Print this page

1.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
109,455 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford Ranger fuel system problems

fuel system problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford Ranger:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Ford Ranger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jan 292012

Ranger

  • 225,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the rear fuel strap was completely rusted and detached from the vehicle. The front fuel strap was also rusted. The contact spoke with the dealer and was told there were no recalls for the fuel straps on the vehicle and provided no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and the current mileage was 225,000.

- Rochesterr, MN, USA

problem #20

Jul 292011

Ranger

  • 127,000 miles
The gas tank straps on my 1997 Ranger have rusted through dropping the fuel tank while I was pulling into my driveway. Both the front and rear strap have rusted through. The tank is being held up with commercial grades straps. Is this model being included in the recent Ford recall announcement? I did not see the extended cab Ranger model mentioned.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #19

Oct 012010

Ranger

  • 105,000 miles
Fuel tank straps failed due to corrosion/rust causing fuel tank to partially fall. Defective straps were replaced with new ones.

- Oak Park, IL, USA

problem #18

Mar 012011

Ranger

  • 113,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Within the past two months I had a split in the flexible fuel filler pipe on my 1997 Ford Ranger XLT. In the course of having it replaced, the repair shop removed the gas tank and found the same condition with the metal straps that hold the gas tank in place, extensive corrosion as reported on the Ford F150. It appears the possibility of gas tanks dropping out of the vehicle may be more extensive than the initial reports and may apply to other Ford pick-up trucks.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #17

Feb 282011

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
Fuel line cracked above gas tank. Strong gas odor after driving or during refill -gas will spill out when filling tank up to full and gas smell can also be smelled during commute. Will be taking it in to greenway Ford dealership here in orlando this week.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #16

Jun 012009

Ranger

  • 125,000 miles
Crack in gasoline filler top causing fumes and gasoline odor in car, especially when turning right. * when filling tank with gasoline, the fuel would leak out of the filler neck onto the ground while filling at the gas station, as if you were slowly pouring a glass of water, much more than a drip. Could not fill tank full until repair was done. Mechanic replaced filler and filler neck. Had to remove gas tank and truck bed to investigate and repair. Big job, big hazard!!

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #15

Jan 152010

Ranger

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fuel leaking around filler top. First time service replaced the hose clamp, but now the filler top is cracked. Oem replacement part is $500 plus labor of removing gas tank, etc. Odor a problem and potentially a fire hazard. Gas stations do not want to put gas in leaking vehicle either.

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #14

Nov 272009

Ranger

  • 90,000 miles
1997 Ford Ranger XLT, date is approximate since filler hose slowly cracked and got worse, smelled fuel constantly since 80,000 miles and had to eventually spend $600 to get it fixed at Ford dealership for what looked like a small rubber hose, I would have replaced myself but could not locate oem replacement anywhere else including all auto stores (dealer only part), this was a very dangerous situation, I considered it a timebomb. Thankfully nothing dangerous happened before I took it to dealer, though doing a internet search revealed a common problem for the certain years of Ford Ranger which some people due to cost are replacing with a common rubber hose which is very dangerous and has static that could make it go up in flames.

- Portland , OR, USA

problem #13

Jan 012007

Ranger

  • 70,000 miles
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.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #12

May 012009

Ranger 4WD

  • 150,000 miles
When filling fuel tank on 1997 Ford Ranger 4X4 long bed, fuel leaks back out and puddles on pavement below vehicle due to a split that has recently developed in the fuel tank filler neck (hose). Even when I do not fill tank all the way (to prevent above leaking) gas fumes are still strong and have accumulated inside the canopy (topper) on pickup bed. Fuel appears to leak (based on odor) after executing a sharp turn, a quick stop, and when traveling over bumpy roads. Ford's price for a replacement filler neck is prohibitive (around $450) plus labor and thus, I have been unable to have the problem repaired.

