IllustrationCONSUMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION REGARDING A 1986 FORD RANGER SHE SOLD TO HER SON. *KB
1986 Ford Ranger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1986 Ford Ranger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 144.
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: 1 of 35 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports12 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
35 reportsDRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. *JB
CATASTROPHIC SHUTDOWN AT ANY SPEED, ENGINE STOPS RUNNING. DT
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK
IGNITION SWITCH WOULD STICK. WOULD SHORT OUT EVERTHING CONNECTED TO IT. HAD EVERYTHING RELATED TO IGNITION SWITCH & WIRING REPLACED DUE TO BEING BURNED.*AK
IGNITION HAS SHORTED OUT 3 TIMES. DEFECT KEEPS REOCCURRING.* AK CONSUMER STATES HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES, IGNITION FAILED TO DISENGAGE STARTER SOLENOID AFTER RELEASING BATTERY, CAUSED OVER HEATING OF STARTER, SHORTED TEMP GUAGE, RADIO, AND PANEL, INDICATOR LIGHTS, BUT DID NOT BLOW FUSES AS IT DID JUNE 11,2000. IT CAUSED BOTH F…
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IGNITION HAS SHORTED OUT 3 TIMES. DEFECT KEEPS REOCCURRING.* AK CONSUMER STATES HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES, IGNITION FAILED TO DISENGAGE STARTER SOLENOID AFTER RELEASING BATTERY, CAUSED OVER HEATING OF STARTER, SHORTED TEMP GUAGE, RADIO, AND PANEL, INDICATOR LIGHTS, BUT DID NOT BLOW FUSES AS IT DID JUNE 11,2000. IT CAUSED BOTH FUEL PUMPS TO SHORT OUT, THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP APPEARED TO HAVE WELDED MARKS ON OUTSIDE CASING OF PUMP, WHEN PURCHASED DEALER STATED NO DEFECTS BUT HAD JUST COME OUT OF FORD'S SHOP, HOOD HAS MARK OF COMPULSION AND MELTED PAINT ON TOP HOOD, CROSS MEMBER IS ISDE HOOD HAS OUTSIDE SHEET METAL, ALSO SHORTED ALTERNATOR ALONG WITH STARTER, STARTER SOLENOID JUNE 1998 IT APPEARS THE SHORT STARTED IN THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR THEN WENT TO THE INJECTOR HARNESS, CONSUMER HAS REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER CONSUMER ALSO HAD FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AS WELLS AS TIE ROD END AND WHEEL BALANCED AND TIRES ROTATED.*JB
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ON 2/25/2000 I BOUGHT THESE TIRES AT SEARS AUTO CENTER IN FINDLAY OHIO. THEY HAVE NOT MAINTAINED THE CORRECT AIR PRESURE. I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN THEM EVERY OTHER DAY . THEY ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSTANTLY LOOSING AIR PRESSURE. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO SEARS ON 4/21/2000,6/14/2000,7/10/2000 AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD …
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ON 2/25/2000 I BOUGHT THESE TIRES AT SEARS AUTO CENTER IN FINDLAY OHIO. THEY HAVE NOT MAINTAINED THE CORRECT AIR PRESURE. I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN THEM EVERY OTHER DAY . THEY ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSTANTLY LOOSING AIR PRESSURE. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO SEARS ON 4/21/2000,6/14/2000,7/10/2000 AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THEM AND EACH TIME THE TIRES CONTINUED TO LOOSE AIR PRESURE. ON 9/22/2000 I WENT TO SEARS AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE TIRES. I SAID THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY LOOKED AT THEM 4 TIMES AND THEY CONTINUE TO LEAK AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. THEY ASKED ME WHAT KIND OF TIRES THEY WERE AND I TOLD THEM FIRESTONE RESPONSE. THEY SAID THAT FIRESTONE IS RECALLING ALL OF THEIR TIRES AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE MYSELF. I CHECKED ON THE FIRESTONE WEB SIGHT AND THESE TIRES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NONE THE LESS THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE. I NEED SOME HELP AT GETTING THESE TIRES REPLACED BEFORE THEY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. SEARS WONT STAND BEHIND THEM AND THEY AREN'T IN THE RECALL. PLEASE HELP!!!!! SINCERELY NEAL MACKEDANZ NEALMACPAC@AOL.COM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P19575S14 )
GAS TANKS WILLNOT FILL PROPERLY AND LEAKS. *AK
ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, SUN ROOF DOESN'T WORK, AND WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE IS SHIFTING HARD. *AK
Official recalls
488V145000 · Seats
Sep 2, 1988
WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.
