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: 80 of 413 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 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
41 crash reports18 fire reports30 injury reports
What owners actually said
413 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2002
Suspension
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE FELL OFF CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *MR THE CONSUMER'S FATHER, A MECAHNIC, STATED THAT AT THE ARROW, THE PIN BROKE, ALLOWING THE SPIDER GEAR SHAFT TO TURN ABOUT 1/4 RD AND ALLOWING THE AXLE TO MOVE IN AND THE KEEPER TO FALL OFF, WHICH C…
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THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE FELL OFF CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *MR THE CONSUMER'S FATHER, A MECAHNIC, STATED THAT AT THE ARROW, THE PIN BROKE, ALLOWING THE SPIDER GEAR SHAFT TO TURN ABOUT 1/4 RD AND ALLOWING THE AXLE TO MOVE IN AND THE KEEPER TO FALL OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL AND 3 FT. AXEL TO COME OUT . *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8019700
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2002
Suspension
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 25MPH AND WITH NO WARNING CONSUMER CAN HEAR A POPPING NOISE. IT COULD CAUSE FUTURE STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016764
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2002
Steering
WHILE MAKING A SLOW TURN STEERING WENT OUT, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. DEALER DETERMINED TWO BOLTS IN STEERING BOX HAD BROKEN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8014983
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2002
Electrical SystemVisibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OUT. CONSUMER FOUND SOOT EVERYWHERE. CONSUMERS HUSBAND CHECKED TO SEE IF A FUSE HAD BLOWN. THEY NOTICED THAT IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX THE FUSES USED WERE HIGHER THAN WHAT THE MANUAL STATED. THESE HAD 50 A…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OUT. CONSUMER FOUND SOOT EVERYWHERE. CONSUMERS HUSBAND CHECKED TO SEE IF A FUSE HAD BLOWN. THEY NOTICED THAT IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX THE FUSES USED WERE HIGHER THAN WHAT THE MANUAL STATED. THESE HAD 50 AMP FUSES. THE MANUAL CALLS FOR 30 AMPS. CONSUMER FEELS THIS OVERAGE IN POWER COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE TO THE VEHICLE AND THAT THIS MAY BE THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8014982
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2002
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting
DASHLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER SEES SOOT ON THE DASH SOMETIMES AND SMELLS SOMETHING BURNING. DEALER DETERMINED AMPS ON FACTORY INSTALLED FUSES ARE TOO HIGH. CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUSES SHOULD HAVE BEEN A 30 AMP. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8014980
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER 1 HOUR DRIVE, VEHICLE WAS 40% BURNED AND DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. FIRE ORIGINATED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON DRIVERS SIDE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764178
Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2002
Tires
MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEWOUT LAST NIGHT ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON THE I10. WHAT I FOUND STRANGE IS THAT THE TIRE CAME APART IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SIDEWALL AND IS CUT IN A PERFECT CIRCLE. THE RUBBER LEFT ON THE RIM ON THE SIDE THAT CAME APART LOOKS TO BE ABOUT 2 INCHES OUT FROM THE RIM ALL THE WAY ROUND. WITH THE CURRENT TIRE …
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MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEWOUT LAST NIGHT ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON THE I10. WHAT I FOUND STRANGE IS THAT THE TIRE CAME APART IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SIDEWALL AND IS CUT IN A PERFECT CIRCLE. THE RUBBER LEFT ON THE RIM ON THE SIDE THAT CAME APART LOOKS TO BE ABOUT 2 INCHES OUT FROM THE RIM ALL THE WAY ROUND. WITH THE CURRENT TIRE RECALL I THOUGHT THAT I SHOULD REPORT THIS SENCE I SEE WEB SITES WITH OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS MODLE OF FIRESTONE TIRE THAT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. ANOTHER THING I FOUND INTERESTING IS THAT I CAN'T FIND WHAT I WOULD CALL A STANDARD SIZE ANYWHERE ON MY TIRE INSTEAD IT READS "27X8.50R14LT" SHOULDN'T IT START WITH A 2?? NUMBER. THANKS BRASS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #763821
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2002
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING, CHIME WOULD GO OFF. DRIVER WOULD JIGGLE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET IT TURNED OFF. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE KEY WILL ALSO COME OUT OF THE SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8011420
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2002
Interior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE COURTESY LIGHTS AND TRUNK CARGO LIGHTS STAYING ON WHILE DRIVING OR PARKING. BLOWER MOTOR WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF WHILE THE SWITCH ARE IN THE OFF MODE OR IN THE ON MODE. DEALER AND MANUFACTRER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE ABS BRAKES LOCK UP ON WET PAVEMENT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8011417
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2002
Tires
TREAD OF FRONT LEFT TIRE PEELED OFF AT 65 MPH, FORCING VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE TO THE TIRE AND THE TIRE WAS STILL FULLY INFLATED AFTER TAKING THE TIRE OFF. I TOOK THE TIRE TO THE NEAREST FIRESTONE STORE BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED A LIMITED REPLACEMENT DEAL. I HAVE SAVED THE TIRES AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM INS…
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TREAD OF FRONT LEFT TIRE PEELED OFF AT 65 MPH, FORCING VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE TO THE TIRE AND THE TIRE WAS STILL FULLY INFLATED AFTER TAKING THE TIRE OFF. I TOOK THE TIRE TO THE NEAREST FIRESTONE STORE BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED A LIMITED REPLACEMENT DEAL. I HAVE SAVED THE TIRES AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM INSPECTED BY SOMEONE FROM YOUR AGENCY.*JB
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.
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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