Ford Ranger Complaints (1997)

411 consumer complaints on file.

#10075202June 11, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
BRACKET HOLDING GAS PEDAL DETACHED FROM CAR SHEET METAL THAT IS BETWEEN ENGINE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UNIT HANGING BY ACCELERATOR CABLE. THERE LOOK TO BE 3 SPOT WELDS BTN BACKET AND SHEET METAL THAT BROKE. DRIVER WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT THE TIME AND DECELERATED IN TRAFFIC.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074702June 2, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
NORMAL DRIVING, FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM, SYSTEM NOT YET REPLACED BECUASE OF LOW FUNDS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073035May 23, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING
1) THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 FORD RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB PICKUP. A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO MY WIFE COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELLING GASOLINE WHEN SHE FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION GASOLINE WAS OBSERVED DRIPPING FROM THE AREA UNDER THE FUEL TANK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH GASOLINE. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE 2001-2002 TIME FRAME. *AK 2) IN LATE APRIL OF THIS YEAR 2004, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND I HAD THE COMPUTER CODE CHECKED TO DETERMINE IF I COULD MAKE THE REPAIRS MYSELF. THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL FILTER, AND WHEN I REPLACED IT I NOTICED A GREAT DEAL OF DIRT AND DEBRIS COMING FROM THE INLET SIDE OF THE FILTER. THIS INDICATED TO ME THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PROBABLY CONTAMINATED, AND I REMOVED THE TANK SATURDAY, MAY 15, TO CLEAN THE TANK. PRIOR TO REINSTALLING THE TANK, I EXAMINED THE GASOLINE FILLER TUBE, AND FOUND THREE CRACKS IN THE VAPOR RECOVERY TUBE THAT VENTS GASOLINE VAPORS TO THE FILLING STATION VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM. ONE OF THESE CRACKS WAS QUITE LARGE, AND SHOWED INDICATIONS OF GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THIS CRACK. NOT ONLY WAS THE CRACK THE SOURCE OF THE GASOLINE THAT LEAKED FROM THE SYSTEM, IT WAS ALSO THE ENTRY POINT FOR THE DEBRIS AND MOISTURE I FOUND IN THE TANK. IN ADDITION, THE GASOLINE THAT RAN FROM THE CRACK IN THE RECOVERY TUBE ACCUMULATED IN A PLASTIC SKID PLATE THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE TANK. 3) I OF COURSE REPLACE THE TUBE ASSEMBLY, AT A COST OF $262.29. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO BE THE LEAST BIT INTEREST IN THE PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO COMPENSATE THE EXPENSES. I HAVE RETAINED THE OLD PART, AND HAVE SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THE DEFECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066975April 9, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH 1997 FORD RANGER. *PH *CB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053752February 19, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND DOME LIGHT BURNED OUT. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING CHIME SOUNDED FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES WHILE DRIVING, ALTHOUGH ALL THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE WIPERS CAME ON ALTHOUGH THEY WERE NOT TURNED ON. . *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052268February 19, 2004
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOME LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS PROBLEM EXISTED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. *AK *MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052539January 6, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FULL INSTRUMENT PANEL AND INTERIOR LIGHT WILL NOT FUNCTION. NO LIGHTSACCORDING TO AUTO MECHANIC, POTENTIAL SEVERE INTERNAL WIRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051112December 26, 2003
SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING, EQUIPMENT
A FEW THINGS HERE, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT RANDOM. HAD IT CHECKED A FEW TIMES. NO PROBLEMS FOUND. DOME LIGHT/DOOR CHIME WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN DOOR IS SHUT AND/OR CAR IS TURNED ON. LEFT HAND BLINKER WENT NUTS A FEW TIME, BASICLY IT WAS BLINKING AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. A FEW SECOND 'POWER LOSS' HAPPEND A FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING, LOST POWER TO RAIDO, AND LIGHTS. THE REAR END BOUNCES WAY TOO MUCH WHEN I HIT A BUMP, CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051581December 16, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
