1996 Ford Ranger complaints

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL ACTIVATE WITHOUT ANY WARNING,SOMETIMES WASHERS ACTIATE AT SAME TIME.I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE NEW. ORIGINALY IT WAS ONLY ONCE EVERY 6 MONTHS OR SO BUT NOW IT IS NEARLY DAILY AND MANY TIMES DURING THE DAY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO NUMERO. *AK

WHEN TRUCK IS DRIVEN IN THE MORNING, NO MATTER AT WHAT SPEED, REAR BRAKES LOCK UP. TRUCK IS FINE FOR THE REST OF DAY. OWNER PHONED TWO DEALERSHIPS ABOUT PROBLEM. OWNER WAS TOLD BY ONE OF DEALERSHIPS THAT THERE WAS A NEW MATERIAL ON THE BRAKE LINING THAT WOULD PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL (00T-005) NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE TIRES WERE NOT AFFECTED, HOWEVER THE FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND CHANGED THE TIRES, CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALL ON ONE OF THE TIRES HAD SPLIT, INSPECTION OF THE OTHER TIRES REVEALED THE SAME, THE TIRES HAVE LEGAL TREAD BUT SHOW INCREASING SIGNS OF SEPARATION OF THE SIDEWALLS (FIRESTONE P225/70R14 M+S). NLM

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE (POSSIBLY DUE TO TIRE FAILURE) RESULTING THE THE TRAILER DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE AND OVERTURNING ON THE ROAD (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

FIRESTONE FR480 TIRES P195 70 R14 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND A SLIPPED BELT. *SLC

TIRE LOW, NEXT DAY TIRE SEPARATION, ROLL OVER WITH A CRITICALY INJURED DRIVER. DIABLED FOR LIFE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P225/70R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R14 )

THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT LISTED ON THE FORM WAS APPROXIMATE, AND THE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY (AMERICAN FAMILY). AT THE TIME OF THE WRECK, I BELIEVE I HAD A BLOW OUT AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS. I NO LONGER OWN THE CAR, AS THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED IT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND TIRES AT THE TIME OF WRECK WERE 60, 000. THEY WERE JUST INSPECTED AT FIRESTONE DEARLERSHIP THE PREVIOUS WEEK AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. NORTHCOUNTRY FORD WHERE I GOT MY VEHICLE INSPECTED THAT SAME WEEK ALSO SAID THE SAME THING, TIRES DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE PRESENT TIME. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP FOR ANY INFORMATION YOU MIGHT HAVE AND I MAY BE REACHED AT THE NUMBERS AND ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY GIVEN ON THE FORM. (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT FRONT FIRESTONE TIRE, P22570R14, DOT WSFC1PR495 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRESTONE WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TIRES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. *SLC

REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE, CAUSING REAR END TO DROP.*AK

NO SUMMARY

DRIVER FRONT ALLOY WHEEL CRACKED IN HALF, WHICH ALMOST CAUSE A CRASH. *AK THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL CUT IN HALF LIKE A SLICED BAGEL. *YH

TIRES HAVE STRESS CRACKS ALONG TREAD CAP AND CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SIDEWALLS. RELACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND .( DOT NUMBER: W2FC1PR276 TIRE SIZE: 225/70R/14 )

I WENT TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES FOR MY RANGER FOR THE UPCOMING WINTER. THE SERVICE REP WENT TO GET MY VEHICLE AND TIRE INFORMATION, AND INFORMED ME THAT THE TREADS ON MY TIRES WERE BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. HE THEN SHOWED ME WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND IT WAS THE SAME CONDITION THEY HAD SAID TO WATCH FOR ON DATELINE ON NBC. HE THEN TOLD ME TO TAKE THE TIRES TO FIRESTONE AND SHOW THEM, THE FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN LIFT THE TREAD UP FROM THE TIRE. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED WITH THESE TIRES. I JUST WANT TO INFORM YOU I HAVE A DIIFERENT MAKE OF FIRESTONES THAT ARE STARTING TO EXPERIENCE TREAD SEPERATION. TODAY I HAD NEW GOODYEARS INSTALLED, BUT I AM KEEPING MY ORIGINALL FIRESTONES WITH A LITTLE OVER 22,000 MILES IN CASE ANYTHING IS DISCOVERED THROUGH INVESTIGATIONS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2FC1PR TIRE SIZE: P22570R14 )

