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: 22 of 189 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 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports32 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
189 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2002
Suspension
FAILURE OF THE RIGHT SUSPENSION, COLLAPSED. UPPER SPRING SEAT AND SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKET RUSTED OUT AND BROKE OFF. DEALER ASSESSED THE FAILURE ALONG WITH A FORD FIELD ENGINEER. CONCLUSION WAS THAT THERE IS NO HISTORY OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IN FORD'S RECORDS AND NO RECALLS. BLAMED THE FAILURE ON ACCIDENT DAMAGE THAT WAS EVIDENT …
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FAILURE OF THE RIGHT SUSPENSION, COLLAPSED. UPPER SPRING SEAT AND SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKET RUSTED OUT AND BROKE OFF. DEALER ASSESSED THE FAILURE ALONG WITH A FORD FIELD ENGINEER. CONCLUSION WAS THAT THERE IS NO HISTORY OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IN FORD'S RECORDS AND NO RECALLS. BLAMED THE FAILURE ON ACCIDENT DAMAGE THAT WAS EVIDENT BY NEW FENDER ON THE TRUCK. DEALER WAS ADVISED THAT NO SUSPENSION OR FRAME DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE REPAIRING SHOP COULD BE CONTACTED FOR THAT ASSESSMENT. DEALER ADVISED THAT INSURANCE COMPANY SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR POSSIBLE COVERAGE.
NHTSA ODI #766307
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2002
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, EXTERIOR MIRRORS WILL FOLD IN, CONSUMER WOULD BE UNABLE TO VIEW OR USE THE MIRRORS.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8015745
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
A FIRE STARTED ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIRSSHOP FOR REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8015608
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Suspension
FRONT COIL SPRINGS BRACKET BROKE AFTER CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WASAWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT HAD NOT REMEDY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8013006
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING, THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRES LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT FIRE. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP. AFTER 3 OR 4 MINUTES, THE SMOKE CLEARED. IGNITION AT THIS POINT WAS "FROZEN" AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE MOVED. WHEN TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS, THE…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRES LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT FIRE. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP. AFTER 3 OR 4 MINUTES, THE SMOKE CLEARED. IGNITION AT THIS POINT WAS "FROZEN" AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE MOVED. WHEN TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS, THEY INDICATED THIS SHOULD BE UNDER A RECALL. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATED IT WAS NOT, BUT THAT 12 OTHER FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY MODELS WERE UNDER RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME THING (CAMPAIGN NO 96V071000). MY VEHICLE FALLS WITHIN THE SAME YEARS. WHY IS MY RANGER NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? THANK YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #762384
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2002
Suspension
SPRING TOWER DETERIORATED PREMATURELY AND COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE ALMOST LOSING CONTROL. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I EVEN HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED THE DAY BEFORE, AND NO APPEARENT DEFECT WAS DETECTED. WHEN I CONFRONED THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP ,HE TOLD …
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SPRING TOWER DETERIORATED PREMATURELY AND COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE ALMOST LOSING CONTROL. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I EVEN HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED THE DAY BEFORE, AND NO APPEARENT DEFECT WAS DETECTED. WHEN I CONFRONED THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP ,HE TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS TRUCK. FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE CONDENSATION FROM THE AC DRIPS ON THIS PART CAUSING IT TO RUST AND FAIL SOONER. HE INFORMED ME THE PARTS WERE IN STOCK. THE PRICE WAS ABOUT $100. FOR THE PART AND APROX 200. FOR LABOR. HE ALSO RECOMENDED ANOTHER SHOP WHERE I COULD GO AND HAVE DONE A LITTLE CHEEPER. SO I CHECKED WITH THEM , THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. LATELY THE'VE DONE SEVERAL. I THINK THIS NEEDS SOME INVESTIGATION. I THINK I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE CRASHED. THIS ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE STREETS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME (708) 417-8104 OR (708)422-1699 THANK YOU. AK
NHTSA ODI #761477
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SAW SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER DASH. SOUND LIKE THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS RUNNING. VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED ON INSIDE. PLEASE ADD VIN.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8008994
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2002
TiresInjury
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TRAVEL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, FRONT RIGHT TIRE ROLLED OFF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT POLE AND DAMAGED SOME PART OF THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS ONE INJURY. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8005995
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2002
Structure
CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRAME DROPPED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK, THE PART FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST.*JB
THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
WATER CAN ENTER THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THE WATER IN THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE CAN FREEZE AND CAUSE THE LATCH MECHANISM TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE MALFUNCTION OF THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CAN RESULT INTHREE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS: 1) THE DOOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE RELATCHED, 2) THEINSIDE DOOR HANDLE CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND 3) THE DOOR COULD APPEAR TO BELATCHED WHEN IT IS NOT, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY IF IT IS JARRED,AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE ADJACENT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: REVISED DOOR RELEASE CABLES AND WATER SHIELDS WILL BE INSTALLED.
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
1
EA95018 · Separation Of Master Cylinder
Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Apr 2, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
1992 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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