12 of the
533 complaints about the 1996 Ford Ranger are about the
body and structure — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
129,000 miles.
MY 96 FORD RANGER HAS TREMENDOUS FRAME ROT ON THE DRIVE SIDE AT THE FRONT OF THE SPRING SHACKLES. SOMEONE HAD SPRAYED RHINO LINER LIKE MATERIAL ON THE ROT TO COVER IT UP OR TO TRY TO MAKE IT HOLD. THE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION EXCEPT FOR IT BEING ALMOST BROKEN INTO AT THE GAS TANK STRAP AND FRONT SHACKLES. I HAVE REPLACED EVERY FRONT END PART ON THIS TRUCK THINKING IT WAS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. WHEN DRIVING IT RUNS OUT OF LINE FROM THE REAR AND THE FRAME IS STARTING TO BEND.
NHTSA complaint #11366255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesMalta, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
NHTSA complaint #11012292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 219,200 milesMays Landing, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE WHOLE UNDERBODY AND FRAME IS RUSTED AND ROTTED. THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLES HAVE RUSTED AND ROTTED AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10908184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,000 milesEast Nassau, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
EXTENSIVE RUST DETERIORATION ON STRUCTURAL FRAME MEMBERS WHICH IS SPREADING RAPIDLY. VARIOUS LOCATIONS. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RIGHT SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNT BREAKING LOOSE WHILE IN MOTION. THE REMAINDER OF THE TRUCK IS IN GENERALLY GOOD CONDITION. WHEN I BOUGHT IT FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER 7/11, SOME FRAME BRACKETS HAD BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE FRAME APPEARED SOUND. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint #10863143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesBerlin, MA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1. EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY CORROSION 2. SUSPENSION FAILURE DUE TO BREAKS IN SPRING TO FRAME MOUNTS AND SHACKLES; THREE TIMES IN TWO YEARS. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN BODY DROPPED ONTO WHEEL 3. NEW SPRING MOUNTS HAD TO BE WELDED ONTO FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #10383474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesPontiac, MICrash
STRUCTURE
DT: ON JULY 10, 2005 THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE BAKES WERE NOT PRESSED. BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. THE CONTACT FELT THAT VEHICLES SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH BRAKE LIGHTS THAT SHOULD STAY ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING. THIS WAS A SAFETY DEFECT IN ALL MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AND DECK. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN. THE TWO VEHICLE OPERATORS ONLY EXCHANGED PHONE NUMBERS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED BY THE VEHICLE OWNER OR THE OPERATOR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05.
NHTSA complaint #10139675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesPort Arthur, TX
STRUCTURE
1996 FORD RANGER, 4.0, STANDARD CAB, STANDARD SHIFT, 2WHL DRIVE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOUNTING BRACKET, WHICH IS SPOT WELDED TO THE FIREWALL, BROKE THE WELDS. THIS LEFT THE VEHICAL WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO INCREASE SPEED ABOVE IDLE. ALTHOUGH THE BRACKET HAD POTENTIAL FASTENER HOLES THAT LINED UP WITH HOLES IN THE FIREWALL, THE BRACKET DOES NOT BOLT ON. REFER TO FORD CPD 2000 VERSION 15.04--JANUARY 2003, P-29097 ITEM 9A762 FOR A "BLOW UP" OF THE ITEM. NO ACCIDENT OCCURED AND SINCE I AM A MECHANIC, I DROVE THE VEHICAL HOME AND REPAIRED IT MYSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10002803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR PROBLEM; IT IS HARD TO GET INTO VEHICLE ALSO, BELT WARNING SYSTEM B UZZER KEEPS RINGING/ LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN IT'S WARM OUTSIDE. WHEN THE BELL RINGS ALOT, IT KILLS THE BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #836424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fraser, MI
STRUCTURE
THERE IS A RATTLE IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #516585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
BUMPER MISALIGNED.
NHTSA complaint #602715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
HOOD MISALIGNED.
NHTSA complaint #602715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
TAILGATE MISALIGNED.
NHTSA complaint #602715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.