30 of the
533 complaints about the 1996 Ford Ranger are about the
lighting — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
104,000 miles.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING OR PLACED INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL NOT DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REAR ENDED FOUR TIMES IN FIVE YEARS. THE MOST RECENT CRASH OCCURRED IN MARCH OF 2008 AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 06/25/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A FEATURE TO KEEP THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL AND THE CLUTCH BRAKE IS NOT PRESSED.UPDATED 06/25/08
NHTSA complaint #10230008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesPontiac, MICrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
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.
Supply, NC
INTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Piedmont, MO
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE COURTESY LIGHTS AND TRUNK CARGO LIGHTS STAYING ON WHILE DRIVING OR PARKING. BLOWER MOTOR WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF WHILE THE SWITCH ARE IN THE OFF MODE OR IN THE ON MODE. DEALER AND MANUFACTRER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE ABS BRAKES LOCK UP ON WET PAVEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #8011417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
INTERIOR LIGHTING
REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH DOME LIGHT ON ALWAYS WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS ON OR OFF, KEY IN IGNITION OR NOT; DOOR CHIME ALWAYS ON IF KEY IS IN IGNITION, VEHICLE ON OR OFF; BOTH CANNOT BE CORRECTED UNLESS FUSE IS REMOVED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED OR AT MINIMUM, FIXED FREE EACH TIME.
NHTSA complaint #755864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #755070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Myrtle Beach, SC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN THE DARK, LIGHTS WILL GO OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CONSUMER HAD TO TOUCH DIMMER SWITCH SO THAT LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON. SWITCH HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE UNDER WARRANTY. BUT, CURRENTLY WAS NOT WORKING AGAIN, CONSUMER FEES IF IT GETS FIXED AGAIN, IT WILL NOT WORK AGAIN LATER ON. *AK
NHTSA complaint #899685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Liverpool, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING, COME BACK ON WITHIN TEN SECONDS. OCCURS ONLY ONCE OR TWICE IN 3 TO 4 MONTH TIME FRAME. FORD AND DEALER CAN NOT HELP. OIGINALLY TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR ON 5/16/97. COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS NO INFO RELATED IN THEIR DATA BASE. VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVED TRIED TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM ON MY OWN (ELECTRICAL ENGINEER) BUT WIRING DIAGRAMS DO NOT EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. I BELEIVE THERE IS A CIRCUIT BREAKER INLINE THAT DOES NOT SHOW IN THE FORD WIRING DETAILS FOR THIS TRUCK. I CANNOT VERIFY THIS THRU FORD. WOULD HAVE TO TEAR TRUCK APPART TO FIND.
NHTSA complaint #752985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valparaiso, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ON THE END OF THE TURN SIGNAL ARM HAS FAILED. WASHER SWITCH ON ARM STILL WORKS, BUT WIPERS DO NOT WORK IN ANY MODE. I HAVE CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WILL ONLY OFFER TO REPLACE AGAIN FOR AROUND $300.00
NHTSA complaint #750711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bentonville, AR
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON FOR NO REASON, WON'T COME ON SOMETIMES, DOME LIGHT AND DOOR BEEP STAYS ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, ACCELERATOR STICKS OFTEN.
NHTSA complaint #740161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Strasburg, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
Baltimore, MD
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, DOME STAYS ON, DOOR CHIME STAYS ON.
NHTSA complaint #738367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beavercreek, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TO SIGNAL LANE CHANGE WHILE OVERTAKING SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER TOUCHING TURN SIGNAL SWITCH STALK. SWITCH STALK HAS EXCESSIVE UP-AND-DOWN PLAY; ABLE TO REPRODUCE INCIDENT AT WILL BY SLIGHTLY MOVING SWITCH STALK UP (TOWARD STEERING WHEEL). VEHICLE NOW AT DEALER FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #727925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ypsilanti, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
VEHICLE HAS A BAD HEADLIGHT SWITCH. SWITCH HAS TO BE JIGGLED AROUND TO GET THE LIGHTS TO COME ON. ALSO, WHEN HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED THE LIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #859522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenfield, MA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. IF DRIVING AT NIGHT IT MAY CAUSE A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND VISUAL DIFFICULTY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *AK.ET.
NHTSA complaint #858656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temecula, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DOME LIGHTS AND DOOR AJAR BUZZER COME OFF AND ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES. IF THE SUN IS SHINNING IN THE WINDOW IT MY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS I CAN'T SEE. I ALSO HAD TO PULL THE FUSE ON THE DOME LIGHT AS IT WAS ON SO MUCH IT WAS RES HOT AND RUNNING MY BATTERY DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #718351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mustang, OK
INTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
RIO Rancho, NM
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOME STAYS ON CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE CONNECTED WITH A FAILED DOOR AJAR SENSOR. I KNOW OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WHO ARE EXPRERINCEING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THERE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURING WITH THE SAME MILEAGE AND AGE AS MINE. SINCE I HAVE DISCOVERED TWO OTHER RANGER PICKUP OWNERS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO WONDERING IF IT COULD BE A DESIGN PROBLEM TO GET OWNERS INTO THEIR REPAIR SHOP TO INCREASE PROFITS.
NHTSA complaint #717809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loran, OH
INTERIOR LIGHTING
EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING DURING OPERATION OR ARE NOT OPERATING AT ALL. ALSO, DOME LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING WITH SWITCH IN THE OFF MODE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #854266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lorain, OH
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AT HIGH SPEED WITHOUT EVER BEING TURNED ON BY THE SWITCH. SOMETIMES WIPERS FAIL TO COME ON WHEN SWITCH IS TURNED ON. DOME LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON BY THE SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #715898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fleming, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. AFTER PUTTING THE HEADLIGHTS ON HIGH BEAM, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #853016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheeling, WV
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOME LIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #545929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALL HEADLIGHTS GO OUT.
NHTSA complaint #702883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Cajon, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #605329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeside, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
COURTESY LAMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #605058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deltona, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. HEADLIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES. A/C WOULD NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. DEALER BEING CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #828413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Soquel, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
THE TURN INDICATOR CANNOT BE TURNED ON WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS AT THE 11 AND 2 O'CLOCK POSITIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE TURN SIGNAL WHEN ENGAGED, DOES NOT ALLOW MUCH MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE SIGNAL CANCELS.
NHTSA complaint #532541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Soquel, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
THE TURN INDICATOR CANNOT BE TURNED ON WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS AT THE 11 AND 2 O'CLOCK POSITIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE TURN SIGNAL WHEN ENGAGED, DOES NOT ALLOW MUCH MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE SIGNAL CANCELS.
NHTSA complaint #532789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Soquel, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT STAY ENGAGED WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED.
NHTSA complaint #516864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Pedro, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHT WIRING ASSEMBLY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #602493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.