Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 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 ↗SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
- Remedy
- 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.
FORD/EQUIPMENT; CERTIFICATION LABEL
- Summary
- THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
- Consequence
- INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
- Remedy
- OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
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 (413)
413 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 413 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 63 | 15.3% |
| Visibility | 52 | 12.6% |
| Tires | 41 | 9.9% |
| Electrical system | 38 | 9.2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 34 | 8.2% |
| Fuel system | 33 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 31 | 7.5% |
| Power train | 28 | 6.8% |
| Seat belts | 26 | 6.3% |
| Air bags | 25 | 6.1% |
How 1996 compares with other Ranger years
Best and worst Ranger years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 189 | 2 |
| 1993 | 232 | 3 |
| 1994 | 438 | 4 |
| 1995 | 321 | 1 |
| 1996 | 413 | 2 |
| 1997 | 411 | 1 |
| 1998 | 576 | 5 |
| 1999 | 755 | 4 |
| 2000 | 670 | 3 |
| 2001 | 515 | 4 |
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 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 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 | 19 / 24 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1996 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
1996 Ford Ranger FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Ranger have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control), 96V161000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Ford Ranger problems?
Owners filed 413 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (63), Visibility (52), Tires (41) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1996 Ford Ranger get?
EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1996 Ranger compare with other years?
Among the 1992–2001 Ford Ranger model years at least five years old, the 1992 drew the fewest complaints (189) and the 1999 the most (755). The 1996 drew 413. 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.