39 of the
533 complaints about the 1996 Ford Ranger are about the
electrical system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
121,310 miles.
THE CONTROL CLUSTERS ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAVE BEEN AT A SUFFICIENTLY HIGH TEMPERATURE THAT THE PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE MICRO SWITCHES HAS DEFORMED AND ON OCCASION IT WILL STICK TO YOUR FINGERS. THE CENTER BUTTON ON THE LEFT SIDE HAS DISINTEGRATED TO THE POINT THAT THE ACTUAL MICRO BUTTON IS NOW OPERATED DIRECTLY THROUGH THE MISSING PORTION OF THE ORIGINAL COVERING. ONE OF THE MICRO BUTTONS ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS IN THE SAME CONDITION AND BOTH CONTROL CLUSTERS HAVE BROKEN LOOSE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. WITH THE PROBLEMS FORD HAS HAD WITH FIRES I THOUGHT THEY WOULD OFFER SOME ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THIS DEFECT BUT BOTH THE LOCAL DEALERS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO HAVE INDICATED NO ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE, I GUESS WE WILL WAIT FOR THE FIRE THAT SPREADS THROUGH THE GARAGE AND TAKES DOWN THE WHOLE HOUSE. DEALERS THAT TURNED ME DOWN ARE BLUE BONNET IN NEW BRAUNFELS, TX AND GRIFFITH IN THE KYLE, TX AREA. THE CONTROL STILL ACTUALLY FUNCTIONS IF YOU CAN HOLD IT ALL TOGETHER LONG ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE MICRO SWITCHES AND YOU DON'T MIND GETTING STICKY BLACK GOOP ON YOUR FINGERS.
NHTSA complaint #10680744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 265,000 milesPlaistow, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TURNS OVER BUT WON'T START.
NHTSA complaint #10608274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Takoma Park, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TWO BUTTONS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HORN, ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THAT CONTROL THE CRUISE CONTROL MELT IN THE HEAT AND EXPOSE THE CIRCUIT BOARDS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW YEARS AND I FINALLY NEED TO REPORT THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10514863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 201,000 milesWichita, KSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OVERNIGHT THE TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO UNDER THE DASH THROUGHOUT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AS WELL AS DUCTWORK. IT RE-IGNITED AND BURNED AFTER BEING PUT OUT ONCE THEN AFTER THE BATTERY WAS SUCCESSFULLY DISCONNECTED, DID NOT CATCH FIRE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10419871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesOakland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OBSTRUCTING HIS VIEW. ALSO, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT DOOR AJAR ALARM WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE DOOR WAS BEEN CLOSED INTERMITTENTLY. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRONIC OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. ALL THREE ELECTRICAL FAILURES BEGAN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10384411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,300 milesHamptonville, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPON ENTERING THE VEH TO GO TO WORK WE FOUND THAT ONE SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAD MELTED AND A BURNT ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE VEH. THIS OCCURRED ON THE SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT THE CRUISE FEATURE IS LOCATED. WE TALKED WITH ANOTHER OWNER OF A RANGER AND HE ADVISED US THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE RANGER TRUCK. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION AS TO THE RECALL AND WE BOUGHT THE VEH NEW IN 1995. IT IS A 1996 MODEL. THIS VEH WAS IN GOOD CONDITION BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS CAN BE FIXED AND WHAT STEPS TO TAKE IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10253276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesFranklin, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. WHILE ACTIVATING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ELECTRICAL CRACKLING SOUND IN THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING DAILY FOR THE LAST NINE MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000. UPDATED 04/08/08. *LJ THE RIGHT TURN SIGNALS AND EMERGENCY FLASHERS DID NOT WORK. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS A PROBLEM AS WELL. UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10220783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: ON 7/8/05 AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES , VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN OWNER NOTICED THE TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT, AND A BOOM WAS HEARD. THE OWNER RAN OUTSIDE AND VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE FLAMES WERE NOTICED UNDER HOOD OF TRUCK. THE FLAMES WENT INTO CAB. THE FIRE LASTED ABOUT 30 OR 35 MINUTES BEFORE IT WAS PUT OUT. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NEVER GAVE INDICATION OF WHAT CAUSED FIRE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. NO INDICATION FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THERE IS A RECALL ON 1996 EXTENDED CAB RANGER REGARDING THE PRESSURE BREAK SWITCH. BUT OWNER DOESN'T HAVE THE RECALL NUMBER. WORK TOOLS WERE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BURNED. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE OR WARNINGS OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10128257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesHouston, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 1 HOURR A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10117179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,620 milesCorona, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AN UNDERHOOD ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED AT OR NEAR THE SPEED DEACTIVATION SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
NHTSA complaint #10068311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Supply, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
DASHLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER SEES SOOT ON THE DASH SOMETIMES AND SMELLS SOMETHING BURNING. DEALER DETERMINED AMPS ON FACTORY INSTALLED FUSES ARE TOO HIGH. CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUSES SHOULD HAVE BEEN A 30 AMP. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8014980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Supply, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OUT. CONSUMER FOUND SOOT EVERYWHERE. CONSUMERS HUSBAND CHECKED TO SEE IF A FUSE HAD BLOWN. THEY NOTICED THAT IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX THE FUSES USED WERE HIGHER THAN WHAT THE MANUAL STATED. THESE HAD 50 AMP FUSES. THE MANUAL CALLS FOR 30 AMPS. CONSUMER FEELS THIS OVERAGE IN POWER COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE TO THE VEHICLE AND THAT THIS MAY BE THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
NHTSA complaint #8014982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doylestown, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER 1 HOUR DRIVE, VEHICLE WAS 40% BURNED AND DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. FIRE ORIGINATED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON DRIVERS SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #764178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piedmont, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, CHIME WOULD GO OFF. DRIVER WOULD JIGGLE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET IT TURNED OFF. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE KEY WILL ALSO COME OUT OF THE SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8011420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atwater, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #757479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklinton, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CHIME AND LIGHT WON'T GO OUT, WIPERS HAVE SHORT. I FEAR A FIRE DUE TO OVERHEATED ELECTRICAL WIRING/COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #756672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
TRUCK WAS TAKEN FOR EAST FORD (DEALER) FOR TRANSMISSION MAINTENANCE. THE OD LIGHT AND REVERSE LIGHTS FAILED FROM THAT POINT ON. TRUCK TAKEN BACK 4/16/2001 FOR SAME, DEALER SAYS WIRING IN STEERING/SHIFTER IS RUBBED AND REQUIRES SHIFTER REPLACMENT.
NHTSA complaint #744121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Strasburg, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE. KNOCKING ROD AT ONLY 56,000 MI. OVER $3,000 FOR NEW ENGINE. HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO TURN ON BEFORE LEAVING DRIVEWAY. CAME ON AFTER TURNING ON HIGH BEAMS AND TURN SIGNALS. ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, I'M ABOUT TO DOWNSHIFT TO MAKE A TURN AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. NO POWER STEERING, NEARLY LOST CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #738332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newcastle, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE @ APPROX 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING, ACTTED LIKE A WIRE HAD BURNT INTO BECAUSE THE ENGINE STOPPED AND RAN INTERMITTENT ABOUT 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #720411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mustang, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE DOME LIGHT TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY, ETC. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #855805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
UNDER DASH ELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS/ TAIL LIGHTS, AND DOME LIGHTS, ETC, TO FAIL. THIS MAY RESULT IN VISUAL DIFFICULTY, AND CAUSE A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #854914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paris, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHEN TRAVELING CONSUMER NOTICED DIMMER LIGHTS COME ON. ALSO WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE DOOR WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED THE COMPUTER CHIP HAS GONE BAD. *AK
NHTSA complaint #854648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsto, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
STEERING COLUMN WIRING SHORTED OUT RESULTING IN BURNING. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsto, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
STEERING COLUMN WIRING SHORTED OUT RESULTING IN BURNING. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kiefer, OKFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #706076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alma, GACrashFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #836202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rantoul, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
HAD NOTICED SMOKE FILLING GAUGES & THEN TURNED BLACK. HAD STOPPED VEHICLE & SMELLED SMOKE. CHECKED VEHICLE & DASHBOARD TWICE BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE OCCURRED FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL/DASHBOARD AREA.
NHTSA complaint #832580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
PART REPLACED WITH USED PARTS. TOTAL COST $379.18, TOOK 10 DAYS TO GET REPAIRED AT BAY FORD, PORT ORCHARD, WA, 98366. THIS FAILURE CAUSED A SMALL FIRE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN AND FILLED THE CAB WITH SMOKE. THIS INCIDENT ENDANGERED THE LIFE OF MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. NEITHER BAY FORD (REPAIR FACILITY ) NOR FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD HANDLE THIS UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #703057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Altos, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD IT CHECKED & REPAIRED. HAD COMPUTER CHIP CHECKED ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #830332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Violet, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHENEVER CONSUMER HITS A BUMP THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON. ALSO EVERY TIME HE PUTS THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE FUSE, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE OVERDRIVE SWITCH AND REVERSE LIGHTS, BLOWS OUT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #830100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.