VehicleVerdict

1996 Ford Ranger electrical system problems

The 1996 Ford Ranger has 39 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

39

Electrical System complaints

7%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Ranger electrical system complaints by model year44 complaints1983: 5 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 14 complaints1986: 17 complaints1987: 16 complaints1988: 38 complaints1989: 16 complaints1990: 23 complaints1991: 23 complaints1992: 44 complaints1993: 18 complaints1994: 26 complaints1995: 33 complaints1996: 39 complaints1997: 30 complaints1998: 33 complaints1999: 41 complaints2000: 39 complaints2001: 25 complaints2002: 19 complaints2003: 18 complaints2004: 17 complaints2005: 22 complaints2006: 11 complaints2007: 4 complaints2008: 7 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 6 complaints2019: 41 complaints2020: 11 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 8 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 15 complaints2025: 5 complaints
Ranger electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“PART REPLACED WITH USED PARTS. TOTAL COST $379.18, TOOK 10 DAYS TO GET REPAIRED AT BAY FORD, PORT ORCHARD, WA, 98366. THIS FAILURE CAUSED A SMALL FIRE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN AND FILLED THE CAB WITH SMOKE. THIS INCIDENT ENDANGERED THE LIFE OF MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. NEITHER BAY FORD (REPAIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 24, 1999 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1996 Ford Ranger have?

NHTSA has 39 complaints about the 1996 Ford Ranger electrical system — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

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.