- Kingsville, TX, USA

problem #11

Aug 142007

Ranger 4-cyl

  • 76,414 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The gasoline hose from the filler cap to the tank is cracking. This is a common problem, as seen on Ranger web forums. This causes gasoline to leak from the hose as the tank fills. The fuel spills on the ground or very near the catalytic converter. The entire scenario could cause a major fire incident. Additionally, this hose cracking occurred years ago when the vehicle was newer, but not reported until now. This cracking should not occur and could cause serious damage if gas fumes were to ignite. The cracking occurs mostly at the corner where the hose enters the gasoline tank. It is virtually impossible to repair without major costs due to its location.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 012009

Ranger

  • 195,000 miles
Fuel filler hose cracks prematurely at the connection to the top of the fuel tank resulting in significant fuel spillage during refueling as well as probably splashing out during driving. Fuel vapors surely escape all the time as well. Both situations lead to a serious fire hazard. Seems to be a widespread safety issue based on the amount of Ford Ranger with safety complaints listed on this site as well as discussions on various Ford Ranger forums. The oem Ford part lists for ~$400.

- Temple, PA, USA

problem #9

Jan 012008

Ranger

  • 130,000 miles
Fuel filler tube cracks at the fuel pump, resulting in fuel pouring out and fuel vapors escaping while driving or while parked. This could result in the vehicle catching on fire. Ford is aware of the problem and sells replacement filler tubes for upwards of $500, not including labor.

- Rossville, GA, USA

problem #8

May 012009

Ranger

  • 106,000 miles
1997 Ford splash Ranger short bed truck leaking gasoline from the fuel filler hose where it connects to the fuel tank. The hose is cracked but not rotten and fuel leaks on the ground when filling the tank and also when the tank is near full. Definite fire hazard.

- Catonsville, MD, USA

problem #7

May 012009

Ranger

  • 95,000 miles
1997 Ford Ranger XLT short bed truck leaking gasoline from the fuel filler hose where it connects to the fuel tank. The hose was cracked but not rotten and fuel would leak while filling the tank and also when the tank was near full, but always had fuel vapors escaping. A fire hazard and excessive hydro carbon emissions.

- Gibraltar, MI, USA

problem #6

Feb 272009

Ranger

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Ranger. The contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline emanating from his vehicle and noticed gasoline leaking from the fuel tank. A fire could erupt in the presence of an ignition source. He took the vehicle to his local mechanic and had the filler hose replaced. The manufacturer would not assume responsibility for the failure because the vehicle exceeded its warranty. The failure mileage was 141,000 and current mileage was 142,000.

- Cabot, AR, USA

problem #5

Aug 182007

Ranger

  • 100,000 miles
The contact's sister owns a 1997 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that whenever fuel is placed into the vehicle, the fuel leaks out on two sides. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that the fuel overflow was cracked and needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 144,819 and failure mileage was 100,000.

- Myra, TX, USA

problem #4

Apr 132008

Ranger

  • miles
The fuel filler hose has a hole in it, therefore when you fill up your vehicle; gas leaks out onto the ground. I was not aware of a problem until I was fueling one day and I ended up with a puddle on the ground. This is not only a fire hazard, but also an environmental one too.

- Callahan, FL, USA

problem #3

Aug 162007

Ranger 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Fuel filler hose. The hoses (both inner & outer crack and cause a significant amount of fuel to spill out from the top of the fuel tank if fuel tank is filled. The hose is an expensive part to replace. I was told by the local Ford dealership that this part is one of the most popular parts they sell." (the part costs between $225 and $500) plus labor.

- Inverness, FL, USA

problem #2

Jan 012006

Ranger 4-cyl

  • miles
This complaint is in reference to a 1997 Ford Ranger and fuel filler hose being faulty. The hose itself has cracks in it and leaks fuel upon refill presenting a fire hazard as well as an environmental hazard due to the fuel vapors that are allowed to escape to the environment due to the cracks in faulty fuel filler hose. This is a potential fire hazard and an environmental protection Agency issue. Please put forth an effort to correct problem before fire, injuries, and, potential deaths are sustained, issue a recall.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?