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: 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
What owners actually said
321 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001
Interior LightingVisibility
I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMPLAINTS ACTUALLY. THE TWO MORE SERIOUS IS, 1) THERE IS A CONSTANT DINGING WHILE IM DRIVING, AND THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, CAR ON OR OFF. THE SAFTEY ISSUE IS THAT, HOW AM I TO COCENTRATE ON DRIVING WHILE BOTH OF THESE TWO DEFECTS ARE CONSTANTLY OCCURING. 2) MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL RANDOMLY CUT ON…
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I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMPLAINTS ACTUALLY. THE TWO MORE SERIOUS IS, 1) THERE IS A CONSTANT DINGING WHILE IM DRIVING, AND THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, CAR ON OR OFF. THE SAFTEY ISSUE IS THAT, HOW AM I TO COCENTRATE ON DRIVING WHILE BOTH OF THESE TWO DEFECTS ARE CONSTANTLY OCCURING. 2) MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL RANDOMLY CUT ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS ANOTHER BIG DISTRACTION, EXPECIALLY WHILE TRYING TO CONCENTRATE. I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER FRIENDS WITH A RANGER "DIFFERENT YEAR" THAT THESE SAME DISTRACTING EVENTS OCCUR WITH THIER TRUCK. I HOPE YOU ISSUE A RECAL ON THESE TWO ITEMS BEFOR SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS. PLEASE WRITE BACK AND TELL ME PROGRESS WITH THIS SITUATION. LOOK FORWARF TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON. SHANNON WINBURN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #740559
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2001
Tires
NEW WHEN PURCHASED, HAVE HAD TO BALANCE EACH TIRE TWICE IN 1 YEAR AND THEY ARE STILL REAL BAD AND I FEAR THEY WILL FAIL. I WAS GIVEN NO WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE TRUCK USED.. BUT THE TIRES WERE NEW AT THE TIME. *AK (DOT NUMBER: P225/70R14 TIRESIZE: 760KG)
NHTSA ODI #740164
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2001
Interior LightingStructureVisibility
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEMSELVES. *AK DOME LIGHT STAYS ON AND CHIME SOUNDS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES DUE TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR SWITCH FAILURES. *YH
NHTSA ODI #878421
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT MATERIAL IS SOFT AND BELT FAILS TO RETRACT AND GETS CAUGHT IN CAR DOOR WITH POSSIBLE BELT FAILURE IN A CRASH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #739549
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2001
Visibility
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START UP ON THEIR OWN AND THE DOOR "AJAR" ALARM WILL RING CONTINUOUSLY FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IT MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT IT SURE IS ANNOYING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #739367
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001
Wheels
HUBS ARE MAKING A LOUD MASSIVE CLUNKING NOISE. CONSUMER MUST HAVE HUBS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #877649
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Interior LightingLatches/locks/linkages
THE DOOR CHIME DOES NOT SHUT OFF OR IT STAYS ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD ON WARM DAYS. I NOTICED THIS WAS AN ISSUE IN NHTSA ITEM NUMBERS: SB 603550 AND SB 613399. THIS PROBLEM IS DISTRACTING AND…
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THE DOOR CHIME DOES NOT SHUT OFF OR IT STAYS ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD ON WARM DAYS. I NOTICED THIS WAS AN ISSUE IN NHTSA ITEM NUMBERS: SB 603550 AND SB 613399. THIS PROBLEM IS DISTRACTING AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED CORRECTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738845
Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2000
Power Train
THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB ASSEMBLY ON THE 95 MODEL YEAR RANGER IS DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOW REPLACE THIS PART 3 TIMES AT A TOTAL COST TO ME OF $1000. THE EXACT PART IN QUESTION IS A PLASTIC BUSHING IN TH HUB THAT GOES BAD. FORD WILL NOT SELL THIS BUSHING ALONE, THEY REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMEBLY. THE FOUR…
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THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB ASSEMBLY ON THE 95 MODEL YEAR RANGER IS DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN. I HAVE NOW REPLACE THIS PART 3 TIMES AT A TOTAL COST TO ME OF $1000. THE EXACT PART IN QUESTION IS A PLASTIC BUSHING IN TH HUB THAT GOES BAD. FORD WILL NOT SELL THIS BUSHING ALONE, THEY REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMEBLY. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT FUNCTION IF THIS BUSHING IS NOT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I AM CONCERNED FOR THOSE OF US IN NORTHERN STATES THAT INJURIES AND FATALITIES WILL OCCUR BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY PART. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738240
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2000
Suspension
BALL JOINTS DON'T HAVE LUBE FITTINGS CAUSING THEM TO WEAR OR SEIZE, THIS IS CAUSING STEERING TO GET LOOSE, THE COST TO REPAIR THIS IS OVER $500. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #876913
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2000
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND SPRAYER COMES ON AT RANDOM TIMES AND AT RANDOM SPEEDS WHEN OFF. SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPER DOESN'T WORK AT THE CORRECT SPEED WHEN IT'S ON. *AK
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
1995 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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