1997 Ford Ranger

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Ford Ranger
BUILT 2026-09-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Ranger Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1997 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2016 2017: 1 complaints 2019: 264 complaints 2020: 126 complaints 2021: 112 complaints 2022: 37 complaints 2022 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 73 complaints 2025: 35 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
1997: 411 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198311
198412
198527
198636
198751
198890
198973
1990106
1991133
1992191
1993235
1994455
1995321
1996413
1997411
1998576
1999755
2000670
2001515
2002346
2003243
2004404
2005289
2006271
2007270
2008326
2009168
2010156
2011235
20141
20161
20171
2019264
2020126
2021112
202237
202318
202473
202535
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

TIRES 14%

14% of complaints: tires — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH INJURY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 14%

14% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing filler pipe and cap and tank assembly.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 43 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA ODI report, 20021209

VISIBILITY 9%

9% of complaints: visibility — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and switch/wiring.

SAFETY TIMELINE

1997 — complaint volume: 411
I 19990706 — PE (closed 19991029)

STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS

R 20000826 — tires

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 TIR

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.

Campaign 00T005000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20001002 — DP (closed 20010515)

FRONT SEAT BELT

R 20010604 — tires

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 WILDERN

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.

Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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 WITH

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.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091027 — vehicle speed control

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 2002

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 CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (49 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00T005000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2022 ▲ 1986

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 1998

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.