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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Ranger 1996 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1996 Ford Ranger: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

413Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
75Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes80 complaints

80 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility52 complaints

52 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System39 complaints

39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control35 complaints

35 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V399000.

Power Train31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment11 complaints

11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V161000.

Unknown Or Other10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

09V399000Reported October 13, 2009 - 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on October 13, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.

96V161000Reported August 29, 1996 - 134,770 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on August 29, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 134,770 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199635
199788
199836
199953
200059
200128
200218
20039
20049
200516
20063
20076
20089
20094
20104
201110
20135
20144
20153
20166
20171
20181
20192
20202
20222
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.