Model year record

1996 Ford Ranger

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 533 owner complaints on file.

Ford Ranger, 1993–1997 generation
Pictured: the 1993–1997 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-13
Owners notified
2009-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V161000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
134,770
Reported to NHTSA
1996-08-29
Owners notified
1996-12-11

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip33—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2996,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt22172,407 mi
Air bags: frontal1993,000 mi
Tires1940,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline16—
Vehicle speed control1697,000 mi
Interior lighting13—
Fuel system, gasoline1298,000 mi
Seat belts1184,736 mi
Electrical system10130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10—
Unknown or other10100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal10109,128 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner9—
Electrical system: wiring815,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine8—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly8118,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control872,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights7—
Power train: automatic transmission7—
Air bags697,345 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash6—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings6120,225 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap6117,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic6161,200 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor6—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring6—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly582,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)5—
Suspension: front5—
Tires: sidewall5178,800 mi
Electrical system: ignition4—
Electrical system: ignition: module4—
Exterior lighting: brake lights475,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch4—
Power train: clutch assembly4—
Power train: manual transmission4—
Seat belts: front: retractor4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Structure: body4129,000 mi
Suspension4200,000 mi
Visibility: windshield4—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable3—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift350,579 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3—
Seats3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum3—
Steering3—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Structure387,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs3—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly3—
Electrical system: ignition: switch2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2112,620 mi
Engine280,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings279,029 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2265,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional2—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift2—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)2—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust2—
Service brakes240,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Suspension: front: shock absorber2—
Suspension: rear2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element298,600 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Equipment: other: labels1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage179,029 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting196,000 mi
Fuel system, other1140,000 mi
Parking brake1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: body: tailgate1—
Structure: frame and members197,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: shackle1—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Visibility1100,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Wheels1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Ranger model years

All Ford Ranger recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.