1997 Ford Ranger body problems

Filed Feb 17, 2021 · Body · 154,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford ranger. The contact stated that while having a routine inspection at haldeman ford of kutztown, inc. (15465 kutztown rd, kutztown, pa 19530, (610) 683-3553) the mechanic determined that the front and rear subframe was severely corroded. After having an emissions inspection, the vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

Filed Jun 12, 2018 · Body · 233,479 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford ranger. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fuel tank was not secured and was hanging from the subframe of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by severe rusting and corrosion of the subframe. The failure was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 233,479.

Filed Mar 18, 2018 · Body · 97,000 miles · IN

Excessive rust not caused by normal wear and tear, had spare tire carrier rust off while on the road

Filed Apr 6, 2017 · Body · 160,000 miles · OH

Farmr rusted through truck was sitting at home parked when it broke through

Filed Jan 31, 2015 · Body · 110,000 miles · PA

I walked out of my house one morning and my rear bumper was laying on the ground behind my truck.

Filed Jan 19, 2015 · Body · 240,000 miles · WV

I bought this truck in ohio in october 2014, after purchasing I noticed quite a bit of rust eroding the frame behind 20" low profile tires, I put factory suggested tires on it the leaf spring hangers broke in early dec. 2014 after that was fixed, the erosion was noticeable. Now the shock has fallen off and the frame has a crack through it at the leaf spring hanger. The truck is not drivable at this point. I need another frame or will have to junk the truck.

Filed Jul 5, 2013 · Body · 170,000 miles · NY

I purchased used ford ranger 1997...turns out chassis has a safety defect....it is rusted and needs to be welded.....meineke said safety is a big issue...and we should talk to ford... Rust should never have happened.....what should I do? The part in question is frame chassy! Drop down would not allow me to list chassy.

Filed Jan 1, 2013 · Body · MN

I have severe rusting of the frame and parts connected to frame of my 1997 ford ranger, and I am worried about its safety on the road/highway. And I only have 64,000 miles on it! I have heard of spare tires coming loose and falling off, rear bumpers falling off, gas tanks falling off, rear shackles coming loose etc...on the ford ranger because of the severe rust. If I was towing a trailer and the rear bumper fell off there goes the trailer too, a trailer and/or bumper that could cause an accident and kill somebody! Same with the other parts coming loose. And if the rear axle broke loose from the frame it would cause a loss of control and an accident and fatality. And if I was carrying a heavy load the frame could buckle or break in half and cause an accident and fatality, because the frame is half gone because of the rust. Its just like the frame rust problems on the toyota tacoma and tundra trucks. I also heard that the supplier of the frames for the toyota tacoma and tundra, was also the supplier for the ford ranger frames. I think this is a manufacturing defect by ford, and that the government should force ford to recall my 97 ford ranger, and all other ford rangers affected by the rusty frames asap. Force ford to buyback the trucks at kbb value, or replace the rusty frames with new ones free of charge. The frame is the backbone of a truck, its a critical part and if it fails because of severe rusting, you have a serious safety problem here. Its a disaster just waiting to happen, and I hope the government will take action and be proactive, and not wait for people to be killed on the nations highways. Only 64,000 miles on my 97 ranger and big chunks of steel are flaking off the frame and have for years! Half the frame is gone already! The frame should far outlast the body of the truck, and its just the opposite! A disaster waiting to happen. Action is needed now.

Filed Mar 27, 2012 · Body, Suspension · 123,000 miles · OH

Frame is nearly gone / rusted , rearend / axle fell out in middle of road.

Filed Nov 5, 2011 · Body · 61,500 miles · CT

My 1997 4x4 ranger, 61500 miles, has major frame rust and has in fact rusted through in one area. The frame rails also at the rear leaf spring shackles heavily rusted. I have owned this since oct.of 2000. The body is clean and straight of any damage or rust. I expect a ford frame to last and not be the reason of the vehicles total failure in both saftey and of the vehicle life after 12-13 years with only 61,500 miles. The car in my opinion is unsafe to drive. Ford should stand behind their product and do what toyota has done with similar frame issues. I look foward to your reply.