VehicleVerdict

1984 Ford Ranger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 12 complaints on file for the 1984 Ford Ranger — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

12

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1984 compare to other Ranger years?

Ranger NHTSA complaints by model year, 1984 highlighted966 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 1 complaints1983: 13 complaints1984: 12 complaints1985: 33 complaints1986: 50 complaints1987: 58 complaints1988: 117 complaints1989: 88 complaints1990: 141 complaints1991: 145 complaints1992: 231 complaints1993: 272 complaints1994: 531 complaints1995: 451 complaints1996: 533 complaints1997: 536 complaints1998: 744 complaints1999: 966 complaints2000: 849 complaints2001: 687 complaints2002: 449 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 462 complaints2005: 353 complaints2006: 316 complaints2007: 282 complaints2008: 340 complaints2009: 178 complaints2010: 170 complaints2011: 260 complaints2014: 1 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints2019: 341 complaints2020: 148 complaints2021: 147 complaints2022: 50 complaints2023: 20 complaints2024: 85 complaints2025: 47 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Ranger NHTSA complaints by model year, 1984 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ranger years to avoid →

What are the most common 1984 Ford Ranger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes217%
Electrical System217%
Engine217%
Visibility & Wipers217%
Other18%
Seat Belts18%
Trailer Hitch18%
Fuel System18%

Does the 1984 Ford Ranger have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

98E010000BrakesApril 8, 1998 · 23,500 units

Defect

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.

Remedy

AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.

84V111000Latches & LocksSeptember 25, 1984 · 460,918 units

Defect

SECONDARY HOOD LATCH COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THE HOOD IS NOT CLOSED TIGHTLY, OR IS INADVERTENTLY RELEASED, THE SECONDARY LATCH MAY NOT WORK AND THE HOOD MAY FLY UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

THE HOOD ASSEMBLY WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE HOOD AND LATCH COMPONENTS WILL BE ADJUSTED, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER.

84V104000SuspensionSeptember 6, 1984 · 19 units

Defect

WEIGHT RATING INFORMATION IS INCORRECT ON VEHICLE MANUAL LABELS AND RATING DECALS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE REVISED VEHICLE INFORMATION. IF VEHICLE WEIGHT IS FOUND TO BE GREATER THAN THAT SPECIFIED ON WEIGHT RATING, THE AFFECTED VEHICLE"S REAR AXLE MAY BE REPURCHASED FROM FORD. A PRICE ADJUSTMENT WILL ALSO BE MADE IF APPROPRIATE.

84V082000Fuel SystemJuly 9, 1984 · 302,500 units

Defect

IF TRUCK IS STRUCK FROM THE SIDE, THE CAP ON THE FUEL TANK COULD BECOME UNSEALED, ALLOWING UNSAFE LEAKAGE OF FUEL. THIS IS A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". LEAKAGE CAN BE CAUSED BY AN ORANGE-COLORED PLASTIC DIESEL FUEL INFORMATION RING WHICH IS FOUND AROUND THE FUEL TANK NECK, OR BY THE TETHER.

Remedy

UPON INSPECTION, FUEL CAP TETHERS WILL BE REPLACED OR DIESEL FUEL INFORMATION RINGS WILL BE REMOVED.

84V023000Tires & WheelsMarch 6, 1984 · 3,320 units

Defect

COMPONENTS IN THE LOCKING HUBS WERE IMPROPERLY HEAT-TREATED AND MAY CRACK OR FRACTURE UPON ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT DRIVE AXLES. THE BROKEN COMPONENT ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL MAY BECOME JAMMED AGAINST THE NUT.

Remedy

CAM ASSEMBLIES IN FRONT WHEEL AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS WILL BE REPLACED.

83V134000Seat BeltsDecember 20, 1983 · 530,000 units

Defect

THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.

83V115000Fuel SystemNovember 7, 1983 · 1,548 units

Defect

VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL OR VAPOR LINE DAMAGE CAUSED WHEN AN INCORRECT PROCEDURE WAS USED IN TIGHTENING BOLTS ON ADJACENT COMPONENTS DURING ASSEMBLY. THE FUEL TANK MAY BECOME DAMAGED DUE TO A LOOSE CROSS MEMBER THAT SUPPORTS IT.

Remedy

VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, WHEN NECESSARY, FUEL AND VAPOR LINES WILL BE REPLACED AND THE CROSS MEMBER WILL BE TIGHTENED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE DESIGN AND LOCATION OF THE OPEN WIRE WOUND MOTOR SPEED CONTROL RESISTOR BLOCK ALLOWS FOR DEBRIS TO COLLECT RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO CONSUMER. (ATTORNRY FOR CONSUMER).”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 4, 1998 · fire

“TRAVELING ON WILLOW GROVE ROAD, SWERVED TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, CROSSED CENTER LINE AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESPOND, ALLOWING DRIVER TO BE PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 9, 1996 · crash

1984 Ford Ranger — common questions

Is the 1984 Ford Ranger reliable?

The record is thin — 12 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1984 Ranger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (2 complaints), visibility & wipers (2 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 1984 Ford Ranger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1984 Ford Ranger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1984 Ford Ranger under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Ranger years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ranger years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1998, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1994, 2004, 1995, 2002, 2005, 2019, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2007, 1993, 2011, 2020. The cleanest record among Ranger years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.