IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SAW SMOKE COMING UNDER THE DASH, TURN SIGNAL FAILED, TUNRED IGNITION OFF AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
1983 Ford Ranger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 11 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Equipment. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
3 reportsELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM IGNITION SWITCH, NO FIRE. *AK
Official recalls
584V111000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Sep 25, 1984
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THE HOOD IS NOT CLOSED TIGHTLY, OR IS INADVERTENTLY RELEASED, THE SECONDARY LATCH MAY NOT WORK AND THE HOOD MAY FLY UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE HOOD ASSEMBLY WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE HOOD AND LATCH COMPONENTS WILL BE ADJUSTED, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
84V112000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 25, 1984
THE FLEXIBLE HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FUEL PUMP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE EXISTING FUEL HOSE WILL BE REPLACED AND TWO NEW HOSE CLAMPS WILL BE INSTALLED.
84V082000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Jul 9, 1984
IF TRUCK IS STRUCK FROM THE SIDE, THE CAP ON THE FUEL TANK COULD BECOME UNSEALED, ALLOWING UNSAFE LEAKAGE OF FUEL. THIS IS A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". LEAKAGE CAN BE CAUSED BY AN ORANGE-COLORED PLASTIC DIESEL FUEL INFORMATION RING WHICH IS FOUND AROUND THE FUEL TANK NECK, OR BY THE TETHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: UPON INSPECTION, FUEL CAP TETHERS WILL BE REPLACED OR DIESEL FUEL INFORMATION RINGS WILL BE REMOVED.
83V032000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Mar 22, 1983
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER SPRING SEAT ATTACHING STUDS. THESE STUDS COULD FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, ALLOWING THE LOWER SPRING SEAT TO MOVE AND POSSIBLY SLIDE OFF THE AXLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SPRING SEAT STUDS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS.
82V033000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
Apr 12, 1982
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE MUFFLER GRASS SHIELDS WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED DURING MANUFACTURE. WITHOUT THE GRASS SHIELD, AND DURING CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE MUFFLER SURFACE TEMPERATURES COULD BECOME HOT ENOUGH TO EXCEED SPECIFIED STANDARDS AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR IGNITING TALL GRASSES IF THEY WERE PRESENT BENEATH A STANDING VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL GRASS SHIELDS ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.