THE LOCATION AND CONNECTION OF THE FACTORY ALARM SYSTEM CAUSED THE RELAY SWITCH UNDER THE DASH TO OVERHEAT AND THE BATTERY DRAINED EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF.*JB ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON 1997 FORD RANGER IS MALFUNCTIONING. ABS SYSTEM LIGHTS ILLUMINATES WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ENGAGED. THE FUEL GAUGE IS INOPERATIVE, RELAYS UNDER THE DASHBOARD STARTED HEATING UP. CONSUMER CONCERED THAT AIR BAGS MAY FAIL IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.*MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047372November 22, 2003
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
AT 50,379 MILES, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE DELAMINATED (IE, THE ENTIRE TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE IN ONE PIECE) WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES. IT, AND THE OTHER THREE, ARE OE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P265/75R15 112S M+S TIRES WHICH WERE MOUNTED ON THE TRUCK WHEN PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 1997. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043513October 24, 2003
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INTERIOR LIGHT IN MY TRUCK DOES NOT GO OUT WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT AND THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10034225October 24, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE GAS FILLER HOSE CRACKED WHICH CAUSED GASOLINE TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE GROUND. *AK *TS *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043963October 15, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING FROM HOME TO WORK AT 40 MPH VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY DIED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT ALL FOUR VALVES CRACKED AND ENGINE BLOCK BROKE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042951October 15, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1997 FORD RANGER TRUCK-SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING MY HOME, WITHIN 10 MINUTES, I NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR NEXT TO ME, I LOOKED AT MY GAUGES AND NOTICED NOTHING UNUSUAL. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE THE CAR LOST POWER. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. JUST BEFORE TURNING OFF THE IGNITION THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SPIKED TO HOT. UPON EXAMINATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE ENGINE GOT HOT ENOUGH TO CRACK ALL FOUR VALVES IN THE ENGINE HEAD. BASICALLY A NEW ENGINE IN A CAR WITH 84,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ENGINE IS RATED TO LAST 200,000 MILES. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10038914September 15, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD LATCH AND SAFETY LATCH FAILED, CAUSING HOOD TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING. HOOD IS NOW DENTED FROM HOW FAR IT WENT BACK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030841August 5, 2003
STEERING:COLUMN, STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
I HAVE A 1997 FORD RANGER XLT SUPERCAB, 2.3L 4X2. I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY PARKING LOT AT WORK, AND 2 OF THE 3 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE STEERING COLUMN TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE, AND I COULD EVENTUALLY TURN TO THE RIGHT, WHEN THE GEAR BOX LODGED AGAINST THE FRAME. I'VE NOTICED 3 OTHER INCIDENTS IN SEARCHING THIS WEBSITE. I THINK THIS IS AN AGE ISSUE WITH RANGER. BOLTS SHOULDN'T JUST BREAK IN TWO. I DIDN'T TAKE THIS TO A DEALERSHIP, BUT MY FRIEND IS A MECHANIC AND DID THE WORK FOR ME. HOWEVER, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, BECAUSE IF THIS HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY, SERIOUS FATALITIES CAN OCCUR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10025740July 9, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FAULTY FUEL TANK VENT HOSE. WHEN FILLING UP THE GAS TANK AND THE PUMP KICKS OFF WHEN FULL, GAS POURS ONTO PAVEMENT BELOW. I PULLED THE PART OFF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE HOSE WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY AROUND. THIS PART IS ALL ONE UNIT WITH THE FILL LINE AND IT COSTS A WHOPPING $247 TO BUY THE PART. I ASKED AUTOWAY FORD IN ST, PETERSBURG FLORIDA IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT BUT SINCE IT'S NOT UNDER RECALL THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT. WE PURCHASED ONE FROM GATOR FORD THAT SAME DAY. I NOTICED YOUR SITE SHOWS EIGHT OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS FAULTY HOSE. I WOULD VENTURE TO GUESS THERE ARE PLENTY MORE POTENTIAL FIRES LURKING UNDER OTHER FORD RANGERS. WE HAVE THE OLD PART ON HAND IF ANY BODY WANTS TO INSPECT IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10024994June 26, 2003
