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1996 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ranger years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 80 of 413 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 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

41 crash reports18 fire reports30 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

26 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 1999
Seat BeltsStructure

DOOR PROBLEM; IT IS HARD TO GET INTO VEHICLE ALSO, BELT WARNING SYSTEM B UZZER KEEPS RINGING/ LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN IT'S WARM OUTSIDE. WHEN THE BELL RINGS ALOT, IT KILLS THE BATTERY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836424

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 1998
Seat Belts

SAFETY BELTS "ROLL" - WHEN USING THE SEAT BELTS IN MY RANGER, THE MATERIAL FOR THE BELTS IS SO SOFT THEY ROLL INSIDE THE GUIDE BY MY SHOULDER CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BE TWISTED. IT TAKES ADJUSTMENT TO STRAIGHTEN THE BELT AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD OR WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS DURING AN ACCIDENT. IT SEEMS TO ME THE BELT SHO…

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SAFETY BELTS "ROLL" - WHEN USING THE SEAT BELTS IN MY RANGER, THE MATERIAL FOR THE BELTS IS SO SOFT THEY ROLL INSIDE THE GUIDE BY MY SHOULDER CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BE TWISTED. IT TAKES ADJUSTMENT TO STRAIGHTEN THE BELT AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD OR WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS DURING AN ACCIDENT. IT SEEMS TO ME THE BELT SHOULD ALWAYS BE STRAIGHT FOR MAX SUPPORT DURING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #701684

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 1997
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISON AND THE AIR BAG DID'T DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE INJURED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #814602

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1997
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISON IN WHICH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN 2ND TO 3RD DEGREE BURNS. ALSO DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT MIGHT HAVE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING HER TO SUSTAIN AN INJURIES TO THE HEAD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #813903

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 1996
Seat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT, ALSO SEAT BELT FAILED IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.

NHTSA ODI #508536

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 1996
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

DRIVING CAR, LANE MOVING SLOWLY, CHECK OVER SHOULDER, LOOKED BACK OTHER, CAR IN FRONT BRAKED SHARPLY, REARENDED CAR, SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #986830

Official recalls

2

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.

96V161000 · Equipment:other:labels

Aug 29, 1996

THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.