Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1986 Ford Ranger. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT TRACK ANCHORS AND SEATS
- Summary
- WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.
- Remedy
- INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC
- Summary
- SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
- Consequence
- COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
- Remedy
- INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FUEL:FUEL LINES:HOSES:NON-METALLIC
- Summary
- NYLON FUEL LINES ON THE FUEL RETURN SIDE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LINE COULD LEAK AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
- Remedy
- REPLACE NYLON FUEL HOSES WITH RUBBER HOSES.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:HARNESS:FRONT:UNDERHOOD
- Summary
- THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS INSULATION MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO COPPER SPIKES PRODUCED DURING THE WELDING OF ITS WIRES. THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE WIRES WHICH ENERGIZE THE FUEL PUMP, CAUSING SOME FUEL INJECTORS TO OPEN, DISCHARGING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL DISCHARGED INTO THE ENGINE WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAK THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO THE GROUND. THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.
- Remedy
- REPAIR WIRING HARNESS, CHECK ENGINE AND CATALYST FOR DAMAGE.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (35)
35 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 35 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 13 | 37.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 20% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 20% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 11.4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 8.6% |
| Power train | 2 | 5.7% |
| Steering | 2 | 5.7% |
| Wheels | 2 | 5.7% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2.9% |
| Tires | 1 | 2.9% |
How 1986 compares with other Ranger years
Best and worst Ranger years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 | 5 |
| 1984 | 12 | 6 |
| 1985 | 27 | 1 |
| 1986 | 35 | 4 |
| 1987 | 50 | 4 |
| 1988 | 89 | 1 |
| 1989 | 73 | 1 |
| 1990 | 105 | 3 |
| 1991 | 132 | 2 |
| 1992 | 189 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 377 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 25 / 29 / 27 | $3,550 | 377 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 28 / 26 | $3,700 | 392 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 26 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 25 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 25 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 24 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1986 Ranger for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1986 Ford Ranger FAQ
How many recalls does the 1986 Ford Ranger have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 88V145000 (seat), 87V139000 (fuel system), 85V130000 (fuel system), 85V116000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1986 Ford Ranger problems?
Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (13), Engine and engine cooling (7), Seat belts (7) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1986 Ford Ranger get?
EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 25 city, 29 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1986 Ranger compare with other years?
Among the 1983–1992 Ford Ranger model years at least five years old, the 1983 drew the fewest complaints (11) and the 1992 the most (189). The 1986 drew 35. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.