DOT # REPORTED ABOVE IS FOR ANOTHER TIRE IN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SET OF 5, NOT THE FAILED TIRE. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH ON FREEWAY, TIRE BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS ABLE TO STEER SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY ON AN EXIT RAMP AND CHANGE THE TIRE. WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE TO A DEALER (BIG O TIRES), THE MECHANIC COULD GIVE ME NO EXPLANATION FOR THE BLOW OUT. ALL REMAINING TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED AND IN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION.*AK( DOT NUMBER: VNFC1PR126 TIRE SIZE: P225/70R14 )

TIRE SEPARATED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE @ 60 MPH - NO CONTACT NOTED WITH ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS ON THE ROAD. TREAD APPEARS TO HAVE SIMPLY SEPARATED AT THE SHOULDER. THIS IS ONE OF THE TIRES IN THE RECALL BUT NOT AN AFFECTED SIZE OR DOT NUMBER. TIRE WILL BE HELD ON SITE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED.( DOT NUMBER: W2HFIPJ076 TIRE SIZE: P215/75R15 )

THIS TIRE DID NOT SHOW UP ON THE RECALL LIST BUT HAS SEPARATED AT THE SIDEWALL/TREAD AREA. IA ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE ADVISED TO CONTACT NHTSA DIRECT ABOUT THIS TIRE TO BE INVESTIGATED.( DOT NUMBER: W2FC1PR TIRE SIZE: P225-70R14 )

TIRES HAVE STRESS CRACKS ALONG TREAD CAP AND CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SIDEWALLS. RELACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND .( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/70R/14 )

MY DAUGHTER SARAH WAS DRIVING SOMETIME IN AUGUST 1999 WHEN ONE OF HER REAR TIRES EXPERIENCED A SEPARATED TREAD FAILURE. THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND WE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. HOWEVER, WE STILL HAVE A FIRESTONE 14 INCH TIRE AS A SPARE. I CAN'T READ THE DOT NUMBER, ETC. I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE 14 INCH TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 14 )

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.

ORIGINAL TIRES CAME APART, RETURNED TO LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE, REFUSED TO REPLACE NOR WARRANTY VALUE, CLAIMED WE HAD "DRIVEN ON THEM" AFTER GOING FLAT--TIRES CAME APART AT 65 MPH ON I-83 NORTH OF BALTIMORE( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225 70R14 )

FILLER PIPE HAS A CRACK AND LEAKS GAS ONTO GROUND WHEN TANK IS FILLED. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO OCCURRED WITH OTHER 1996/1997 FORD RANGERS IN THIS AREA AS A PERSONAL FRIEND HAD SAME PROBLEM LAST WEEK WITH HIS 1997 RANGER.

ACCIDENT OCCURED FOR WHAT WAS THEN, NO APPARENT CAUSE. TRUCK WENT OUT OF CONTROL, ROLLED,SEVERAL TIMES. THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. UNSTABLE CRITICAL CONDITION FOR SEVERAL WEEK. DRIVER IS NOW PARALIZED FROM THE CHEST DOWN FOR LIFE. HE WAS ONLY 20 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS OCCURED.....THERE WAS EXTREME TIRE DAMAGE.( DOT NUMBER: )

WHILE GOING UP A STEEP PASS VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT COMPUTER SHOWED THAT ENGINE REVVED, BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHY. CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM NEXT DAY. THEN, DEALER FOUND THAT THROTTLE CABLE WAS STUCK. *AK

HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TO SIGNAL LANE CHANGE WHILE OVERTAKING SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER TOUCHING TURN SIGNAL SWITCH STALK. SWITCH STALK HAS EXCESSIVE UP-AND-DOWN PLAY; ABLE TO REPRODUCE INCIDENT AT WILL BY SLIGHTLY MOVING SWITCH STALK UP (TOWARD STEERING WHEEL). VEHICLE NOW AT DEALER FOR REPAIR.

