15 of the
117 complaints about the 1988 Ford Ranger are about the
engine — 13% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
89,000 miles.
DRIVING 60 MPH, A LOSS OF POWER WAS NOTICED. THIS BECAME A LOUD EXHAUST NOISE. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP, PUTTING UP THE HOOD TO SEARCH FOR PROBLEMS, AND FINDING NO EVIDENCE OF ANY, ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED, AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. A FIRE STARTED WHICH COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10343825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meadville, PAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE ENGINE BY THE FUEL RAIL. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 26, 2005. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. TRIED TO START IT THEN IT BACK FIRED AND CAUGHT FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #10131091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marion, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE VALVE LIFTER IS MAKING A LOUD TAPPING NOISE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #839498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SILICONE GASKET MATERIAL DETERIORATES AND CLOGS OIL PUMP PICKUP.
NHTSA complaint #781212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dewey, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GENERAL ENGINE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN OEM OIL PAN GASKET FAILS AND PLUGS OIL PUMP PICKUP AND PRODUCES A LOW OR NO OIL PRESSURE SITUATION INTERNALLY. SB BC307291-228, 94-1-11 AND 94-6-15 RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #540527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED, OIL KEEPS FILLING UP WITH GAS AND BLOWS GRAY SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #780674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH OR UNDER.
NHTSA complaint #523515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morenci, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING IN HOT CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #816547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Philad, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #504368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Philad, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #504368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Philad, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THERMOSTAT REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #504368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Monroe, LAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AFTER 4 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #985042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richfield SP, NYFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #984303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brighton, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
OWNER QUOTES: TRUCK STARTED ON ITS OWN, BACKED UP INTO ANOTHER CAR AND BURST INTO FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Berg, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FAILURE, CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING ON HILLS/ STRAIGHT ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #481182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.