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: 36 of 232 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
31 crash reports14 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
232 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
HAD TO PAY FOR A FIX THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT, TSB 21-16?, TO STOP A THUMPING SOUND IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER INSTALLED A VEHICLE BYPASS KIT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM TO STOP THE THUMPING SOUND IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. I PAID $222 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE FIXED DURING A RECALL. IT HAPPENED SO…
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HAD TO PAY FOR A FIX THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT, TSB 21-16?, TO STOP A THUMPING SOUND IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER INSTALLED A VEHICLE BYPASS KIT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM TO STOP THE THUMPING SOUND IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. I PAID $222 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE FIXED DURING A RECALL. IT HAPPENED SO MUCH THAT THEY HAD A TSB ON THE PROBLEM AND I FOUND OUT THE FIX ON FORDRANGER.COM. SHOULD THIS PROBLEM BEEN FIXED AS A RECALL?
NHTSA ODI #705639
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY50 MPH AND HAD TO PASS INTO NEXT LANE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR.CONSUMER HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO STOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835414
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 1999
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #704742
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1999
Visibility
HEATER SYSTEM SMELLS LIKE BURNING LEAVES WHENEVER HEATER IS OPERATED
NHTSA ODI #703691
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
PLASTIC FUEL TANK SPONTANEOUSLY SPLIT AT A SEAM NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK, DUMPING FUEL INTO AN ATTATCHED GARAGE. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY TRAUMA TO THIS VECHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN A LIFE THREATING SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NOT AN IGNITION AGENT PRESENT. PLEASE INVESTAGE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY DID …
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PLASTIC FUEL TANK SPONTANEOUSLY SPLIT AT A SEAM NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK, DUMPING FUEL INTO AN ATTATCHED GARAGE. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY TRAUMA TO THIS VECHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN A LIFE THREATING SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NOT AN IGNITION AGENT PRESENT. PLEASE INVESTAGE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE. THE COST TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WAS ABOUT $500.00. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TANK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702708
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1999
Parking Brake
RECALL 94V169000/1. EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE AT THE WHEELS WHEN APPLIED. DEALER CONTACTED AND VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY TO RECALL. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834063
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, NO INTERIOR LIGHTS OR RADIO. LATER DISCOVERED NO STOP LIGHTS OR RUNNING LIGHTS. REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND UNDERDASH FUSES. HEADLIGHT SWITCH BURNED AND BROKEN, VEHICLE HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS MELTED NEAR ONE CONNECTOR. FORD SERVICE SHOP HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TWICE BECAUS…
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WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, NO INTERIOR LIGHTS OR RADIO. LATER DISCOVERED NO STOP LIGHTS OR RUNNING LIGHTS. REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND UNDERDASH FUSES. HEADLIGHT SWITCH BURNED AND BROKEN, VEHICLE HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS MELTED NEAR ONE CONNECTOR. FORD SERVICE SHOP HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TWICE BECAUSE OF FIRST REPLACEMENT DIMMER RHEOSTAT FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #702033
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1998
Power Train
TRANSMISSION THUMPS FROM DEAD STOP TO ACCELERATION. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED FROM APPROACH 20,000 MILES, DEALER INSTALLED NEW DRIVESHAFT, PROBLEM RESUMED AT APPROACH 40,000 (JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A DAY OR TWO AFTER TRANS.FLUID IS CHANGED. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 120,000 MILES. MANY TRANSMISSION SHOPS CON…
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TRANSMISSION THUMPS FROM DEAD STOP TO ACCELERATION. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED FROM APPROACH 20,000 MILES, DEALER INSTALLED NEW DRIVESHAFT, PROBLEM RESUMED AT APPROACH 40,000 (JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A DAY OR TWO AFTER TRANS.FLUID IS CHANGED. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 120,000 MILES. MANY TRANSMISSION SHOPS CONSULTED, NO SUQQESTIONS.
NHTSA ODI #700636
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1998
Electrical System
IT IS VERY HARD TO GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND HARD TO GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS VERY LOOSE AND MOVES IN AND OUT. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828747
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL TANK REPLACE DUE TO LEAKAGE. BELIEVE THAT LEAKAGE WAS RESULT OF HOLE WORN IN PLASTIC TANK BY METAL HOLDING STRAP. STRAP MAY HAVE FITTED TOO TIGHTLY BY MANUFACTURER.
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.
DURING EXTREME COLD, NORTHERN CLIMATE WINTER CONDITIONS, ICE CAN FORM IN THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE ENGINE CAUSING THE THROTTLE PLATE TO REMAIN IN THE HIGHWAY CRUISING POSITION AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED OR THE SPEED CONTROL IS DEACTIVATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES CAN BE INCREASED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR INTAKE DUCT AND VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED UNITS.
THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.
Remedy: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
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
2
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.
PE93045 · Steering Gear Bolt Broken
Opened May 7, 1993 · Closed Aug 31, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
1993 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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