Owners filed 132 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › rearview mirrors/devices › exterior. It has been recalled 6 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
11
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
9
0
1
0
Tires › Tread/Belt
7
0
0
0
Structure › Frame and Members
7
0
0
0
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
6
1
0
0
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
6
0
6
1
Suspension › Front
5
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
4
1
0
2
Tires
4
0
0
0
Power Train › Manual Transmission
4
0
1
0
6 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Tires › Tread/Belt01X001000
Filed May 22, 200113,000,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Risk. SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Tires › Tread/Belt00T005000
Filed Aug 21, 200014,400,000 vehiclesBridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Defect. TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
Risk. IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Rotor98E010000
Filed Apr 8, 199823,500 vehiclesAimco Products Inc.
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.
Risk. LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Hydraulic96V024001
Filed Feb 5, 1996108,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Risk. IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission91V189000
Filed Nov 4, 1991792,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Risk. DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy. REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jul 23, 2012150,000 milesNM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1991 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 14, 201165,000 milesTN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAD DROPPED APPROXIMATELY FIVE INCHES FROM THE REGULAR POSITION AND THE FRONT FENDER WAS COVERING THE TOP OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING MOUNT WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOCAL AUTO SHOP WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 9, 2011100,000 milesWI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP BECAME CORRODED AND WAS PARTIALLY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT WOULD CAUSE THE FUEL TANK TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STRAP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS TO THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 24, 2011100,000 milesWV
THE FRAME HAS HORRIBLE CORROSION. ALL THE SPRING HANGERS ARE WERE FAILING BAD. I DON'T EVEN THINK IT CAN BE WELDED BECAUSE IT IS RUSTED FROM ONE END TO ANOTHER. FORD REALLY MESSED THIS ONE UP. AND WHY DO ALL THE FUEL GAUGES QUIT WORKING? *TR
Structure
Filed Nov 27, 2009WA
PEELING FACTORY PAINT PRIMARILY ON TOP SURFACES..I.E. HOOD, CAB ROOF, COWLING. I HAVE OWNED TRUCK SINCE 12/8/99 AND HAS HAD PROBLEM SINCE,IT HAS LOST NEARLY ALL PAINT ON ROOF , HOOD HAS ABOUT 1/3 LEFT. PRIMARILY LIFTS/PEELS WHEN WASHED OR WHEN LEFT OUT IN RAIN. HAS HAD BITS PEEL BACK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MAINLY OCCURS THOUGH WITH WASHING. HAVE INQUIRED WITH DEALERS TO NO AVAIL. WAS TOLD BY ONE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THAT THE PERIOD FOR REPAIR OF CONDITION HAD PASSED. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOR HEARD ANYTHING FROM MFR REGARDING THIS ISSUE WHATSOEVER. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed May 27, 2009100,000 milesFL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WITH THE DEFROSTER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY WIRE UNDER THE HOOD THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CLUTCH AND POWER STEERING WERE REPAIRED AND THE GAS LINE WAS CLEANED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 062909 *BF UPDATED 07/01/09
Suspension
Filed Nov 2, 200442,000 milesOH
THE CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE FOR THE FRONT END SUSPENSION PART THAT WAS DISCONTINUED. *JB
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Oct 6, 2004IA
BOTH MIRRORS FOLDED UP AGAINST THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING. DRIVER'S SIDE WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TWICE. HOWEVER, DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. *AK TRUCK IS IN GARAGE FROM 11-1 TOMAY 1. AND I STIKK ONLY GET1 YEAR TO 18 MONTHS PER MIRROR. I REALIZE THE VEHICLE IS 13 YEARS OLD AND REDESIGNING THE MIRROR IS NOT ANOPTION. HOWEVER, FORD MOTOR CORP SURELY COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PRICE! RETAIL IS CLOSRE TO $7500 PER PIECE. I KNOW REDESIGNING IS OUT OF QUESTION, BUT FOR THOSE OF US THAT INTEND ON KEEPING OUR VEHICLES, THE COMPANY COULD REDUCE THE PRICE. *AK
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 15, 2004MI
CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS MOTOR MOUNTS ARE RUSTING RIGHT OUT FROM THE FRAME. HE STATES HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. HE STATES HE HAS NOT SEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT HE DOES NOT THINK THIS IS NORMAL. *NM
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 11, 200358,212 milesIN
RIGHT FRONT SPRING BRACKET RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING BODY TO DROP ONTO FRONT TIRE, AND I NOTICED THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS WANTING TO KNOW IS FORD GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR ARE WE THE PUBLIC GOING TO GET STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM ? *JB
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v BatteryFire
Filed Jan 10, 200350,000 milesCA
THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING OUT SIDE WHEN THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT. *JG *JB
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 24, 2002SC
TRAVELING N ON I-95 ON 12/20/2002 AT APPROX 4 P.M. RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, BEAT AND DAMAGED FENDER; HOWEVER, TIRE MAINTAINED SAME PRESSURE. 1 WAS ASSISTED BY OFFICER K.R. MEARES OF TOBESON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT,TEL 910-671-3100. DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS------770783. *AK *NLM
Electrical System › Ignition › SwitchFire1 injured
Filed Dec 9, 2002IA
WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A FAILED IGNITION SWITCH, MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE FAILED PART WAS NOT WORTHY OF ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE TO COMPENSATE FOR A VEHICLE DESTROYED BY FIRE. PH. CONSUMER WAS INJURED WHILE TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *JB
Tires
Filed Oct 30, 2002CA
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 70MPH, FELT THE FRONT STARTING TO VIBRATE. HAD PULLED OVER AND CHECKED TIRES. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A LARGE BUBBLE. THE TREAD WAS STARTING TO SEPARATE. WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALER AND THE SPARE TIRE REPLACED THE BLOWN TIRE. NOT ORIGINAL TIRES. FIRESTONE FR 480 P215/70R14 TS
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v BatteryFire
Filed Oct 18, 2002CA
CONSUMER STATED THAT A BATTERY EXPLODED, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. MANUFACTURE OF BATTERY IS JOHNSON CONTROLS INC. /SEAR DIE HARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Sep 13, 2002TN
BOTH MIRRORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONE TIME BECAUSE THEY DO NOT STAY POSITIONED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE MIRRORS DO NOT STAY IN POSITIONED DRIVERS HAVE NO VIEW OF REAR LANES, THE MIRRORS FOLD BACK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *YH
Tires › Sidewall
Filed Aug 28, 2002GA
TIRES WERE PURCHASE AT COSTCO WHOLESALE. THESE TIRES SEEM TO HAVE A WEAKER SIDEWALL THAN THE OTHERS TIRES THEY SALE. POSSIBLY A SAFETY HAZARD. THESE TIRES WERE WARRANTED TO 80,000 MILES. S.*AK
Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber
Filed Aug 19, 2002PA
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED. *YH
Structure › Body
Filed May 28, 2002CA
FIREWALL SEPARATING AND CRACKING AT CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. *AK
Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber
Filed May 6, 2002IN
RIGHT FRONT SHOCK TOWER COLLAPSED ON VEHICLE WHICH CAME APART FROM FRAME. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK. CONSUMER STATES THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION HOUSING CORRODED AND FAILED, CONSUMER STATES PART MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY HEAT TREATED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.*JB
A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Mar 23, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.