1995 Ford Ranger Owner Complaints

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE POWER TO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO CUT OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE OR STEER THE TRUCK TO SAFETY I THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE GOOD AND HEADLIGHT. SO I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME AND SPRAYED THE TRUCK PUTTING THE FLAMES OUT. AND CUTTING THE WIRES TO THE BATTERY

NHTSA ID

11366006

Incident

Oct 12, 2020

Mileage

230,000 mi

THE REAR HALF OF THE TRUCK FRAME IS ROTTED TO PIECES. THE BRACKETS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE SHOCKS ARE RUSTED OFF AND MISSING..

NHTSA ID

11241619

Incident

Aug 4, 2019

Mileage

195,000 mi

CHASSIS FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY. ALL ENAMEL PAINT IS GONE AND CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL IS FLAKING OFF

NHTSA ID

11171298

Incident

Dec 19, 2018

Mileage

52,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUFFERED A FRACTURED C7 AND T5 VERTEBRAE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND THEN TO UVA MEDICAL CENTER TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL WOULD RESPOND WITHIN 15 DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11064722

Incident

Oct 9, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND CRACKED ON THE LEFT REAR END. THE BARS TO SUPPORT THE DRIVE SHAFT IS RUSTED OFF AND THE MOUNTS FOR THE REAR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ONCE AND ARE ALMOST RUSTED OFF AGAIN. THERE IS HEAVY RUST ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME BUT NOT RUSTED THROUGH. THE TRUCK BODY HAS ONLY 3 SURFACE RUST MARKS AND 2 SMALL DINGS. THE TRUCK HAS ORIGINAL PAINT (EXCEPT FOR LEFT FENDER AND HOOD). TRUCK WAS GARAGE KEPT AND INTERIOR IS PERFECT.

NHTSA ID

10968783

Incident

Sep 1, 2015

Mileage

133,282 mi

BRAKES LOCKED UP A 50 MPH, HIT LARGE GRASS/DIRT BANK AT 40 MPH APROX. AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

10874126

Incident

Jun 4, 2016

Mileage

226,000 mi

MY COMPLAINT IS THE VEHICLE FRAME, SPECIFICALLY THE REAR MOST PART WHERE THE REAR BUMPER MOUNTS TO THE FRAME. THE FRAME IS FULL OF RUST HOLES IN THAT AREA AND I CAN ONLY SURMISE IN A LIGHT REAR END COLLISION THAT THIS AREA WILL CRUMBLE. THIS IS ABSOLUTLY A FAILUREBY FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL WITH A PROPER REPAIR! NOW AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE, NOT INEXOENSIVE BY ANY MEANS A FULL FRAME OR REAR FRAME SECTION REPLACEMENT! THIS IS ON MANY RANGERS, IN FACT I REPLACED A FRAME ON A FAMILIES1997, TOTAL BALONEY! WHO ADE THE FRAME TOYOTA?!!

NHTSA ID

10852795

Incident

Sep 2, 2015

Mileage

175,000 mi

1995 FORD RANGER. MY NEPHEW WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE RIGHT REAR SHACKLE LET LOOSE AND HE LOST STABILITY. I REPLACED BOTH RIGHT SIDE FRONT AND REAR SHACKLES. I PULLED THE BED OFF TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT AND FOUND BOTH LEFT SIDE SHACKLES ROTTED, LEFT SIDE FRAME ROTTED IN HALF, CROSS MEMBER, GAS TANK SPLASH PAN AND STRAPS, ALONG WITH ALL CAB MOUNTS ROTTED COMPLETELY. I PARKED THE TRUCK AND HAVE NOT DROVE IT SCIENCE 2012. THE BODY IS BEAUTIFUL, AND ALL THE MECHANICS HAVE BEEN KEPT UP. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ON THIS TRUCK.

NHTSA ID

10809479

Incident

Mar 12, 2012

Mileage

200,000 mi

ALL LEAF SPRING BRACKETS AND FRAME HAVE RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT AND HAVE SEEN THIS MANY TIMES.

