Four problems related to air bag have been reported for the 1997 Ford Ranger. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Takata recall -- I believe all airbags are defective and more dangerous than riding with seat belts alone. I recommend 100% disabling of airbags and the removal of all airbags and associated hardware from future vehicles.
Air bags. . Deflating, unserviceable, demand useless, only on passenger side, drivers side dislodged horn fuel/propulsion. . With fuel tank filled, first half(1/2) tank having excessive fuel consumed. Second (1/2) of fuel consumed at owners manual specifications of city and highway miles per gallon. Throttle pedal stiff, sticks, after normal daily warm up, extra foot pressure needed to dislodge pedal and cable, real sluggish as if not receiving enough fuel to injectors, even after regular maintenance completed. . Seat belts. . Drivers side hookup retaining latch malfunctions and " will not remain latched", several attempts need to be made before getting a strong seatbelt clip to latch locked on.
Vehicle collided with deer, air bag burned arm of occupant and filled vehicle with smoke.
Vehicle was in a very severe front/side collision. Vehicle was totaled, but none of the air bags deployed upon impact.