FaultScore

FaultScore report

1992 Ford Ranger problems

Owners have filed 231 complaints about the 1992 Ford Ranger with NHTSA between 1995 and 2015. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

231

Complaints

16

Crashes reported

35

Fires reported

11

Injuries reported

97,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

8%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 1992 compares with every other Ford Ranger

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1992 Ford Ranger

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

0 crashes, 30 fires · median 74,000 mi

Suspension 34 14.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 101,700 mi

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 88,910 mi

Median failure at 108,000 miles

Tires 18 7.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 124,353 mi

Brakes 18 7.8%

3 crashes, 0 fires

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 101,700 mi

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 51,697 mi

Seats 7 3.0%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 71,470 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 7 3.0%

3 crashes, 1 fires · median 91,649 mi

Equipment & Accessories 5 2.2%

0 crashes, 2 fires

Lights 4 1.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Doors, Latches & Locks 3 1.3%
Wheels 3 1.3%
Steering 3 1.3%
Other & Unspecified 2 0.9%
Seat Belts 2 0.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Airbags 1 0.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Exterior 16 16.7%
Front 16 16.7%
Switch 13 13.5%
Interior/Under Dash 12 12.5%
Tread/Belt 11 11.5%
Engine 11 11.5%
Ignition 9 9.4%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 8 8.3%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 7.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 3.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 15.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 7 26.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 12 46.2%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
1992 Ford Ranger 2-DR.

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.

Feb 1995 peak 11 Jul 2015

NHTSA investigations into the 1992 Ford Ranger

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA95018 Opened 19 Jun 1995 Closed 2 Apr 1996 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.

Recalls on the 1992 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 1992013 21,762 units in Canada

Structure

IF VEHICLES ARE OPERATED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND IF WATER ENTERS THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE, THE WATER MAY FREEZE AND CAUSE THE LATCH MECHANISM TO MALFUNCTION. THIS COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL LATCHING, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO JAR OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. CORRECTION: REVISED DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLES AND WATER SHIELDS WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 118,000 miles East Stroudsburg, PA Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT

I HAVE A 1992 FORD RANGER THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING TOWER MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE FRONT SHOCK AND SPRING HAVE DROPPED MAKING THE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE BRAKE LINE WAS SMASHED WHEN IT GAVE WAY. MY BOYFRIEND ALSO HAD A 1992 FORD RANGER THAT THIS HAPPENED TO CAUSING HIM TO WRECK AND TOTAL THE TRUCK SO WE HAD TO JUNK IT. I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS A COMMON THING FOR THE 1992'S ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT MUST BE PRETTY COMMON AS FORD HAS MADE A REPLACEMENT PART!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10354046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,000 miles Middletown, RI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MY COAST GUARD DUTY MY TRUCK STARTED TO FILL WITH SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED IN MY DASH AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS ENGULFING MY TRUCK IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10256432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Palmdale, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THROUGH AN ALLEYWAY, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER SIDE DASH PANEL AREA WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALERTED, AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE FIRE DAMAGE; AN INSURANCE ADJUSTOR DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA complaint #10173978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125 miles O Fallon, MO Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

MY 1992 FORD RANGER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 6, 2006. THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AND WOULDN'T START. I LEFT IT OVERNIGHT AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE POLICE AT 5 A.M IN THE MORNING SAYING MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. APPARENTLY IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE (WHILE IT WAS OFF) AND COMPLETELY TOTALED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, LEAVING ME AT A COMPLETE LOSS (INSURANCE DID NOT COVER THIS TYPE OF CLAIM). BEING A 19 YEAR OLD IN COLLEGE THIS CAME AS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE FINANCIALLY. FORD HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL NEVER DRIVE A FORD AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY JUNKYARD, WHERE THE BRAND NEW 1,000 CLUTCH AND NEW TIRES WERE REMOVED AND SOLD FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S PROFIT. I GOT NOTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10164036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125 miles O Fallon, MO Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

