Check a VIN

1997 Ford Ranger visibility complaints

Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 36 of 36, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1997 Ford Ranger visibility problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jan 16, 2001 · Visibility · MA

Windshield wipers and washers willstart up at any time. At one point I almost hit the car in front.

Filed Jan 10, 2001 · Visibility · OR

My windshield wipers turn-on on their own and operate at varied speeds regardless of my control. I cannot shut them off and sometimes cannot turn them on. I've had the gem module replaced at my own expense yet the situations continues. Also my interior light will turn-on on its own and I too cannot get it to shut off at times*ak.

Filed Dec 30, 2000 · Lights, Transmission · CA

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.

Filed Nov 14, 2000 · Visibility · NY

The windshield wiper and fluid turns on by itself. Does not seem to be associated with anything, just comes on frequently.

Filed Nov 1, 2000 · Visibility · WA

The blend air door inside of the heater/def plenum broke - casuing extreme heat in cab. Door is not serviceable - requires total heater replacement. See ford tsb 99-8-8. 7-10 hours labor to fix a 2.00 part. Ford replaced this ABS plactic blend air door with stonger nylon - plenum #f87z-18471-da. This is a known defect yet no announcement is made to owners. This could cost me up to $1000.00 or more to fix on a 3 year old car. Also this inhibits the AC system to work.

Filed Oct 23, 2000 · Visibility · FL

Windshield wipers come on and off as they please. There have been 13 prior reports to your website on this problem. I called your office and got someone who had a "tough luck" attitude. When do you plan to get with ford and get this safety problem resolved?

Filed Aug 22, 2000 · Lights, Visibility · NY

Windshield wipers came on without manual operation, and windsheild wiper fluid released. Cause unknown. *ak door ajar light / dome light remained on.

Filed May 9, 2000 · Visibility · CA

When driving without operating the windshield wiper switch, windshield wipers come on and off with the switch in the off position. Consumer has contacted the dealer. *ak

Filed Apr 20, 2000 · Lights, Visibility · MS

Windshield wipers seem to have a mind of their own. The dome light also seems to have a mind of it's own. They both come on and go off when they want to.

Filed Apr 11, 2000 · Body, Visibility · NM

Door switches and windshieldwiper switch repeatedly failed. Same in father's 1997 f150.

Filed Apr 7, 2000 · Brakes, Seats · VA

Brakes lock up and truck will skid no matter what speed, truck becomes uncontrollable. Windshield wipers will come on and spray during some left turns, for no apparant reason. This causes the inability to see. When brakes are applied(and truck goes nuts)the passenger front seat launches forward even though it is locked into position. One incident was I was making a left turn onto a busy street when my wipers came on and sprayed fluid all over, I tried to apply my brakes and the tires locked up and truck started to skid, and the seat holding my infant son's car seat was thrown forward into the dash. I was traveling maybe 4-6 MPH. Some one is going to get killed in this vehicle. I contacted ford and they say I have no recourse and have never heard of such things happening with thier vehicles. I have had the brakes inspected and I am told that they look fine, and there is no problem with the ABS dummy light coming on in the vehicle. Please, please can you make ford do something about this? I noticed that there are a lot of similar complaints with this truck posted here on the federal safety agency's site. Thank you.

Filed Apr 4, 2000 · Visibility · MI

The control switch for heat/air has to be turned to the off position. If not, the heat is uncontrollable and stifling

Filed Mar 10, 2000 · Visibility · MD

Intermittently windshield wipers will come on automatically, disbursing washer fluid on a startling the driver. A technical service bulletin has been issued on the vehicle's make. Dealer has been notified.

Filed Feb 7, 2000 · Lights, Visibility · NE

Dome light comes on by itself and fails to turn off.

Filed Nov 27, 1999 · Visibility · OH

Wiper operation erratic. Operate by themselves, or will not operated when turned on.

Filed Sep 29, 1999 · Visibility · IL

Windshield wipers are stopping while in operating mode, causing poor visibility and can lead to a vehicle collision.; mfr. Notified. Can the federal safety agency help in this matter.

Filed Sep 28, 1999 · Visibility · MD

Windshield wipers has operate erratically. They come on and g off without being activated. Dealer has been contacted.

Filed Sep 28, 1999 · Visibility · NJ

Windshield wipers sometimes come on by themselves. While taking vehicle to inspection, wipers would not shut off when switch was turned off. This has happened several times within the last 6 months. Became more aware of the problem after seeing a report on local news station.

Filed Sep 2, 1999 · Visibility · IN

Windshield wipers come on without manual operation and will not turn off cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed Aug 21, 1999 · Visibility · CA

Windshield wipers & washer come on without touching switch. Have to turn on then off. Sometimes it washes other times it does not.vehicle can be stopped at light or going down freeway when wipers come on.always have worked when turned on.

Filed Aug 20, 1999 · Visibility · IL

No summary

Filed Apr 8, 1999 · Visibility · CA

Windshield wipers stay on in the off possition, you have to move the switch to high and back to off to get the wippers to stop.

Filed Nov 14, 1998 · Transmission, Visibility · LA

No summary provided by the consumer( dot number: tire size: p225/75r14 )

Filed May 5, 1998 · Electrical, Steering · AR

Windshield wiper come on all by itself. Sometimes it will not turn off, comes on a high speed, sometimes washer comes on also, incidents occur when the consumer is driving. Process developed where the tilt steering cannot be adjusted or moved except when the engine is turned completely off, consumer states that the vehicle has had a n electrical short. Dealer has not yet been contacted to evaluate the problem.

Filed Mar 1, 1998 · Visibility · MO

Outside rearview mirrors vibrate at highway speeds.

Filed Feb 5, 1998 · Lights, Transmission · PA

The speedometer/ the interior lamp, and the windshield wipers don't work. Dealer can't find the vehicle.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1997 Ford Ranger?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history