45 of the
451 complaints about the 1995 Ford Ranger are about the
lighting — 10% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
184,513 miles.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE POWER TO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO CUT OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE OR STEER THE TRUCK TO SAFETY I THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE GOOD AND HEADLIGHT. SO I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME AND SPRAYED THE TRUCK PUTTING THE FLAMES OUT. AND CUTTING THE WIRES TO THE BATTERY
NHTSA complaint #11366006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,026 milesShelby, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER GOING ABOUT 15MPH OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND FELT THE TRAILER DROP OFF OF THE VEHICLE I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE LAST 2 FEET OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS FELL OUT TAKING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND BUMPER WITH IT. AFTER I REALIZED THAT THE REAR FRAME RUSTED OUT, I INSPECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE RADIUS ARM BRACKET HAS HOLES IN IT, I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SHACKLES, THE DRIVER SIDE CAB MOUNT RUSTED OUT AND NOW HAS FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RATHER LARGE HOLE IN THE FRAME IN BETWEEN THE CAB AND THE BED OF THE TRUCK, MY GAS TANK STRAPS HAVE RUSTED OFF AND I NOW HAVE IT RATCHET STRAPPED IT IN BECAUSE THE MOUNT FOR THE STRAP RUSTED OUT OF THE FRAME. I BELIEVE THAT SINCE THE TRUCK IS STILL IN GOOD WORKING ORDER MINUS THE FRAME AND RUST ISSUES AND SINCE IT STILL HAS MODERATE TO LOW MILES I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT WITH THEIR VALUED CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE VEHICLE OR AT LEAST REPAIR IT TO WHERE IT IS STREET WORTHY. RANGERS ARE GREAT TRUCKS BUT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY MANUFACTURED WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10521302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
INTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM AN OWNER OF TWO FORD RANGER PICK UPS AND HAD OWNED ANOTHER RANGER IN THE PAST. ALL T HERE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM DOOR CHIMES DINGING NON STOP, DOME LIGHT FAILURE, RADIO POWER FAILURE AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNING ON AND OFF ALL BY THEMSELVES WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. I MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO FORD AND WAS TOLD TO STOP HARASSING THEM. MY DEALERSHIP SAID AND I QUOTE "YOU'RE JUST BEING A WOMAN." WELL THIS AFTER NOON THE PROBLEM TOOK A VERY SERIOUS TURN. RETURNING HOME FROM A VACATION MY 1995 FORD RANGER EX CAB XLT 2.3 LITER ENGINE. BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. IT STARTED WITH POWER LOSE TO THE RADIO THEN A POWER SURGE TO THE WIPERS, AND THROUGHOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THOSE AREAS OF PERSISTENT CONCERNS. THEN THEY ALL STOPPED. I NOW HAVE A COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS, SPEED CONTROL, ODOMETER (LET'S TRUST THAT READ OUT),INTERIOR LIGHTS, RADIO AND SEVERAL OTHER SYSTEMS. I ATTEMPTED TO FIND A FUSE OR RELAY TO REPAIRS THEM BUT ALL OF THOSE WERE INTACT AND REPLACEMENT MADE NO CHANGE. ESTIMATED DAMAGER AND REPAIR COST IS WELL ABOVE A GRAND. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 1996 AND HAVE BEEN IGNORED BY FORD.
NHTSA complaint #10041679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BURNED OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*AK WHEN SWITCHING FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAMS THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT. THE SWITCH MELTS AND TURNS DARK BROWN WITH USE.
NHTSA complaint #8013322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission Hills, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR DOME LIGHT WILL STAY ON OR COME ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME, SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN AT NIGHT WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS TO REMOVE BULB. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #8004665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burke, VA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. LIGHTS SHUT OFF OR DO NOT COME ON AT ALL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8004544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. LIGHTS SHUT OFF OR DO NOT COME ON AT ALL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8004544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR DOME LIGHT AND "DOOR AJAR" LIGHTS STAY ON RANDOMLY. CREATES LARGE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. HAVE HAD A NEAR MISS ON A TWO LANE WITH A PEDESTRIAN DUE TO GLARE AND POOR NIGHT VISION AS A RESULT OF THE DOME LAMP BEING ON. WINDSHIELD WASHER DOES NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY CREATING PROBLEMS IN WINTER CONDITIONS. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL TURN ON RANDOMLY.
NHTSA complaint #757564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellvue, NE
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOME LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN CONSUME R IS DRIVING, AND HE CANNOT GET IT TO GO OFF WITHOUT REMOVING THE FUSE.
