RoadVitals

1983 Ford 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.
11
Latest Apr 5, 2004
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.
7
Latest Aug 27, 2007
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1983 Ford Ranger, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and heating & air conditioning categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Electrical327.3%
  • Brakes19.1%
  • Heating & air conditioning19.1%
  • Engine19.1%
  • Fuel system19.1%
  • Seat belts19.1%
  • Transmission19.1%
  • Body & structure19.1%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
98E010000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

Apr 8, 1998
23,500 units potentially affected
The defect: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
The risk: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
The remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
AIMCO PRODUCTS INC.View on NHTSA.gov
84V112000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 25, 1984
192,742 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FLEXIBLE HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FUEL PUMP.
The remedy: THE EXISTING FUEL HOSE WILL BE REPLACED AND TWO NEW HOSE CLAMPS WILL BE INSTALLED.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2004

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10065489
Incident
Jan 14, 2004
Transmission
Filed Jan 3, 2000

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT DUE TO RUBBER SEALS NOT BEING RELIABLE. FAILURE CAUSED BY THE RUBBER SEAL USED TO HOLD FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION--IT IS DRY AND CRACKS, ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK. TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT OWNER'S COST. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
854633
Incident
Jan 3, 2000
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Jun 22, 1999
Fire reported

BOTH FIRES OCCURRED WITHIN THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CORE UPPER HOUSING. BOTH APPEARED TO RESULT FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR ASSEMBLY IGNITING LEAVES WHICH HAVE BEN SUCKED INTO THE SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
835431
Incident
Mar 1, 1999
Brakes
Filed Apr 30, 1998

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.

NHTSA ID
535033
Body & structure
Filed Jan 21, 1998

THERE IS BAD PRIMER ON THE CARS ALL OVER. *AK

NHTSA ID
523385
Seat belts
Filed Apr 14, 1997

DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELTS INOPERATIVE, MALE WON'T CONNECT WITH FEMALE PORTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
810962
Electrical
Filed May 31, 1996

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SAW SMOKE COMING UNDER THE DASH, TURN SIGNAL FAILED, TUNRED IGNITION OFF AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

NHTSA ID
985107
Incident
Oct 8, 1995
Electrical
Filed Apr 30, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID
983799
Incident
Apr 1, 1996

Manufacturer communications

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

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

98246

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC

9888

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

985A13

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC

985A36

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

A GRABBING AND/OR STICKING CONDITION DURING THE FIRST FEW BRAKE APPLICATIONS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE COLD OR IN THE MORNING AFTER AN OVERNIGHT RAIN MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES. *YC

97511

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD

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

Ford Ranger by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026460—
20253313062.0
20246813058.8
2023184058.5
2022375056.7
20211116064.1
20201257163.7
201926311059.1
2018000—
2017100—
2016100—
2015000—
2014100—
2013000—
2012000—
20112356053.5
20101569053.2
20091688051.6
20083256158.3
20072706159.9
200627112052.1
200528911362.3
200440412365.5
20032435160.5
20023467056.0
20015159263.3
20006708056.3
199975510056.2
199857611161.4
19974117261.3
19964138055.9
19953217157.9
199443811161.3
199323210264.6
19921896163.9
19911326467.5
19901055366.3
1989733163.0
1988892266.4
1987505471.3
1986355775.0
1985273167.6
1984128169.0
1983Viewing117057.4
1979100—
1978100—

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.