Model year record

1995 Ford Ranger recalls & problems

The 1995 Ford Ranger has 5 safety recalls and 321 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (67 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints321filed by owners

Crashes · fires25 · 9reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009

Vehicle speed control

Recall 09V3990004,500,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior lightingAug 11, 2008

Headlights

Recall 08E0500001,921 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1995 Ford Ranger

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Ranger Pickup 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor	67	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	66	7	1	4	—
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Wiring	32	0	4	0	75,000 mi
TiresTread/belt; Temporary/emergency spare tire	31	0	0	1	140,000 mi
Interior lighting	29	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	24	1	3	0	106,319 mi
Power trainClutch assembly; Manual transmission	24	1	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Rear	23	0	0	0	194,031 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	21	4	2	0	116,386 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body	21	0	0	0	144,513 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	20	14	0	8	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Anchorage	19	5	0	3	94,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

EngineFire
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE POWER TO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO CUT OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE OR STEER THE TRUCK TO SAFETY I THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE GOOD AND HEADLIGHT. SO I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME AND SPRAYED THE TRUCK PUTTING THE FLAMES OUT. AND CUTTING THE WIRES TO THE BATTERY
Oct 12, 2020 · 230,000 miles
Structure › Body
THE REAR HALF OF THE TRUCK FRAME IS ROTTED TO PIECES. THE BRACKETS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE SHOCKS ARE RUSTED OFF AND MISSING..
Aug 4, 2019 · 195,000 miles
Structure › Body
CHASSIS FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY. ALL ENAMEL PAINT IS GONE AND CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL IS FLAKING OFF
Dec 19, 2018 · 52,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUFFERED A FRACTURED C7 AND T5 VERTEBRAE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND THEN TO UVA MEDICAL CENTER TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL WOULD RESPOND WITHIN 15 DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE…
Oct 9, 2017 · 200,000 miles
Unknown or other
THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND CRACKED ON THE LEFT REAR END. THE BARS TO SUPPORT THE DRIVE SHAFT IS RUSTED OFF AND THE MOUNTS FOR THE REAR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ONCE AND ARE ALMOST RUSTED OFF AGAIN. THERE IS HEAVY RUST ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME BUT NOT RUSTED THROUGH. THE TRUCK BODY HAS ONLY 3 SURFACE RUST MARKS AND 2 SMALL DINGS. THE TRUCK HAS ORIGINAL PAINT (EXCEPT FOR LEFT FENDER AND HOOD). TRUCK WAS GARAGE KEPT AND INTERIOR IS PERFECT.
Sep 1, 2015 · 133,282 miles
Air bagsCrash
BRAKES LOCKED UP A 50 MPH, HIT LARGE GRASS/DIRT BANK AT 40 MPH APROX. AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Jun 4, 2016 · 226,000 miles
Unknown or other
MY COMPLAINT IS THE VEHICLE FRAME, SPECIFICALLY THE REAR MOST PART WHERE THE REAR BUMPER MOUNTS TO THE FRAME. THE FRAME IS FULL OF RUST HOLES IN THAT AREA AND I CAN ONLY SURMISE IN A LIGHT REAR END COLLISION THAT THIS AREA WILL CRUMBLE. THIS IS ABSOLUTLY A FAILUREBY FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL WITH A PROPER REPAIR! NOW AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE, NOT INEXOENSIVE BY ANY MEANS A FULL FRAME OR REAR FRAME SECTION REPLACEMENT! THIS IS ON MANY RANGERS, IN FACT I REPLACED A FRAME ON A FAMILIES1997, TOTAL BALONEY! WHO ADE THE FRAME TOYOTA?!!
Sep 2, 2015 · 175,000 miles
Suspension
1995 FORD RANGER. MY NEPHEW WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE RIGHT REAR SHACKLE LET LOOSE AND HE LOST STABILITY. I REPLACED BOTH RIGHT SIDE FRONT AND REAR SHACKLES. I PULLED THE BED OFF TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT AND FOUND BOTH LEFT SIDE SHACKLES ROTTED, LEFT SIDE FRAME ROTTED IN HALF, CROSS MEMBER, GAS TANK SPLASH PAN AND STRAPS, ALONG WITH ALL CAB MOUNTS ROTTED COMPLETELY. I PARKED THE TRUCK AND HAVE NOT DROVE IT SCIENCE 2012. THE BODY IS BEAUTIFUL, AND ALL THE MECHANICS HAVE BEEN KEPT UP. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ON THIS TRUCK.
Mar 12, 2012 · 200,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILUREClosed
ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION…
EA02011 · opened Jul 2, 2002 · closed May 21, 2003