Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
Firestone or Ford should recall these tires. My tire blowout occured on a interstate junction (I-85n to I-77n, in charlotte, nc) at high speed (60mph) and sent my truck into ditch. I didn't think much at the time (since tires do blow out sometimes) but after the news reports that Ford and Firestone have known about the faulty tires for over 6-8 years, and only seem to care if fatatilities occur, I was very displeased and now want to file a comlaint to replace all 5 Firestone wilderness tires on my truck. I plan to buy new tires and will wait for a recall of some sort to refund my money. Not to mention the fact that I walked away from the violent blowout and subsequent crash, others were not as lucky. Thank you, scott pagan.( dot number: )
Tl 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
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Ranger equipped with Bridgestone dueler at tires, line size 225/70/r14 . The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, he began to hear a thumping noise. The vehicle was driven home where the contact noticed that the tread on the rear driver side tire was peeling. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.
Wheel bearings keep going out on front tires becoming a real issue and hazard and safety they lock up on road and have gotten slides off road. Afraid it will be worse next time. They have gone out three times and been replaced. They are going out again and fear for our safety but this is our only vehicle for work an appointment need this truck. Please help. I don't have the money to keep replacing but love this truck.
At 50,379 miles, the left front tire delaminated (ie, the entire tread came off the tire in one piece) while traveling on the freeway. There was no accident or injuries. It, and the other three, are oe Firestone wilderness at p265/75r15 112s m+s tires which were mounted on the truck when purchased new in July 1997.
Daughter was driving north on a clear day and fairly straight two lane road front tire blew and caused her to run off the road, as she overcorrected she flipped the vehicle two or three times. The vehicle was totaled and she broke her pevlic bone.( dot number: )
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.
This Ford 1997, Ranger is equipped with Firestone wilderness/at p235/75r15 dot:w2. One of the front tires has separated,and a big chunck of tread has come out. One of the back tires had a blowout, and had to be replaced.
I had five (5) bf goodrich radial all terrain ta tires fail while driving the same vehicle over about a ten year period. Each failure is the same. The steel belt of the tire partially separates while rolling. The first occurred about ten years ago on the interstate while pulling a small flatbed trailer. Steel belt then whips around inside wheel well damaging whatever it comes in contact with. Bf goodrich radial all terrain ta tires were on this truck when purchased used. Second tire failed approximately three years ago the same way at less than 30 MPH. Replaced all with used set of four tires with 50 % tread left. Less than a month after, third tire failed on interstate once again in the same way. …
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1997 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1997 Ford Ranger, 15% of the model year's 411 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Ranger wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to wheels & tires 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.