Model year record

1996 Ford Ranger

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

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.

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.