1997 Ford Ranger Suspension Problems

REAR LEAF SPRING HANGERS/SHACKLES RUSTED OFF AS WELL AS THE FRONT ONES ON THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS. SPARE TIRE CARRIER FELL DOWN DRAGGING THE SPARE TIRE ACROSS THE ROAD. ONE CROSSMEMBER HOLDING UP THE FRONT OF THE GAS TANK IS READY TO GO. BOTH GAS TANK STRAPS ROTTED OFF. TOYOTA WAS MADE TO FIX THESE ISSUES. WHY NOT FORD? I WORK AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPLACING ROTTEN FRAMES ON TUNDRAS, SEQUOIAS, AND TACOMA VEHICLES. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE AS BOTH THE FRAMES FOR TOYOTA AND FORD ARE BUILT AT THE SAME FACTORY IF I AM CORRECT? THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD ALL TIMES THE ABOVE LISTED FAILED. SOME TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, OTHERS IN TOWN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE SELLING THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WHEN IT'S READY TO GO.

NHTSA ID

10781853

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

REPORTING NUMEROUS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASED USED ---ORIGINAL OCCURRENCE DATE NOT CERTAIN BUT OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS MECHANICAL FAILURES OCCURRED THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITIES. THE FAILURES INCLUDE BUT NOT EXCLUSIVE TO ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND LEAKED ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID --REAR BODY SUPPORT SYSTEM GAVE OUT DURING DRIVING AND REAR WHEELS AND AXLES NOT ATTACHED TO BODY ---VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WENT OFF INTO SHOULDER--RADIAL AXIAL ARM RUSTED AWAY AND STEERING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. GAS LEAKS FROM TOP OF TANK IF FILLED TO FULL --LEAKS ON TO GROUND AND COULD RESULT IN GAS FIRE AND EXPLOSION --DO NOT FILL TANK MORE THAN 3/4 ! ALL BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE REPLACED AND FREQUENT CHECKS OF STEERING AND SUSPENSION. I AM REPORTING THIS TO MAKE OWNERS AWARE AND TAKE PRECAUTION TO PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH.. *TR

NHTSA ID

10614454

Incident

May 2, 2011

Mileage

145,000 mi

FRAME IS NEARLY GONE / RUSTED , REAREND / AXLE FELL OUT IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10453240

Incident

Mar 24, 2012

Mileage

123,000 mi

DRIVING DOWN ROAD REAR SPRING BROKE ANOTHER TIME SPAR TIRE CAME OF ALMOST CAUSING CRASH ,HAVE REPAIRED BOTH REAR SPRING BRACKETS ,TWO FRONT SUSPENSION , LOST SPARE AND FRAME ABOUT TO BRAKE AWAY . WHAT SHOULD I DO . HAVE LOT OF MONEY INVESTED . *TR

NHTSA ID

10434773

Incident

Feb 13, 2010

Mileage

93,000 mi

WHILE WORKING ON AND DOING AN UNDERBODY INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SPRING HANGER IS ALMOST ROTTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. IT IS A CAUSE FOR ALARM FOR ME AND ANYBODY DRIVING NEAR ME ON THE HIGHWAY. IF NOT FIXED IT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A DEADLY ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ROTTED AS WELL. FRONT SUSPENSION IS ROTTING AS AT A FAST RATE. THE TRUCK SEEMS TO JUMP INTO OTHER LANES AFTER HITTING POT HOLES OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10430725

Incident

Oct 13, 2011

WHILE GOING DOWN HILL AND AROUND A CURVE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM REAR AND FELT BACK OF TRUCK MOVE SIDE WAYS. A SHORT TIME AFTER, ANOTHER LOUD NOISE FROM REAR AND REAR OF TRUCK DROPPED LOW . I LOST CONTROL AND WENT ONTO SHOULDER AND SLOWED DOWN WAS ABLE TO RECOVER AND AT SLOW SPEED WENT HOME. ON INSPECTION FOUND BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING FORWARD SHACKLE SUPPORTS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. WAS LUCKY NOT GOING FASTER AS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN VERY SERIOUS CRASH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND WARN OWNERS OF POSSIBLE FAILURE OF LEAF SPRING. AND LOSS OF CONTROL TRUCK IS PARKED AND NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10424326

Incident

Sep 7, 2011

Mileage

172,567 mi

1997 FORD RANGER DRIVER SIDE REAR SPRING HANGER RUSTED AWAY & BROKE CAUSING WEIGHT OF VEHICLE TO BE CARRIED BY TRUCK BED FLOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10417973

Incident

Aug 6, 2011

FORD RANGER 1997 REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. HEARD LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. INSPECTED TRUCK AND FOUND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SPRING MOUNTS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. FRONT SPRING MOUNTS ALMOST RUSTED AWAY -NEAR LOSS OF REAR AXEL AND SUSPENSION !!! VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IF HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD HAVE BEEN TOTAL LOSS OF REAR SUSPENSION. ALSO DROPPING AXEL WITH LEAF SPRINGS NOT GOOD FOR ANY TRAFFIC FOLLOWING VEHICLE. MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AS NO OTHER RUST APPARENT ON TRUCK OUTSIDE OR ELSEWHERE UNDER TRUCK. INFERIOR METAL USED FOR SPRING MOUNTS WHICH IS APPARENTLY VERY PRONE TO RUST COMPARED TO REST OF TRUCK. HIGHLY RECOMMEND ALL FORD RANGER OWNERS BE NOTIFIED AND ADVISED TO HAVE SPRING MOUNTS INSPECTED BEFORE FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURS. CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH THAT THERE WERE NO SYMPTOMS NOTED BEFORE FAILURE, AND NO APPARENT RUST ON TRUCK TO INDICATE ANY PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10402406

