RoadVitals

1996 Ford Ranger Transmission Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the transmission system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Transmission reportsComplaints 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.
23
Latest Jun 8, 2005
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 413 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford Ranger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming transmission

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Transmission
Filed Jun 8, 2005

1. NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. 2. WHILE TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO VEHICLE OR PROPERTY. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE FAILED. IT WAS WORN THRU DO TO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE. 3. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CABLE WAS REPLACED WITH FORD F57Z7E395A. THE BROKEN CABLE IS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10124598
Incident
Jun 7, 2005
Mileage
50,579 mi
Interior & seatsTransmission
Filed Apr 16, 2001

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
744121
Incident
Dec 31, 2000
EngineTransmission
Filed Apr 11, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN LOW GEAR, IT POPPED OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. ALSO, WHEN SHIFTING GEARS VEHICLE WAS MAKING A NOISE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED CLUTCH, AND HAS STATED THAT MANUAL TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK DEALER ALSO REPLACED FIRST GEAR SYNCRO, BLOCKER RING, AND THIRD GEAR BLOCKER RING. HEATER WOULD NOT BLOW HOT AIR, DEALER REPLACED THERMOSTAT. TAIL PIPE WAS HITTING SPARE TIRE CAUSING NOISE, DEALER REPOSITIONED TAIL PIPE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
885719
Incident
May 9, 1996
Transmission
Filed Mar 2, 2001
9 deaths reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAS HIGH ENGINE RPM BETWEEN 1600 TO 2200. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON ICY ROAD CONDITONS. CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT LONG TERM WEAR AND TEAR ON CLUTCH, TRANSMISSION AND REAR AXLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
881984
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
Transmission
Filed Sep 1, 2000

THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WAS MELTED BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE THE PART WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS HEAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A "FREAK" OCCURANCE AND NOT TO WORRY ABLUT IT.

NHTSA ID
729826
Incident
Aug 6, 2000
Transmission
Filed Jan 31, 2000

WHEN TRAVELING THE PIVOT BRACKET WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL HAS BROKEN, CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN A NEAR CRASH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS MADE REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
855755
Transmission
Filed Jan 26, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
717895
Incident
Jan 21, 2000
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed Dec 30, 1999

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO LOSE SPEED WHEN GOING UP HILL. WITH THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, THE SPEED DECREASES AND THE ENGINE AND OVER DRIVE LIGHTS BLINK.

NHTSA ID
511946
Transmission
Filed Sep 21, 1999

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE HAS FALLEN ON TOP OF CROSSOVER PIPE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST PIPE ,BURNING THROUGH CABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
843490
Incident
Jun 26, 1999
BrakesTransmission
Filed Sep 21, 1999

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE HAS FALLEN ON TOP OF CROSSOVER PIPE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST PIPE ,BURNING THROUGH CABLE. THE 1998 MODEL WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADDED HEAT SHIELD TO PREVENT BURNING. BRAKE PADS, SHOES AND CALIPERS REPLACED ON (7-22-99). *AK

NHTSA ID
843488
Incident
Jul 21, 1999
Transmission
Filed Apr 8, 1999

TRANSMISSION LOOSE AND HAS PLAY IN IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
705423
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
BrakesEngineTransmission+1 more
Filed Mar 27, 1999
Crash reported

AT LEAST 12 SETS OF BRAKES PUT ON VEHICLE"4 IN UDER 9000 MILES, RESULTING IN 2 ACCIDENTS" 3 TIMES AT TURNING ROTORS/ENGINE REBUILT AT 52000 MILES STILL WITH LOSS OF PORWER. 2 EGR VALVES/2 WIPER SWITCHES/SYNCRONIZERS/2 SLAVE CYLINDERS ON TRANSMISSION AND OIL LEAK. ALL PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. ENGINE IDLES HIGH ENOUGH THAT THE USE OF THE GAS PEDAL IS NOT NEEDED FOR INTOWN DRIVING. SPEEDS OF 45MPH CAN BE OBTAINED BEFORE HITTING PEDAL.

NHTSA ID
705009
Transmission
Filed Jan 15, 1999

IN MORNING WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT HESITATES TO ENGAGE, OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CONTACTED AND REPAIR WORK DONE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VEHICLE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
833629
Incident
Nov 1, 1996
BrakesTransmissionVisibility
Filed Nov 23, 1998

HEATER SWITCH FAILED.

NHTSA ID
605064
Transmission
Filed Nov 19, 1997

VEHICLE IN PARK GEAR, SUDDENLY STARTED RUNNING IN REVERSE.

NHTSA ID
525088
Incident
Nov 8, 1997
BrakesFuel systemSteering+3 more
Filed Nov 5, 1997
1 injury reported

ANIT-LOCK BRAKES FAILED, ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
524310
Incident
May 3, 1997
Transmission
Filed Nov 4, 1997

TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.

NHTSA ID
605124
Incident
Mar 1, 1996
Transmission
Filed Sep 18, 1997

4-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH FAILED TO ENGAGE IN SNOW WEATHER CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID
605045
Incident
Jan 6, 1997
Transmission
Filed Sep 9, 1997

POWER TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED.

NHTSA ID
606057
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system+3 more
Filed May 1, 1997

VEHICLE IDLES FAST.

NHTSA ID
516864
Transmission
Filed Mar 20, 1997

OWNER STATES THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START WITHOUT THE CLUTCH BEING DEPRESSED, OWNER'S VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE AND OUT OF DRIVEWAY.OWNER NOTES THAT THERE WAS FAULTY NEUTRAL START SWITCH. DEALER CORRECTED PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
810242
Transmission
Filed Mar 12, 1997
Crash reported

CLUTCH SWITCH BROKE, VEHICLE DOES NOT SUPPOSE TO START WITHOUT IT. HOWEVER VEHICLE STARTED WITHOUT THE CLUTCH SWITCH AND RAN RIGHT INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. DEALER PATCHED SWITCH UP, MANUFACTURER IS SUPPOSE TO INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
809876
Incident
Mar 4, 1997
Transmission
Filed Nov 13, 1996

MANUAL 5-SPD TRANSMISSION LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING, ESPECIALLY DURING HOT WEATHER AND SLIGHTLY MORE SO ON HILLY AREAS. *AK

NHTSA ID
804920

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .