL HAVE TO CONTACT VARIOUS DEALERS STILL LISTING IT IN THEIR INVENTORY TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET THE PART, AS THE PARTS SUPPLIER FOR FORD THAT MADE THE REPLACEMENT LATCHES WENT OUT OF BUSINESS DURING THE BAD ECONOMY. I'M AMAZED THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED, GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR GREAT HARM AND POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH FROM THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356995September 22, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FILLED WITH GASOLINE, THE GAS WILL SPILL BACK OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BOTTLE NECK ON THE FILLER CAP IS CORRODED. THIS CAUSES A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY ALL AND THERE IS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349528August 16, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKETS RUSTING AND BREAKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349527August 16, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CRACK IN GASOLINE FILLER TOP CAUSING FUMES AND GASOLINE ODOR IN CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING RIGHT. * WHEN FILLING TANK WITH GASOLINE, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK ONTO THE GROUND WHILE FILLING AT THE GAS STATION, AS IF YOU WERE SLOWLY POURING A GLASS OF WATER, MUCH MORE THAN A DRIP. COULD NOT FILL TANK FULL UNTIL REPAIR WAS DONE. MECHANIC REPLACED FILLER AND FILLER NECK. HAD TO REMOVE GAS TANK AND TRUCK BED TO INVESTIGATE AND REPAIR. BIG JOB, BIG HAZARD!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349228August 13, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH ATTEMPTING A LEFT HAND TURN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BE TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE MOVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING BOX HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347433August 5, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAKING AROUND FILLER TOP. FIRST TIME SERVICE REPLACED THE HOSE CLAMP, BUT NOW THE FILLER TOP IS CRACKED. OEM REPLACEMENT PART IS $500 PLUS LABOR OF REMOVING GAS TANK , ETC. ODOR A PROBLEM AND POTENTIALLY A FIRE HAZARD. GAS STATIONS DO NOT WANT TO PUT GAS IN LEAKING VEHICLE EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339839June 24, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 55 MPH, BUT TO NO AVAIL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE SURFACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336123June 14, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1997 FORD RANGER XLT ,DATE IS APPROXIMATE SINCE FILLER HOSE SLOWLY CRACKED AND GOT WORSE, SMELLED FUEL CONSTANTLY SINCE 80,000 MILES AND HAD TO EVENTUALLY SPEND 600.00 TO GET IT FIXED AT FORD DEALERSHIP FOR WHAT LOOKED LIKE A SMALL RUBBER HOSE, I WOULD HAVE REPLACED MYSELF BUT COULD NOT LOCATE OEM REPLACEMENT ANYWHERE ELSE INCLUDING ALL AUTO STORES (DEALER ONLY PART), THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, I CONSIDERED IT A TIMEBOMB. THANKFULLY NOTHING DANGEROUS HAPPENED BEFORE I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THOUGH DOING A INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CERTAIN YEARS OF FORD RANGERS WHICH SOME PEOPLE DUE TO COST ARE REPLACING WITH A COMMON RUBBER HOSE WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS STATIC THAT COULD MAKE IT GO UP IN FLAMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334002June 1, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, BOTH REAR SPRINGS FELL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE WITHOUT INCIDENT AND CONTACTED THE DEALER IN WHICH HE PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER ADVISED IT WAS THE CONTACTS RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES INCLUDING A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND MUFFLER FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329668May 10, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: 1. INTERMITTENT WIPERS WILL WIPE 2, 3, 4, 5 TIMES AT RANDOM IN A ROW ALWAYS AND NOT IN THAT ORDER. 2. BACKUP LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW FUSE AFTER REPLACING ALL LIGHTING PARTS 3. HORN WORKS 1% OF THE TIME, UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. 4. AC BLOWS HOT AIR INTERMITTENTLY EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BLOWER BLEND DOOR. 5. GAS: WHEN BELOW 1/4 TANK AND MAKING RIGHT TURN TRUCK WILL STALL, EVEN AFTER WORK ON TANK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328369May 1, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WITH ALL CONTROLS IN OFF POSITION, VERY HOT AIR STARTS COMING FROM FLOOR VENT (97 FORD RANGER) ALSO WHEN A/C IS TURNED ON,,HOT AIR COMES OUT. REPLACED SWITCH FOR HEAT/AIR CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326662April 20, 2010
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TIRES, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, EQUIPMENT
I OWN A 1997 FORD RANGER XLT 4X4 4.0LTR.MANY SHOPS HAVE WORK ON THE FRONT AXEL WHEEL BEARINGS AND SEALS AND RETAINER NUT THIS NUT TAKES A SOCKET 2.3/8 R-6 MOST SHOPS DON'T HAVE IT SO THEY USE WHAT EVER THEY HAVE,CHISELL,LOCKING PLYERS ECT...CREATING FRONT END DAMAGE TO WHEEL BEARINGS,SEALS, BRAKES,CALIPERS,BRAKE DRUMS, MOST OF AL THE TIRES..I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB ALSO DID NOT REMOVE LCKING PIN FROM SPINDEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325614April 14, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN FILLING FUEL TANK ON 1997 FORD RANGER 4X4 LONG BED, FUEL LEAKS BACK OUT AND PUDDLES ON PAVEMENT BELOW VEHICLE DUE TO A SPLIT THAT HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED IN THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK (HOSE). EVEN WHEN I DO NOT FILL TANK ALL THE WAY (TO PREVENT ABOVE LEAKING) GAS FUMES ARE STILL STRONG AND HAVE ACCUMULATED INSIDE THE CANOPY (TOPPER) ON PICKUP BED. FUEL APPEARS TO LEAK (BASED ON ODOR) AFTER EXECUTING A SHARP TURN, A QUICK STOP, AND WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPY ROADS. FORD'S PRICE FOR A REPLACEMENT FILLER NECK IS PROHIBITIVE (AROUND $450) PLUS LABOR AND THUS, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325619April 14, 2010
POWER TRAIN
THE ENGINE OCCASIONALLY RACES (RUNAWAY ACCELERATION) ON MY 1997 FORD RANGER 4X4 WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND OVERDRIVE AND 3.0L ENGINE. THE ACCELERATION TENDS TO OCCUR AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70 MPH) AND THEN DRIVE AT SLOWER SPEEDS SUCH AS IN AN URBAN SETTING. AT SUCH TIMES, THE IDLE REMAINS RATHER HIGH AND ENGINE RACING OCCURS WHEN I ENGAGE THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE ENGINE RACING CAUSES THE GEARS TO CLASH (GRIND) AND RESIST SHIFTING; I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS SLOWING OF FORWARD MOTION SINCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON TO INDICATE IT. SOMETIMES THE ACCELERATION RUNS AWAY, AND I HAVE HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO PREVENT BLOWING THE ENGINE. I HAVE TAKEN THE PROBLEM TO SEVERAL MECHANICS INCLUDING FORD, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. THERE EVIDENTLY WAS A RECALL FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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