VehicleVerdict

1995 Ford Ranger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 451 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median Ranger year — the 1995 model ranks #9 of 42 Ranger years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 17 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (71), visibility & wipers (67), and lighting (45), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

451

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

34

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

17

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Ranger years?

See all Ranger years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Ford Ranger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes7116%
Visibility & Wipers6715%
Lighting4510%
Tires & Wheels337%
Electrical System337%
Fuel System256%
Transmission245%
Suspension235%
Body & Structure215%
Speed Control215%
Airbags204%
Seat Belts194%
Engine174%
Other123%
Steering92%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)51%
Seats41%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 1995 Ford Ranger have recalls?

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

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

00T005000Tires & WheelsAugust 21, 2000 · 14,400,000 units

Defect

TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.

Consequence

IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE & SUDDENLY VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. BRAKES WERE PRESSED COMPLETELY TO THE FOORBOARD. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY A 2,000 CONCRETE BARRIER. INSURANCE COMPANY WAS TAKING OVER. CONSUMER HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 11, 2000 · crash

THE DOOR AJAR CHIME AND DASH LIGHT STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME(AS LONG AS 90 MINUTES) AND THE DOME LIGHT WILL ALSO STAY ON FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES AFTER THE DOORS ARE CLOSED. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH WILL COME ON FOR NO REASON AND THEN GO OUT. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL GO FROM INTERMITTENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 1, 1998

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.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 12, 2020 · fire

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE TRAVELING AT 50-55 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH FIRE. INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR BELIEVED PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2000 · fire

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.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 12, 2020 · fire

1995 Ford Ranger — common questions

Is the 1995 Ford Ranger reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 451 complaints put the 1995 model at #9 of 42 Ranger years. It is one of the Ranger years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Ranger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (71 complaints), visibility & wipers (67 complaints), lighting (45 complaints).

Does the 1995 Ford Ranger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Ford Ranger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 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.