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: 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
What owners actually said
413 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2000
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE. DEALER IN YUBA CITY, CA AS WELL AS SPEEDOMETER SPECIALTY SHOP (SPEEDOMETER ELECTRIC IN YUBA CITY, (530) 742-2611) CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THE SAME FAILURE (WILD FLUCTUATION LEADING TO TOTAL FAILURE) IN NUMEROUS WINDSTARS AND OTHER FORD MODELS. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE THE …
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SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE. DEALER IN YUBA CITY, CA AS WELL AS SPEEDOMETER SPECIALTY SHOP (SPEEDOMETER ELECTRIC IN YUBA CITY, (530) 742-2611) CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THE SAME FAILURE (WILD FLUCTUATION LEADING TO TOTAL FAILURE) IN NUMEROUS WINDSTARS AND OTHER FORD MODELS. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER GO OUT IN THIS VEHICLE. AFTER TALKING WITH THE DEALER, SPEEDOMETER ELECTRIC OWNER , AND FINALLY A FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, I AM CONVINCED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN EITHER MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP. THE COST OF THE PART ALONE IS $333.33. INCLUDING LABOR, I PAID $417.49 FOR A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT, ESPECIALLY AT THE RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE ON THIS VAN. I SENT TWO LETTERS TO FORD (OCTOBER 22, 1999, AND NOVEMBER 19, 1999) AND ONLY GOT A GENERIC POST CARD IN RETURN SAYING THEY TRIED BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN CONTACTING ME (ALTHOUGH MY WIFE STAYS AT HOME AND WE HAVE AN ANSWERING MACHINE). THE DEALER I TOOK IT TO FOR INITIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS GEWEKE FORD IN YUBA CITY, CA (530) 821-2121. DATE: 23 AUGUST 1999. CUSTOMER # 971976. SERVICE ADVISOR SCOTT BABLER SAID IT WAS THE SPEEDOMETER, NOT THE CABLE BECAUSE HE HAD SEEN MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLY RECALLING THIS VEHICLE AND OTHERS WITH THE SAME SPEEDOMETER UNIT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU, ROBERT A. SCHOENBERG. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718918
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2000
Steering
BOLTS HOLDING STEERING GEARBOX IN PLACE EITHER BROKE OR FELL OUT, CAUSING NEARLY COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. ALMOST HIT GUARDRAIL ON EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCE RAMP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718648
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
I WAS WONERING ABOUT MY VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE IN AN ACCIDENT I HAD GOTTIN INTO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718386
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2000
Interior LightingVisibility
THE DOME LIGHTS AND DOOR AJAR BUZZER COME OFF AND ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES. IF THE SUN IS SHINNING IN THE WINDOW IT MY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS I CAN'T SEE. I ALSO HAD TO PULL THE FUSE ON THE DOME LIGHT AS IT WAS ON SO MUCH IT WAS RES HOT AND RUNNING MY BATTERY DOWN.
NHTSA ODI #718351
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2000
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE DOME LIGHT TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY, ETC. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855805
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2000
Power Train
WHEN TRAVELING THE PIVOT BRACKET WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL HAS BROKEN, CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN A NEAR CRASH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS MADE REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855755
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2000
Power Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717895
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2000
Interior Lighting
DOME STAYS ON CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE CONNECTED WITH A FAILED DOOR AJAR SENSOR. I KNOW OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WHO ARE EXPRERINCEING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THERE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURING WITH THE SAME MILEAGE AND AGE AS MINE. SINCE I HAVE DISCOVERED TWO OTHER RANGER PI…
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DOME STAYS ON CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE CONNECTED WITH A FAILED DOOR AJAR SENSOR. I KNOW OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WHO ARE EXPRERINCEING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THERE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURING WITH THE SAME MILEAGE AND AGE AS MINE. SINCE I HAVE DISCOVERED TWO OTHER RANGER PICKUP OWNERS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO WONDERING IF IT COULD BE A DESIGN PROBLEM TO GET OWNERS INTO THEIR REPAIR SHOP TO INCREASE PROFITS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717809
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2000
SteeringCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH STEERING FAILED AS THE TRUCK ENTERED A CURVE. AFTER FORCEFULLY TRYING TO STEER TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING BECAME FREE. HOWEVER, THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED TOO LATE TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK FROM THE COLLISION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717504
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
Electrical System
UNDER DASH ELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS/ TAIL LIGHTS, AND DOME LIGHTS, ETC, TO FAIL. THIS MAY RESULT IN VISUAL DIFFICULTY, AND CAUSE A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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.
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.
1996 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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