Incident

May 23, 2011

Mileage

123,248 mi

REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKETS RUSTING AND BREAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10349528

Incident

Jul 3, 2010

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, BOTH REAR SPRINGS FELL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE WITHOUT INCIDENT AND CONTACTED THE DEALER IN WHICH HE PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER ADVISED IT WAS THE CONTACTS RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES INCLUDING A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND MUFFLER FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 119,000.

NHTSA ID

10334002

Incident

Feb 9, 2010

Mileage

119,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10326662

Incident

Jun 9, 2006

Mileage

1,500 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10278379

Incident

Jul 22, 2009

Mileage

73,000 mi

A FEW THINGS HERE, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT RANDOM. HAD IT CHECKED A FEW TIMES. NO PROBLEMS FOUND. DOME LIGHT/DOOR CHIME WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN DOOR IS SHUT AND/OR CAR IS TURNED ON. LEFT HAND BLINKER WENT NUTS A FEW TIME, BASICLY IT WAS BLINKING AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. A FEW SECOND 'POWER LOSS' HAPPEND A FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING, LOST POWER TO RAIDO, AND LIGHTS. THE REAR END BOUNCES WAY TOO MUCH WHEN I HIT A BUMP, CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10051112

Incident

Dec 23, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ID

8023236

Incident

Nov 4, 2002

WHEN DRIVING MY RANGER IF I HIT A SMALL BUMP OR POTHOLE THE TRUCK BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WANTS TO JUMP UNCONTROLLABLY FROM LANE TO LANE POSING DANGER TO MYSELF OR OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. RECENTLY I NOTICED A SMALL HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE ROOF OF THE CAB ABOVE THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER PANEL PROTRUDES AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS TELLS ME SOMETHINGIS SERIOUSLY WRONG AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD.NOT ONLY IS THE TRUCK A HAZARD BECAUSE OF THE UNSTABLENESS OF OPERATION NOW IT HAS A STRESS PROBLEM AS WELL AND IF IN AN ACCIDENT I WONDER IF THE THE STRUCTURE WOULD HOLD UP AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. I HAVE SINCE PURCHASED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD AM REFRAINING FROM OPERATING THIS VEHICLE UNTIL A LATER DATE. I HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *AK

NHTSA ID

754684

FRONT END WAS MISALIGNED. DEALER COULD NOT ALIGN VEHICLE CORRECTLY.*AK

NHTSA ID

881979

Incident

Mar 2, 2001

BOTH REAR CENTER LEAF SPRINGS BROKE IN HALF! *AK

NHTSA ID

720887

Incident

Apr 1, 2000

DRY SPINDLES AND BALL JOINT BEARINGS, MECHANIC PUT PICKUP ON JACK SAID " WE WRE LUCKY WE DIDNT WRECK" TIRE LEANED OUTWARD , EVENTULAY WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF. *AK--

NHTSA ID

717808

Incident

Jan 22, 2000

LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE (MOST RECENT INCIDENT) WHEN I HIT A WASHBOARDED SECTION ON A DIRT ROAD (KOEHN RD. BETWEEN CAPAC RD. AT KNOLL RD., MUSSEY TWP., ST. CLAIR COUNTY). RANGER REPEATEDLY LOSES CONTROL WHEN IT HITS BUMPS OR WASHBOARDS, OFTEN CAUSING LANE CHANGES OR SEVERE SKIDS. DEALER DISMISSED COMPLAINTS, SAID IT WAS "NORMAL" FOR TRUCK SUSPENSION. OUR OTHER TRUCKS ('74 CHEVY C-10, '85 ASTRO, '85 S-10 BLAZER, '88 S-10 BLAZER, '94 CARAVAN, '95 SONOMA) HAVE NEVER DONE THIS. WE WERE ABLE TO ALLEVIATE A LITTLE OF THE PROBLEM BY REDUCING THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES TO 30 PSI, BUT WE STILL LOSE CONTROL FREQUENTLY, ON BUMPY PAVED ROADS AS WELL AS DIRT ROADS.

NHTSA ID

712703

Incident

Sep 30, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND GOING OVER A BUMP VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT, AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER'S SHOP FOR REPAIRS, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

846208

Incident

Jan 1, 1999

WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP/RAILROAD TRACKS OR A RIGHT HAND TURN, VEHICLE PULLED OVER TO THE LEFT. ALSO HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ID

843809

Incident

Jul 27, 1999

ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES, EACH FOR UNEVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES AND A CONSTANT VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID

834972

Incident

Feb 1, 1997

SHOCK ABSORBER FAILURE.MGM

NHTSA ID

606910

Incident

Oct 1, 1996

POOR SUSPENSION SYSTEM CAUSING VIBRATION,BOUNCING AND UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE RESULTUNG IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

539501

ENGINE FAILS TO START.

NHTSA ID

523619

Incident

Dec 17, 1996