Ford Ranger Complaints (1997)

411 consumer complaints on file.

#10523356July 5, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I PURCHASED USED FORD RANGER 1997...TURNS OUT CHASSIS HAS A SAFETY DEFECT....IT IS RUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE WELDED.....MEINEKE SAID SAFETY IS A BIG ISSUE...AND WE SHOULD TALK TO FORD... RUST SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED.....WHAT SHOULD I DO? THE PART IN QUESTION IS FRAME CHASSY! DROP DOWN WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO LIST CHASSY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496773February 7, 2013
AIR BAGS
WE WERE DOING 30MPH AND WE HIT A SHEET OF BLACK ICE. THEN WE HIT THE GUARDRAIL. WHEN WE HIT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490650January 1, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I HAVE SEVERE RUSTING OF THE FRAME AND PARTS CONNECTED TO FRAME OF MY 1997 FORD RANGER, AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT ITS SAFETY ON THE ROAD/HIGHWAY. AND I ONLY HAVE 64,000 MILES ON IT! I HAVE HEARD OF SPARE TIRES COMING LOOSE AND FALLING OFF, REAR BUMPERS FALLING OFF, GAS TANKS FALLING OFF, REAR SHACKLES COMING LOOSE ETC...ON THE FORD RANGER BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE RUST. IF I WAS TOWING A TRAILER AND THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF THERE GOES THE TRAILER TOO, A TRAILER AND/OR BUMPER THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND KILL SOMEBODY! SAME WITH THE OTHER PARTS COMING LOOSE. AND IF THE REAR AXLE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME IT WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT AND FATALITY. AND IF I WAS CARRYING A HEAVY LOAD THE FRAME COULD BUCKLE OR BREAK IN HALF AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND FATALITY, BECAUSE THE FRAME IS HALF GONE BECAUSE OF THE RUST. ITS JUST LIKE THE FRAME RUST PROBLEMS ON THE TOYOTA TACOMA AND TUNDRA TRUCKS. I ALSO HEARD THAT THE SUPPLIER OF THE FRAMES FOR THE TOYOTA TACOMA AND TUNDRA, WAS ALSO THE SUPPLIER FOR THE FORD RANGER FRAMES. I THINK THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BY FORD, AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORCE FORD TO RECALL MY 97 FORD RANGER, AND ALL OTHER FORD RANGERS AFFECTED BY THE RUSTY FRAMES ASAP. FORCE FORD TO BUYBACK THE TRUCKS AT KBB VALUE, OR REPLACE THE RUSTY FRAMES WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE FRAME IS THE BACKBONE OF A TRUCK, ITS A CRITICAL PART AND IF IT FAILS BECAUSE OF SEVERE RUSTING, YOU HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM HERE. ITS A DISASTER JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN, AND I HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE ACTION AND BE PROACTIVE, AND NOT WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO BE KILLED ON THE NATIONS HIGHWAYS. ONLY 64,000 MILES ON MY 97 RANGER AND BIG CHUNKS OF STEEL ARE FLAKING OFF THE FRAME AND HAVE FOR YEARS! HALF THE FRAME IS GONE ALREADY! THE FRAME SHOULD FAR OUTLAST THE BODY OF THE TRUCK, AND ITS JUST THE OPPOSITE! A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. ACTION IS NEEDED NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490546December 31, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PLASTIC FUEL LINE SPLIT AT THE INPUT OF THE FUEL FILTER THAT IS LOCATED BEHIND THE ENGINE ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FRAME. WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON GASOLINE SPRAYS FROM THIS CRACK PIECE OF PLASTIC LINE. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS ELECTRIC AND ENERGIZES ANYTIME THE IGNITION IS ON THE PUMP IS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK AT THE REAR OF THE TRUCK . THIS IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS AS THE SPRAYING GASOLINE COULD EASILY HIT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR EXHAUST SYSTEM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. FORTUNATELY I NOTICED THE LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN I WAS WARMING UP THE CAR ON AS COOL MORNING. AS A RESULT NO REAL DAMAGE WAS DONE. WILL COST ABOUT $350 TO REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490400December 28, 2012
SEAT BELTS
UNDER HARD BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT DISENGAGED FROM THE BUCKLE. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NOT "BUCKLING" WITH THE SEAT BELT FOR YEARS. LOOKING ONLINE I SEE NUMEROUS PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. COMPLAINTS OF A SPRING IS MISSING OR BROKEN, COINS ARE STUCK DOWN INSIDE THE MECHANISM, ETC. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN! I CAN ONLY WONDER HOW MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED FROM SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE. EVERY DAY I GET IN MY TRUCK I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE BELT BACK AND FORTH TO GET IT TO ENGAGE. SOMETIMES I JUST CHECK AFTER IT HAS ALREADY ENGAGED AND IT COMES LOOSE. THE DEALER SOLUTION IS TO PAY THEM FOR A "REPLACEMENT" ITEM, THE COST OF WHICH IS AROUND $250-300... I'LL BE PURCHASING A REPLACEMENT. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THE REPLACEMENT IS OF THE SAME DESIGN. I'M ASKING FOR HELP TO REMEDY A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478248October 2, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED FROM THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE GROUND AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHOM LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL FILTER NECK HOSE, WHICH WAS CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FUEL FILTER NECK HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10466588July 19, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