ENGINE RUNS AT HIGH IDLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WHEN AIR CONDITIONING FIRST USED

WHILE DRIVING 75MPH IN A 1996 FORD RANGER WHEN THE 1ST TIME ON 02/28/1999 FELT LIKE TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE & BUMPY. PULLED OVER & CHECKED TIRES. LEFT REAR HAD COMPLETELY LOST TREAD, BUT STILL INFLATED. THE 2ND TIME ON 07/20/00) RIGHT FRONT FELT THE SAME WAY. COULD ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 45MPH OR ELSE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. EACH TIME THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. ORIGINAL FIRESTONE ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15 WITH 17,000 MILES ON THEM. 1ST TIME AND THE 2ND TIME WITH 29,000 MILES. DO NOT HAVE EITHER TIRE.*AK DOT# VDHLIPM216. *SLC

MY DAUGHTER (AGE 19) WAS DRIVING TO A SKATING LESSON WHEN THE PICKUP TRUCK "VEERED TO LEFT" AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. IT CLIMBED A GUARDRAIL, WENT UP OVER THE GUARDRAIL, AND ROLLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. PIECES OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE REMAINDER OF THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I SUSPECTED A BLOW OUT BUT HAD NO WAY OF PROVING IT.( DOT NUMBER: )

ABNORMALLY HIGH COLD IDLE MADE WORSE BY ATTEMPTING TO 'KICK IT DOWN' WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL; PEDAL STICKS TO KICKED POSITION CAUSING ENGINE TO RACE EVEN HIGHER. MUST SHUT OFF ENGINE TO AVOID DAMAGE. WITH ENGINE OFF, MUST REPEATEDLY STOMP PEDAL TO ATTEMPT RELEASE. PARTIAL RELEASE STILL LEAVES VERY HIGH ENGINE SPEED, UNDRIVEABLE. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM; FOUND CORROSION AT END OF THROTTLE CABLE, CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. NOT SURE IF PROBLEM IS FIXED, SINCE ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAD SAT FOR ONE WEEK OF NONUSE BEFORE PROBLEM OCCURRED.

LEAK INSIDE AIR COMPRESSOR THAT WILL NOT HOLD ITS CHARGE

VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AT A STOP LIGHT AND SEATBACK AUTOMATICALLY RECLINED, FALLING BACK UPON IMPACT. DEFECT CAUSED CONSUMER TO GO THROUGH BACK OF WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER SUSTANED HEAD INJURIES. *AK

WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP FRONT WHEELS : RIM BASE ON DRIVER'S SIDE SPLIT RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE, CAUSING FRONT END OF TRUCK TO FALL TO THE GROUND. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. RIM WILL BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW AFTER 4 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES ON IT THAT THE CARRIER BEARING WAS SHOT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BY THE MECHANIC, WHO WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN HE CALLED TO REPLACE THE PART. IF IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE KNOWING.. THANK YOU. *AK

VEHICLE HAS A BAD HEADLIGHT SWITCH. SWITCH HAS TO BE JIGGLED AROUND TO GET THE LIGHTS TO COME ON. ALSO, WHEN HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED THE LIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

FIRESTONE FR 480 MTS P22570R14NTS TIRES FAILED, ONE PUNCTURED AND REPAIRED HOWEVER 3,000 MILES LATER THE TREAD SEPARATED, REMOVED TIRE 2 FROM TIRE RACK UNDER BED AND NOTICED SPARE TIRE SIDEWALL DAMAGED DUE TO STORAGE. *MJS

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST ALL POWER AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE @ APPROX 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING, ACTTED LIKE A WIRE HAD BURNT INTO BECAUSE THE ENGINE STOPPED AND RAN INTERMITTENT ABOUT 3 TIMES. *AK

INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. IF DRIVING AT NIGHT IT MAY CAUSE A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND VISUAL DIFFICULTY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *AK.ET.

