Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
028204/29/2002637922Some vehicles built prior to 9/15/2001 may exhibit low line pressure readings while in drive, no 2nd gear, no 3rd gear, no engine braking in manual 1st and slipping shifts and / or delayed engagements. *tt12/09/2002
1588705/01/2002637755Some vehicles may exhibit a no 1-2 upshift, no 2-3 upshift, a no engine braking condition in manual 1 or diagnostic trouble code p0732 (gear 2 incorrect ratio) or p0733 (gear 3 incorrect ratio). *tt12/04/2002
1215211/01/1998613171Some vehicles with 4 x 4 option operating in 4 x 2 mode may exhibit a ping sound on slight to moderate acceleration in forward or reverse. *mjs06/19/2000
1374501/01/2000612742Some vehicles may experience a condition of no 4 x 4 low range engagement or a stuck in 4 x 4 low range. *mjs06/12/2000
994303/08/1999604751Information regarding reprogramming powertrain control modules (pcms). *tt05/11/1999
970501415805/01/199752927Vehicles includes graphics for a speed control indicator light. *yc11/13/1997
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9915207/26/1999608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt01/05/2001
98517411/01/1998613304Some vehicles with 4x4 option in 4x2 mode may exhibit a ping sound on slight to moderate acceleration in forward or reverse. *tt06/20/2000
001501/10/2000612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs06/06/2000
735311/01/1999610785Some vehicles may exhibit a condition of no 4x4 low range engagement or a stuck in 4x4 low range, with no diagnostic trouble codes stored in the gem module. *tt05/15/2000
1341210/01/1999609668Some vehicles may exhibit a condition of no 4x4 low range engagement or a stuck in 4x4 low range, with no (dtc) diagnostic trouble code stored in the gem. *tt04/06/2000
9811201/19/1998605573Subject regarding a new service center support that uses a thrust bearing (#3 and #4) in place of thrust washers has been released. *tt07/12/1999
98231211/23/1998603740Issues regareding diagnostic trouble codes ( dtcs ) p0705, p0708, p1704, and / or p1705 may be stored in memory. *yc03/04/1999
98211111/01/1998603674Highter than expected engine rpms during a 2-3 partial backout upshift or after a 3-2 or4-2 wide open throttle downshift may occur on some vehicles. *yc03/01/1999
988804/27/1998601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc07/10/1998
BC222697050105/01/199752770Servicing tip - transmission - there are two different size direct clutch steel plates when servicing 4r44e or 5r55e transmissions. *tw09/12/1997
9751103/03/199751945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd07/17/1997
96221510/21/199650954Fluid - new mercon v required - transmission - 4r44e - description of features and major components. *tw06/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
04210712/13/200404241410014086General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt04/28/2005
0421711/01/200410013369General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures. *tt04/15/2005
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
0314807/21/200310003748New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt10/29/2003
00231011/13/2000616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt03/05/2001
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
1350511/01/1999614630All 4x4 vehicles with electronic shift onthe fly transfer cases will display contact plate pids opposite of the 1999 or earlier workshop manual indicates when using ngs with 15.0 level or later software. *tt11/29/2000
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
0118109/17/2001625715Brake shift interlock.*jb11/30/2001
BC344197230101/23/199751468As of 1/7/97 the automatic shift lock feature tag that was affixed around the gear selector, has been discontinued for prodution. *jd06/27/1997
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
9624911/18/199650908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
96261212/16/199650997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
03050804/01/20050562010017891Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd. *tt12/06/2005
035803/17/200310001922Fluid may leak out of the front axle vent tube. *tt *jb07/25/2003
024203/04/2002636056Certain vehicles with 4x4 or all-wheel drive may have a fluid leak from the front axle vent tube. *tt11/04/2002
1484704/01/2001619330Concerns with vehicles exhbit fluid leakage from the front axle vent tube. *tt05/23/2001
018604/30/2001619276On some vehicles, including sport and sport trac, the front axle leaks fluid from the vent tube. *tt05/22/2001
98307402/27/1998607369Concerns with axle wind-up and / or clunking, popping, ratcheting type noises when making cornering maneuvers. *tt09/21/1999
1290506/01/1999606937Some vehicles may experience axle wind up and / or clunking, popping, ratcheting type noises when making cornering maneuvers on vehicles equipped with a four wheel drive hi or low range mode. *tt09/08/1999
BC519796100110/01/199650474Some vehicles equipped w/ an ax4s transaxle may have been shipped w/ a low transaxle fluid level. *tt04/24/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT - SEAL
1405604/01/2000613704Some vehicles may exhibit an oil leak from the front axle pinion oil seal area. **mr07/27/2000
851204/01/2000613657Some vehicles may exhibit an oil leak from the front axle pinion oil seal area. **mr07/26/2000
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
BC10597970505/01/199752877Update information for 1997 4r44e and 5r55e transmissions - there are two (2) different size direct clutch steel plates when servicing 4r44e or 5r55e transmissions. *tw09/18/1997
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
660307/01/1999610704Some vehicles may exhibit an audible pinging or creaking noise that may be heard from the driveline when engine torque is initially applied to the driveline. *tt05/11/2000
9916108/09/1999607653Experiencing an audible pinging or creaking (not a clunking noise) heard from the driveline when engine torque is initially applied to the driveline such as when shifting from park to drive or reverse, between drive and reverse. *tt10/04/1999
9851403/16/1998601303Concerns with a whistling or hissing noise from the main control area occuring while idling in drive and / or reverse on some vehicles. *tt07/20/1998
97111097231211/10/199753668Concerns with pinging or creaking being heard from the driveline when shifting from park to drive or reverse, between drive and reverse, or when engaging the clutch. *yc03/30/1998
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
0213811/10/2003032210635998Low line pressure reading at wide open throttle (wot), slipping shifts and / or delayed engagements with possible diagnostic trouble codes p0732, p0733, p1762 set on vehicles built before 12/1/2001. *tt11/04/2002
736611/01/1999610793Some vehicles equipped with manual transmission may exhibit neutral gear rollover noise (a light metallic rattling sound from the transmission) which occurs at idle with transmission in neutral clutch engaged (clutch pedal up). *tt05/15/2000
1342310/01/1999609688Vehicles equipped with manual transmission may exhibit neutral gear rollover noise which occurs at idle with transmission in neutral and clutch engaged. *tt04/06/2000
BC230197050105/01/199752797New clutch slave cylinder with a redesigned lip seal. *tw09/12/1997
101499702001/02/199751209Update to tsb 96-21-9 additional calibration added- any calibration revision level for a vehicle with a manual transmission that is not called out in tsb 96-21-9 should also be included as part of that tsb. *jd06/27/1997
BC102109723001/23/199751570Some vehicles with 4r44e transmission may have incorrect id tag numbers on the main controls. *jd06/27/1997

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
08/11/2002
 Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the odometer will move back and forth causing the consumer to have the wrong odometer readings. dealer notified. mr
 The speedometer/ the interior lamp, and the windshield wipers don't work. dealer can't find the vehicle. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
04/03/200259099111/15/1996
 Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford ranger. while driving approximately 65 mph on normal road conditions, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. the indicator remained lit until the engine was turned off. when the speed was reduced, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. on a separate occasion, the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken to a transmission shop for inspection and the transmission was re-built replaced. the failure mileage was 59,099 and the current mileage is 126,431. updated 05/08/09 *bf the engine light illuminated and the seat broke loose. updated 05/12/09.*jb updated 06/09/09.*jb
12/18/2004849901007/14/2002
 This truck accerlerates by itself, it used to only be between 2nd and 3rd gears but now i can be on the freeway and in 4th gear when i can feel the pedal go down to the floor, i'm forced to put it in nuetral until the rpms go down, trying to get it into another gear only grinds because its running too high. this is a safety issue, if it happens at the wrong time someone could get hurt or the engine will just blow up! *ak
06/27/20002
 Tramission keeps wanting not togo into reverse and into 3rd grear at various times. *ak
01/01/20011210/01/1997
 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. *ak
09/15/2001109/11/1997
 Manufacturer failed to notify consumer about transmission, transmission was made of synthetic, and it started to weave, when it reached bad proportion of oil and air, and will lose transmission, contacted dealer and dealer admitted that something was wrong with transmission.*ak *slc
02/26/200112/01/1996
 No summary listed. *ak
03/01/1998107/27/1997