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE WAS IN A VERY SEVERE FRONT/SIDE COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10020949June 3, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
97 FORD RANGER 4WD ~79K MILES, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FREOM WORK ON BACK ROAD DOING 30 MPH. SHE THOUGHT SHE RAN OVER SOMETHING AND THE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY DIED. NO ENGINE, POWER STEERING OR ANYTHING. *AK WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE CRAK SHAFT BROKE OFF AT THE ENGINE BLOCK. A WHOLE ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED. INSPECTING WHERE THE SHAFT BROKE OFF IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME, THE MECHANIC AND OTHERS THAT PART WAS DEFECTIVE IN THE MANUFACTURE PROCES. ABOUT 40% OF THE RING OF THE SHAFT LOOKS FINE (SOLID STEEL). THE REMAINDER OF THE RING IS ALL POUROUS. IT LOOKS LIKE A BAD FORGE PROCESS. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO DAMAGE OR INJURY OR WORSE, I DO BELIEVE THIS DEFECT PRESENTED A DANGEROUS SAFTEY ISSUE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HYWAY THE CONCEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE DEFECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN SOME QUALITY CONTROL PORCESS. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT REIMBURSMENT FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT BUT THEY WILL NOT CONSIDER IT. I HAVE THE PART THAT BROKE OFF AND CAN SUPPLY YOU WITH DIGITAL PHOTOS IF THAT WOULD HELP. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019237May 24, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, AIR BAGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1997 FORD RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB. WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES, INSTEAD OF STOPPING AT THIS "T" HWY INTERSECTION, I RAN PAST IT, AND HIT A 12" DIAMETER TREE HEAD ON. ICE ON THE ROAD. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. NEITHER THE DRIVER'S SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INDENTATION ON THE FRONT BUMPER WAS OVER TWO FEET DEEP. MY HEAD AND RIGHT SIDE OF MY BODY SMASHED AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL, AND MY I BROKE MY LEFT COLLAR BONE, FRACTURED AND BRUISED SEVERAL RIBS ON MY RIGHT SIDE, BROKE MY RIGHT FOOT HEEL BONE, CUT MY NOSE, PLUS NUMEROUS OTHER MINOR CUTS, BRUISES AND ABRASIONS. AFTER ABOUT 45 SECONDS, A HUGE BALL OF FIRE ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE CRUMPLED HOOD. I FELT THE SUDDEN HEAT ON MY FACE, SINCE THE WINDSHIELD WAS GONE AND THERE WAS A HUGE GAP BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE TRUCKS BODY. A LADY, AN ANGEL OF GOD REALLY, HELPED ME OUT OF THE TRUCK AND INTO THE BACK SEAT OF HER CAR. SHE DROVE ABOUT 100 YARDS TO WAIT FOR THE AMBULANCE TO ARRIVE. BEFORE WE CAME TO A STOP, I HEARD THE TWO FRONT TIRES OF MY TRUCK BLOW UP. ALL I COULD SEE WAS A BALL OF FIRE BURNING ABOUT 20 FEET HIGH. TWO THINGS SEEM TECHNICALLY WRONG: THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND THE FUEL PUMP MUST HAVE KEPT PUMPING FUEL, FOR THE FIRE TO SPREAD SO RAPIDLY AND BURN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK SO VERY COMPLETELY. THIS WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE THE POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORS AND THE FUEL PUMP SAFETY CUTOFF SWITCH. MY TIRES WERE ONE MONTH OLD MICHELINS, SO THEY WEREN'T A FACTOR. THE TRUCK WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND IT WAS CAREFULLY MAINTAINED AND GARAGED. EVERYTHING WORKED ON IT AND NO MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS OF ANY KIND WERE ON PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE VERY GOOD MAINTENANCE RECORDS ON IT. I CONTACTED FORD BY TELEPHONE AND VIA E-MAIL, TO LET THEM KNOW OF WHAT I THOUGHT COULD BE A POTENTIAL COMPONENT DEFECT AFFECTING OTHERS ALSO. I ALSO CONTACTED THEIR LEGAL OFFICE VIA PHONE, AND THEY NEVER RETURNED MY CALL. *NLM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Ranger