Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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 while having a routine inspection at haldeman Ford of kutztown, inc. (15465 kutztown rd, kutztown, pa 19530, [phone]) the mechanic determined that the front and rear subframe was severely corroded. After having an emissions inspection, the vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
I bought this truck in ohio in October 2014, after purchasing I noticed quite a bit of rust eroding the frame behind 20" low profile tires, I put factory suggested tires on it the leaf spring hangers broke in early dec. 2014 after that was fixed, the erosion was noticeable. Now the shock has fallen off and the frame has a crack through it at the leaf spring hanger. The truck is not drivable at this point. I need another frame or will have to junk the truck.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Ranger. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fuel tank was not secured and was hanging from the subframe of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by severe rusting and corrosion of the subframe. The failure was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 233,479.
Bolts which hold the steering sector to the frame all broke or snapped. I was lucky that I was sitting in a parking lot and started to turned the steering wheel, there was a snap and I was unable to turn the wheels of the truck a 97 Ford Ranger. I sent an email to for on January 28, 2003 about this item and they have not responded, the tracking id is kmm2029449c0km case id 688902. I am normally out on the highway traveling at over 65 MPH on weekend and had the bolts snapped while moving at this speed I would probably be dead. Is there any records of this problem reported by anyone that is still alive? Thanks for you help. Just wanted t o inform you of this happening. I have never heard of this happening on a vehicle. As far as I can determine this vehicle has not been in an accident. Most of the 76,000 miles has been driven on the highways. Thanks again.
My 1997 4x4 Ranger, 61500 miles, has major frame rust and has in fact rusted through in one area. The frame rails also at the rear leaf spring shackles heavily rusted. I have owned this since oct.of 2000. The body is clean and straight of any damage or rust. I expect a Ford frame to last and not be the reason of the vehicles total failure in both saftey and of the vehicle life after 12-13 years with only 61,500 miles. The car in my opinion is unsafe to drive. Ford should stand behind their product and do what Toyota has done with similar frame issues. I look foward to your reply.
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!
I purchased used Ford Ranger 1997...turns out chassis has a safety defect....it is rusted and needs to be welded.....meineke said safety is a big issue...and we should talk to Ford... Rust should never have happened.....what should I do? The part in question is frame chassy! Drop down would not allow me to list chassy.
Underside of 1997 Ford Ranger is completely rusted out. Bumper won't stay in place and the spare tire bolt would not allow spare tire to come off. We have just parked vehicle after were warned about it. We just use it for short trips.
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.
The dome light wouldn't shut off and caused the pinging sound as if the door was ajar. I called carriage Ford (where I bought the vehicle). They said the problem was not necessarily in the dome light but in the door switches--they've had to replace a number of these already. My daughter, who lives in tn, also has a Ranger and she's having the same problem. I've noticed people in other rangers driving with their dome lights stuck on, too. I reasoned this must be a common problem and checked to see how much the parts were to replace it. I was told it was minimal for the parts--but the labor was $160+. I called customer service at Ford to see if there were any recalls with these parts. Because this is part of the safety and security features, (dome light as well as rear high mount brake light) I hoped they'd take care of it. I was told they were not able to help me. Can you? …
Body complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1997 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the body & structure of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 6% of the model year's 411 complaints. The component named most often is body (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Ranger body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1997 Ford Ranger, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Ranger body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 123,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.