The 1997 Ford Ranger has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 536 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the interior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED…
Consequence
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
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 CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27,…
Complaints by component
INTERIOR LIGHTING
36
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
34
3crashes4injuries
TIRES
27
1crashes1injuries
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
24
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
21
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
21
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
17
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14
1fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
13
12crashes16injuries
Total complaints536
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Ford ranger 4x4 xlt 4.0l has had problems from the beginning front tires two out , fog lights, air conditioning, transmission shift points , check engine light when new and to this day gas mileage not as stated on window sticker ,also windows motor and controls”
“Ford ranger 4x4 xlt 4.0l has had problems from the beginning front tires two out , fog lights, air conditioning, transmission shift points , check engine light when new and to this day gas mileage not as stated on window sticker ,also windows motor and controls”
“Ford ranger 4x4 xlt 4.0l has had problems from the beginning front tires two out , fog lights, air conditioning, transmission shift points , check engine light when new and to this day gas mileage not as stated on window sticker ,also windows motor and controls”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford ranger. The contact stated that while having a routine inspection at haldeman ford of kutztown, inc. (15465 kutztown rd, kutztown, pa 19530, [REDACTED]) the mechanic determined that the front and rear subframe was severely corroded. After having an emissions…”
“Belt separation on 2 tires in one month time span. Fusion touring 195 70r14 91t. These tires have 8/32 tread remaining. Failures were front right, then left read one month later. Caused difficulty steering as the car was all over the road plus bumpy ride. The tires are visibly bulging baloon. I…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford ranger. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fuel tank was not secured and was hanging from the subframe of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by severe rusting and corrosion of the…”
“Takata recall -- I believe all airbags are defective and more dangerous than riding with seat belts alone. I recommend 100% disabling of airbags and the removal of all airbags and associated hardware from future vehicles.”
“The dome light started turning itself on while parked in front of my house. Sometimes it would turn itself back off. It would also turn on while I was driving at night. I couldn't get the light cover off so I pulled the fuse which leaves me with no windshield washer squirter. The check engine…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP00005 Opened 2000-10-02 · closed 2001-05-15
FRONT SEAT BELT
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE99045 Opened 1999-07-06 · closed 1999-10-29
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Ford Ranger as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.