NHTSA ID

10795266

Incident

Feb 1, 2008

I'M INTERESTED IN KNOWING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS AS OF RIGHT NOW I HAVE TO CUT OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG / AND AM WORRIED ABOUT TRANSPORTING MY YOUNG GREAT NEICE & OR NEPHEW PICKING THEM UP FROM SOME SCHOOL FUNCTIONS ....AND WOULD APPRECIATE A CALL OR LETTER KNOWING THIS IS GOING TO SOON BE TAKEN CARE OF ..THANKS

NHTSA ID

10780049

Incident

May 22, 2015

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 SHACKLES IN MY RANGER DUE TO THEM RUSTING OFF AND BREAKING. THE FOURTH SHACKLE IS WELL ON ITS WAY TO BEING RUSTED OFF. THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK SEEMS TO BE GETTING WEAK IN THE SPOTS AROUND THE SHACKLES AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10712963

Incident

Dec 17, 2014

Mileage

194,785 mi

I WAS DRIVING AT WORK GOING FROM POINT A TO POINT B AND I HEARD THE REAR BRAKES GRINDING, METAL TO METAL SOUND, WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, SLOW DOWN AND MADE IT TO POINT B, ABOUT 1 MILE, IN TOWN.... PARKED AND CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK.... AND DISCOVERED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS STRETCHED TIGHT... CRAWLED UNDER TRUCK AND DISCOVERED THAT FRAME WAS RUSTED IN HALF (BROKEN ALL THE WAY THRU) ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALMOST AS BAD.... ALSO A CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AWAY... AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK WAS HANGING DOWN (BRACKET RUSTED AWAY) TRUCK IS NOW PARKED AT HOME CAN'T FIX IT.... HAD TO BUY A USED VAN FROM MY BOSS SO I COULD GET TO WORK..... I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE TITLE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.... TRUCK RUNS FINE BUT JUST CAN'T FIX A RUSTED OUT FRAME... NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE TO DRIVE... BY THE WAY THE END OF THE FRAME WHERE THE REAR BUMPER ATTACHES RUSTED ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO AND HAD TO PUT 1/2 INCH STEEL IN TO REATTACH IT.... THE FRAME WAS A LITTLE RUSTY AT THAT TIME BUT NO HOLES OR BREAKS.... I THINK FORD SHOULD COMPENSATE ALL RANGER OWNERS FOR RUSTED OUT FRAMES, I HAVE READ BLOGS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE RANGER FRAMES RUSTED OUT... I HAVE PICTURES IF NEEDED... *TR

NHTSA ID

10712102

Incident

Apr 13, 2015

Mileage

193,278 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR SPRINGS AND TIRES SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10664312

Incident

Jan 1, 2013

Mileage

70,000 mi

MY 1995 FORD RANGER WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, ORDERED TO MY SPECIFICATIONS, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE TRUCK HAS 86K ORIGINAL MILES. THE BODY OF MY TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, AS I HAVE MAINTAINED MY TRUCK THE ENTIRE LIFE OF IT, THROUGH CONTINUOUS CLEANINGS TO KEEP THE SALT DEBRIS OFF DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN MY PRIDE AND JOY AS IT WAS MY VERY FIRST NEW VEHICLE. I AM NOW VERY DISGUSTED AS THE FRAME ON THE LEFT SIDE, BOTH FRONT AND REAR IS COMPLETELY ROTTING AWAY AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. EVEN THOUGH THE BODY OF MY TRUCK LOOKS EXCELLENT, MY TRUCK WILL NO LONGER PASS INSPECTION DUE TO ITS DEFECTIVE FRAME. TOYOTA HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH ITS TACOMA TRUCKS AND MADE GOOD ON THEM WITH A RECALL. I AM LOOKING FOR THE SAME SATISFACTION, AS I AM A 3 TIME OWNER OF FORD VEHICLES. I CURRENTLY OWN MY SECOND FORD E-250 CARGO VAN, THAT WITH ONLY 62K ORIGINAL MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED FORD PRODUCTS AS I WAS ALWAYS TOLD FORD STANDS BY THEIR PRODUCTS, AND I AM HOPING THAT IS TRUE, BECAUSE NOW I OWN A $19K PIECE OF FORD JUNK THAT WITH OUT AN INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A ROTTED FRAME IS USELESS. I DID MY PART OVER THE YEARS TAKING EXCELLENT CARE OF MY FORD RANGER AND FOR WHAT? I AM A VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER AND I FEEL THAT THE FRAME ON MY 1995 FORD RANGER IS DEFECTIVE, JUST LIKE THE TOYOTA WAS AND I AM HOPING THAT SINCE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A ROTTED FRAME ON THEIR FORD RANGER THAT FORD WILL BE MAKING GOOD ON THIS DEFECTIVE FRAME. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF CUSTOMERS THAT ALSO HAD A 1995 FORD RANGER WITH TWICE THE MILES THAT I HAVE AND THEIR FRAME WAS ALSO ROTTED AND DEFECTIVE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT THE NECESSARY STEPS ARE THAT I NEED TO TAKE TO HAVE MY DEFECTIVE FRAME LOOKED INTO FURTHER FOR A REPLACEMENT DUE TO A RECALL ON FORD'S DEFECTIVE RANGER FRAMES. *JS

