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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,616 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 wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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1997 Ford Ranger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

May 102017

Ranger

  • miles

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

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. Steel belt cut the fiberglass rear outer fender in half, ripped out the rear wiring harness, destroyed the left tail light, and even damaged the gasoline fill tube and destroyed its locking gas cap from the force of the belt whipping round and round the wheel, partially attached and partially off. Nearly lost control of vehicle, but was not involved in accident. All tires failed while in driver's rear wheel position. Then last month again, the left rear bf goodrich radial all terrain ta tire steel belt came partially off at about 30 mph. Each time a used tire replaced the failed tire. Then two days later, a fifth bf goodrich radial all terrain ta began to fail with steel belt coming apart. This time right rear wheel location. Noticed the failure before steel belt came completely off and any damage was done. Replaced with bf goodrich mud terrain ta that were also used but have not failed.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #26

Aug 242011

Ranger

  • 131,000 miles
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.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #25

Jun 092006

Ranger

  • 1,500 miles
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.

- Escodido, CA, USA

problem #24

Jul 022007

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 109,130 miles

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

The 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

- Hermiston, OR, USA

problem #23

Jan 192006

(reported on)

Ranger 4WD

  • 45,000 miles
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.

- Sunbury, PA, USA

problem #22

Feb 192002

Ranger

  • miles
While driving, the tire casing separated from the inside of the tread backing and there was dry rot noticed between the tread lines, the other 3 tire showed signs of dry rot between the tread lines as well (marshal 791 touring A/S, P205/75R14, 95S M&S). Nlm

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #21

Apr 022002

Ranger 4WD

  • miles

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

Blowout-feel fortunate / Firestone said it wasn't their tire, but I looked it up on the web and there is a story about this tire being subject to investigation. They only authorized an inspection. I will not let them have the tire. (dot number: Hyhyt71187 tiresize: P215/75R15)

- College Place, WA, USA

problem #20

Jul 112001

Ranger

  • miles
Traveling along I95 at 65 miles per hour in traffic, heard a bumping noise, pull to side of road saw that the right front tire went flat. Just purchase four set of tires from cella Ford in Oct of 2000. Upon returning home went to cella Ford spoke with service technician who informed me they were not a tire dealer take it to buffalo tires who would check the tire and tell what was wrong. Went there told me nothing was wrong had no idea why it went out. Had to purchase new tire because rim rubbed against the tire inside causing outside to separate. Contacted cella Ford service depatment told him what was said and he insisted that something had to be wrong with the tire, that it just didnt go out by itself. I explaine the gentlemen insist they could not find anything. With lack of concern for my safety I find it necessary to replace the remaining tires. Will never purchase Firestone again. (dot number: 8xfc80M389 tiresize: P225/70R14)

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #19

Oct 142000

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
These were original equipment tires and, after about 30000 miles, I noticed the truck lurched upon take-off from either a stop or slow speed, as well as a worming motion going around corners. The dealership assured me this all was normal. I got a flat (the front left) while hunting and, upon taking it to les schwab for proper repair, was told the tread had separated. The plug was stated to have been the cause of the separation. I then purchased four new tires. Since these tires have been on my truck, the "normal" lurch is gone. I have been told by others that tread separation can cause a lurch the same as what I was experiencing. These Wilderness AT tires were not part of the recall. I do not have the dot numbers of the tires, though I am sure the dealership or Ford would have them on record. I do not know if les schwab would still have the tires that I had replaced. (tiresize: P265/75R15)( dot number: Tire size: P265/75R15 )

- Snohomish, WA, USA

problem #18

Sep 112000

Ranger

  • miles
Flat tire occurred at about 55-57 mph. Driver's side front tire split on exterior side, repair shop called this "delamination." Tires were original equipment, 29,000 miles. We replaced both front tires with new radials. Want to know if rear tires might also be unsafe. Found no listing of this tire in recalls or advisories. (dot number: Vnec tiresize: P225/70R14)

- Ashland, VA, USA

problem #17

May 182000

Ranger

  • miles

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

On May 18, 2000 I had a blowout of a front tire on a clear stretch of Suburban road. When I went to change the tire, I found the metal threads had come through the tire. There were no objects in the tire and there was nothing visible on the road that I would have run over. I took the tire to a tire company in the atlanta area and it could not be repaired because of the amount of damage. The weather conditions in atlanta, ga were hotter than normal for may on the day of the blowout. I was driving approximately 50 mph. I have very low mileage on the Ford Ranger truck, less then 21,000 miles. The tires were the original ones. The truck has not been used for any type of heavy hauling. (dot number: W2fc tiresize: P225/70R14)

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #16

Sep 212000

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.( dot number: Tire size: 265/75-15 )

- Schuyler, NE, USA

problem #15

Sep 212000

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.( dot number: Tire size: 265/75-15 )

- Schuyler, NE, USA

problem #14

Sep 132000

(reported on)

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
What tires are being recalled by Firestone. What tire size? all four tires on my Ford Ranger are wearing very lumpy. They even make my truck shake. It feels like you are running on a gravel road.( dot number: Tire size: P265/75R15 )

- Church Hill, TN, USA

problem #13

Sep 132000

(reported on)

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
Tires are so bad out of shape they make my truck shake. They have lumps in them.( dot number: Tire size: P265/75R15 )

- Church Hill, TN, USA

problem #12

Oct 011999

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle has 18000 miles on it and has worn out 2 sets of tires on edges. Second set still on but need replaced soon. Alignment checked 2 times and was within Ford specs for this 4X4 truck. 4 wheel drive only used for bad weather. Firestone discounted second set of tires because of premature wear $84 each. Second set wearing just like 1st set. Only get about 9000 miles per set.( dot number: Tire size: 265\75R\15 )

- Bentleyville, PA, USA

problem #11

Oct 011999

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle has 18000 miles on it and has worn out 2 sets of tires on edges. Second set still on but need replaced soon. Alignment checked 2 times and was within Ford specs for this 4X4 truck. 4 wheel drive only used for bad weather. Firestone discounted second set of tires because of premature wear $84 each. Second set wearing just like 1st set. Only get about 9000 miles per set.( dot number: Tire size: 265\75R\15 )

- Bentleyville, PA, USA

problem #10

May 052000

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
I was driving on the highway when my rear tire blew. It was a clear day, nothing in the road. After having my tire inspected by at least 3 different indivisuals no one could come up with any reason why it blew other than it being a defective tire. I have since replaced all 4 of my tires with dunlops. But thought it important enough to report incase there are more of this size tires failing also.( dot number: W29V1pk245 tire size: P26575R15 )

- St. Ann, MO, USA

problem #9

Nov 151998

Ranger

  • miles
Tire seperated completely from rim at high speed. Tire pressure was correct as the car had completed a dealer maintence servicing approx. One week prior to the incident. Blowout believed to be caused by a defective tire.( dot number: Tire size: 225X70rx14 )

- Hollister, CA, USA

problem #8

May 091998

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
Contrary to Ford/Firestone's claims that only wilderness tires manufactured at their Decatur plant is defective, I have had 8 flat tires and one blow out in three years with wilderness tires having dot #S of vnhl vice vdhl. I had not had 9 flat tires in( dot number: Vnhl1py196 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Leesburg, VA, USA

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