Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1983 Ford Ranger
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
538.5%
Equipment & Accessories
17.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Seat Belts
17.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17.7%
Fuel & Propulsion
17.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Body & Structure
17.7%
Brakes
17.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.7%
Engine & Cooling
17.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1995peak 4Apr 2004
Recalls on the 1983 Ford Ranger
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 198410915,031 units in Canada
THE RUBBER HOSE WHICH CONNECTS THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET TO THE CARBURETOR FUEL SUPPLY LINE MAY SEPARATE. THIS WOULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. 1983 RANGER TRUCKS WITH 2,0L AND 2.3L ENGINES ARE AFFECTED.
Recall 198303164 units in Canada
4X4 VEHICLES ONLY. THE FRONT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT STUDS USED TO ATTACH THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS TO THE FRONT AXLE AND RADIUS ARMS MAY NOT MEET HARDNESS SPECIFICATIONS. THESE STUDS MAY HAVE BEEN FRACTURED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY OR MAY FRACTURE IN SERVICE RESULTING IN ADVERSLY AFFECTED STEERING CONTROL OR RUPTURE OF A FRONT BRAKE HOSE WITH ASSOCIATED LOSS OF FRONT WHEEL BRAKING.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Austin, TXFire
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
BOTH FIRES OCCURRED WITHIN THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CORE UPPER HOUSING. BOTH APPEARED TO RESULT FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR ASSEMBLY IGNITING LEAVES WHICH HAVE BEN SUCKED INTO THE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #835431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peabody, MAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PARKED VEHICLE, THREE MINUTES LATER IT WAS ON FIRE. BURNED SO BAD, COULD NOT TELL WHAT STARTED IT. TT
NHTSA complaint #965042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
LA Crosse, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10065489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albikerkie, NM
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT DUE TO RUBBER SEALS NOT BEING RELIABLE. FAILURE CAUSED BY THE RUBBER SEAL USED TO HOLD FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION--IT IS DRY AND CRACKS, ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK. TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT OWNER'S COST. *AK
NHTSA complaint #854633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXFire
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
BOTH FIRES OCCURRED WITHIN THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CORE UPPER HOUSING. BOTH APPEARED TO RESULT FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR ASSEMBLY IGNITING LEAVES WHICH HAVE BEN SUCKED INTO THE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #835431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
YA, WA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THERE IS BAD PRIMER ON THE CARS ALL OVER.
NHTSA complaint #523385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Renton, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #535033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gresham, OR
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELTS INOPERATIVE, MALE WON'T CONNECT WITH FEMALE PORTION.
NHTSA complaint #810962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plainfield, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SAW SMOKE COMING UNDER THE DASH, TURN SIGNAL FAILED, TUNRED IGNITION OFF AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED, ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #985107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mohawe, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #983799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mohawe, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH,CAUSING SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #983799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM IGNITION SWITCH, NO FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM IGNITION SWITCH, NO FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Everett, MA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. TT
NHTSA complaint #965404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peabody, MAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PARKED VEHICLE, THREE MINUTES LATER IT WAS ON FIRE. BURNED SO BAD, COULD NOT TELL WHAT STARTED IT. TT
NHTSA complaint #965042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.