NHTSA ID

10592600

Incident

Apr 1, 2014

Mileage

86,000 mi

PURCHASED BILSTEIN SHOCKS FOR FORD RANGER 95 XLT 2WD 6CYL 4.0 3 YEARS AGO FRONT SHOCKS WENT SOFT AFTER 5K MILES. PERSEVERED AND PURCHASED NEW FRONT SHOCKS [BILSTEIN] A FEW MONTHS AGO. FRONT SHOCKS SUBSTANDARD. CONTACTED BILSTEIN. SENT ALL 6 SHOCKS IN. RECEIVED 6 REPLACEMENT SHOCKS. FRONT SHOCKS ARE SUBSTANDARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPUTABLE MECHANIC IN AUSTIN. CONCERNS WERE VERIFIED. CONTACTED BILSTEIN WITH INFORMATION. MY PATIENCE HAS RUN OUT. THIS IS A STANDARD PICKUP. STANDARD SUSPENSION HIGHWAY USE ONLY. 10K MILES PER YEAR. NUMBERS ON SHOCK ABSORBER BOX ARE: 24-022361 AND F4-B46-2236-H1 I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. BRAKING AND HANDLING OF MY VEHICLE ARE COMPROMISED. ARE THERE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE SHOCKS? I AM IN POSSESSION OF THE BRAND NEW UNUSED PAIR OF FRONT SHOCKS SUPPLIED BY BILSTEIN I COULD SUBMIT FOR INDEPENDENT TESTING. I WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO ANY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO VERIFY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10555967

Incident

Dec 13, 2013

IN 2011, I WAS INFORMED BY LETTER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I WENT INTO THE DEALER IN FORT WALTON BEACH FL. AND THEY INSTALLED A WIRE CONNECTION TO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AREA ON THE ABS CONTROL. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK. IN SPRING OF 2013 THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS IT DOES EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. THIS TIME IT STAYED ON AND DOES NOT GO OUT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE RESOLVED. THIS LIGHT INDICATES A FAILURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *JS

NHTSA ID

10538309

Incident

Jun 5, 2013

Mileage

156,876 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED AND THE OTHER ONE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 08/27/13*LJ

NHTSA ID

10523742

Incident

Jul 3, 2013

Mileage

112,000 mi

I WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER GOING ABOUT 15MPH OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND FELT THE TRAILER DROP OFF OF THE VEHICLE I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE LAST 2 FEET OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS FELL OUT TAKING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND BUMPER WITH IT. AFTER I REALIZED THAT THE REAR FRAME RUSTED OUT, I INSPECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE RADIUS ARM BRACKET HAS HOLES IN IT, I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SHACKLES, THE DRIVER SIDE CAB MOUNT RUSTED OUT AND NOW HAS FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RATHER LARGE HOLE IN THE FRAME IN BETWEEN THE CAB AND THE BED OF THE TRUCK, MY GAS TANK STRAPS HAVE RUSTED OFF AND I NOW HAVE IT RATCHET STRAPPED IT IN BECAUSE THE MOUNT FOR THE STRAP RUSTED OUT OF THE FRAME. I BELIEVE THAT SINCE THE TRUCK IS STILL IN GOOD WORKING ORDER MINUS THE FRAME AND RUST ISSUES AND SINCE IT STILL HAS MODERATE TO LOW MILES I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT WITH THEIR VALUED CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE VEHICLE OR AT LEAST REPAIR IT TO WHERE IT IS STREET WORTHY. RANGERS ARE GREAT TRUCKS BUT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY MANUFACTURED WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ID