NHTSA complaint #8003273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpharetta, GA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE CHANGED THE DRIVER SIDE SWITCH TWICE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE ONCE. I FEEL THIS IS AN ANNOINCE AND A HAZARD WHEN YOUR DOME LIGHT AND DOOR BUZZER COME ON AT RANDOM OR WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. PARTICULARY AT NIGHT, WHO CAN DRIVE SAFELY WITH THE DOME LIGHT ON. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCEDENCES WHERE I HAVE TRYED, FOOLISHLY, TO PULL THE BULB WHEN THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE DRIVING OR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. ALSO TRY TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD WITH YOUR DOOR BUZZER SOUNDING, I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL FORD OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALL HAVE SAID THE SAME THING ABOUT THEIR VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS QUITE HELPFUL AT FIRST CONVERSATION BE WHEN I BROUGHT UP SAFTY ISSUES THEY SAID "SORRY" NOTHING IN OUR DATA TO SHOW A RECALL, WE'LL CHANGE IT FOR YOU( AT A PRICE) BUT THEN IT ONLY HAPPENS AGAIN IN A FEW MONTHS. THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT THAT IS STILL BEING USED IN NEWER VEHICLES AND THEY KNOW IT. THE WIPERS ARE TYHE SAME ISSUE. AGAIN, COMMING ON AT WILL. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING LET ALONE WHEN THEY SHUT OFF DURING A RAIN. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THE SAME THING, SORRY, NOTHING WE CAN DO. YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT ONE ALSO. IT IS NOT AN ISSUE OF MONEY, IT'S SAFTEY AND TIME. WE LIVE VERY HECTIC LIVES AND I PERSONALLY DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO CONSTANTLY HAVE MY VEHICLE TIDED UP AT A DEALERSHIP FOR ITEMS THAT SHOULD WORK PROPERY FOR A CONSIDERABLE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT BE A HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. SORRY FOR VENTING, THIS IS AGRIVATING WHEN YOU SEE AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND YOU GET THE RUN AROUND. HELP IF YOU CAN. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #745491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winston Salem, NC
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE CHIME STAYS ON, INTERIOR LIGHTS AS WELL AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS START. WHEN TAKING FUSE OUT TO STOP, SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #885994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, DE
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY AND DOME LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY, AND NOT COVER UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE WIPER AND DOME LIGHT PLUS WARNING SOUNDS HAD BEEN A SUBJECT OF RECALLS IN OTHER TYPE OF VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #882152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, DE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY AND DOME LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY, AND NOT COVER UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE WIPER AND DOME LIGHT PLUS WARNING SOUNDS HAD BEEN A SUBJECT OF RECALLS IN OTHER TYPE OF VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #882152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
INTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMPLAINTS ACTUALLY. THE TWO MORE SERIOUS IS, 1) THERE IS A CONSTANT DINGING WHILE IM DRIVING, AND THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, CAR ON OR OFF. THE SAFTEY ISSUE IS THAT, HOW AM I TO COCENTRATE ON DRIVING WHILE BOTH OF THESE TWO DEFECTS ARE CONSTANTLY OCCURING. 2) MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL RANDOMLY CUT ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS ANOTHER BIG DISTRACTION, EXPECIALLY WHILE TRYING TO CONCENTRATE. I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER FRIENDS WITH A RANGER "DIFFERENT YEAR" THAT THESE SAME DISTRACTING EVENTS OCCUR WITH THIER TRUCK. I HOPE YOU ISSUE A RECAL ON THESE TWO ITEMS BEFOR SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS. PLEASE WRITE BACK AND TELL ME PROGRESS WITH THIS SITUATION. LOOK FORWARF TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON. SHANNON WINBURN.
