1997 Ford Ranger complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH ATTEMPTING A LEFT HAND TURN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BE TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE MOVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING BOX HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85000.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 55 MPH, BUT TO NO AVAIL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE SURFACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

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

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.

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

WITH ALL CONTROLS IN OFF POSITION, VERY HOT AIR STARTS COMING FROM FLOOR VENT (97 FORD RANGER) ALSO WHEN A/C IS TURNED ON,,HOT AIR COMES OUT. REPLACED SWITCH FOR HEAT/AIR CONTROL. *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 ENGINE OCCASIONALLY RACES (RUNAWAY ACCELERATION) ON MY 1997 FORD RANGER 4X4 WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND OVERDRIVE AND 3.0L ENGINE. THE ACCELERATION TENDS TO OCCUR AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70 MPH) AND THEN DRIVE AT SLOWER SPEEDS SUCH AS IN AN URBAN SETTING. AT SUCH TIMES, THE IDLE REMAINS RATHER HIGH AND ENGINE RACING OCCURS WHEN I ENGAGE THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE ENGINE RACING CAUSES THE GEARS TO CLASH (GRIND) AND RESIST SHIFTING; I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS SLOWING OF FORWARD MOTION SINCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON TO INDICATE IT. SOMETIMES THE ACCELERATION RUNS AWAY, AND I HAVE HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO PREVENT BLOWING THE ENGINE. I HAVE TAKEN THE PROBLEM TO SEVERAL MECHANICS INCLUDING FORD, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. THERE EVIDENTLY WAS A RECALL FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS. *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

I CAME OUTSIDE TO MY 1997 FORD RANGER XLT AND IT WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AN IN THE CAB ALREADY. THEN IT EXPLODED! *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

I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT HAVING MY VEHICLE SERVICE, AND I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. I WENT TO THE LEONARDTOWN DEALERSHIP ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009, WITH MY LETTER FOR RECALL, AND WAS GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DISCONNECT THE SPEED DEACTIVATION SWITCH. I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR MR. JOHN JARBOE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN COMING ON AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. HE SHOWED ME A DIAGRAM OF THE SWITCH, WHERE IT IS LOCATED NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND TOLD ME THAT I CAN DISCONNECT IT MYSELF, AND IF I WANTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE OTHER PROBLEM. I THOUGHT FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING THIS REPAIR NOT ME. I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I WAS TOLD THAT I CAN HAVE IT TOWED IN AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. I AM NO SURE IF THIS SWITCH IS THE PROBLEM, BUT EVEN IF IT ISN'T ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO DEACTIVATE THE SWITCH NOT ME. I AM NOT A MECHANIC. *TR

SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE --TWO INSTANCES FIRST IN SEPT 2009 AND TODAY --SEVERE CORROSION ON REAR BRAKE LINES AND LOSE OF BRAKE FLUID AND NO BRAKES ---NEED TO CHECK ALL 1997 FORD RANGERS XLT FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. I HAVE HAD REPAIRS MADE AS AFRAID OF REPEAT ALSO NOTICE CORROSION AT FRONT BRAKE LINES. *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.

DROVE MY 1997 FORD RANGER TRUCK TO LUNCH AT WORK UPON RETURNING SITTING DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES A COWORKER RAN INTO THE PLANT SAYING MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE MY MASTER CYLINDER FOR MY BRAKES WAS ON FIRE AND WAS PUT OUT THERE IS ALOT OF DAMAGE. I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ABS BREAK SENSOR DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THEM OR NOT HOPE YOU CAN HELP. *TR

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE SPEED WAS REDUCED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-BUILT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,099 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 126,431. UPDATED 05/08/09 *BF THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SEAT BROKE LOOSE. UPDATED 05/12/09.*JB UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT A COMPLAINT WAS MADE IN JUNE OF 2002 ABOUT A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN HER 1997 FORD RANGER AND WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION OPEN. *NJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM HIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. A FIRE COULD ERUPT IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD THE FILLER HOSE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER HOSES CRACKED AND CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL TO SPILL OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHEN IT IS FILLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $600 TO REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,609 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,839. UPDATED 2/9/09 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE FULE FILTER. UPDATED 02/13/09. *JB UPDATED 07/20/09 *BF UPDATED ADDRESS. 07/21/09. *JB

RE: 1997 FORD RANGER. THE PEDAL MOUNT BRACKET (MOULDED ALUMINUM) FRACTURED, CAUSING THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH AND PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKE. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD NEVER, EVER, EVER FAIL IN NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT, BUCKLE LATCH DID NOT LOCK FIRMLY. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LATCH WOULD DISENGAGE WITH A LIGHT TUG. THERE APPEAR TO BE BROKEN PARTS OR FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE MECHANISM PREVENTING PROPER FUNCTION. DUE TO THE MANNER OF CONSTRUCTION, THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE DEFECT IS NOT READILY VISIBLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT'S SISTER OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER FUEL IS PLACED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL LEAKS OUT ON TWO SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL OVERFLOW WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,819 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