10521302

Incident

May 20, 2012

Mileage

139,026 mi

RUSTED OUT GAS TANK STRAPS BOTH FRONT AND BACK STRAPS ARE RUSTED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10512959

Incident

May 20, 2013

THE RH. RADIUS ARM FRACTURED WITH SEVERE PULLING WITH NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON A COUNTRY ROAD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATED A 85 % RUST THROUGH OF FRAME NEAR COIL SPRING AND RADIUS ARM ATTACHMENT. ALSO THE RH REAR LEAF SPRING IS RUSTED 90% THROUGH, ANY ONE OF THESE FAILURES WOULD CAUSE A DEADLY CRASH. I WORKED AS A PARTS MANAGER FOR 23 YEARS FOR A FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NEVER WITNESSED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10450432

Incident

Mar 5, 2012

Mileage

200,000 mi

I HAVE HAD A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE SUSPENSION ON MY 1995 RANGER. I WAS DRIVING AND HAD A PASSENGER WITH ME WHEN THE REAR SPRING BRACKETS GAVE OUT ON ME, DROPPING MY REAR END DOWN AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE TRUCK, I SAW THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKETS HAD SHEARED AND WAS NOW IN TWO PIECES. THE ONLY BRACKET NOT DESTROYED WAS THE PASSENGER FRONT. ALL THE BRACKETS WERE RUSTED OUT AND GAVE WAY. I HAVE OWNED OTHER RANGERS AND THIS WAS THE FIRST ONE THAT HAS DONE THIS TO ME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BRACKETS AND REAR SHACKLES. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM. THE METAL WAS THIN AND OF VERY LOW QUALITY. I HAVE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE FIELD FOR OVER 40 YEARS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THE DEFECTIVE UNITS REPLACED, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO THE FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT HIGH FREEWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I FEEL THAT IT FALLS WITHIN THE SAME AREA AS THE STICKING ACCELERATOR CABLE ON THE IMPORTS. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING ANY FOLLOWUPS ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10449011

Incident

Feb 15, 2012

Mileage

197,625 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHIME BOX IN THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WOULD EMIT A VERY LOUD NOISE THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN OFF. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE CHIME BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID

10447008

Incident

Aug 17, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN A LOUD DRAGGING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT BOTH FUEL STRAPS WERE CORRODED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL STRAPS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,271.

NHTSA ID

10419198

Incident

Jul 27, 2011

Mileage

104,271 mi

FILLED GAS TANK UNTILL NOZZLE CLICKED FULL. GASOLINE STARTED DRIPPING OUT OF TANK UNDER THE TRUCK. I NOW UNDERFILL TANK & TRY TO ESTIMATE JUST SHORT OF FULL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10413187

Incident

Mar 8, 2010

Mileage

108,368 mi

COMPLETELY RUSTED FRONT RADIAL ARM BROKE IN HALF WHEN BREAKING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT; RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE SWERVING COMPLETELY INTO THE ONCOMING LANE; FORTUNATELY NO ONE APPROACHING. I HAD TO CREEP HOME AT 10 MPH WITH TRUCK JERKING THIS WAY AND THAT AS THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WENT HAYWIRE. IN THE PAST YEAR ALL FOUR LEAF SPRING SUPPORTS SEPARATELY GAVE WAY BECAUSE OF RUSTED SUPPORTING BRACKETS. IF THE TRUCK HAD BEEN LOADED IT WOULD LIKELY HAVE OVERTURNED OR MADE THE TRUCK GO OUT OF CONTROL! RUSTED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES LINES TWO YEARS AGO BLEW OUT AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS TRUCK NEVER PLOWED SNOW AND ONLY ONCE IN MANY YEARS WAS EVER FULLY LOADED. OTHER FRAME MEMBERS ARE OUTRAGEOUSLY RUSTED AND MIGHT BE DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

10391888

Incident

Feb 1, 2011

Mileage

73,000 mi