 Power steering had to be replaced, was making a noise like pump was not working properly. air conditioner pump replaced. right window is loose while going down. transmission slips occasionally while taking off. there are loose bolts underneath seats. fog light failed. consumer states oil from master cylinder damaged hood. door lock inside driver's door never worked and was replaced. *ak *slc
01/15/2001
 Transmission failed. *ak
11/01/2000105/01/1997
 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. *ak
09/13/20000
 When pawl is moved from park to drive engine will stall. sometimes will not start unless rolled vehicle out of garage and clutch was pressed. *ak
05/01/1998211/23/1998
 Transmission failed twice. yh
10/15/1999208/01/1997
 The transmission started in october '99 with a hard downshift in low gear, somewhere between 15 to 10 miles per hour. at that speed you have a hard bump underneath at your transmission and a hum as you come to a stop. brandon ford co. completely rebuilt the transmission on april 25-27. a few days after, the same problem continued. i took it back and they called the ford motor co. in michigan to get a computer reprogramming of the shift, and proceeded to do this work on may 19. this automobile is still hard downshifting in low gear. if you're coming to a stop light behind traffic, it seems kind of dangerous because the downshift could kick out of gear and cause an accident. the only thing i have received from the ford company is a questionnaire about the service received at brandon ford, not about my automobile's safety. *ak( dot number: tire size: p225/70r14 )
12/18/1998
 Vehicle experienced electrical problems which will short circuit. while the vehicle was at the dealer, the transmission fell out. please provide further information. *ak
04/28/1998509/01/1997
 Selling dealer notified each time, some repairs made, problem not solved. *ak
05/01/1998211/23/1998
 Transmission failed twice. yh
06/01/1997206/05/1997
 Automatic transmission with overdrive has erratic shifts at low speed. it shifted, from drive into neutral twice. the last time the overdrive light came on and the vehicle had no forward power.
01/01/19971
 Transmission failed causing vibration.
07/16/1997
 While driving 45-50 mph , it goes into neutral rather than going to passing gear. when foot is released off of the accelerator and stepping on the gas again, it will engage. the transmission has been replaced. the dealer cannot duplicate the problem. *ak
07/01/1997
 Automatic transmission will hang up between shifts acts like it is in neutral or drag out the shift if at low speed like 1st to 2nd gear. transmission will also make a loud noise when down shifting to 1st gear at low speeds.
 Transmission failed.
09/30/1997
 While travling on the highway the vehicle shifts gears from 4th to 3rd. consumer also noticed the rmp idles high. please provide further details. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
102/01/1998
 Vehicle design does not contain enough torque to proceed forward on any incline.
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
01/18/2002
 While traveling at 35 mph driver heard a loud pop. then, lost control and hit a cliff. fire department stated axle had broken. please provide any further information.*ak
09/09/1999105/01/1997
 Loud noise in rear right axle causing loss of control and went off i 35 into center medium rolling the pickup across the uncoming line of traffic on to the outside sholder of hyw, total loss of pickup, wheel with tire on it was recovered in medium of hyw , axel was broken at brake drum, wheel and tire still good. all three other wheels and tires are broken and flat. *ak
12/06/19971
 Rear axle locked up, causing accident due to loss of control.
12/16/1997104/27/1997
 Side axle housing bent.
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
07/26/2000202/01/1997
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
01/23/1998112/01/1997
 No summary provided by the consumer( dot number: tire size: p225/75r14 )
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
 Cruise control is engaged,climbing a small rise. also, needs to shift manually from 5th to 4th gear. when clutch pedal is depressed engine will race to a wide open throttle for second ,and then it will come back to idle.dealer claimed cruise control was operating as designed. cruise control will not deactivate by applying clutch pedal , only by applying brake pedal and button. this is in conflict with owner's and service manual. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
06/10/1999202/01/1997
 No summary
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - UNIVERSAL JOINT
03/01/19971
 U-joint failed causing noise.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
08/06/2011181000
 Tl-the contact owns a 1997 ford ranger. the contact stated that one minute after starting, the vehicle failed to shift into gear and the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer, however the manufacturer was notified. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 181,000 and the current mileage was 181,760. sm.
08/06/2011181000
 Tl- the contact owns a 1997 ford ranger. the contact stated one minute after ignition start the vehicle failed to switch to any gears, and the engine shut completely down. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer, however the manufacturer was contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 181,000 and the current mileage was 181,760. rds
04/19/20002166806/03/1997
 My '97 ford ranger standard transmission exhibits high idle conditions while shifting between gears. my dealer was never able to fix the problem since i bought the vehicle new. my vehicle is no longer under bumper to bumper and emissions warranty but i have saved receipts of their attempts to fix the problem during time vehicle was warranted back in 1997. i recently discovered that the ford motor company has found the exact same high idle problem with their 1998 to 2000 model rangers and they issued a technical service bulletin tsb00-3-5. when i called my dealer to inquire and ask them to include my '97 ranger in the bulletin, they were evasive and wouldn't help. i would like to know what my options are. any help greatly appreciated. thank you. p.s. for your info, the technical service bulletin can be found at ( case sensitive, please type exactly) v8sho.com/sho/tsb00-3-5.html . *nlm
11/22/2002105/01/2098
 No summary. dt
04/11/2000110/01/1997
 Rear brakes pulled, serviced, reported unverifiable, began locking up in short bursts when stopping, reported, found faulty , replaced complete rear assembly. windshield cracked across center while driving freeway at 65 mph, started at top strip passenger side spreading across to drivers side in just minutes. door ajar switches failed causing dome light to remain on making night time visibility imposible. transmission began shifting rough in second gear hard to downshift, verified, repaired bearings in shifter. reoccured a few months later, service claimed unverifiable, worsened stuck in fourth gear in traffic, had to be pushed to shoulder , and disengaged. found to be faulty, and transmission was rebuilt ,no noticable correction , returned to service, claimed unverifiable, contacted ford motor company corporat office, advised to go to diferent dealership , while investigated internally. did so, dealer reports unverifiable, drove with supervisor of service dept, was then verified, and ordered rebuilt for 2nd time.epair, same time as extended warranty took effect, repairs done, no noticable difference, in fact now worse, all gears now effected.and at times, difficult to shift. contacted ford motor corporation once more, in effort to get help with extensive rental car costs while vehicle being serviced, was told now that two incidences were in no way related now that extended warranty was in effect too much time passed, though even only less vthan 1000 miles, is still unrepaired today. *ak
06/26/1999107/11/1997
 Transmission failed, engine surged while traveling on highway, sounded like the transmission shifted out of overdrive and fourth gear, followed by loss of power in gear. nlm
01/01/199712/29/1996
 When trying to pass other cars or when going into passing gear transmission goes into netural, you have to take foot of gas padel and step on gas pedal and the truck goes back into gear. transmission has been replaced and dealer will not make any more repairs.
07/01/1997
 While the key is out of the ignition, the defective manual transmission malfunctioned, the vehicle rolled away which almost caused an accident. *ak
 When the vehicle is parked in 1st gear and on an incline the truck jumps into nuetral and rolls. *ak
POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
01/01/1901450001
 Ltr fm edward kurrell (pa) re faulty parts & poor craftsmanship of ford vehicles, the motor in his 1997 ford ranger blew up due to a faulty thermostat. *ts the consumer stated he needed new tires and the 4-wheel drive did not work. *jb
05/11/2004147869301/28/2002
 Normal driving, failure of the electronic four wheel drive system, system not yet replaced becuase of low funds. *ak

Some parts © 2024 Advameg, Inc.
Based on public records. Inadvertent errors are possible.
This web site is not associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by and has no official or unofficial affiliation with the vehicle's manufacturer.