Three problems related to underbody shield have been reported for the 1997 Ford Ranger. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Frame is nearly gone / rusted , rearend / axle fell out in middle of road.
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.
Bed liner plugs continually coming out resulting in the partial separation of liner from bed of truck, screws had to be added to keep liner onto vehicle.
| Body problems | |
| Door problems | |
| Underbody Shield problems | |
| Frame And Members problems | |
| Roof And Pillar problems | |
| Hood Hinge problems | |
| Frame Rust problems |