Ford Ranger Complaints (1997)

411 consumer complaints on file.

#10318601March 10, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE GASOLINE HOSE FROM THE FILLER CAP TO THE TANK IS CRACKING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AS SEEN ON RANGER WEB FORUMS. THIS CAUSES GASOLINE TO LEAK FROM THE HOSE AS THE TANK FILLS. THE FUEL SPILLS ON THE GROUND OR VERY NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE ENTIRE SCENARIO COULD CAUSE A MAJOR FIRE INCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, THIS HOSE CRACKING OCCURRED YEARS AGO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEWER, BUT NOT REPORTED UNTIL NOW. THIS CRACKING SHOULD NOT OCCUR AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE IF GAS FUMES WERE TO IGNITE. THE CRACKING OCCURS MOSTLY AT THE CORNER WHERE THE HOSE ENTERS THE GASOLINE TANK. IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REPAIR WITHOUT MAJOR COSTS DUE TO ITS LOCATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10301995January 23, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I CAME OUTSIDE TO MY 1997 FORD RANGER XLT AND IT WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AN IN THE CAB ALREADY. THEN IT EXPLODED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295637December 14, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL FILLER HOSE CRACKS PREMATURELY AT THE CONNECTION TO THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT FUEL SPILLAGE DURING REFUELING AS WELL AS PROBABLY SPLASHING OUT DURING DRIVING. FUEL VAPORS SURELY ESCAPE ALL THE TIME AS WELL. BOTH SITUATIONS LEAD TO A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD SAFETY ISSUE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF FORD RANGERS WITH SAFETY COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE AS WELL AS DISCUSSIONS ON VARIOUS FORD RANGER FORUMS. THE OEM FORD PART LISTS FOR ~$400. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293641November 26, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT HAVING MY VEHICLE SERVICE, AND I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. I WENT TO THE LEONARDTOWN DEALERSHIP ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009, WITH MY LETTER FOR RECALL, AND WAS GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DISCONNECT THE SPEED DEACTIVATION SWITCH. I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR MR. JOHN JARBOE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN COMING ON AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. HE SHOWED ME A DIAGRAM OF THE SWITCH, WHERE IT IS LOCATED NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND TOLD ME THAT I CAN DISCONNECT IT MYSELF, AND IF I WANTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE OTHER PROBLEM. I THOUGHT FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING THIS REPAIR NOT ME. I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I WAS TOLD THAT I CAN HAVE IT TOWED IN AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. I AM NO SURE IF THIS SWITCH IS THE PROBLEM, BUT EVEN IF IT ISN'T ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO DEACTIVATE THE SWITCH NOT ME. I AM NOT A MECHANIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293426November 24, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, PARKING BRAKE
SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE --TWO INSTANCES FIRST IN SEPT 2009 AND TODAY --SEVERE CORROSION ON REAR BRAKE LINES AND LOSE OF BRAKE FLUID AND NO BRAKES ---NEED TO CHECK ALL 1997 FORD RANGERS XLT FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. I HAVE HAD REPAIRS MADE AS AFRAID OF REPEAT ALSO NOTICE CORROSION AT FRONT BRAKE LINES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287474October 15, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL FILLER TUBE CRACKS AT THE FUEL PUMP, RESULTING IN FUEL POURING OUT AND FUEL VAPORS ESCAPING WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE PARKED. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. *TR FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SELLS REPLACEMENT FILLER TUBES FOR UPWARDS OF $500, NOT INCLUDING LABOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284635September 19, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
DROVE MY 1997 FORD RANGER TRUCK TO LUNCH AT WORK UPON RETURNING SITTING DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES A COWORKER RAN INTO THE PLANT SAYING MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE MY MASTER CYLINDER FOR MY BRAKES WAS ON FIRE AND WAS PUT OUT THERE IS ALOT OF DAMAGE. I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ABS BREAK SENSOR DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THEM OR NOT HOPE YOU CAN HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278379July 27, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
