Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. …
My '97 Ford Ranger standard transmission exhibits high idle conditions while shifting between gears. My dealer was never able to fix the problem since I bought the vehicle new. My vehicle is no longer under bumper to bumper and emissions warranty but I have saved receipts of their attempts to fix the problem during time vehicle was warranted back in 1997. I recently discovered that the Ford motor company has found the exact same high idle problem with their 1998 to 2000 model rangers and they issued a technical service bulletin tsb00-3-5. When I called my dealer to inquire and ask them to include my '97 Ranger in the bulletin, they were evasive and wouldn't help. I would like to know what my options are. Any help greatly appreciated. Thank you. P.s. For your info, the technical service bulletin can be found at ( case sensitive, please type exactly) v8sho.com/sho/tsb00-3-5.html .
Tl 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 the engine light illuminated and the seat broke loose. Updated 05/12/09. Updated 06/09/09.
This truck accerlerates by itself, it used to only be between 2nd and 3rd gears but now I can be on the freeway and in 4th gear when I can feel the pedal go down to the floor, I'm forced to put it in nuetral until the rpms go down, trying to get it into another gear only grinds because its running too high. This is a safety issue, if it happens at the wrong time someone could get hurt or the engine will just blow up!
Loud noise in rear right axle causing loss of control and went off I 35 into center medium rolling the pickup across the uncoming line of traffic on to the outside sholder of hyw, total loss of pickup, wheel with tire on it was recovered in medium of hyw , axel was broken at brake drum, wheel and tire still good. All three other wheels and tires are broken and flat.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that one minute after starting, the vehicle failed to shift into gear and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, however the manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 181,000 and the current mileage was 181,760.
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. The consumer stated he needed new tires and the 4-wheel drive did not work.
Rear brakes pulled, serviced, reported unverifiable, began locking up in short bursts when stopping, reported, found faulty , replaced complete rear assembly. Windshield cracked across center while driving freeway at 65 MPH, started at top strip passenger side spreading across to drivers side in just minutes. Door ajar switches failed causing dome light to remain on making night time visibility imposible. Transmission began shifting rough in second gear hard to downshift, verified, repaired bearings in shifter. Reoccured a few months later, service claimed unverifiable, worsened stuck in fourth gear in traffic, had to be pushed to shoulder , and disengaged. …
The transmission started in October '99 with a hard downshift in low gear, somewhere between 15 to 10 miles per hour. At that speed you have a hard bump underneath at your transmission and a hum as you come to a stop. Brandon Ford co. Completely rebuilt the transmission on April 25-27. A few days after, the same problem continued. I took it back and they called the Ford motor co. In michigan to get a computer reprogramming of the shift, and proceeded to do this work on May 19. This automobile is still hard downshifting in low gear. If you're coming to a stop light behind traffic, it seems kind of dangerous because the downshift could kick out of gear and cause an accident. The only thing I have received from the Ford company is a questionnaire about the service received at brandon Ford, not about my automobile's safety.( dot number: tire size: p225/70r14 )
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.
Transmission complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 10% of the model year's 411 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Ranger transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.