MY 1992 FORD RANGER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 6, 2006. THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AND WOULDN'T START. I LEFT IT OVERNIGHT AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE POLICE AT 5 A.M IN THE MORNING SAYING MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. APPARENTLY IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE (WHILE IT WAS OFF) AND COMPLETELY TOTALED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, LEAVING ME AT A COMPLETE LOSS (INSURANCE DID NOT COVER THIS TYPE OF CLAIM). BEING A 19 YEAR OLD IN COLLEGE THIS CAME AS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE FINANCIALLY. FORD HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL NEVER DRIVE A FORD AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY JUNKYARD, WHERE THE BRAND NEW 1,000 CLUTCH AND NEW TIRES WERE REMOVED AND SOLD FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S PROFIT. I GOT NOTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10164036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,649 miles Fairfield Glade, TN Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES AND A BRICK WALL. *AK *NM *SC

NHTSA complaint #10113646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 122,000 miles Takoma Park, MD

ENGINE

OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY WENT TO ZERO.ENGINE BEGAN TO CLATTER.I RETURNED HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10745122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Newville, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN VEHICLE STARTED IN NEUTRAL, IT WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND THROTTLE WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING IT, VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE , FRONT WHEEL HIT BUILDING BENDING AXLE AND OTHER COMPONENTS THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 30 DAYS PRIOR WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10423981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Newville, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN VEHICLE STARTED IN NEUTRAL, IT WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND THROTTLE WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING IT, VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE , FRONT WHEEL HIT BUILDING BENDING AXLE AND OTHER COMPONENTS THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 30 DAYS PRIOR WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10423981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles East Stroudsburg, PA Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT

I HAVE A 1992 FORD RANGER THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING TOWER MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE FRONT SHOCK AND SPRING HAVE DROPPED MAKING THE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE BRAKE LINE WAS SMASHED WHEN IT GAVE WAY. MY BOYFRIEND ALSO HAD A 1992 FORD RANGER THAT THIS HAPPENED TO CAUSING HIM TO WRECK AND TOTAL THE TRUCK SO WE HAD TO JUNK IT. I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS A COMMON THING FOR THE 1992'S ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT MUST BE PRETTY COMMON AS FORD HAS MADE A REPLACEMENT PART!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10354046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,910 miles Pittsburgh, PA

VISIBILITY

TRUCK WAS WARMING UP WITH ME IN IT AROUND JANUARY. I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, THEIR WAS NO RESPONSE AND WAS STUCK IN TRUCK. EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE REAR SLIDING WINDOW. I WAS AND AM NEVER ABLE TO USE MY PASSENGER DOOR AGAIN, FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10275175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,000 miles Middletown, RI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MY COAST GUARD DUTY MY TRUCK STARTED TO FILL WITH SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED IN MY DASH AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS ENGULFING MY TRUCK IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10256432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,697 miles Morro BAY, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

JUST THIS PAST TWO WEEKS, WE TRADED TRUCKS. WE RECEIVED A 1992 FORD RANGER. DURING THE SMOG TEST IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS CRACKED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE PART COST $241 , LABOR $175 WHICH WAS A COSTLY SMOG CHECK. WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS TYPE OF REPAIR IS VERY COMMON IN FORD RANGERS, ESPECIALLY THE OLDER ONES. THE FORD CO. HAS NOW REDESIGNED THE PART, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR OFFER OF HELP TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILLER NECK. YOU ASKED HOW OFTEN THIS OCCURS - QUITE OFTEN - THE TWO TIMES I WAS IN THE OFFICE OF THE REPAIR SHOP, I ENCOUNTERED 3 OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT WERE IN THERE FOR THE SAME REASON !! I WOULD SAY THAT IS TOO OFTEN. AND, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE FORD CO TO REPLACE THE POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILLER NECKS AND PAY FOR THE LABOR INVOLVED. ADDITIONALLY, I THINK THAT THIS INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE MADE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC, SO THAT THEY WILL NOT BE DRIVING AROUND WITH A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FUEL VAPOR LEAK, AND THAT THEY CAN GET SOME FINANCIAL HELP WHEN IT IS TIME TO SMOG THEIR TRUCK AND THIS PROBLEM IS DISCOVERED. CAROLYN NEUMAN

NHTSA complaint #10232446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,415 miles Glendale, AZ

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS FUTURA GLS SUPER SPORT, SIZE P225/60R15 TIRES. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE WAS ALSO BUBBLING, SPLITTING, AND HAD CRACKS ON THE SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES BOUNCED AND SQUEAKED MORE WHILE DRIVING GREATER THAN 40 MPH. THE OTHER THREE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS THE WORST. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VEHICLE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,415 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,415.

