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1995 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ranger years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 41 of 321 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports9 fire reports11 injury reports

Structure complaints

21 reports
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195,000 miles · Aug 4, 2019
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THE REAR HALF OF THE TRUCK FRAME IS ROTTED TO PIECES. THE BRACKETS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE SHOCKS ARE RUSTED OFF AND MISSING..

NHTSA ODI #11241619

52,000 miles · Jan 22, 2019
StructureUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

CHASSIS FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY. ALL ENAMEL PAINT IS GONE AND CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL IS FLAKING OFF

NHTSA ODI #11171298

193,278 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Service BrakesStructureSuspension

I WAS DRIVING AT WORK GOING FROM POINT A TO POINT B AND I HEARD THE REAR BRAKES GRINDING, METAL TO METAL SOUND, WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, SLOW DOWN AND MADE IT TO POINT B, ABOUT 1 MILE, IN TOWN.... PARKED AND CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK.... AND DISCOVERED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS STRETCHED TIGHT... CRAWLED UNDER TRUCK AND DISCOVE…

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I WAS DRIVING AT WORK GOING FROM POINT A TO POINT B AND I HEARD THE REAR BRAKES GRINDING, METAL TO METAL SOUND, WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, SLOW DOWN AND MADE IT TO POINT B, ABOUT 1 MILE, IN TOWN.... PARKED AND CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK.... AND DISCOVERED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS STRETCHED TIGHT... CRAWLED UNDER TRUCK AND DISCOVERED THAT FRAME WAS RUSTED IN HALF (BROKEN ALL THE WAY THRU) ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALMOST AS BAD.... ALSO A CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AWAY... AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK WAS HANGING DOWN (BRACKET RUSTED AWAY) TRUCK IS NOW PARKED AT HOME CAN'T FIX IT.... HAD TO BUY A USED VAN FROM MY BOSS SO I COULD GET TO WORK..... I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE TITLE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.... TRUCK RUNS FINE BUT JUST CAN'T FIX A RUSTED OUT FRAME... NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE TO DRIVE... BY THE WAY THE END OF THE FRAME WHERE THE REAR BUMPER ATTACHES RUSTED ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO AND HAD TO PUT 1/2 INCH STEEL IN TO REATTACH IT.... THE FRAME WAS A LITTLE RUSTY AT THAT TIME BUT NO HOLES OR BREAKS.... I THINK FORD SHOULD COMPENSATE ALL RANGER OWNERS FOR RUSTED OUT FRAMES, I HAVE READ BLOGS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE RANGER FRAMES RUSTED OUT... I HAVE PICTURES IF NEEDED... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712102

70,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR SPRINGS AND TIRES SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10664312

86,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Structure

MY 1995 FORD RANGER WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, ORDERED TO MY SPECIFICATIONS, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE TRUCK HAS 86K ORIGINAL MILES. THE BODY OF MY TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, AS I HAVE MAINTAINED MY TRUCK THE ENTIRE LIFE OF IT, THROUGH CONTINUOUS CLEANINGS TO KEEP THE SALT DEBRIS OFF DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS TR…

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MY 1995 FORD RANGER WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, ORDERED TO MY SPECIFICATIONS, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE TRUCK HAS 86K ORIGINAL MILES. THE BODY OF MY TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, AS I HAVE MAINTAINED MY TRUCK THE ENTIRE LIFE OF IT, THROUGH CONTINUOUS CLEANINGS TO KEEP THE SALT DEBRIS OFF DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN MY PRIDE AND JOY AS IT WAS MY VERY FIRST NEW VEHICLE. I AM NOW VERY DISGUSTED AS THE FRAME ON THE LEFT SIDE, BOTH FRONT AND REAR IS COMPLETELY ROTTING AWAY AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. EVEN THOUGH THE BODY OF MY TRUCK LOOKS EXCELLENT, MY TRUCK WILL NO LONGER PASS INSPECTION DUE TO ITS DEFECTIVE FRAME. TOYOTA HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH ITS TACOMA TRUCKS AND MADE GOOD ON THEM WITH A RECALL. I AM LOOKING FOR THE SAME SATISFACTION, AS I AM A 3 TIME OWNER OF FORD VEHICLES. I CURRENTLY OWN MY SECOND FORD E-250 CARGO VAN, THAT WITH ONLY 62K ORIGINAL MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED FORD PRODUCTS AS I WAS ALWAYS TOLD FORD STANDS BY THEIR PRODUCTS, AND I AM HOPING THAT IS TRUE, BECAUSE NOW I OWN A $19K PIECE OF FORD JUNK THAT WITH OUT AN INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A ROTTED FRAME IS USELESS. I DID MY PART OVER THE YEARS TAKING EXCELLENT CARE OF MY FORD RANGER AND FOR WHAT? I AM A VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER AND I FEEL THAT THE FRAME ON MY 1995 FORD RANGER IS DEFECTIVE, JUST LIKE THE TOYOTA WAS AND I AM HOPING THAT SINCE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A ROTTED FRAME ON THEIR FORD RANGER THAT FORD WILL BE MAKING GOOD ON THIS DEFECTIVE FRAME. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF CUSTOMERS THAT ALSO HAD A 1995 FORD RANGER WITH TWICE THE MILES THAT I HAVE AND THEIR FRAME WAS ALSO ROTTED AND DEFECTIVE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT THE NECESSARY STEPS ARE THAT I NEED TO TAKE TO HAVE MY DEFECTIVE FRAME LOOKED INTO FURTHER FOR A REPLACEMENT DUE TO A RECALL ON FORD'S DEFECTIVE RANGER FRAMES. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592600

