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3.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,187 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Ford Ranger engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #8

Aug 282007

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 209,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Ranger. As the contact attempted to engage the cruise control, he noticed that the switch was burned and the plastic was melted. The dealer informed him that his vehicle was not under a recall. A new cruise control switch will cost $50. The manufacturer could not inform him if the new switch would fail and advised him to file a complaint with NHTSA. The contact will replace the switch himself, but will investigate to see if it will burn again. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 210,000 and failure mileage was 209,000.

- Mcalla, AL, USA

problem #7

Jul 252005

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,497 miles
1996 Ford Ranger. The speed control deactivation switch leaked. Consumer saw hydraulic fluid under the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to the dealership on July 25, 2005. It was not covered under the warranty. Consumer purchased the switch and replaced it himself.

- Vicksburg, MS, USA

problem #6

Jun 012003

Ranger 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 72,000 miles
About two years ago (I don't recall the exact date) I had taken my 1996 Ford Ranger XLT into North gate Ford (port huron/ft. Gratiot, mi) for a trace on electronics?'check engine' light was on. After they had placed my truck on their computer they said that they had to 'download updates' to my truck, which would take some time (3 billed hours!). ever since then my cruise control would 'act up'. it will increase speed above the set speed by 5-7 mph, occasionally up to 12 mph, and then the throttle would release with a thunk sound. Using the brake pedal, or the 'off' button would work after a couple of tries however. Also, the cruise control was not always available"would not turn on or set. I believe that the Ford dealer unknowingly, or maybe even willingly, inserted a computer virus or corrupted code into my truck's ECM module. I attempted to take it to another dealer to be checked, but it would have cost me more than I could afford to put it back on the diagnostic computer. I'm afraid that this will result in an accident"I have ms and rely on the cruise control when on the highway.

- Marysville, MI, USA

problem #5

Sep 081999

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle does not idle as it should upon starting up due to a bad idle air vavle. Manufacturer has been contacted.

- Ringgold, GA, USA

problem #4

Jun 181997

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
Idle control speed unit failed, speed varies widely.

- Corapolis, PA, USA

problem #3

Feb 181997

(reported on)

Ranger

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Engine idles to high.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #2

Oct 201996

Ranger

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Engine idles high.

- Tulare, SD, USA

problem #1

Feb 271997

(reported on)

Ranger

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
In wet and cold weather the ABS brakes stick and drag (lock up), vehicle also experiences intermittent high idle after coming to a stop.

- Crestline, OH, USA

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