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
141,000 miles · Aug 7, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
RUBBER FUEL VAPOR HOSE BETWEEN FUEL VAPOR PURGE VALVE AND CHARCOAL CANISTER CAN'T BE REPAIRED BECAUSE FORD HAS MADE PART OBSOLETE. THIS HOSE IS NOT A NORMAL OFF THE SHELF BULK HOSE. IT IS RUBBER PERFORMED WITH A DIFFERENT INSIDE DIAMETER ON BOTH ENDS. FORD WON'T EVEN GIVE ME PART NUMBER! THREE PARTS VENDORS WERE RECOMMENDED TO …
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RUBBER FUEL VAPOR HOSE BETWEEN FUEL VAPOR PURGE VALVE AND CHARCOAL CANISTER CAN'T BE REPAIRED BECAUSE FORD HAS MADE PART OBSOLETE. THIS HOSE IS NOT A NORMAL OFF THE SHELF BULK HOSE. IT IS RUBBER PERFORMED WITH A DIFFERENT INSIDE DIAMETER ON BOTH ENDS. FORD WON'T EVEN GIVE ME PART NUMBER! THREE PARTS VENDORS WERE RECOMMENDED TO MAYBE FIND PART. THE VENDORS ALL WANT PART NUMBER THOUGH-SO THAT DOESN'T HELP ME. THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY LEAKS GASOLINE FUMES. I'M NOT EXPECTING FORD TO FIX IT BECAUSE OF AGE OF TRUCK. SOMETHING OUGHT TO DONE BY FORD TO MAKE PART AVAILABLE TO CONSUMER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. TRUCK COULD EASILY CATCH ON FIRE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10619480
265,000 miles · Jul 5, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
TURNS OVER BUT WON'T START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10608274
222,650 miles · Aug 4, 2013
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533529
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2013
Seat Belts
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO HOLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514864
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
THE TWO BUTTONS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HORN, ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THAT CONTROL THE CRUISE CONTROL MELT IN THE HEAT AND EXPOSE THE CIRCUIT BOARDS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW YEARS AND I FINALLY NEED TO REPORT THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514863
212,000 miles · Mar 27, 2013
Seat Belts
I BOUGHT THIS FORD RANGER AS A USED CAR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH INTO BUCKLE. I AM USING THE PASSENGERS SIDE BUCKLE FOR NOW. I AM AFRAID I WILL STRANGLE MYSELF IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I JUST WANT A REPLACEMENT PART AND NEED TO KNOW IF THIS PART WAS RECALLED SO I CAN GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HA…
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I BOUGHT THIS FORD RANGER AS A USED CAR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH INTO BUCKLE. I AM USING THE PASSENGERS SIDE BUCKLE FOR NOW. I AM AFRAID I WILL STRANGLE MYSELF IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I JUST WANT A REPLACEMENT PART AND NEED TO KNOW IF THIS PART WAS RECALLED SO I CAN GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504677
54,362 miles · Mar 16, 2013
Seat Belts
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WON'T LATCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503300
95,877 miles · Sep 25, 2011
Suspension
RIGHT REAR SPRING SHACKLE RUSTED OUT AND BROKE, PUSHING THE SPRING UP AGAINST THE BED. THE WHOLE BACK END OF THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10427107
161,200 miles · Sep 22, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
NHTSA ODI #10426758
127,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND AS THE HOOD WAS RAISED FLAMES STARTED TO RISE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRES FROM THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL STARTE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND AS THE HOOD WAS RAISED FLAMES STARTED TO RISE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRES FROM THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL STARTED THE FIRE. AS A RESULT, THE WIRES FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER SWITCH MELTED AND ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
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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