IllustrationMileage unknown · Apr 28, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #706076
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsNO SUMMARY
DESIGN OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE CHAFES AGAINST A SUSPENSION PART ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE CAUSING DAMAGE, DISCOVERED BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE. MJS
TRANSMISSION LOOSE AND HAS PLAY IN IT. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, HOWEVER THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO 80 MPH WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEAR FATALITY. *AK
AT LEAST 12 SETS OF BRAKES PUT ON VEHICLE"4 IN UDER 9000 MILES, RESULTING IN 2 ACCIDENTS" 3 TIMES AT TURNING ROTORS/ENGINE REBUILT AT 52000 MILES STILL WITH LOSS OF PORWER. 2 EGR VALVES/2 WIPER SWITCHES/SYNCRONIZERS/2 SLAVE CYLINDERS ON TRANSMISSION AND OIL LEAK. ALL PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. ENGINE IDLES HIGH ENOUGH THAT THE USE O…
Read full complaint
AT LEAST 12 SETS OF BRAKES PUT ON VEHICLE"4 IN UDER 9000 MILES, RESULTING IN 2 ACCIDENTS" 3 TIMES AT TURNING ROTORS/ENGINE REBUILT AT 52000 MILES STILL WITH LOSS OF PORWER. 2 EGR VALVES/2 WIPER SWITCHES/SYNCRONIZERS/2 SLAVE CYLINDERS ON TRANSMISSION AND OIL LEAK. ALL PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. ENGINE IDLES HIGH ENOUGH THAT THE USE OF THE GAS PEDAL IS NOT NEEDED FOR INTOWN DRIVING. SPEEDS OF 45MPH CAN BE OBTAINED BEFORE HITTING PEDAL.
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
HAD NOTICED SMOKE FILLING GAUGES & THEN TURNED BLACK. HAD STOPPED VEHICLE & SMELLED SMOKE. CHECKED VEHICLE & DASHBOARD TWICE BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE OCCURRED FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL/DASHBOARD AREA. *AK
THE TRUCK COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND COST A LIFE,THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND A RECALL DONE IF IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND YR OF TRUCK
PART REPLACED WITH USED PARTS. TOTAL COST $379.18, TOOK 10 DAYS TO GET REPAIRED AT BAY FORD, PORT ORCHARD, WA, 98366. THIS FAILURE CAUSED A SMALL FIRE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN AND FILLED THE CAB WITH SMOKE. THIS INCIDENT ENDANGERED THE LIFE OF MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. NEITHER BAY FORD (REPAIR FACILITY ) NOR FORD CUSTOMER SE…
Read full complaint
PART REPLACED WITH USED PARTS. TOTAL COST $379.18, TOOK 10 DAYS TO GET REPAIRED AT BAY FORD, PORT ORCHARD, WA, 98366. THIS FAILURE CAUSED A SMALL FIRE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN AND FILLED THE CAB WITH SMOKE. THIS INCIDENT ENDANGERED THE LIFE OF MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. NEITHER BAY FORD (REPAIR FACILITY ) NOR FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD HANDLE THIS UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Official recalls
209V399000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.