NHTSA complaint #10205472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,000 miles Elkridge, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT TWO DAYS, I NOTICED A SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. ON THE SECOND DAY, I NOTICED UPON APPROACHING THE TRUCK THAT THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE TIRE. REMOVING THE WHEEL, I DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER SPRING SEAT HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS THIRTY DEGREES FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. THE SHEET METAL IN THE SEAT CRUMBLED IN MY HAND WHEN I TOOK HOLD OF IT, AND THE HOUSING WAS TORN 75% OF THE WAY THROUGH FROM FRONT TO BACK. AT HIGH SPEED, THIS VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEATH TRAP. I NOTE 15 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE. LEFT SIDE SPRING SEAT IS PERFECT AND INTACT.

NHTSA complaint #10191991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Palmdale, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THROUGH AN ALLEYWAY, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER SIDE DASH PANEL AREA WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALERTED, AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE FIRE DAMAGE; AN INSURANCE ADJUSTOR DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA complaint #10173978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles Hillsboro, OR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TRUCK OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY DROPPED VERY LOW. TRUCK BEGAN MAKING KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE HEAD AREA. DISASSEMBLY OF OIL PAN, OIL PUMP, AND OIL PUMP TUBE SCREEN REVEALED COMPLETE BLOCKAGE OF SCREEN FROM OIL PAN GASKET MATERIAL.

NHTSA complaint #10173388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125 miles O Fallon, MO Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

MY 1992 FORD RANGER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 6, 2006. THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AND WOULDN'T START. I LEFT IT OVERNIGHT AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE POLICE AT 5 A.M IN THE MORNING SAYING MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. APPARENTLY IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE (WHILE IT WAS OFF) AND COMPLETELY TOTALED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, LEAVING ME AT A COMPLETE LOSS (INSURANCE DID NOT COVER THIS TYPE OF CLAIM). BEING A 19 YEAR OLD IN COLLEGE THIS CAME AS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE FINANCIALLY. FORD HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL NEVER DRIVE A FORD AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY JUNKYARD, WHERE THE BRAND NEW 1,000 CLUTCH AND NEW TIRES WERE REMOVED AND SOLD FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S PROFIT. I GOT NOTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10164036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125 miles O Fallon, MO Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

MY 1992 FORD RANGER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 6, 2006. THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AND WOULDN'T START. I LEFT IT OVERNIGHT AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE POLICE AT 5 A.M IN THE MORNING SAYING MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. APPARENTLY IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE (WHILE IT WAS OFF) AND COMPLETELY TOTALED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, LEAVING ME AT A COMPLETE LOSS (INSURANCE DID NOT COVER THIS TYPE OF CLAIM). BEING A 19 YEAR OLD IN COLLEGE THIS CAME AS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE FINANCIALLY. FORD HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL NEVER DRIVE A FORD AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY JUNKYARD, WHERE THE BRAND NEW 1,000 CLUTCH AND NEW TIRES WERE REMOVED AND SOLD FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S PROFIT. I GOT NOTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10164036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,649 miles Fairfield Glade, TN Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES AND A BRICK WALL. *AK *NM *SC

NHTSA complaint #10113646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Luther, OK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID

THE STARTER SOLENOID CLIP CONNECTOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START UP AGAIN UNTIL PART IS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10097064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,291 miles Hammond, LA

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH, MY REAR TIRE CAME APART AND TOTALLED THE BED OF MY TRUCK AND BROKE THE BRAKE LINE AND NEARLY CAUSED A ROLLOVER. THIS WAS THE FOURTH OF THE SET OF TIRES TO COME APART OR DEVELOP A BUBBLE.