NHTSA complaint #740559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOOR AJAR CHIME CONTINUOUSLY RINGS AND DOME LIGHT REMAINS ON CREATING DISTRACTION DURING DRIVING, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS RANDOMLY OPERATE AND SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK ON HIGH SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #740592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawton, OK
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEMSELVES. *AK DOME LIGHT STAYS ON AND CHIME SOUNDS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES DUE TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR SWITCH FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #878421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CO
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DOOR CHIME DOES NOT SHUT OFF OR IT STAYS ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD ON WARM DAYS. I NOTICED THIS WAS AN ISSUE IN NHTSA ITEM NUMBERS: SB 603550 AND SB 613399. THIS PROBLEM IS DISTRACTING AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED CORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #738845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morrow, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
ABS WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DOOR AND KEY CHIMES COME ON WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. KEY MUST BE REMOVED BEFOR THEY WILL GO OFF. THE DOME LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE DOME LIGHT WONT GO OFF UNTIL DRIVING FORWARD, MAKING BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY DANGEROUS IN THE DARK, CONSUMER REMOVED FUSE BECAUSE NOTHING ELSE WORKS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #784602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DOOR AND KEY CHIMES COME ON WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. KEY MUST BE REMOVED BEFOR THEY WILL GO OFF. THE DOME LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE DOME LIGHT WONT GO OFF UNTIL DRIVING FORWARD, MAKING BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY DANGEROUS IN THE DARK, CONSUMER REMOVED FUSE BECAUSE NOTHING ELSE WORKS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #784602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownsville, TN
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WINDSHIELD WIPER SENSOR MLFUNCTIONED. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST COME ON ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. ALSO, SOMETIMES IT MAKES THE DOOR CHIMES RING, AND REGULATES THE REAR INTERIOR LIGHT. DEALER WILL REPLACE PARTS FOR FREE, BUT CONSUMER HAS TO PAY TO HAVE THE RIGHT SIDE DONE FIRST.
NHTSA complaint #864078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, NH
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOOR CHIMES AND DOME LIGHTS STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IS TO PULL THE FUSE. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN THE FUSE IS PULLED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NO WORK NOR DOES THE SPEEDOMETER. THIS IS THE 2ND OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM (AFTER 3 DAYS IN SHOP) IN 1997. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WASHER & WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROLS.
NHTSA complaint #720634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Malden, MA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY DOME LIGHT AND DOOR ADJAR CHIME. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE BY FORD DEALER AND AM NOW HAVING SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. CHIME AND DOME LIGHT WILL STAY ON EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS CLOSED. AS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON, EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR IS CLOSED. HAD TO PULL FUSE TO STOP CHIME NOISE. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN I DO THAT I HAVE NP WINDSHIELD WIPERS. DEALER NOW WANTS ME TO PAY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED AGAIN. AFTER READING ABOUT ALL THE OTHER 1995 FORD RANGERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, I WANT THE NHTSA TO DEMAND A RECALL FROM FORD AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS CORRECTLY ONCE AND FOR ALL.
NHTSA complaint #719771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, FL
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHEN TURNED ON, ARE ERRATIC. THEY DO NOT HOLD A STEADY CADENCE. ALSO, DOMELIGHT STAYS ON AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR. IT WILL STAY ON FOR UP TO 5 MINUTES.
NHTSA complaint #718641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tall Timbers, MD
INTERIOR LIGHTING
MODULE CONTROLS DOOR CHIMES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS... WIPERS TURN ON WITHOUT USER CONTROLS. WIPERS STOP WORKING WHEN THEY ARE BEING USED OR NEEDED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM, YET THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS FROM FORD MOTOR CO.
NHTSA complaint #717126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth TX, TX
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR DOME LIGHT STAYS ON AND DOOR AJAR CHIME STAYS ON. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM (SEE POSTINGS AT WWW.FORDRANGER.COM). OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND A SAFETY HAZARD (TRY HEARING ANYTHING GOING ON WITH THE BONG, BONG, BONG GOING ON CONTINUOUSLY).
NHTSA complaint #716733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
California City, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOME LIGHT AND DOOR CHIME STAY ON NEAR CONSTANTLY WITH DOOR CLOSED. CHIME DOES NOT ALWAYS HAVE SAME BEAT AS SONGS ON RADIO; DISTRACTING!
NHTSA complaint #716552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N. Richland Hills, TX
INTERIOR LIGHTING
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON, DOOR CHIME STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, LIGHT DOME STAYS ON EVEN AT NIGHT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, HEATER DOESN'T WORK, AND MOST IMPORTANT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITIENTLY AND SPRAY FLUID DISTRACTING DRIVER. I'VE ALMOST HAD ACCIDENTS WITH THE WIPERS NOT WORKING RIGHT, SOMETIMES THE WIPERS DON'T WORK AT ALL WHEN RAINING. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THANK-YOU, SHANNON CASE
NHTSA complaint #715144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES THE WIPERS WON'T WORK AT ALL. TURN OFF WITHOUT TURNING OFF ENGINE. ALSO DOME LIGHT REMAINED ON, SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT NOT TURNING OFF FOR SOME TIME UNLESS VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #851990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altus, OK
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DOOR CHIMES WOULD REMAIN ON EVEN AFTER THE DOOR IS CLOSED. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON & OFF ON THEIR OWN. DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER, NO PROBLEMS SINCE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #845243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.