IllustrationMileage unknown · Sep 22, 2000
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #732254
1996 Ford Ranger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Ranger years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsNO SUMMARY
DRIVER FRONT ALLOY WHEEL CRACKED IN HALF, WHICH ALMOST CAUSE A CRASH. *AK THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL CUT IN HALF LIKE A SLICED BAGEL. *YH
TIRES HAVE STRESS CRACKS ALONG TREAD CAP AND CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SIDEWALLS. RELACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND .( DOT NUMBER: W2FC1PR276 TIRE SIZE: 225/70R/14 )
DOT # REPORTED ABOVE IS FOR ANOTHER TIRE IN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SET OF 5, NOT THE FAILED TIRE. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH ON FREEWAY, TIRE BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS ABLE TO STEER SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY ON AN EXIT RAMP AND CHANGE THE TIRE. WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE TO A DEALER (BIG O TIRES), THE MECHANIC COULD GIVE ME NO E…
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DOT # REPORTED ABOVE IS FOR ANOTHER TIRE IN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SET OF 5, NOT THE FAILED TIRE. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH ON FREEWAY, TIRE BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS ABLE TO STEER SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY ON AN EXIT RAMP AND CHANGE THE TIRE. WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE TO A DEALER (BIG O TIRES), THE MECHANIC COULD GIVE ME NO EXPLANATION FOR THE BLOW OUT. ALL REMAINING TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED AND IN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION.*AK( DOT NUMBER: VNFC1PR126 TIRE SIZE: P225/70R14 )
I WENT TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES FOR MY RANGER FOR THE UPCOMING WINTER. THE SERVICE REP WENT TO GET MY VEHICLE AND TIRE INFORMATION, AND INFORMED ME THAT THE TREADS ON MY TIRES WERE BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. HE THEN SHOWED ME WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND IT WAS THE SAME CONDITION THEY HAD SAID TO WATCH FOR ON DATELINE ON NBC. HE THEN…
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I WENT TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES FOR MY RANGER FOR THE UPCOMING WINTER. THE SERVICE REP WENT TO GET MY VEHICLE AND TIRE INFORMATION, AND INFORMED ME THAT THE TREADS ON MY TIRES WERE BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. HE THEN SHOWED ME WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND IT WAS THE SAME CONDITION THEY HAD SAID TO WATCH FOR ON DATELINE ON NBC. HE THEN TOLD ME TO TAKE THE TIRES TO FIRESTONE AND SHOW THEM, THE FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN LIFT THE TREAD UP FROM THE TIRE. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED WITH THESE TIRES. I JUST WANT TO INFORM YOU I HAVE A DIIFERENT MAKE OF FIRESTONES THAT ARE STARTING TO EXPERIENCE TREAD SEPERATION. TODAY I HAD NEW GOODYEARS INSTALLED, BUT I AM KEEPING MY ORIGINALL FIRESTONES WITH A LITTLE OVER 22,000 MILES IN CASE ANYTHING IS DISCOVERED THROUGH INVESTIGATIONS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2FC1PR TIRE SIZE: P22570R14 )
TIRE SEPARATED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE @ 60 MPH - NO CONTACT NOTED WITH ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS ON THE ROAD. TREAD APPEARS TO HAVE SIMPLY SEPARATED AT THE SHOULDER. THIS IS ONE OF THE TIRES IN THE RECALL BUT NOT AN AFFECTED SIZE OR DOT NUMBER. TIRE WILL BE HELD ON SITE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED.( DOT NUMBER: W2HFIPJ076 TIRE SIZE: P21…
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TIRE SEPARATED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE @ 60 MPH - NO CONTACT NOTED WITH ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS ON THE ROAD. TREAD APPEARS TO HAVE SIMPLY SEPARATED AT THE SHOULDER. THIS IS ONE OF THE TIRES IN THE RECALL BUT NOT AN AFFECTED SIZE OR DOT NUMBER. TIRE WILL BE HELD ON SITE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED.( DOT NUMBER: W2HFIPJ076 TIRE SIZE: P215/75R15 )
THIS TIRE DID NOT SHOW UP ON THE RECALL LIST BUT HAS SEPARATED AT THE SIDEWALL/TREAD AREA. IA ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE ADVISED TO CONTACT NHTSA DIRECT ABOUT THIS TIRE TO BE INVESTIGATED.( DOT NUMBER: W2FC1PR TIRE SIZE: P225-70R14 )
TIRES HAVE STRESS CRACKS ALONG TREAD CAP AND CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SIDEWALLS. RELACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND .( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/70R/14 )
MY DAUGHTER SARAH WAS DRIVING SOMETIME IN AUGUST 1999 WHEN ONE OF HER REAR TIRES EXPERIENCED A SEPARATED TREAD FAILURE. THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND WE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. HOWEVER, WE STILL HAVE A FIRESTONE 14 INCH TIRE AS A SPARE. I CAN'T READ THE DOT NUMBER, ETC. I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD BE …
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MY DAUGHTER SARAH WAS DRIVING SOMETIME IN AUGUST 1999 WHEN ONE OF HER REAR TIRES EXPERIENCED A SEPARATED TREAD FAILURE. THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND WE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. HOWEVER, WE STILL HAVE A FIRESTONE 14 INCH TIRE AS A SPARE. I CAN'T READ THE DOT NUMBER, ETC. I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE 14 INCH TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 14 )
ORIGINAL TIRES CAME APART, RETURNED TO LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE, REFUSED TO REPLACE NOR WARRANTY VALUE, CLAIMED WE HAD "DRIVEN ON THEM" AFTER GOING FLAT--TIRES CAME APART AT 65 MPH ON I-83 NORTH OF BALTIMORE( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225 70R14 )
Official recalls
209V399000 · 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.
96V161000 · Equipment:other:labels
Aug 29, 1996
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.