Remedy: INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 4, 1987
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
85V130000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 18, 1985
NYLON FUEL LINES ON THE FUEL RETURN SIDE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LINE COULD LEAK AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE NYLON FUEL HOSES WITH RUBBER HOSES.
85V116000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Sep 24, 1985
THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS INSULATION MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO COPPER SPIKES PRODUCED DURING THE WELDING OF ITS WIRES. THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE WIRES WHICH ENERGIZE THE FUEL PUMP, CAUSING SOME FUEL INJECTORS TO OPEN, DISCHARGING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL DISCHARGED INTO THE ENGINE WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAK THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO THE GROUND. THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPAIR WIRING HARNESS, CHECK ENGINE AND CATALYST FOR DAMAGE.
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
7PE92029 · Whl Separation/torque Loss
Opened Mar 16, 1992 · Closed Aug 31, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA90042 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA90016 · Gear Shift Lever Fails
Opened Mar 23, 1990 · Closed Oct 23, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE89129 · Gearshift Lever Breaks
Opened Jun 7, 1989 · Closed Mar 23, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SUMMARY: CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT GEAR SHIFT LEVER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLESEQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INABILITYTO SHIFT GEARS.ADDITIONALLY, FRACTURE MAY OCCUR AT A LOCATION WHICHALLOWS TRUNNION PIN TO FALL INTO GEARSHIFT MECHANISM, POSSIBLY LOCKING UPTHE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.===
EA88033 · Under Seat Fires
Opened May 11, 1988 · Closed Jan 23, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
EA87020 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened May 7, 1987 · Closed Sep 24, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ANALYSIS:A REVIEW OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S RESPONSES TO ODI INFORMATIONREQUESTS ISSUED UNDER PRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS PE 87-012, PE 87-017, ANDPE 87-020, INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE AND/OR MALFUNCTION OF THE SPRING-LOCKFUEL LINE COUPLINGS APPEARED TO BE THE MAJOR SOURCE OR CAUSE OF ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED UPON THIS, AN ENGINEERINGANALYSIS WAS INITIATED WHICH INCORPORATED ALL THREE OF THE ABOVE REFERENCEDPRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS.ADDITIONAL REPORTS WERE RECEIVED WHICH INDICATEDTHAT SPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING SEPARATION HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FORENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN OTHER FORD VEHICLES.THE EA WAS THEN EXPANDEDON AUGUST 18TH TO INCLUDE ALL FORD VEHICLES WHICH USE OR DID USE SPRINGLOCK COUPLINGS IN THE FUEL DELIVERY AND/OR THE FUEL RETURN SYSTEM.STATUS:BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 1, 1987, FORD AGREED TO RECALL 3,600,0001986 THROUGH 1988 PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONICFUEL-INJECTION (EFI) AND CENTRAL FUEL-INJECTION (CFI) ENGINES THAT WEREPRODUCED WITH A SPECIFIC TYPEOF SPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING.IF THESPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING WERE IMPROPERLY ENGAGED OR DAMAGED DURINGASSEMBLY OR SERVICING, THEN FUEL PRESSURE, VIBRATION, OR ENGINE MOVEMENTCOULD RESULT IN FUEL LINE SEPARATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT RISK OF A VEHICLEFIRE.TO PREVENT THIS POTENTIAL SEPARATION, THE RECALLED VEHICLES WILLHAVE RETAINER CLIPS INSTALLED OVER THE SPRING LOCK COUPLINGS.THE RECALLNUMBER IS 87V-139.PROPOSED ACTION:BASED UPON THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE RECALL, EA 87-020SHOULD BE CLOSED AND THE RECALL'S EFFECTIVENESS MONITORED.===
PE87012 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Dec 19, 1986 · Closed May 15, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:INSTANCES WERE FOUND WHERESPRING LOCK COUPLINGS FAILED CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE RELEASED THROUGHOUTTHE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING FIRES. FAILURE OF THE COUPLINGS CAN TAKEPLACE AFTER COMPLIANCE WITH A FORD RECALL CAMPAIGN, ON NEWLY DELIVEREDVEHICLES FROM THE FACTORY WITH MINIMAL MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER, AND AT ANYVEHICLE MILEAGE.---------------------------------------------------------------------------ANALYSIS:DATA INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY THESPRING LOCK QUICK CONNECT COUPLINGS WHICH CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY ANDRETURN LINES TO THE ENGINE.---------------------------------------------------------------------------PROPOSED ACTION:UPGRADE THIS PE TO AN EA.===