NO INCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE I FOUND IT IN TIME (THANK GOD)! I CAME OUT MY FRONT DOOR AND NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDER MY TRUCK. I TOOK IT TO CAR-X AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS ONE OF MY SUPPORTS HOLDING UP MY GAS TANK. RIGHT THERE I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK! I ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS TOO RUSTY UNDERNEATH. THEY EVEN CALLED THE DEALER, I GOT IT FROM, AND THEY TOLD THEM THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. RIGHT NOW I HAVE A RATCHET BELT HOLDING IT UP BUT I'M AFRAID IT WON'T LAST THROUGH A LOT OF RAIN AND SNOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10460779June 6, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EACH TIME I FILL UP, THE GAS TANK OVERFLOWS, CREATING A HUGE SAFETY RISK OF EITHER A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458201May 12, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LAST YEAR I STARTED NOTICING A GAS SMELL WHEN FILLING. BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR I NOTICED GAS LEAK ON GROUND WHEN FILLING. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE GAS FILL PIPE, IT HAS DETERIORATED TO AN UNUSABLE CONDITION. WHETHER THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE GASOHAUL USED IN MN. OR POOR QUALITY IN THE MANUFACTURING I COULDN'T TELL YOU,BUT WHEN I ORDERED THE PART THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THEIR DELIVERY TRUCK. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE THERE IS AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE IN A GAS STATION WHILE SOMEONE IS FILLING THEIR TRUCK. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED OR WHAT IS BEING DONE WITH THIS MATTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453240March 27, 2012
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
FRAME IS NEARLY GONE / RUSTED , REAREND / AXLE FELL OUT IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445812January 30, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FUEL STRAP WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT FUEL STRAP WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FUEL STRAPS ON THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444094January 17, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER SPORADICALLY BEFORE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SPIKE IN ENGINE RPMS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CORRECT ITSELF SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,252.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436644November 21, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TODAY MY ACCELERATOR FAILED. I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. I WENT TO ACCELERATE BY PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH MY RIGHT FOOT. THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD FAILED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THREE SPOT WELDS THAT HELD A PLATE TO THE FIREWALL HAD FAILED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL PIVOTS ON THIS PLATE AND ATTACHED BOLT. I WAS ABLE TO DO A TEMPORARY REPAIR TODAY. BUT, THE FAILURE IN TRAFFIC WAS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434773November 7, 2011
SUSPENSION
DRIVING DOWN ROAD REAR SPRING BROKE ANOTHER TIME SPAR TIRE CAME OF ALMOST CAUSING CRASH ,HAVE REPAIRED BOTH REAR SPRING BRACKETS ,TWO FRONT SUSPENSION , LOST SPARE AND FRAME ABOUT TO BRAKE AWAY . WHAT SHOULD I DO . HAVE LOT OF MONEY INVESTED . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434338November 5, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
MY 1997 4X4 RANGER, 61500 MILES, HAS MAJOR FRAME RUST AND HAS IN FACT RUSTED THROUGH IN ONE AREA. THE FRAME RAILS ALSO AT THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES HEAVILY RUSTED. I HAVE OWNED THIS SINCE OCT.OF 2000. THE BODY IS CLEAN AND STRAIGHT OF ANY DAMAGE OR RUST. I EXPECT A FORD FRAME TO LAST AND NOT BE THE REASON OF THE VEHICLES TOTAL FAILURE IN BOTH SAFTEY AND OF THE VEHICLE LIFE AFTER 12-13 YEARS WITH ONLY 61,500 MILES. THE CAR IN MY OPINION IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND DO WHAT TOYOTA HAS DONE WITH SIMILAR FRAME ISSUES. I LOOK FOWARD TO YOUR REPLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430725October 18, 2011
SUSPENSION
WHILE WORKING ON AND DOING AN UNDERBODY INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SPRING HANGER IS ALMOST ROTTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. IT IS A CAUSE FOR ALARM FOR ME AND ANYBODY DRIVING NEAR ME ON THE HIGHWAY. IF NOT FIXED IT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A DEADLY ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ROTTED AS WELL. FRONT SUSPENSION IS ROTTING AS AT A FAST RATE. THE TRUCK SEEMS TO JUMP INTO OTHER LANES AFTER HITTING POT HOLES OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424326September 8, 2011
SUSPENSION
WHILE GOING DOWN HILL AND AROUND A CURVE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM REAR AND FELT BACK OF TRUCK MOVE SIDE WAYS. A SHORT TIME AFTER, ANOTHER LOUD NOISE FROM REAR AND REAR OF TRUCK DROPPED LOW . I LOST CONTROL AND WENT ONTO SHOULDER AND SLOWED DOWN WAS ABLE TO RECOVER AND AT SLOW SPEED WENT HOME. ON INSPECTION FOUND BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING FORWARD SHACKLE SUPPORTS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. WAS LUCKY NOT GOING FASTER AS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN VERY SERIOUS CRASH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND WARN OWNERS OF POSSIBLE FAILURE OF LEAF SPRING. AND LOSS OF CONTROL TRUCK IS PARKED AND NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421283August 24, 2011
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT TIRES, LINE SIZE 225/70/R14 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE BEGAN TO HEAR A THUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS PEELING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10418551August 11, 2011
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE MINUTE AFTER STARTING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 181,760.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417973August 8, 2011
SUSPENSION:REAR
1997 FORD RANGER DRIVER SIDE REAR SPRING HANGER RUSTED AWAY & BROKE CAUSING WEIGHT OF VEHICLE TO BE CARRIED BY TRUCK BED FLOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Ranger