139,026 miles · Jun 23, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

I WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER GOING ABOUT 15MPH OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND FELT THE TRAILER DROP OFF OF THE VEHICLE I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE LAST 2 FEET OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS FELL OUT TAKING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND BUMPER WITH IT. AFTER I REALIZED THAT THE REAR FRAME RUSTED OUT, I INSPECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE…

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I WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER GOING ABOUT 15MPH OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND FELT THE TRAILER DROP OFF OF THE VEHICLE I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE LAST 2 FEET OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS FELL OUT TAKING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND BUMPER WITH IT. AFTER I REALIZED THAT THE REAR FRAME RUSTED OUT, I INSPECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE RADIUS ARM BRACKET HAS HOLES IN IT, I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SHACKLES, THE DRIVER SIDE CAB MOUNT RUSTED OUT AND NOW HAS FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RATHER LARGE HOLE IN THE FRAME IN BETWEEN THE CAB AND THE BED OF THE TRUCK, MY GAS TANK STRAPS HAVE RUSTED OFF AND I NOW HAVE IT RATCHET STRAPPED IT IN BECAUSE THE MOUNT FOR THE STRAP RUSTED OUT OF THE FRAME. I BELIEVE THAT SINCE THE TRUCK IS STILL IN GOOD WORKING ORDER MINUS THE FRAME AND RUST ISSUES AND SINCE IT STILL HAS MODERATE TO LOW MILES I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT WITH THEIR VALUED CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE VEHICLE OR AT LEAST REPAIR IT TO WHERE IT IS STREET WORTHY. RANGERS ARE GREAT TRUCKS BUT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY MANUFACTURED WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521302

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

RUSTED OUT GAS TANK STRAPS BOTH FRONT AND BACK STRAPS ARE RUSTED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512959

180,000 miles · Mar 6, 2011
Structure

VEHICLE IS A 1995 FORD RANGER XL. AS OF JULY 2010, THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE REAR BUMPER HAD STARTED TO SAG BUT I DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT AS THE TRUCK STILL DROVE FINE AND THERE WERE NO ROT HOLES UPON VISUAL INSPECTION. 8 MONTHS LATER, I HIT A POT-HOLE AND THE BUMPER LET GO COMPLETELY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. IT WAS STILL HELD UP …