NHTSA complaint #10051017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,781 miles Bismarck, ND Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

1992 FORD RANGER HAD FIRE IN IGNITION WIRING HARNESS, BELOW DASH AND MOUNTED TO STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA complaint #10041575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,470 miles Ralston, NE

SEATS

RIGHT FRONT UPPER SPRING SEAT BRACKET (PART NO. 5A318) HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING BODY TO DROP ONTO FRONT TIRE. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH A THICK PLASTIC COATING ON THE PART ALLOWED MOISTURE TO BE TRAPPED CAUSING PREMATURE RUSTING. UPPER PART OF SPRING SEAT BRACKET PUSHED THROUGH FENDER LINER INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN VIEWING THE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR TRUCK THERE APPEAR TO BE NUMEROUS SIMILAR EVENTS ON THE APPARENT DEFECTIVE RIGHT FRONT UPPER SPRING SEAT BRACKET.

NHTSA complaint #10039053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,645 miles Gilbert, AZ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING AND/OR IDLING SMOKE COMES FROM BOTH THE STEERING COLUMN AND UNDER THE HOOD. NO FIRES AS OF YET BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED BEFORE THE TRUCK BURNS DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10037100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Ketchikan, AK Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10025986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Owasso, OK

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

INSIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO A BROKEN CABLE LINKAGE DURING COLD WEATHER. FORD SAYS MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL GROUP. OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR AGAIN. IF MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL GROUP IT WOULD MEAN THAT IT HAS THE UPDATED CABLE, YET THIS "UPDATED" CABLE ALSO HAS A HISTORY OF BREAKING. WHY NOT A RECALL ON THE UPDATED CABLE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND DIDN'T?

NHTSA complaint #10023256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owasso, OK

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF FROM THE INSIDE CABLE. WHILE OPENING THE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10024261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,680 miles Leesburg, VA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I OWN 92 FORD RANGER. LAST THURSDAY,5/15/2003, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I NOTICED MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER THAN THE REST OF THE TRUCK. AFTER I PARKED AT WORK I INVESTIGATED AND NOTICED THAT THE SHOCK/SPRING TOWER WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT IT WAS ALMOST READY TO FALL OFF. THE SPRING WAS BENT BACKWARDS AND THE SHOCK WAS BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM. AT THE FORD DEALER, THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY ONLY MAKE THAT PART FOR THE RIGHT SIDE? THE LEFT SIDE LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW. APPARENTLY ONLY THE RIGHT ( PASSENGER ) SIDE RUSTS OUT AND NOT THE LEFT. IT SEEMS THAT METAL IS INFERIOR AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FORD MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ONLY MAKE THE PART FOR ONE SIDE AND NOT THE OTHER. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALL INFO ON THIS. BESIDES THE $800.00 COST TO REPAIR, THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10018966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingshill, VI

WHEELS

THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10020211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,680 miles Leesburg, VA

SUSPENSION

I OWN 92 FORD RANGER. LAST THURSDAY,5/15/2003, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I NOTICED MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER THAN THE REST OF THE TRUCK. AFTER I PARKED AT WORK I INVESTIGATED AND NOTICED THAT THE SHOCK/SPRING TOWER WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT IT WAS ALMOST READY TO FALL OFF. THE SPRING WAS BENT BACKWARDS AND THE SHOCK WAS BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM. AT THE FORD DEALER, THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY ONLY MAKE THAT PART FOR THE RIGHT SIDE? THE LEFT SIDE LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW. APPARENTLY ONLY THE RIGHT ( PASSENGER ) SIDE RUSTS OUT AND NOT THE LEFT. IT SEEMS THAT METAL IS INFERIOR AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FORD MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ONLY MAKE THE PART FOR ONE SIDE AND NOT THE OTHER. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECALL INFO ON THIS. BESIDES THE $800.00 COST TO REPAIR, THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10018966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.