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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

What owners actually said

321 reports
194,785 miles · Apr 26, 2015
Suspension

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 SHACKLES IN MY RANGER DUE TO THEM RUSTING OFF AND BREAKING. THE FOURTH SHACKLE IS WELL ON ITS WAY TO BEING RUSTED OFF. THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK SEEMS TO BE GETTING WEAK IN THE SPOTS AROUND THE SHACKLES AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712963

193,278 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Service BrakesStructureSuspension

I WAS DRIVING AT WORK GOING FROM POINT A TO POINT B AND I HEARD THE REAR BRAKES GRINDING, METAL TO METAL SOUND, WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, SLOW DOWN AND MADE IT TO POINT B, ABOUT 1 MILE, IN TOWN.... PARKED AND CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK.... AND DISCOVERED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS STRETCHED TIGHT... CRAWLED UNDER TRUCK AND DISCOVE…

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I WAS DRIVING AT WORK GOING FROM POINT A TO POINT B AND I HEARD THE REAR BRAKES GRINDING, METAL TO METAL SOUND, WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, SLOW DOWN AND MADE IT TO POINT B, ABOUT 1 MILE, IN TOWN.... PARKED AND CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK.... AND DISCOVERED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS STRETCHED TIGHT... CRAWLED UNDER TRUCK AND DISCOVERED THAT FRAME WAS RUSTED IN HALF (BROKEN ALL THE WAY THRU) ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALMOST AS BAD.... ALSO A CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AWAY... AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK WAS HANGING DOWN (BRACKET RUSTED AWAY) TRUCK IS NOW PARKED AT HOME CAN'T FIX IT.... HAD TO BUY A USED VAN FROM MY BOSS SO I COULD GET TO WORK..... I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE TITLE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.... TRUCK RUNS FINE BUT JUST CAN'T FIX A RUSTED OUT FRAME... NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE TO DRIVE... BY THE WAY THE END OF THE FRAME WHERE THE REAR BUMPER ATTACHES RUSTED ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO AND HAD TO PUT 1/2 INCH STEEL IN TO REATTACH IT.... THE FRAME WAS A LITTLE RUSTY AT THAT TIME BUT NO HOLES OR BREAKS.... I THINK FORD SHOULD COMPENSATE ALL RANGER OWNERS FOR RUSTED OUT FRAMES, I HAVE READ BLOGS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE RANGER FRAMES RUSTED OUT... I HAVE PICTURES IF NEEDED... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712102

70,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR SPRINGS AND TIRES SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10664312

86,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Structure

MY 1995 FORD RANGER WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, ORDERED TO MY SPECIFICATIONS, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE TRUCK HAS 86K ORIGINAL MILES. THE BODY OF MY TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, AS I HAVE MAINTAINED MY TRUCK THE ENTIRE LIFE OF IT, THROUGH CONTINUOUS CLEANINGS TO KEEP THE SALT DEBRIS OFF DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS TR…

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MY 1995 FORD RANGER WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, ORDERED TO MY SPECIFICATIONS, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE TRUCK HAS 86K ORIGINAL MILES. THE BODY OF MY TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, AS I HAVE MAINTAINED MY TRUCK THE ENTIRE LIFE OF IT, THROUGH CONTINUOUS CLEANINGS TO KEEP THE SALT DEBRIS OFF DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN MY PRIDE AND JOY AS IT WAS MY VERY FIRST NEW VEHICLE. I AM NOW VERY DISGUSTED AS THE FRAME ON THE LEFT SIDE, BOTH FRONT AND REAR IS COMPLETELY ROTTING AWAY AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. EVEN THOUGH THE BODY OF MY TRUCK LOOKS EXCELLENT, MY TRUCK WILL NO LONGER PASS INSPECTION DUE TO ITS DEFECTIVE FRAME. TOYOTA HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH ITS TACOMA TRUCKS AND MADE GOOD ON THEM WITH A RECALL. I AM LOOKING FOR THE SAME SATISFACTION, AS I AM A 3 TIME OWNER OF FORD VEHICLES. I CURRENTLY OWN MY SECOND FORD E-250 CARGO VAN, THAT WITH ONLY 62K ORIGINAL MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED FORD PRODUCTS AS I WAS ALWAYS TOLD FORD STANDS BY THEIR PRODUCTS, AND I AM HOPING THAT IS TRUE, BECAUSE NOW I OWN A $19K PIECE OF FORD JUNK THAT WITH OUT AN INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A ROTTED FRAME IS USELESS. I DID MY PART OVER THE YEARS TAKING EXCELLENT CARE OF MY FORD RANGER AND FOR WHAT? I AM A VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER AND I FEEL THAT THE FRAME ON MY 1995 FORD RANGER IS DEFECTIVE, JUST LIKE THE TOYOTA WAS AND I AM HOPING THAT SINCE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A ROTTED FRAME ON THEIR FORD RANGER THAT FORD WILL BE MAKING GOOD ON THIS DEFECTIVE FRAME. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF CUSTOMERS THAT ALSO HAD A 1995 FORD RANGER WITH TWICE THE MILES THAT I HAVE AND THEIR FRAME WAS ALSO ROTTED AND DEFECTIVE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT THE NECESSARY STEPS ARE THAT I NEED TO TAKE TO HAVE MY DEFECTIVE FRAME LOOKED INTO FURTHER FOR A REPLACEMENT DUE TO A RECALL ON FORD'S DEFECTIVE RANGER FRAMES. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592600

