Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the speed control switch melted. The contact stated that he had not experienced a failure prior to the vehicle being repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Idle speed rises to 3,000 RPM in between shifts and while coasting with clutch pedal depressed. Does not drop to normal idle speed until vehicle comes to a complete stop. This causes braking to be less effective.
Due to the recent recall of Ford f-150 pickups, I thought I would pass this along. I own a 1997 Ford Ranger pickup. It too had a failure of the cruise control deactivation switch. Although it leaked brake fluid onto my driveway and sprayed fluid throughout the left side of the engine compartment no serious damage occurred. It cost me the price of a new switch, brake fluid and the cleaner for the drive and engine compartment. I can see a potential for brake failure and fire if left undetected.
Today my accelerator failed. I was sitting at a red light. I went to accelerate by pushing on the accelerator pedal with my right foot. There was no acceleration. The accelerator pedal had failed. Further investigation revealed three spot welds that held a plate to the firewall had failed. The accelerator pedal pivots on this plate and attached bolt. I was able to do a temporary repair today. But, the failure in traffic was very dangerous.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose power sporadically before abnormally accelerating. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the failure could not be stopped by applying the brakes. In addition, there was an abnormal spike in engine rpms when the failure occurred. The vehicle would correct itself shortly thereafter. The failure mileage was 126,000 and the current mileage was 136,252.
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.
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. Updated 11/29/2005 -
Bracket holding gas pedal detached from car sheet metal that is between engine and passenger compartment. Unit hanging by accelerator cable. There look to be 3 spot welds btn backet and sheet metal that broke. Driver was driving on freeway at the time and decelerated in traffic.
While driving 45 MPH and applying the accelerator pedal, the pedal completely fell off which resulted in loss of vehicle control. Nlmconsumers passenger was injured resulting in surgery to the knee.
During driving, when I shift from 2nd to 3rd (most of the time), the throttle sticks at around 2500-3000 RPM's. It does release itself but after I engage the clutch to the next gear, I can take it out of gear and leave in neutral and it will still be around 2500 RPM for about 3-8 seconds. I took the car in to the original dealer and they thought I was nuts. I took it to burts Ford in colorado and they first replace a fuel assembly part, the 2nd time they could not find the problem. They 3rd with burts, I took a mechanic out for a drive and shoed him the problem. They looked the car over while it was in shop for a week and said that they can willingly reproduce the problem but said it was the way the car was being shifted. No fix. I have been driving stick cars for over 26 years and have never had this problem. At one point, when shifting, the RPM's would accerlate. …
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
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…
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…
Acceleration complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1997 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 6% of the model year's 411 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Ranger acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-399 (vehicle speed control, Oct 13, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Ranger acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.