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VEHICLE IS A 1995 FORD RANGER XL. AS OF JULY 2010, THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE REAR BUMPER HAD STARTED TO SAG BUT I DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT AS THE TRUCK STILL DROVE FINE AND THERE WERE NO ROT HOLES UPON VISUAL INSPECTION. 8 MONTHS LATER, I HIT A POT-HOLE AND THE BUMPER LET GO COMPLETELY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. IT WAS STILL HELD UP BY THE PASSANGER SIDE ALTHOUGH IT WAS BARELY ON THERE. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH MORE AND THE BACK PORTIONS OF THE FRAME WERE COMPETELY ROTTED AWAY (NON-EXISTANT). I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH, IT SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER FORD RANGER OWNERS TOO. THIS IS ALSO VERY SCARY BECAUSE THE ROT GOES UP TO THE LEAF SPRING MOUNTS. IF THE A LEAF SPRING MOUNT LETS GO, THE TRUCK WILL SUDDENLY DROP TO ONE SIDE AND THERE IS AN EXTREMELY HIGH RISK OF A ROLL OVER OR MAJOR ACCIDENT AT A MINIMUM. (I READ STORIES ABOUT THIS ONLINE WHICH SCARE ME) I TOOK A PIECE OF METAL AND HAD IT WELDED ON TO HOLD THE BUMPER WHICH WORKED BUT IT IS NOT THAT STRONG AND WILL NOT ABSORB A REAR END COLLISION AS THE FRAME IS GONE. IT ALSO DOES NOT HELP THE LEAF SPRING MOUNTS WHICH ARE STILL VERY WEAK AND WILL BREAK OFF SOON. MY TRUCK FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE ROT PROBLEM AND I HAVE BEEN WARNED NOT TO DRIVE IT. THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO CORRECT IT EXCEPT REPLACE THE FRAME. THE PROBLEM IS YOU CANT JUST GO BUY A NEW FRAME AND A REPAIR WILL BE VERY COSTLY. IF THIS HAPPENS, YOU MOST LIKELY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GET A NEW VEHICLE. MY TRUCK HAS HAD AN EASY LIFE (NO TOWING OR EXCESSIVE LOADS) AND STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT SEE THIS COMING AND DON'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO GET A NEW VEHICLE AND CANT SELL THIS ONE FOR MUCH SINCE THE FRAME IS GONE. ITS A CATCH-22. THIS DESERVES A RECALL AS IT CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND PEOPLE CAN BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF IT IS NOT CAUGHT IN TIME. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386619

150,000 miles · Jul 22, 2009
Structure

1995 FORD RANGER, 150-ODD MILES. NO INDICATION THE FAILURE WAS COMING. THE GAS PEDALS BRACKET IS SPOT WELDED TO THE FLOOR, AND THE WELDS BROKE BETWEEN APPLYING A LITTLE GAS WHILE BACKING UP AND SWITCHING GEARS TO GO FORWARD - THE GAS PEDAL "DISAPPEARS" FROM UNDERFOOT AND ENDS UP LAYING FLAT ON THE FLOOR ON ITS SIDE, THE BRACKET …

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1995 FORD RANGER, 150-ODD MILES. NO INDICATION THE FAILURE WAS COMING. THE GAS PEDALS BRACKET IS SPOT WELDED TO THE FLOOR, AND THE WELDS BROKE BETWEEN APPLYING A LITTLE GAS WHILE BACKING UP AND SWITCHING GEARS TO GO FORWARD - THE GAS PEDAL "DISAPPEARS" FROM UNDERFOOT AND ENDS UP LAYING FLAT ON THE FLOOR ON ITS SIDE, THE BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277983

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentInterior Lighting

I AM AN OWNER OF TWO FORD RANGER PICK UPS AND HAD OWNED ANOTHER RANGER IN THE PAST. ALL T HERE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM DOOR CHIMES DINGING NON STOP, DOME LIGHT FAILURE, RADIO POWER FAILURE AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNING ON AND OFF ALL BY THEMSELVES WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. I MADE SEVERAL COMPLA…

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I AM AN OWNER OF TWO FORD RANGER PICK UPS AND HAD OWNED ANOTHER RANGER IN THE PAST. ALL T HERE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM DOOR CHIMES DINGING NON STOP, DOME LIGHT FAILURE, RADIO POWER FAILURE AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNING ON AND OFF ALL BY THEMSELVES WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. I MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO FORD AND WAS TOLD TO STOP HARASSING THEM. MY DEALERSHIP SAID AND I QUOTE "YOU'RE JUST BEING A WOMAN." WELL THIS AFTER NOON THE PROBLEM TOOK A VERY SERIOUS TURN. RETURNING HOME FROM A VACATION MY 1995 FORD RANGER EX CAB XLT 2.3 LITER ENGINE. BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. IT STARTED WITH POWER LOSE TO THE RADIO THEN A POWER SURGE TO THE WIPERS, AND THROUGHOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THOSE AREAS OF PERSISTENT CONCERNS. THEN THEY ALL STOPPED. I NOW HAVE A COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS, SPEED CONTROL, ODOMETER (LET'S TRUST THAT READ OUT),INTERIOR LIGHTS, RADIO AND SEVERAL OTHER SYSTEMS. I ATTEMPTED TO FIND A FUSE OR RELAY TO REPAIRS THEM BUT ALL OF THOSE WERE INTACT AND REPLACEMENT MADE NO CHANGE. ESTIMATED DAMAGER AND REPAIR COST IS WELL ABOVE A GRAND. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 1996 AND HAVE BEEN IGNORED BY FORD. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041679

Official recalls

1

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

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.

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

1

EA02011 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure

Opened Jul 2, 2002 · Closed May 21, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXIST DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION