Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Guy next door knocked on my door late one night to tell me that my dome light was on. I looked & it wasn't. He said that was odd because he even walked by it & could see inside. A few days later it happened again. Then while driving at night the light came on by itself. From that point on it would randomly turn itself on. Naturally Ford told me that was impossible. The only way I could stop it without paying a ton of money to a garage was to pull the fuse & I've had to use a flashlight if I need a light at night ever since. My truck also has a theft light because a factory alarm was an option for my truck. I do not have an alarm but the word alarm is still on the panel. That light will randomly turn on & say theft. I do not have an alarm! I told Ford & that told me that was impossible since I don't have an alarm. I said that maybe a wire was crossed somewhere but Ford told me," no! ". …
The dome light started turning itself on while parked in front of my house. Sometimes it would turn itself back off. It would also turn on while I was driving at night. I couldn't get the light cover off so I pulled the fuse which leaves me with no windshield washer squirter. The check engine light is always on. No mater what is done or fixed, the light stays on which is a problem because cars will usually automatically fail inspection when the check engine light is on. How am I supposed to get it to pass inspection if its on 90% of the time? I never had a problem with my 93 Ranger but other people with rangers have had the same issues & this site shows others with the same issues. Why won't Ford recall & fix it when its a known problem? These things are safety issues!! I can't add when these things happen because they are ongoing issues for the last tenish years!
While driving windshield wipers turn off and on whenever they want to. They sometimes will not run at all or they will stop running during use. The dome light also stays on and will not turn off causing a glare on the window. It started doing it with the passenger door then the driver's door started the same problem. I checked with a dealer and it seems to have been a problem with rangers for many years now and still troubles many owners right up to the 2001 models. *dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis**739942
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.
I have a 1997 Ford Ranger xlt supercab. I purchased the car brand new in 1997. That year I noticed that the dome light in the car began to stay on. I would be driving at night and the light would stay on. Sometimes the only way to turn the light out is to pull the fuse out. I think this is very hazardous to myself and others driving. I have tried to fix the problem but nothing seems to fix this. This has happened the last two years around the colder months, but not in the warmer months. I think this is a defective part from Ford. The reason why is that I have two friends of mine who have 1997 Ford Ranger, they have and are experiencing the same problem. I have contacted Ford customer assistance on the internet and they have no idea what the problem is. I also called my dealership and they were no help. I am very frustrated about this. This should really be considered a safty recall. …
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? …
Dome light stays on after started and door closed and does not go off. Problem seeing at night... No way to turn off without removing the bulbs. Windshield wipers do not start when turned on the do not go off when switched off. Have to turn the wipers on then off again. Shift knob comes off when pulling shift lever from 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 4th. Makes shifting difficult while starting up a hill and merging on the freeway because the knob slips off completely and the shifter ends up in the neutral position.
The interior dome light and ignition alarm will not stop/turn off when vehicle is turned off. The ignition alarm stops only when the key is removed, the dome light stays on for extreme extended periods of time. I have had this repaired once in 1998 or 99. Vehicle was under warranty. The Ford motor company refuses to correct their defect (12,000 mile/12mo period is up) even though it is recurring. This is a safety hazard. I can't drive at night, because I cannot see out of my windows.
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.
Engine check light will continuously come on and stay on. Also, alarm will come on from time to time, causing vehicle to shut off. Contacted dealer who could not find cause of problem. The door switches will not allow the interior light to go off until the vehicle is in full motion with the clutch let all the way out. When backing up in the dark it is hard to see out of the back window because of the interior light being illuminated.
Headlight complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1997 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the lights of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 11% of the model year's 411 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Ranger headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles.
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.