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1995 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ranger years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 41 of 321 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports9 fire reports11 injury reports

Power Train complaints

22 reports
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197,625 miles · Feb 22, 2012
Power TrainSuspension

I HAVE HAD A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE SUSPENSION ON MY 1995 RANGER. I WAS DRIVING AND HAD A PASSENGER WITH ME WHEN THE REAR SPRING BRACKETS GAVE OUT ON ME, DROPPING MY REAR END DOWN AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE TRUCK, I SAW THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKETS HAD SHEARED AND WAS NO…

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I HAVE HAD A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE SUSPENSION ON MY 1995 RANGER. I WAS DRIVING AND HAD A PASSENGER WITH ME WHEN THE REAR SPRING BRACKETS GAVE OUT ON ME, DROPPING MY REAR END DOWN AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE TRUCK, I SAW THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKETS HAD SHEARED AND WAS NOW IN TWO PIECES. THE ONLY BRACKET NOT DESTROYED WAS THE PASSENGER FRONT. ALL THE BRACKETS WERE RUSTED OUT AND GAVE WAY. I HAVE OWNED OTHER RANGERS AND THIS WAS THE FIRST ONE THAT HAS DONE THIS TO ME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BRACKETS AND REAR SHACKLES. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM. THE METAL WAS THIN AND OF VERY LOW QUALITY. I HAVE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE FIELD FOR OVER 40 YEARS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THE DEFECTIVE UNITS REPLACED, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO THE FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT HIGH FREEWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I FEEL THAT IT FALLS WITHIN THE SAME AREA AS THE STICKING ACCELERATOR CABLE ON THE IMPORTS. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING ANY FOLLOWUPS ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449011

165,000 miles · Apr 30, 2005
Power Train

!) DRIVING 1995 FORD RANGER ON DESERTED STRETCH OF ROAD. ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS. ) THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER CAME LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET, DISABLING GEAR SHIFTING. NO WRECK OR OTHER DAMAGE DUE TO BEING ALONE ON ROAD. TRUCK DISABLED IN ROAD. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER SHOP. ) DEALER NOT OPEN NEXT DAY ( SATURDAY). …

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!) DRIVING 1995 FORD RANGER ON DESERTED STRETCH OF ROAD. ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS. ) THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER CAME LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET, DISABLING GEAR SHIFTING. NO WRECK OR OTHER DAMAGE DUE TO BEING ALONE ON ROAD. TRUCK DISABLED IN ROAD. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER SHOP. ) DEALER NOT OPEN NEXT DAY ( SATURDAY). I EXAMINED REPAIR MANUAL AND FOUND THAT CYLINDER TWISTS INTO PLACE AND SHOULD BE HELD IN PLACE BY RECESSES IN MOUNTING BRACKET. I RE-INSERTED CYLINDER INTO MOUNT AND CLUTCH WAS RESTORED. BUT CYLINDER WOULD NOT STAY IN MOUNTING RECESSES AND APPEARED LIKELY TO COME LOOSE AGAIN. RETURNED TO DEALER 5 DAYS LATER. THEY TIGHTENED MOUNT BRACKET (DIDN'T SEEM LOOSE TO ME), BUT CANNOT UNDERSTAND INCIDENT, SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT RECUR. CYLINDER STILL APPEARS SLIGHTLY UNSEATED FROM MOUNT. DESIGN APPEARS MARGINAL TO ME. 45 DEGREE ROTATION OF CYLINDER DETACHES IT FROM MOUNT. THE RECESSES TO RETAIN CYLINDER IN POSITION ARE VERY SHALLOW. IT IS ALREADY PARTLY ROTATED DUE TO CONNECTORS' STRAIN. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO FIND THIS SITUATION IN OTHER TRUCKS. ENTIRE CLUTCH SYSTEM, INCLUDING MASTER CYLINDER, WAS REPLACED LESS THAN 4 MONTHS AGO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10118732

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2004
Power Train

WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, THE ENGINE REVS UP TO VERY HIGH RPMS...HOLDS FOR A FEW (5) SECONDS AND THEN DROPS DOWN TO IDLE AT APPROX. 1600 RPMS. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST FREQUENTLY AFTER TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVEN A WHILE. HAVE TAKEN TO TWO MECHANICS BUT TO NO AVAIL. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10074481

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2001
Interior LightingPower TrainVisibility

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE CHIME STAYS ON, INTERIOR LIGHTS AS WELL AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS START. WHEN TAKING FUSE OUT TO STOP, SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT WORK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885994

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AT 70MPH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE VEHICLE TO SKID DANGEROULSY. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881764

Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2000
Power Train

THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB ASSEMBLY ON THE 95 MODEL YEAR RANGER IS DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOW REPLACE THIS PART 3 TIMES AT A TOTAL COST TO ME OF $1000. THE EXACT PART IN QUESTION IS A PLASTIC BUSHING IN TH HUB THAT GOES BAD. FORD WILL NOT SELL THIS BUSHING ALONE, THEY REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMEBLY. THE FOUR…

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THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB ASSEMBLY ON THE 95 MODEL YEAR RANGER IS DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOW REPLACE THIS PART 3 TIMES AT A TOTAL COST TO ME OF $1000. THE EXACT PART IN QUESTION IS A PLASTIC BUSHING IN TH HUB THAT GOES BAD. FORD WILL NOT SELL THIS BUSHING ALONE, THEY REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMEBLY. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT FUNCTION IF THIS BUSHING IS NOT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I AM CONCERNED FOR THOSE OF US IN NORTHERN STATES THAT INJURIES AND FATALITIES WILL OCCUR BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY PART. *AK

NHTSA ODI #738240

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING. NLM

NHTSA ODI #553916

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure

THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #551563

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 1998
Power Train

WHEN I SHIFT FROM 2ND-3RD-4TH, NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I PUT IT IN, THE MOTOR REVES REALLY HIGH. ALMOST LIKE IT HAS TO BE SHIFTED AGAIN. WE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE BEFORE. THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN 2 MONTHS LATER. WHEN WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IT WASN'T DOING IT AT THE TIME. IT SEEM…

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WHEN I SHIFT FROM 2ND-3RD-4TH, NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I PUT IT IN, THE MOTOR REVES REALLY HIGH. ALMOST LIKE IT HAS TO BE SHIFTED AGAIN. WE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE BEFORE. THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN 2 MONTHS LATER. WHEN WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IT WASN'T DOING IT AT THE TIME. IT SEEMS LIKE IT ONLY DOES IT AFTER YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWHILE. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, CAN YOU PLEASE LET US KNOW IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. AND HOW DO WE GO ABOUT HAVING THEM FIX THE VEHICLE AND PIN POINT THE PROBLEM I'AM HAVING WITH IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

NHTSA ODI #701761

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1998
Power Train

CABLE THAT GOES FROM THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION JAMMED BETWEEN THE FRAME, CAUSING THE MUFFLER TO BURN THOUGH THE CABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #831226

Official recalls

1

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

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

EA02011 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure

Opened Jul 2, 2002 · Closed May 21, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXIST DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION