Owners filed 189 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
15
0
0
0
Suspension › Front
15
1
0
0
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
12
0
9
0
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
11
0
11
0
Tires › Tread/Belt
9
1
0
1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
7
0
0
0
Tires
6
0
0
1
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
6
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
2
0
0
Power Train › Manual Transmission
6
0
0
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.
Structure › Body › Door92V006000
Filed Jan 14, 1992190,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. WATER CAN ENTER THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THE WATER IN THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE CAN FREEZE AND CAUSE THE LATCH MECHANISM TO MALFUNCTION.
Risk. THE MALFUNCTION OF THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CAN RESULT INTHREE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS: 1) THE DOOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE RELATCHED, 2) THEINSIDE DOOR HANDLE CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND 3) THE DOOR COULD APPEAR TO BELATCHED WHEN IT IS NOT, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY IF IT IS JARRED,AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE ADJACENT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy. REVISED DOOR RELEASE CABLES AND WATER SHIELDS WILL BE INSTALLED.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2015122,000 milesMD
OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY WENT TO ZERO.ENGINE BEGAN TO CLATTER.I RETURNED HOME.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 6, 2011108,000 milesPA
WHEN VEHICLE STARTED IN NEUTRAL, IT WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND THROTTLE WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING IT, VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE , FRONT WHEEL HIT BUILDING BENDING AXLE AND OTHER COMPONENTS THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 30 DAYS PRIOR WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE. *TR
Suspension › FrontCrash
Filed Sep 6, 2010118,000 milesPA
I HAVE A 1992 FORD RANGER THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING TOWER MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE FRONT SHOCK AND SPRING HAVE DROPPED MAKING THE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE BRAKE LINE WAS SMASHED WHEN IT GAVE WAY. MY BOYFRIEND ALSO HAD A 1992 FORD RANGER THAT THIS HAPPENED TO CAUSING HIM TO WRECK AND TOTAL THE TRUCK SO WE HAD TO JUNK IT. I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS A COMMON THING FOR THE 1992'S ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT MUST BE PRETTY COMMON AS FORD HAS MADE A REPLACEMENT PART!!!! *TR
Visibility
Filed Jun 28, 200988,910 milesPA
TRUCK WAS WARMING UP WITH ME IN IT AROUND JANUARY. I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, THEIR WAS NO RESPONSE AND WAS STUCK IN TRUCK. EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE REAR SLIDING WINDOW. I WAS AND AM NEVER ABLE TO USE MY PASSENGER DOOR AGAIN, FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *TR
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 26, 2009124,000 milesRI
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MY COAST GUARD DUTY MY TRUCK STARTED TO FILL WITH SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED IN MY DASH AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS ENGULFING MY TRUCK IN FLAMES. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 26, 200851,697 milesCA
JUST THIS PAST TWO WEEKS, WE TRADED TRUCKS. WE RECEIVED A 1992 FORD RANGER. DURING THE SMOG TEST IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS CRACKED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE PART COST $241 , LABOR $175 WHICH WAS A COSTLY SMOG CHECK. WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS TYPE OF REPAIR IS VERY COMMON IN FORD RANGERS, ESPECIALLY THE OLDER ONES. THE FORD CO. HAS NOW REDESIGNED THE PART, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR OFFER OF HELP TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILLER NECK. YOU ASKED HOW OFTEN THIS OCCURS - QUITE OFTEN - THE TWO TIMES I WAS IN THE OFFICE OF THE REPAIR SHOP, I ENCOUNTERED 3 OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT WERE IN THERE FOR THE SAME REASON !! I WOULD SAY THAT IS TOO OFTEN. AND, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE FORD CO TO REPLACE THE POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILLER NECKS AND PAY FOR THE LABOR INVOLVED. ADDITIONALLY, I THINK THAT THIS INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE MADE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC, SO THAT THEY WILL NOT BE DRIVING AROUND WITH A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FUEL VAPOR LEAK, AND THAT THEY CAN GET SOME FINANCIAL HELP WHEN IT IS TIME TO SMOG THEIR TRUCK AND THIS PROBLEM IS DISCOVERED. CAROLYN NEUMAN *TR
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Oct 12, 2007142,415 milesAZ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS FUTURA GLS SUPER SPORT, SIZE P225/60R15 TIRES. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE WAS ALSO BUBBLING, SPLITTING, AND HAD CRACKS ON THE SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES BOUNCED AND SQUEAKED MORE WHILE DRIVING GREATER THAN 40 MPH. THE OTHER THREE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS THE WORST. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VEHICLE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,415 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,415.