THE FUEL FILLER HOSE HAS A HOLE IN IT, THEREFORE WHEN YOU FILL UP YOUR VEHICLE; GAS LEAKS OUT ONTO THE GROUND. I WAS NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM UNTIL I WAS FUELING ONE DAY AND I ENDED UP WITH A PUDDLE ON THE GROUND. THIS IS NOT ONLY A FIRE HAZARD, BUT ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL ONE TOO. *TR

FUEL FILLER HOSE. THE HOSES (BOTH INNER & OUTER CRACK AND CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL TO SPILL OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK IF FUEL TANK IS FILLED. THE HOSE IS AN EXPENSIVE PART TO REPLACE. I WAS TOLD BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THIS PART IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PARTS THEY SELL." (THE PART COSTS BETWEEN $225.00 AND $500.00) PLUS LABOR. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO A 1997 FORD RANGER AND FUEL FILLER HOSE BEING FAULTY. THE HOSE ITSELF HAS CRACKS IN IT AND LEAKS FUEL UPON REFILL PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD AS WELL AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD DUE TO THE FUEL VAPORS THAT ARE ALLOWED TO ESCAPE TO THE ENVIRONMENT DUE TO THE CRACKS IN FAULTY FUEL FILLER HOSE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ISSUE. PLEASE PUT FORTH AN EFFORT TO CORRECT PROBLEM BEFORE FIRE, INJURIES, AND , POTENTIAL DEATHS ARE SUSTAINED, ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

THE FUEL FILLER HOSE ON MY MOTHER-IN-LAWS 1997 FORD RANGER DEVELOPED NUMEROUS CRACKS WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE TANK. THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN GASOLINE SPILLS WHENEVER SHE COMPLETELY FILLS THE TANK. THE TANK IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH CREATES A FIRE HAZARD. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE COMMON WITH 1990-1997 RANGERS, ACCORDING TO NUMEROUS ONLINE POSTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A MAJOR FUEL LEAK AND SMELLED A STRANGE ODOR IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A FAILED FUEL FILLER TUBE. THE MECHANICS ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $800 TO HAVE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL TANK EVERY TIME HE ADDS FUEL TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND HAS SINCE BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE WAS HIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A FIRE MAY OCCUR AT ANY TIME. HE HAS PHOTOS IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,479.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED NEW GOODYEAR MOHAVE R/S (NA), SIZE P215/70R/14 TIRES IN OCTOBER OF 2005. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE IN MAY OF 2007, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT OFFERED HER REPLACEMENT TIRES, IF THEY QUALIFIED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL HER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS RARELY DRIVEN AND THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE TIRES SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,697.

NOTED FUEL RUNNING ONTO THE GROUND WHILE REFUELING VEHICLE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A RUBBER PORTION OF THE FUEL FILLER ASSEMBLY NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO THE FUEL TANK HAD SPLIT. CONTACTED LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY OFFERED TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT FUEL FILLER ASSEMBLY BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED. PART COST EXCEEDS $400. ESTIMATED LABOR IS ~$200. NOTE: THIS SAME PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED BY OTHERS. SEE COMPLAINT NUMBERS 10151411, 870010 & 10110378. I DID NOT SEARCH THE DATABASE FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS BUT THERE IS SUFFICIENT ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN EXTREMELY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH BOTH FORD RANGER AND MAZDA B-SERIES VEHICLES FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER APT III P225/70R14 DOT# Y7FCPT40207. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. HE REPLACED THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 109,170 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,130. THE CONSUMER STATED A BRAND NEW TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES. UPDATED 08/24/07 *TR

FUEL FILLER TUBE CRACKED WHERE IT ENTERS THE FUEL TANK, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK WHEN FILLING UP. *JB

TL*- THE FUEL LEAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY REFUELED. THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE FUEL FILLER ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD HE NEEDED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE LOOKED AT, AND WOULD BE CHARGED AN $80 FEE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE $80 FEE IS APPROPRIATE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME DISENGAGED ON A FREQUENT BASIS. THE CONTACT CHECKED FOR DEBRIS AND DIRT IN THE BUCKLE AND STATED THERE WAS NONE. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO BUY A NEW SEAT BELT, WHICH WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PRESSURE SPRING ASSEMBLT BECOMES WEAK OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB

1997 FORD RANGER. WHENEVER I FILL UP WITH GAS, IT LEAKS OUT THE VENT OR THE FILLER TUBE. NOT EXACTLY SURE YET. IF I PUSH THE FUEL NOZZLE ALL THE WAY IN THE FILLER I CAN GET ALMOST A FULL TANK BEFORE IT LEAKS OUT THE BOTTOM. IF I JUST INSTALL THE FILLER HOSE AND LET IT FILL AUTOMATICALLY IT WILL START LEAKING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY A PUDDLE OF GAS WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND AN ODOR OF GAS WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE FILLER PIPE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.

FUEL FILLER HOSE CRACKED LEADING TO LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLAGE. PART IS NOT AVAILABLE SEPARATELY FROM DEALER AND NO AFTERMARKET PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE PART CONSISTED OF PARTS THAT WERE UNNECESSARY TO THE PROPER REPAIR. *NM

DURING FUELING OF VEHICLE A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS OCCURRING AT EACH FUELING. I FIRST NOTICED WHAT APPEARED TO BE MOISTURE UNDER THE TRUCK AND BEING IN A HIGH TEMP/HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENT THOUGHT IT WAS AC CONDENSATION. RECENTLY WHILE NOT RUNNING THE AC NOTICED THE LEAKAGE AND CRAWLED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SMELL THE LIQUID. IT WAS GAS. I AM VERY CONCERNED SINCE THE LEAK IS VERY CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND AS WELL AS BEING AN ENVIRONMENTAL (EPA) HAZARD. IT IS AMAZING THE ECM MODULE FUEL EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT THE DEFECT IN THE CLOSED LOOP EMISSION SYSTEM AND SET AN EMISSION ERROR FAULT CODE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY GALLONS OF FUEL LEAKED DUE TO THIS CONDITIONS. IT IS IMPORTANT WE HAVE 'NO OZONE ACTION DAYS' WHERE REFUELING IS RESTRICTED BUT ALLOW KNOWN DEFECTS. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE WHICH FORD MODELS /YEARS USED THIS LESS THAN ROBUST FUEL SUPPLY CONNECTION SYSTEMS. IF A PROPER DESIGN FMEA AND SHA (SAFETY HAZARD ANALYSIS) WERE CONDUCTED FOR THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE AND ITS MATING CONNECTIONS. THIS CONDITION SHOULD REPORTED FOR A RECALL FOR THE POTENTIAL SAFETY, EMISSIONS ISSUES (HEALTH,OZONE) AND DETERMINE WHY THE ECM DOES NOT DETECT A EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS LEAK CONDITION. *NM

WHEN REFILLING GAS TANK, GAS SPILLS AND RUNS DOWN ALONG GAS TANK DURING LAST 1 GALLON OF FUEL. TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, I STOPPED COMPLETELY FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AFTER 8 YEARS OF USE AND ABOUT 100,000 MILES. *NM

SO MANY FUEL SPILLS UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN FILLING THE TANK. *JB

FUEL LINE SEVERELY CRACKED ABOVE GAS TANK. OPENINGS WERE DIRECTLY ABOVE TANK, ONLY VISIBLE WITH THE BED REMOVED. STRONG GAS ODOR AFTER DRIVING OR DURING REFILL WERE THE ONLY INDICATIONS OF PROBLEM. *NM

ON JAN 5, 2006 WHILE RE-FUELING MY 1997 FORD RANGE AT MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE A LADY ON THE NEXT FUEL PUMP TOLD ME THAT I WAS LEAKING SOMETHING FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. I STOPPED PUMPING FUEL TO SEE WHAT IS WAS BUT THE LEEK STOP. I THEN CONTINUE TO REFUEL MY VEHICLE AND THE LEEK STARTED ONCE AGAIN IN LARGE QUANITIES. AFTER REFUELING I WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER AT MACDILL AIR FORCE AND GOT THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THAT FUEL FILLER LINE TO THE GAS TANK HAD MULTIPLE CRACKS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

LTR FM EDWARD KURRELL (PA) RE FAULTY PARTS & POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP OF FORD VEHICLES, THE MOTOR IN HIS 1997 FORD RANGER BLEW UP DUE TO A FAULTY THERMOSTAT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEEDED NEW TIRES AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT WORK. *JB

1997 FORD RANGER REEKS FUEL DURING FILLING AT PUMP. STOPS WHEN FILLING STOPS. CHECKED FUEL FILL LINE AND TANK, FOUND LARGE CRACK IN FILL LINE ABOVE HOSE CLAMP. TANK AND LINE HAVE NEVER BEEN REMOVED BEFORE. THIS TYPE OF HOSE SHOULDN'T BE SPLITTING. CONTACTED SEVERAL AUTO STORES ONLY AVAILABLE AT DEALER. COST $200+ IN MY AREA. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FRAME FELL OFF FROM THE WALL. ONE COULD SEE WHERE THE RIVET HOLES WERE, THEY HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE WALL. IT WAS A CLEAN BREAK, BUT THE RIVETS WERE DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS NO RUST ON THE FRAME. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER;THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

ROOF SUPPORT/ VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCY TO BOUNCE ALL OVER THE ROAD BAD SUSPENSION! HIGHER CENTER GRAVITY! MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ROLL, NOT ONLY TO ROLL AND LOSE CONTROL THE ROOF SUPPORT IS NOTHING BUT THIN CHEAP METAL THAT CAN BE EASILY SMUSHED. I KNOW I BROKE MY NECK AND NOW I AM DISABLE....FORD RANGERS SHOULDN'T BE ON THE ROAD WITH A HIGHER CENTER OF GRAVITY...MAKE THEM SAFER....WIDER OR LOWER BUT NOT THE WAY THEY ARE NOW TRUCK IS A HAZARD A LIFE THREATENING HAZARD..MORE WAYS THAN ONE! *NM