1997 Ford Ranger
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 411
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Tires
Campaigns on file for 1997
Opened by NHTSA
14% of complaints
Complaints per year
1997: 411 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 36 |
| 1987 | 51 |
| 1988 | 90 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 133 |
| 1992 | 191 |
| 1993 | 235 |
| 1994 | 455 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 269 |
| 2020 | 129 |
| 2021 | 117 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Tires
14% · 58 reportsMost commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.
Fuel system, gasoline
14% · 58 reportsMost commonly citing filler pipe and cap and tank assembly.
Service brakes
12% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Power train
10% · 43 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
No summary. Dt
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-09
Visibility
9% · 36 reportsMost commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and switch/wiring.
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1997Complaint volume 411 complaints filed for this model year.
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1999-07-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-10-29 Steering knuckle separations
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2000-08-26Tires00T005000 Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size P235/75R15, produced at the decatur, Illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx ii tires, size P235/75R15. Operation of these…
Remedy: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on August 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.
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2000-10-02Defect petitionClosed 2001-05-15 Front seat belt
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2001-06-04Tires01X001000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Equipment description: Ford is replacing all firestone…
Remedy: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on March 31, 2002. However, customers can contact Ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.Ford.com for possible assistance.
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…
Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
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2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 Windstar, 2000-2003 Excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 SD through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1997 and…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module…
Buy-smart checklist
1997 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Tires: 58 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel system, gasoline: 58 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 49 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 00T005000 · Tires
- Recall 01X001000 · Tires
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1997 Ford Ranger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford Ranger is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Ranger?
- The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Ranger have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.