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 29, 200781,000 milesMD
OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT TWO DAYS, I NOTICED A SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. ON THE SECOND DAY, I NOTICED UPON APPROACHING THE TRUCK THAT THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE TIRE. REMOVING THE WHEEL, I DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER SPRING SEAT HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS THIRTY DEGREES FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. THE SHEET METAL IN THE SEAT CRUMBLED IN MY HAND WHEN I TOOK HOLD OF IT, AND THE HOUSING WAS TORN 75% OF THE WAY THROUGH FROM FRONT TO BACK. AT HIGH SPEED, THIS VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEATH TRAP. I NOTE 15 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE. LEFT SIDE SPRING SEAT IS PERFECT AND INTACT. *TR
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 21, 200699,000 milesCA
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THROUGH AN ALLEYWAY, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER SIDE DASH PANEL AREA WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALERTED, AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE FIRE DAMAGE; AN INSURANCE ADJUSTOR DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 13, 200683,000 milesOR
TRUCK OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY DROPPED VERY LOW. TRUCK BEGAN MAKING KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE HEAD AREA. DISASSEMBLY OF OIL PAN, OIL PUMP, AND OIL PUMP TUBE SCREEN REVEALED COMPLETE BLOCKAGE OF SCREEN FROM OIL PAN GASKET MATERIAL. *NM
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Jul 31, 2006125 milesMO
MY 1992 FORD RANGER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 6, 2006. THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AND WOULDN'T START. I LEFT IT OVERNIGHT AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE POLICE AT 5 A.M IN THE MORNING SAYING MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. APPARENTLY IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE (WHILE IT WAS OFF) AND COMPLETELY TOTALED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, LEAVING ME AT A COMPLETE LOSS (INSURANCE DID NOT COVER THIS TYPE OF CLAIM). BEING A 19 YEAR OLD IN COLLEGE THIS CAME AS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE FINANCIALLY. FORD HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL NEVER DRIVE A FORD AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY JUNKYARD, WHERE THE BRAND NEW 1,000 CLUTCH AND NEW TIRES WERE REMOVED AND SOLD FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S PROFIT. I GOT NOTHING. *NM
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 30, 200591,649 milesTN
THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES AND A BRICK WALL. *AK *NM *SC *JB
Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Solenoid
Filed Oct 18, 2004100,000 milesOK
THE STARTER SOLENOID CLIP CONNECTOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START UP AGAIN UNTIL PART IS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Tires
Filed Dec 23, 2003106,291 milesLA
WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH, MY REAR TIRE CAME APART AND TOTALLED THE BED OF MY TRUCK AND BROKE THE BRAKE LINE AND NEARLY CAUSED A ROLLOVER. THIS WAS THE FOURTH OF THE SET OF TIRES TO COME APART OR DEVELOP A BUBBLE.
Electrical System › IgnitionFire
Filed Oct 10, 200339,781 milesND
1992 FORD RANGER HAD FIRE IN IGNITION WIRING HARNESS, BELOW DASH AND MOUNTED TO STEERING COLUMN. *LA
Seats
Filed Sep 17, 200371,470 milesNE
RIGHT FRONT UPPER SPRING SEAT BRACKET (PART NO. 5A318) HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING BODY TO DROP ONTO FRONT TIRE. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH A THICK PLASTIC COATING ON THE PART ALLOWED MOISTURE TO BE TRAPPED CAUSING PREMATURE RUSTING. UPPER PART OF SPRING SEAT BRACKET PUSHED THROUGH FENDER LINER INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN VIEWING THE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR TRUCK THERE APPEAR TO BE NUMEROUS SIMILAR EVENTS ON THE APPARENT DEFECTIVE RIGHT FRONT UPPER SPRING SEAT BRACKET. *JB
Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Sep 3, 200353,645 milesAZ
WHILE DRIVING AND/OR IDLING SMOKE COMES FROM BOTH THE STEERING COLUMN AND UNDER THE HOOD. NO FIRES AS OF YET BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED BEFORE THE TRUCK BURNS DOWN.*AK
Electrical System › Ignition › SwitchFire
Filed Jul 13, 200374,000 milesAK
IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 17, 2003OK
DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF FROM THE INSIDE CABLE. WHILE OPENING THE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE. *AK
Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jun 17, 200382,000 milesOK
INSIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO A BROKEN CABLE LINKAGE DURING COLD WEATHER. FORD SAYS MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL GROUP. OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR AGAIN. IF MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL GROUP IT WOULD MEAN THAT IT HAS THE UPDATED CABLE, YET THIS "UPDATED" CABLE ALSO HAS A HISTORY OF BREAKING. WHY NOT A RECALL ON THE UPDATED CABLE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND DIDN'T? *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.