Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1986 Ford Ranger is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 50 owner complaints run below the Ranger median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 17 reports (34% of the total).
50
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
7
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
20
Fires reported
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 17 | 34% | — flat |
| Engine | 9 | 18% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 4 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 3 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 2 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Other | 1 | 2% | — flat |
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE SITTING A WEEK OR SO, HORN STARTED BLOWING THEN SMOKED. BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO STOP FIRE FROM SPREADING FURTHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK”
“CONSUMER DROVE TRUCK PARKED IT AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.* AK THE FIRE CENTERED ON THE LEFT TOPOF THE ENGINE NEAR THE FUEL LINES, ALSO EXTENSICE DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE LEFT, FIRWALL OCCURED AT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED.*JB”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND SEAT BELTED, THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO BE THROWN OUT AND RAN OVER BY THE VEHICLE. *AK”
“FIRE--RESULTED FROM A LEAK IN EITHER THE RUBBER FUEL LINES OR HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSES ROUTED ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE V6 MOTOR.”
“IGNITION HAS SHORTED OUT 3 TIMES. DEFECT KEEPS REOCCURRING.* AK CONSUMER STATES HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES, IGNITION FAILED TO DISENGAGE STARTER SOLENOID AFTER RELEASING BATTERY, CAUSED OVER HEATING OF STARTER, SHORTED TEMP GUAGE, RADIO, AND PANEL, INDICATOR LIGHTS, BUT DID NOT BLOW FUSES AS IT DID…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 50 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Ranger year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (17 complaints), engine (9 complaints), seat belts (7 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Ford Ranger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 7 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.