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
96,000 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 09/30/11*L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 09/30/11*LJ THE FUEL TANK STRAP WERE REPLACED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. UPDATED 10/05/11
NHTSA ODI #10420059
201,000 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Electrical SystemFire
OVERNIGHT THE TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO UNDER THE DASH THROUGHOUT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AS WELL AS DUCTWORK. IT RE-IGNITED AND BURNED AFTER BEING PUT OUT ONCE THEN AFTER THE BATTERY WAS SUCCESSFULLY DISCONNECTED, DID NOT CATCH FIRE AGAIN. …
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OVERNIGHT THE TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO UNDER THE DASH THROUGHOUT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AS WELL AS DUCTWORK. IT RE-IGNITED AND BURNED AFTER BEING PUT OUT ONCE THEN AFTER THE BATTERY WAS SUCCESSFULLY DISCONNECTED, DID NOT CATCH FIRE AGAIN. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10419871
183,408 miles · May 10, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS TANK DROPPED BUT DIDN'T COME APART FROM VEHICLE DUE TO GAS TANK STRAP RUSTING THROUGH. WHEN INVESTIGATED I FOUND THAT THE OTHER STRAP WAS RUSTED THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE WAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399937
84,736 miles · Apr 26, 2011
Seat Belts
1996 FORD RANGER XLT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10397954
100,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Electrical SystemVisibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OBSTRUCTING HIS VIEW. ALSO, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT DOOR AJAR ALARM WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE DOOR WAS BEEN CLOSED INTERMITTENTLY. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRONIC OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OBSTRUCTING HIS VIEW. ALSO, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT DOOR AJAR ALARM WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE DOOR WAS BEEN CLOSED INTERMITTENTLY. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRONIC OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. ALL THREE ELECTRICAL FAILURES BEGAN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10384411
97,000 miles · Feb 21, 2011
Structure
1. EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY CORROSION 2. SUSPENSION FAILURE DUE TO BREAKS IN SPRING TO FRAME MOUNTS AND SHACKLES; THREE TIMES IN TWO YEARS. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN BODY DROPPED ONTO WHEEL 3. NEW SPRING MOUNTS HAD TO BE WELDED ONTO FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10383474
90,000 miles · Feb 21, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1. UNDERBODY CORROSION LEADING TO PERFORATION OF METAL BRAKE LINES 2. PARTIAL UP TO COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION. FIVE TIMES IN THREE YEARS. CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF BRAKING 3. REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LINES - OLD CORRODED LINES AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10383471
116,501 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS OVERFLOW FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK, NOT THRU THE NOZZLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346841
116,500 miles · May 27, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
FILLING MY FORD RANGER WITH GAS OFTEN LEADS TO OVERFLOWS ONTO THE GROUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK; I.E. IT DOES NOT OVERFLOW THROUGH THE NOZZLE WHERE GAS IS PUMPED IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332527
117,000 miles · Apr 19, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT WAS DISPENSING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, AND THERE WAS A LEAKAGE OF FUEL DUE TO A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK HOSE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE COST OF REPAIR PART WAS $400.00. THE PART WAS ORDERED FOR FUTURE REPAIR. THE CONTACT DISAGREED WITH THE COST OF THE PA…
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TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT WAS DISPENSING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, AND THERE WAS A LEAKAGE OF FUEL DUE TO A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK HOSE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE COST OF REPAIR PART WAS $400.00. THE PART WAS ORDERED FOR FUTURE REPAIR. THE CONTACT DISAGREED WITH THE COST OF THE PART AND STATED THERE SHOULD BE A REDUCTION IN THE COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 117,000.
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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