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: 36 of 232 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 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
31 crash reports14 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
232 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2000
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT LENS OVER TIME BECOMES LESS CLEAR, TO POINT THAT LIGHT OUTPUT IS DECREASED, PRESENTING A SAFETY HAZARD. LOCAL PARTS DEALER SAID THIS IS COMMON IN RANGER AND MUSTANG, BUT I AM NOTICING THIS WITH TARUS ALSO. DEALER WANTS $120.00 + FOR EACH. CONSIDERED A COLLISON PART. PROBLEM IS PART IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND SUN MUST B…
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HEADLIGHT LENS OVER TIME BECOMES LESS CLEAR, TO POINT THAT LIGHT OUTPUT IS DECREASED, PRESENTING A SAFETY HAZARD. LOCAL PARTS DEALER SAID THIS IS COMMON IN RANGER AND MUSTANG, BUT I AM NOTICING THIS WITH TARUS ALSO. DEALER WANTS $120.00 + FOR EACH. CONSIDERED A COLLISON PART. PROBLEM IS PART IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND SUN MUST BE DESTROYING PLASTIC. BETTER WHEN HEADLIGHT LENS WERE GLASS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717740
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
LEAK DEVELOPED DUE TO CRACK IN TOP OF PLASTIC FUEL TANK. CRACK WAS LOCATED UNDER SUPPORT STRAP. TANKS ARE CURRENTLY BACK ORDERED FROM FACTORY WHICH INSINUATES A PROBLEM MAY EXIST. PROPERLY ENGINEERED AND INSTALLED PLASTIC COMPONENTS NOT EXPOSED TO UV OR IMPACT DAMAGE SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER SEVEN YEARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717378
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2000
SeatsInjury
DRIVERS SEAT BROKE WHEN HIT FROM REAR, CAUSING HEAD DAMAGE. *ET
NHTSA ODI #784421
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2000
Electrical System
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSING LIGHT FLICKERING, ON TWO OCCASIONS THE DASHBOARD HARNESS SHOWED SIGNS OF MELTING AND BURNING DUE TO FAILURE. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #550297
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL TANK, MADE OF PLASTIC, CAUSES FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TANK FROM THE SEAMS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854187
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 1999
Parking Brake
THE PARKING BRAKE HAS CONTINUALLY FAILED TO ENGAGE AND SLIPS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE FOOT PEDAL. IT WAS WORKED ON PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE TRUCK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOTICING THE NHTSA SITE THIS APPARENTLY IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL RANGERS. I BELIEVE A WEDGE WAS PUT IN MY TRUCK AT GATEWAY LINCOLN-MERCURY, BUT THIS HAS…
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THE PARKING BRAKE HAS CONTINUALLY FAILED TO ENGAGE AND SLIPS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE FOOT PEDAL. IT WAS WORKED ON PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE TRUCK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOTICING THE NHTSA SITE THIS APPARENTLY IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL RANGERS. I BELIEVE A WEDGE WAS PUT IN MY TRUCK AT GATEWAY LINCOLN-MERCURY, BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #715317
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 1999
Parking Brake
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. VEHICLE WAS ON ABOUT A 30-DEGREE HILL FACING UPHILL, MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL WITH PARKING BRAKE SET. VEHICLE DRIVER WAS NOT IN VEHICLE WHEN A LOUD POP WAS HEARD AND VEHICLE BEGAN ROLLING DOWNHILL. PREVIOUS RECALL OF INSTALLING A WEDGE WAS PERFORMED. WEDGE STILL IN PLACE. SYSTEM IS UNRELIABLE. …
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EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. VEHICLE WAS ON ABOUT A 30-DEGREE HILL FACING UPHILL, MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL WITH PARKING BRAKE SET. VEHICLE DRIVER WAS NOT IN VEHICLE WHEN A LOUD POP WAS HEARD AND VEHICLE BEGAN ROLLING DOWNHILL. PREVIOUS RECALL OF INSTALLING A WEDGE WAS PERFORMED. WEDGE STILL IN PLACE. SYSTEM IS UNRELIABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #715077
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES LEFT REAR BRAKES KEEP LOCKING UP IN COLD WEATHER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849983
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1999
Exterior Lighting
THERE IS A LENS ON THE VEHICLE THAT IS CALLED A FOG LENS COVER THAT RANDOMLY FALLS OFF THE VEHICLE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. *AK FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN THE DRIVER SIDE FOG LENSES FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #851091
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1999
SuspensionCrash
COMPLAINED TO DEALER ( LOCAL) ABOUT SAGGING SPRINGS AND WAS TOLD THAT REPLACEMENT WAS THE CORRECTING FACTOR. THIS MODEL (STX) HAS DIFFERENT (HEAVY-DUTY?) SPRINGS THAN OTHER RANGER MODELS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE CONTENT OF ANY TSB'S RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL TSB LISTINGS ON ALLDATA'S WEB SITE BUT CAN GO …
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COMPLAINED TO DEALER ( LOCAL) ABOUT SAGGING SPRINGS AND WAS TOLD THAT REPLACEMENT WAS THE CORRECTING FACTOR. THIS MODEL (STX) HAS DIFFERENT (HEAVY-DUTY?) SPRINGS THAN OTHER RANGER MODELS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE CONTENT OF ANY TSB'S RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL TSB LISTINGS ON ALLDATA'S WEB SITE BUT CAN GO NO FURTHER.
THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
DURING EXTREME COLD, NORTHERN CLIMATE WINTER CONDITIONS, ICE CAN FORM IN THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE ENGINE CAUSING THE THROTTLE PLATE TO REMAIN IN THE HIGHWAY CRUISING POSITION AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED OR THE SPEED CONTROL IS DEACTIVATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES CAN BE INCREASED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR INTAKE DUCT AND VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED UNITS.
THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.
Remedy: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
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
2
EA95018 · Separation Of Master Cylinder
Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Apr 2, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
PE93045 · Steering Gear Bolt Broken
Opened May 7, 1993 · Closed Aug 31, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
1993 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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