Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Ford Ranger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 67 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 67, in the owner's own words
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
AIR BAGS.. DEFLATING, UNSERVICEABLE, DEMAND USELESS, ONLY ON PASSENGER SIDE, DRIVERS SIDE DISLODGED HORN FUEL/PROPULSION.. WITH FUEL TANK FILLED, FIRST HALF(1/2) TANK HAVING EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMED. SECOND (1/2) OF FUEL CONSUMED AT OWNERS MANUAL SPECIFICATIONS OF CITY AND HIGHWAY MILES PER GALLON. THROTTLE PEDAL STIFF, STICKS, AFTER NORMAL DAILY WARM UP, EXTRA FOOT PRESSURE NEEDED TO DISLODGE PEDAL AND CABLE, REAL SLUGGISH AS IF NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH FUEL TO INJECTORS, EVEN AFTER REGULAR MAINTENANCE COMPLETED.. SEAT BELTS.. DRIVERS SIDE HOOKUP RETAINING LATCH MALFUNCTIONS AND " WILL NOT REMAIN LATCHED", SEVERAL ATTEMPTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE GETTING A STRONG SEATBELT CLIP TO LATCH LOCKED ON
LOOKED UNDER MY FORD RANGER AND SAW THAT BOTH OF THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLD THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN IN HALF. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUES ON MY YEAR, BUT ONLY FOR THE FORD F150, NOT THE FORD RANGER, EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE IS THE SAME.
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
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.
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
EACH TIME I FILL UP, THE GAS TANK OVERFLOWS, CREATING A HUGE SAFETY RISK OF EITHER A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *TR
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
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.
THE GAS TANK STRAPS ON MY 1997 RANGER HAVE RUSTED THROUGH DROPPING THE FUEL TANK WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR STRAP HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. THE TANK IS BEING HELD UP WITH COMMERCIAL GRADES STRAPS. IS THIS MODEL BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECENT FORD RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT? I DID NOT SEE THE EXTENDED CAB RANGER MODEL MENTIONED.
FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION/RUST CAUSING FUEL TANK TO PARTIALLY FALL. DEFECTIVE STRAPS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES. *KB
WITHIN THE PAST TWO MONTHS I HAD A SPLIT IN THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILLER PIPE ON MY 1997 FORD RANGER XLT. IN THE COURSE OF HAVING IT REPLACED, THE REPAIR SHOP REMOVED THE GAS TANK AND FOUND THE SAME CONDITION WITH THE METAL STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE, EXTENSIVE CORROSION AS REPORTED ON THE FORD F150. IT APPEARS THE POSSIBILITY OF GAS TANKS DROPPING OUT OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE MORE EXTENSIVE THAN THE INITIAL REPORTS AND MAY APPLY TO OTHER FORD PICK-UP TRUCKS. *TR
FUEL LINE CRACKED ABOVE GAS TANK . STRONG GAS ODOR AFTER DRIVING OR DURING REFILL -GAS WILL SPILL OUT WHEN FILLING TANK UP TO FULL AND GAS SMELL CAN ALSO BE SMELLED DURING COMMUTE. WILL BE TAKING IT IN TO GREENWAY FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN ORLANDO THIS WEEK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FILLED WITH GASOLINE, THE GAS WILL SPILL BACK OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BOTTLE NECK ON THE FILLER CAP IS CORRODED. THIS CAUSES A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY ALL AND THERE IS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75000.
