1997 Ford Ranger electrical system problems
28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 1997 Ford Ranger — 7% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Ford ranger 4x4 xlt 4.0l has had problems from the beginning front tires two out , fog lights, air conditioning, transmission shift points , check engine light when new and to this day gas mileage not as stated on window sticker ,also windows motor and controls”
filed Sep 23, 2020
“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…”
filed Jul 28, 2015
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457 or p1442 or a check fuel cap lamp illuminated with dtc p0457 for the evaporative emission system. *tt
03203 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 13, 2003Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
03181 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2003
Electrical System problems in other Ranger years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ranger | 5 | 16% |
| 2024 Ranger | 16 | 25% |
| 2022 Ranger | 8 | 22% |
| 2021 Ranger | 8 | 7% |
| 2020 Ranger | 11 | 9% |
| 2019 Ranger | 39 | 15% |
| 2011 Ranger | 5 | 2% |
| 2010 Ranger | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 Ranger | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 Ranger | 7 | 2% |
| 2007 Ranger | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 Ranger | 11 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 Ford Ranger
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.