WHILE DRIVING ON A NARROW TWO-LANE ROAD, I PROCEEDED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. I ACCELERATED AND KICKED THE TRUCK INTO PASSING GEAR. THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. I USED THE BRAKES TO FIGHT THE OUT OF CONTROL ENGINE AND VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED DOWN THE CURVY FOR 3 TO FOUR MILES UNTIL I GOT TO A PULLOUT PLACE WHERE I APPLIED THE BRAKES SO HARD THAT IT KILLED THE ENGINE. THE BRAKES WERE DOWN TO NO PADS, WERE VERY HOT, AND COOKED OUT GREASE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AT WHICH TIME THE THROTTLE WAS NO LONGER STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION. *AK

SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE. DEALER IN YUBA CITY, CA AS WELL AS SPEEDOMETER SPECIALTY SHOP (SPEEDOMETER ELECTRIC IN YUBA CITY, (530) 742-2611) CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THE SAME FAILURE (WILD FLUCTUATION LEADING TO TOTAL FAILURE) IN NUMEROUS WINDSTARS AND OTHER FORD MODELS. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER GO OUT IN THIS VEHICLE. AFTER TALKING WITH THE DEALER, SPEEDOMETER ELECTRIC OWNER , AND FINALLY A FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, I AM CONVINCED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN EITHER MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP. THE COST OF THE PART ALONE IS $333.33. INCLUDING LABOR, I PAID $417.49 FOR A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT, ESPECIALLY AT THE RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE ON THIS VAN. I SENT TWO LETTERS TO FORD (OCTOBER 22, 1999, AND NOVEMBER 19, 1999) AND ONLY GOT A GENERIC POST CARD IN RETURN SAYING THEY TRIED BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN CONTACTING ME (ALTHOUGH MY WIFE STAYS AT HOME AND WE HAVE AN ANSWERING MACHINE). THE DEALER I TOOK IT TO FOR INITIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS GEWEKE FORD IN YUBA CITY, CA (530) 821-2121. DATE: 23 AUGUST 1999. CUSTOMER # 971976. SERVICE ADVISOR SCOTT BABLER SAID IT WAS THE SPEEDOMETER, NOT THE CABLE BECAUSE HE HAD SEEN MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLY RECALLING THIS VEHICLE AND OTHERS WITH THE SAME SPEEDOMETER UNIT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU, ROBERT A. SCHOENBERG. *AK

BOLTS HOLDING STEERING GEARBOX IN PLACE EITHER BROKE OR FELL OUT, CAUSING NEARLY COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. ALMOST HIT GUARDRAIL ON EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCE RAMP. *AK

I WAS WONERING ABOUT MY VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE IN AN ACCIDENT I HAD GOTTIN INTO. *AK

THE DOME LIGHTS AND DOOR AJAR BUZZER COME OFF AND ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES. IF THE SUN IS SHINNING IN THE WINDOW IT MY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS I CAN'T SEE. I ALSO HAD TO PULL THE FUSE ON THE DOME LIGHT AS IT WAS ON SO MUCH IT WAS RES HOT AND RUNNING MY BATTERY DOWN.

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE DOME LIGHT TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY, ETC. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

DOME STAYS ON CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE CONNECTED WITH A FAILED DOOR AJAR SENSOR. I KNOW OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WHO ARE EXPRERINCEING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THERE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURING WITH THE SAME MILEAGE AND AGE AS MINE. SINCE I HAVE DISCOVERED TWO OTHER RANGER PICKUP OWNERS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO WONDERING IF IT COULD BE A DESIGN PROBLEM TO GET OWNERS INTO THEIR REPAIR SHOP TO INCREASE PROFITS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH STEERING FAILED AS THE TRUCK ENTERED A CURVE. AFTER FORCEFULLY TRYING TO STEER TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING BECAME FREE. HOWEVER, THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED TOO LATE TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK FROM THE COLLISION. *AK

UNDER DASH ELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS/ TAIL LIGHTS, AND DOME LIGHTS, ETC, TO FAIL. THIS MAY RESULT IN VISUAL DIFFICULTY, AND CAUSE A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK