Model year record

1997 Ford Ranger

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 536 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-13
Owners notified
2009-10-27

Defect description

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 CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer 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, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Interior lighting36101,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt3450,379 mi
Tires2745,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer24101,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline21110,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2159,099 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1968,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip17
Electrical system14100,000 mi
Air bags: frontal13
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1348,000 mi
Suspension13100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control13130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly952,900 mi
Unknown or other963,300 mi
Fuel/propulsion system8129,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission821,668 mi
Structure: body8110,000 mi
Air bags753,423 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner7
Structure: body: door7
Suspension: rear7123,248 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal769,205 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline684,295 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields6123,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash560,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights5
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings5105,015 mi
Seats559,099 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system570,000 mi
Engine460,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly4
Seat belts4106,243 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner4
Service brakes, hydraulic41,500 mi
Steering485,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling359,099 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system345,000 mi
Equipment31,500 mi
Exterior lighting370,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch3
Parking brake3170,800 mi
Power train3135,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint3
Service brakes3145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Steering: gear box: shaft sector376,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control3150,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3150,249 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring3
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling: engine273,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, other21,500 mi
Power train: clutch assembly2
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)245,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly272,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Steering: column2120,380 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2
Structure: frame and members214,000 mi
Tires: sidewall2
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood178,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1100,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: fog lights1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly1100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank1105,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging170,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Power train: driveline: universal joint1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, electric1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: linkages1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: roof and pillars1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1119,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: leaf1
Traction control system11,500 mi
Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core195,905 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels: rim1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.