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2013
Suspension

PURCHASED BILSTEIN SHOCKS FOR FORD RANGER 95 XLT 2WD 6CYL 4.0 3 YEARS AGO FRONT SHOCKS WENT SOFT AFTER 5K MILES. PERSEVERED AND PURCHASED NEW FRONT SHOCKS [BILSTEIN] A FEW MONTHS AGO. FRONT SHOCKS SUBSTANDARD. CONTACTED BILSTEIN. SENT ALL 6 SHOCKS IN. RECEIVED 6 REPLACEMENT SHOCKS. FRONT SHOCKS ARE SUBSTANDARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO R…

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PURCHASED BILSTEIN SHOCKS FOR FORD RANGER 95 XLT 2WD 6CYL 4.0 3 YEARS AGO FRONT SHOCKS WENT SOFT AFTER 5K MILES. PERSEVERED AND PURCHASED NEW FRONT SHOCKS [BILSTEIN] A FEW MONTHS AGO. FRONT SHOCKS SUBSTANDARD. CONTACTED BILSTEIN. SENT ALL 6 SHOCKS IN. RECEIVED 6 REPLACEMENT SHOCKS. FRONT SHOCKS ARE SUBSTANDARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPUTABLE MECHANIC IN AUSTIN. CONCERNS WERE VERIFIED. CONTACTED BILSTEIN WITH INFORMATION. MY PATIENCE HAS RUN OUT. THIS IS A STANDARD PICKUP. STANDARD SUSPENSION HIGHWAY USE ONLY. 10K MILES PER YEAR. NUMBERS ON SHOCK ABSORBER BOX ARE: 24-022361 AND F4-B46-2236-H1 I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. BRAKING AND HANDLING OF MY VEHICLE ARE COMPROMISED. ARE THERE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE SHOCKS? I AM IN POSSESSION OF THE BRAND NEW UNUSED PAIR OF FRONT SHOCKS SUPPLIED BY BILSTEIN I COULD SUBMIT FOR INDEPENDENT TESTING. I WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO ANY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO VERIFY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555967

156,876 miles · Sep 1, 2013
Service Brakes

IN 2011, I WAS INFORMED BY LETTER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I WENT INTO THE DEALER IN FORT WALTON BEACH FL. AND THEY INSTALLED A WIRE CONNECTION TO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AREA ON THE ABS CONTROL. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK. IN SPRING OF 2013 THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS IT DOES EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. THIS TIME …

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IN 2011, I WAS INFORMED BY LETTER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I WENT INTO THE DEALER IN FORT WALTON BEACH FL. AND THEY INSTALLED A WIRE CONNECTION TO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AREA ON THE ABS CONTROL. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK. IN SPRING OF 2013 THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS IT DOES EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. THIS TIME IT STAYED ON AND DOES NOT GO OUT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE RESOLVED. THIS LIGHT INDICATES A FAILURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10538309

112,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED AND THE OTHER ONE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED AND THE OTHER ONE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 08/27/13*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10523742

139,026 miles · Jun 23, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

I WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER GOING ABOUT 15MPH OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND FELT THE TRAILER DROP OFF OF THE VEHICLE I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE LAST 2 FEET OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS FELL OUT TAKING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND BUMPER WITH IT. AFTER I REALIZED THAT THE REAR FRAME RUSTED OUT, I INSPECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE…

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I WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER GOING ABOUT 15MPH OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND FELT THE TRAILER DROP OFF OF THE VEHICLE I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE LAST 2 FEET OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS FELL OUT TAKING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND BUMPER WITH IT. AFTER I REALIZED THAT THE REAR FRAME RUSTED OUT, I INSPECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE RADIUS ARM BRACKET HAS HOLES IN IT, I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SHACKLES, THE DRIVER SIDE CAB MOUNT RUSTED OUT AND NOW HAS FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RATHER LARGE HOLE IN THE FRAME IN BETWEEN THE CAB AND THE BED OF THE TRUCK, MY GAS TANK STRAPS HAVE RUSTED OFF AND I NOW HAVE IT RATCHET STRAPPED IT IN BECAUSE THE MOUNT FOR THE STRAP RUSTED OUT OF THE FRAME. I BELIEVE THAT SINCE THE TRUCK IS STILL IN GOOD WORKING ORDER MINUS THE FRAME AND RUST ISSUES AND SINCE IT STILL HAS MODERATE TO LOW MILES I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT WITH THEIR VALUED CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE VEHICLE OR AT LEAST REPAIR IT TO WHERE IT IS STREET WORTHY. RANGERS ARE GREAT TRUCKS BUT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY MANUFACTURED WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521302

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

RUSTED OUT GAS TANK STRAPS BOTH FRONT AND BACK STRAPS ARE RUSTED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512959

200,000 miles · Mar 6, 2012
SteeringSuspension

THE RH. RADIUS ARM FRACTURED WITH SEVERE PULLING WITH NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON A COUNTRY ROAD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATED A 85 % RUST THROUGH OF FRAME NEAR COIL SPRING AND RADIUS ARM ATTACHMENT. ALSO THE RH REAR LEAF SPRING IS RUSTED 90% THROUGH, ANY ONE OF THESE FAILURES WOULD CAUSE A DEADLY CRASH. I WO…

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THE RH. RADIUS ARM FRACTURED WITH SEVERE PULLING WITH NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON A COUNTRY ROAD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATED A 85 % RUST THROUGH OF FRAME NEAR COIL SPRING AND RADIUS ARM ATTACHMENT. ALSO THE RH REAR LEAF SPRING IS RUSTED 90% THROUGH, ANY ONE OF THESE FAILURES WOULD CAUSE A DEADLY CRASH. I WORKED AS A PARTS MANAGER FOR 23 YEARS FOR A FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NEVER WITNESSED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450432

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