RoadVitals

2018 Bison Ranger

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Aug 13, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 17, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Bison Ranger, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Suspension114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V325000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

May 17, 2017
192 units potentially affected
The defect: Bison Coach, LLC (Bison) is recalling certain model year 2016-2018 Bison Horse Trailers, models Laredo, Premiere, Ranger, Silverado, Trail Boss and Trail Hand. These trailers contain incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) information on the Certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
The risk: If a trailer does not have the correct label, the users may overload the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Bison will notify owners and provide them with a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began on June 14, 2017. Owners may contact Bison customer service at 1-574-658-4161. Bison's number for this recall is 9011.
Bison Coach, LLCManufacturer number 9011View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Aug 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BISON RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING AT THE GOOSENECK HITCH HAD BECOME UNDONE, THE OVEN DOES NOT FUNCTION, AND THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE LIVING QUARTERS. IN ADDITION, THE REFRIGERATOR DID NOT COOL AS DESIGNED, THE SHOWER DOOR FRACTURED OFF THE HINGES, THE HYDRAULIC JACK LIFT CAUSED THE TRAILER TO SWAY IN AN UNSAFE MOTION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE, AND THE ELECTRIC SLIDE ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE GAUGED THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED A LEAK TO ENTER FROM OUTSIDE TO THE NEXT SLIDE. ON MAY 21, 2018, AN UNKNOWN DEALER REPAIRED THE LEAKS AND READJUSTED THE SLIDE THAT WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED, REPAIRED SOME EXTERIOR SIDING, AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. ON OCTOBER 21, 2018, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEONARD TRUCK AND TRAILER (12800 LEONARD PKWY, NORTH JACKSON, OH 44451) TO HAVE THE BENCH REPAIRED SINCE THE RAIL THAT HELD THE SEATING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AFFORDABLE RV TRUCK & TRAILER (11016 JAMES MADISON PKWY, KING GEORGE, VA 22485) WHERE THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE HOLES IN THE ROOF WERE REPAIRED, AND THE STEPS GOING INTO THE LIVING AREA WERE REPAIRED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR TRAILER BRAKES WAS FULLY FUNCTIONAL BEFORE IT WAS REPAIRED AT AFFORDABLE RV TRUCK & TRAILER. IN ADDITION, CAMPING WORLD OF WINCHESTER (190 COMMONWEALTH CT, WINCHESTER, VA 22602) REPAIRED MULTIPLE LEAKS OVER THE KITCHEN ROOF AREA. ON APRIL 19, 2019, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WELLS AND THE AXLE REPLACED, AND MORE LEAKS WERE SEALED. ADDITIONALLY, THE DOORS WERE SEALED AND SOME OF THE SIDING WAS REPLACED AND RABBETED. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PERFORM PERMANENT REMEDIES; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11243567
Incident
Jul 22, 2019
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 2, 2019

DEAR FORD, SIR I'M ELAN JUST 1 MONTH AGO BOUGHT NEW MODEL FORD RANGER 2.0L XLT + AUTOMATIC. THE SALESMAN AND GIRLS TELLING THIS MODEL IS ENGINE CAPACITY IS 2.0L AND 10 SPEED GEARBOX TRANSMISSION BETTER EFFICIENCY AND SO ON.... BUT IF I HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORDS WRITTEN THAT MY PREVIOUS MODEL FORD RANGER T6 2.2 XLT IS MORE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS SAVE. I FILL DIESEL, FUEL TANK THE PREVIOUS MODEL CAN DRIVE UP TO 1100KM BUT THIS MODEL ONLY DRIVE 750KM. I FIND OUT A FEW VIDEOS IN YOUTUBE FROM FORD ALSO MENTIONED IT'S SAFE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND BETTER PERFORMANCE AND MORE SAVE CONSUMPTION AND EXTRA KM. NOW AFTER BOUGHT THE NEW MODEL RANGER I FEEL YOUR GUYS CHEATING SIMPLY PROMOTE YOUR CARS WITH FALSE INFORMATION AND FAKE PUBLISHED. I NOTICED IN THIS MODEL A FEW BETTER ACCESSORIES BEEN REMOVED FROM PREVIOUS MODEL ALREADY REMOVED. JUST A MONTH THE CAR ALREADY STARTED MAKING TROUBLE AND NOW I'M IN SERVICE CENTER SINCE LOCAL TIME 9.00AM AND ALMOST BEEN WAITING MORE THAN 4 HOURS IN SERVICE CENTER. THEY STILL CAN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEMS, PLEASE THE USA FORD PROVIDED BETTER TRAINING FOR EACH SERVICE CENTER TECHNICIAN BECAUSE I'M ALSO AN ENGINEER. WHAT I NOTICED THRU MY OBSERVATION THEY'RE NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE AND LACK OF SKILL KNOWLEDGE. ESPECIALLY IN MALAYSIA ALL OF FORD SERVICE CENTER THEY TREAT THE CUSTOMER VERY POOR SERVICE AS SWITCH OFF THE AIRCOND WHILE WAITING IN THE ROOM WITH SILLY REASON, THE COFFEE VENDING MACHINE JUST WITH HOT WATER AND DONT WANT TO REFILL, NO BISCUITS PROVIDED DUE TO EVERYONE 1 WAITING MORE THAN MANY HOURS. I USE TO GO TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER THEY PROVIDED SO MANY FACILITIES. ALSO I'M WONDERING WHY EVERY SERVICE FOR FORD RANGER IN MALAYSIA VERY COSTLY IF COMPARED IN THAILAND. IF NOT NEAR FUTURE FORD WILL LOST ALL CUSTOMERS IN MALAYSIA. REALLY REGRET, DISAPPOINTED BY MISTAKENLY BUY ANOTHER TIME THE FORD RANGER. AWAITING YOUR REPLY THANK YOU. ELAN

NHTSA ID
11193276
Incident
Apr 2, 2019
Mileage
200 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

Bison TSB 081418

EQUIPMENT

Refrigerators that were placed in the slide out may not have been installed with the cooling fan. This could cause the refrigerator not to cool properly.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Bison Ranger by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019000—
2018Viewing210—
2017010—
2016020—
2015010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.