FOUND DRIVERS SIDE REAR SPRING SUPPORT (FRONT) THAT ATTACHES TO THE FRAME RAIL WAS BROKEN FROM RUSTING APART. WHILE REPLACING IT, ALSO FOUND THE REAR SPRING SUPPORTS (REAR) ON BOTH SIDES BROKEN FROM RUSTING APART. THIS APPEARS TO BE A POOR DESIGN OR UNDER ENGINEERED PART. THE TRUCK IS 1997 FORD RANGER PICKUP WITH ONLY 73K MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED TO CARRY ANYTHING HEAVY. THIS SEEMS TO BE HIGHLY UNUSUAL THAT THREE BRACKETS ARE BROKEN ON ONE TRUCK FROM RUSTING APART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273943June 16, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1997 FORD SPLASH RANGER SHORT BED TRUCK LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL FILLER HOSE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK. THE HOSE IS CRACKED BUT NOT ROTTEN AND FUEL LEAKS ON THE GROUND WHEN FILLING THE TANK AND ALSO WHEN THE TANK IS NEAR FULL. DEFINITE FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268908May 16, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1997 FORD RANGER XLT SHORT BED TRUCK LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL FILLER HOSE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK. THE HOSE WAS CRACKED BUT NOT ROTTEN AND FUEL WOULD LEAK WHILE FILLING THE TANK AND ALSO WHEN THE TANK WAS NEAR FULL, BUT ALWAYS HAD FUEL VAPORS ESCAPING. A FIRE HAZARD AND EXCESSIVE HYDRO CARBON EMISSIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265248April 14, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SEATS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE SPEED WAS REDUCED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-BUILT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,099 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 126,431. UPDATED 05/08/09 *BF THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SEAT BROKE LOOSE. UPDATED 05/12/09.*JB UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263371March 20, 2009
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER STATES THAT A COMPLAINT WAS MADE IN JUNE OF 2002 ABOUT A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN HER 1997 FORD RANGER AND WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION OPEN. *NJ
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10261714March 13, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM HIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. A FIRE COULD ERUPT IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD THE FILLER HOSE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252827December 26, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER HOSES CRACKED AND CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL TO SPILL OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHEN IT IS FILLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $600 TO REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,609 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,839. UPDATED 2/9/09 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE FULE FILTER. UPDATED 02/13/09. *JB UPDATED 07/20/09 *BF UPDATED ADDRESS. 07/21/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248782November 14, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
RE: 1997 FORD RANGER. THE PEDAL MOUNT BRACKET (MOULDED ALUMINUM) FRACTURED, CAUSING THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH AND PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKE. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD NEVER, EVER, EVER FAIL IN NORMAL OPERATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238501August 16, 2008
SEAT BELTS
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT, BUCKLE LATCH DID NOT LOCK FIRMLY. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LATCH WOULD DISENGAGE WITH A LIGHT TUG. THERE APPEAR TO BE BROKEN PARTS OR FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE MECHANISM PREVENTING PROPER FUNCTION. DUE TO THE MANNER OF CONSTRUCTION, THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE DEFECT IS NOT READILY VISIBLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227618May 13, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT'S SISTER OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER FUEL IS PLACED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL LEAKS OUT ON TWO SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL OVERFLOW WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,819 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227532May 12, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE FUEL FILLER HOSE HAS A HOLE IN IT, THEREFORE WHEN YOU FILL UP YOUR VEHICLE; GAS LEAKS OUT ONTO THE GROUND. I WAS NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM UNTIL I WAS FUELING ONE DAY AND I ENDED UP WITH A PUDDLE ON THE GROUND. THIS IS NOT ONLY A FIRE HAZARD, BUT ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL ONE TOO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227165May 9, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL FILLER HOSE. THE HOSES (BOTH INNER & OUTER CRACK AND CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL TO SPILL OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK IF FUEL TANK IS FILLED. THE HOSE IS AN EXPENSIVE PART TO REPLACE. I WAS TOLD BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THIS PART IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PARTS THEY SELL." (THE PART COSTS BETWEEN $225.00 AND $500.00) PLUS LABOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226755May 5, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO A 1997 FORD RANGER AND FUEL FILLER HOSE BEING FAULTY. THE HOSE ITSELF HAS CRACKS IN IT AND LEAKS FUEL UPON REFILL PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD AS WELL AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD DUE TO THE FUEL VAPORS THAT ARE ALLOWED TO ESCAPE TO THE ENVIRONMENT DUE TO THE CRACKS IN FAULTY FUEL FILLER HOSE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ISSUE. PLEASE PUT FORTH AN EFFORT TO CORRECT PROBLEM BEFORE FIRE, INJURIES, AND , POTENTIAL DEATHS ARE SUSTAINED, ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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