1996 Ford Ranger problems
Owners have filed 533 complaints about the 1996 Ford Ranger with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 13.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of visibility at 10.1%.
Complaints533
Crashes53
Fires22
Injuries39
Deaths10
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.7% · 73
Visibility 10.1% · 54
Tires 8.8% · 47
Electrical system 7.3% · 39
Vehicle speed control 6.8% · 36
Engine and engine cooling 6.4% · 34
Fuel system, gasoline 6.4% · 34
Power train 5.8% · 31
Severity
Of those complaints, 53 describe a crash, 22 describe a fire, 39 report an injury and 10 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 26 model years of the Ford Ranger in this data, 1996 sits 6th by complaint volume. 1999 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 7 in the last three years against 4 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 117,000 miles.
In owners' own words
1996 Ford Ranger truck had equipment failure and was unable to slow down. The driver swerved to the right berm and got wedged between another vehicle and the bridge wall. *Nj the consumer stated his brakes failed. When he attempted to slow down, the brake pedal went to the floor. (Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0535-91)*jb letter updated 03/17/10 Service brakes, hydraulic
When truck is driven in the morning, no matter at what speed, rear brakes lock up. Truck is fine for the rest of day. Owner phoned two dealerships about problem. Owner was told by one of dealerships that there was a new material on the brake lining that would prevent this problem. Problem has not been corrected. Service brakes, hydraulic
While consumer was driving on dry pavement ready to make a turn she put on brakes, the brake pedal went all the way down to the floor. Consumer managed to turn into a parking lot after pumping the brakes. Vehicle began to smoke and fluids leaking from the left side of the car. Then car caught on fire. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…