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7.3

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,306 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 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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1997 Ford Ranger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #36

Sep 202007

Ranger

  • miles

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

Guy next door knocked on my door late one night to tell me that my dome light was on. I looked & it wasn't. he said that was odd because he even walked by it & could see inside. A few days later it happened again. Then while driving at night the light came on by itself. From that point on it would randomly turn itself on. Naturally Ford told me that was impossible. The only way I could stop it without paying a ton of money to a garage was to pull the fuse & I've had to use a flashlight if I need a light at night ever since. My truck also has a theft light because a factory alarm was an option for my truck. I do not have an alarm but the word alarm is still on the panel. That light will randomly turn on & say theft. I do not have an alarm! I told Ford & that told me that was impossible since I don't have an alarm. I said that maybe a wire was crossed somewhere but Ford told me, " no! ". talking to other Ranger owners here & there I've found out that not only are there others doing the exact same things but it is also other years besides 1997. I like the truck just tired of Ford & tired of the bs!!

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #35

Dec 062000

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The relay to the dome light shorted out. It's happened twice. I know 3 other people who also drive Ranger, and have all had the same problem. One of them has had the same failure twice.

- Randolph, NY, USA

problem #34

Feb 012004

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Dome lights stays on for extended periods of time. I had to remove the bulbs, now I have no dome light.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #33

Feb 192004

(reported on)

Ranger

  • 47,000 miles

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

Dome light stays on, and the door ajar light comes on intermittently. This problem existed after the warranty expired. Vehicle was not repaired correctly the first time.

- Ukiah, CA, USA

problem #32

Dec 232003

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
A few things here, engine light comes on and goes off at random. Had it checked a few times. No problems found. Dome light/door chime will not go off when door is shut and/or car is turned on. Left hand blinker went nuts a few time, basicly it was blinking at a very high rate of speed. A few second 'power loss' happend a few times while driving, lost power to raido, and lights. The rear end bounces way too much when I hit a bump, can cause loss of control at highway speeds.

- Brookpark, OH, USA

problem #31

Jun 072002

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles
The interior light in my truck does not go out when the door is shut and the engine is running.

- Lugoff, SC, USA

problem #30

Dec 102000

Ranger 4WD

  • 101,000 miles

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

While driving windshield wipers turn off and on whenever they want to. They sometimes will not run at all or they will stop running during use. The dome light also stays on and will not turn off causing a glare on the window. It started doing it with the passenger door then the driver's door started the same problem. I checked with a dealer and it seems to have been a problem with Ranger for many years now and still troubles many owners right up to the 2001 models. *dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis**739942

- Branchdale, PA, USA

problem #29

Mar 052003

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The windshield wipers came on by themselves and the washers did not work. Also the dome light stayed on after the door was closed for at least 30 minutes or more. The wipers would come on when the turn signals were used. The dome light was distracting at night. Scc

- Burlington, KY, USA

problem #28

Jun 022002

Ranger 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Engine check light will continuously come on and stay on. Also, alarm will come on from time to time, causing vehicle to shut off. Contacted dealer who could not find cause of problem. The door switches will not allow the interior light to go off until the vehicle is in full motion with the clutch let all the way out. When backing up in the dark it is hard to see out of the back window because of the interior light being illuminated.

- Newland, NC, USA

problem #27

Jan 012001

Ranger

  • miles
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 #26

Oct 252001

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles

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

Interior dome light stays on. Also had the same problem with my 1994 Ford Ranger.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #25

Jun 262001

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
When sensors in door accumlate dirt it causes dome light to come on. Light will not go out until consumer takes out fuse. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated it was not covered under warranty. Please provide VIN.

- Creston, CA, USA

problem #24

Nov 012000

Ranger

  • miles
When getting inside of vehicle dome light stays on all day, and there is a binging noise. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Clinton, TN, USA

problem #23

Apr 132001

(reported on)

Ranger

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Interior door light intermittently remains illuminated when doors are shut, and when vehicle is being driven. This problem becomes more of a safety concern when driving at night.

- Ft Monmouth, NJ, USA

problem #22

Feb 222001

Ranger

  • miles
Interior dome light will remain on for long periods of time. Nearly impossible to drive at night. Replaced the interior light relay. This did not work. There is no way to turn the light off. This causes servere dangers at night.

- Travis Afb, CA, USA

problem #21

Oct 012000

Ranger

  • miles
The dome light wouldn't shut off and caused the pinging sound as if the door was ajar. I called carriage Ford (where I bought the vehicle). They said the problem was not necessarily in the dome light but in the door switches--they've had to replace a number of these already. My daughter, who lives in tn, also has a Ranger and she's having the same problem. I've noticed people in other Ranger driving with their dome lights stuck on, too. I reasoned this must be a common problem and checked to see how much the parts were to replace it. I was told it was minimal for the parts--but the labor was $160+. I called customer service at Ford to see if there were any recalls with these parts. Because this is part of the safety and security features, (dome light as well as rear high mount brake light) I hoped they'd take care of it. I was told they were not able to help me. Can you" where do I go from here" thanks, chrisquire@home.com.

- Clarksville, IN, USA

problem #20

Feb 282001

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
Electrical system malfunctioned. Interior light stayed illuminated while vehicle was in motion, draining battery.

- Lexington Park, MD, USA

problem #19

Jan 042001

Ranger

  • miles
Interior light fails to shut off occasionally after door is closed;presents problem for night driving when this occurs.

- Alcoa, TN, USA

problem #18

Dec 152000

Ranger

  • miles
Dome light stays on, and is very distracting at night. Consumer owned a 1993, Ranger and had same problem. Consumer will contact the manufacturr to see if they will pay for it.

- Wheaton, MD, USA

problem #17

Feb 022001

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
Would be driving vehicle when dome light and windshield wipers come on by themselves. Have taken to dealership & mechanic indicated a possible short in switch was causing problem.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

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