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7.4

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,861 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Ford Ranger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Apr 032002

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,099 miles

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

The 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.

- Millers Creek, NC, USA

problem #20

Dec 182004

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 84,990 miles
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!

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #19

Jun 272000

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tramission keeps wanting not togo into reverse and into 3rd grear at various times.

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #18

Jan 012001

Ranger

  • miles

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

Won't go in any gear this morning seemed fine yesterday.the dome light stays on all the time even with the door closed, it has been like this for quite a while and is very inconvenient.

- Macungie, PA, USA

problem #17

Sep 152001

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Manufacturer failed to notify consumer about transmission, transmission was made of synthetic, and it started to weave, when it reached bad proportion of oil and air, and will lose transmission, contacted dealer and dealer admitted that something was wrong with transmission.

- Port Angeles, WA, USA

problem #16

Feb 262001

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #15

Mar 011998

Ranger 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Power steering had to be replaced, was making a noise like pump was not working properly. Air conditioner pump replaced. Right window is loose while going down. Transmission slips occasionally while taking off. There are loose bolts underneath seats. Fog light failed. Consumer states oil from master cylinder damaged hood. Door lock inside driver's door never worked and was replaced.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #14

Jan 152001

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failed.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #13

Nov 012000

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Auburn, CA, USA

problem #12

Sep 132000

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When pawl is moved from park to drive engine will stall. Sometimes will not start unless rolled vehicle out of garage and clutch was pressed.

- Alabaster, AL, USA

problem #11

May 011998

Ranger 4WD

  • miles

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

Transmission failed twice.

- Fayettevil, NC, USA

problem #10

Oct 151999

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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 )

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #9

Dec 181998

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experienced electrical problems which will short circuit. While the vehicle was at the dealer, the transmission fell out.

- Manasses, VA, USA

problem #8

Apr 281998

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Selling dealer notified each time, some repairs made, problem not solved.

- Dunsmuir, CA, USA

problem #7

May 011998

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
Transmission failed twice.

- Fayettevil, NC, USA

problem #6

Jun 011997

Ranger

  • miles
Automatic transmission with overdrive has erratic shifts at low speed. It shifted, from drive into neutral twice. The last time the overdrive light came on and the vehicle had no forward power.

- Blythevill, AR, USA

problem #5

Jan 011997

Ranger 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failed causing vibration.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #4

Jul 161997

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 45-50 mph, it goes into neutral rather than going to passing gear. When foot is released off of the accelerator and stepping on the gas again, it will engage. The transmission has been replaced. The dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

- Oakhurst, CA, USA

problem #3

May 221998

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
Automatic transmission will hang up between shifts acts like it is in neutral or drag out the shift if at low speed like 1st to 2nd gear. Transmission will also make a loud noise when down shifting to 1st gear at low speeds.

- Blytheville, AR, USA

problem #2

Sep 301997

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
Transmission failed.

- Roswell, GA, USA

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