CRACK IN GASOLINE FILLER TOP CAUSING FUMES AND GASOLINE ODOR IN CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING RIGHT. * WHEN FILLING TANK WITH GASOLINE, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK ONTO THE GROUND WHILE FILLING AT THE GAS STATION, AS IF YOU WERE SLOWLY POURING A GLASS OF WATER, MUCH MORE THAN A DRIP. COULD NOT FILL TANK FULL UNTIL REPAIR WAS DONE. MECHANIC REPLACED FILLER AND FILLER NECK. HAD TO REMOVE GAS TANK AND TRUCK BED TO INVESTIGATE AND REPAIR. BIG JOB, BIG HAZARD!! *TR
FUEL LEAKING AROUND FILLER TOP. FIRST TIME SERVICE REPLACED THE HOSE CLAMP, BUT NOW THE FILLER TOP IS CRACKED. OEM REPLACEMENT PART IS $500 PLUS LABOR OF REMOVING GAS TANK , ETC. ODOR A PROBLEM AND POTENTIALLY A FIRE HAZARD. GAS STATIONS DO NOT WANT TO PUT GAS IN LEAKING VEHICLE EITHER. *TR
1997 FORD RANGER XLT ,DATE IS APPROXIMATE SINCE FILLER HOSE SLOWLY CRACKED AND GOT WORSE, SMELLED FUEL CONSTANTLY SINCE 80,000 MILES AND HAD TO EVENTUALLY SPEND 600.00 TO GET IT FIXED AT FORD DEALERSHIP FOR WHAT LOOKED LIKE A SMALL RUBBER HOSE, I WOULD HAVE REPLACED MYSELF BUT COULD NOT LOCATE OEM REPLACEMENT ANYWHERE ELSE INCLUDING ALL AUTO STORES (DEALER ONLY PART), THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, I CONSIDERED IT A TIMEBOMB. THANKFULLY NOTHING DANGEROUS HAPPENED BEFORE I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THOUGH DOING A INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CERTAIN YEARS OF FORD RANGERS WHICH SOME PEOPLE DUE TO COST ARE REPLACING WITH A COMMON RUBBER HOSE WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS STATIC THAT COULD MAKE IT GO UP IN FLAMES. *TR
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: 1. INTERMITTENT WIPERS WILL WIPE 2, 3, 4, 5 TIMES AT RANDOM IN A ROW ALWAYS AND NOT IN THAT ORDER. 2. BACKUP LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW FUSE AFTER REPLACING ALL LIGHTING PARTS 3. HORN WORKS 1% OF THE TIME, UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. 4. AC BLOWS HOT AIR INTERMITTENTLY EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BLOWER BLEND DOOR. 5. GAS: WHEN BELOW 1/4 TANK AND MAKING RIGHT TURN TRUCK WILL STALL, EVEN AFTER WORK ON TANK. *TR
I OWN A 1997 FORD RANGER XLT 4X4 4.0LTR.MANY SHOPS HAVE WORK ON THE FRONT AXEL WHEEL BEARINGS AND SEALS AND RETAINER NUT THIS NUT TAKES A SOCKET 2.3/8 R-6 MOST SHOPS DON'T HAVE IT SO THEY USE WHAT EVER THEY HAVE,CHISELL,LOCKING PLYERS ECT...CREATING FRONT END DAMAGE TO WHEEL BEARINGS,SEALS, BRAKES,CALIPERS,BRAKE DRUMS, MOST OF AL THE TIRES..I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB ALSO DID NOT REMOVE LCKING PIN FROM SPINDEL. *TR
WHEN FILLING FUEL TANK ON 1997 FORD RANGER 4X4 LONG BED, FUEL LEAKS BACK OUT AND PUDDLES ON PAVEMENT BELOW VEHICLE DUE TO A SPLIT THAT HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED IN THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK (HOSE). EVEN WHEN I DO NOT FILL TANK ALL THE WAY (TO PREVENT ABOVE LEAKING) GAS FUMES ARE STILL STRONG AND HAVE ACCUMULATED INSIDE THE CANOPY (TOPPER) ON PICKUP BED. FUEL APPEARS TO LEAK (BASED ON ODOR) AFTER EXECUTING A SHARP TURN, A QUICK STOP, AND WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPY ROADS. FORD'S PRICE FOR A REPLACEMENT FILLER NECK IS PROHIBITIVE (AROUND $450) PLUS LABOR AND THUS, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. *TR
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
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
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.
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
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
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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