1995 Ford Ranger: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 321 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 321 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. So I called the fire department and they came and sprayed the truck putting the flames out. And cutting the wires to the battery”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 2020
“The rear half of the truck frame is rotted to pieces. The brackets that are supposed to hold the shocks are rusted off and missing..”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2019
“My complaint is the vehicle frame, specifically the rear most part where the rear bumper mounts to the frame. The frame is full of rust holes in that area and I can only surmise in a light rear end collision that this area will crumble. This is absolutly a failureby ford to issue a recall with a proper repair! Now at the owners expense, not inexoensive by any means a full frame or rear frame section replacement! This is on many rangers, in fact I replaced a frame on a families1997, total baloney! Who ade the frame toyota?!!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2015
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“The frame is rusted through and cracked on the left rear end. The bars to support the drive shaft is rusted off and the mounts for the rear springs have been repaired once and are almost rusted off again. There is heavy rust on the right side frame but not rusted through. The truck body has only 3 surface rust marks and 2 small dings. The truck has original paint (except for left fender and hood). Truck was garage kept and interior is perfect.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2015
“I'm interested in knowing about the safety of my passengers as of right now I have to cut off the passenger side airbag / and am worried about transporting my young great neice & or nephew picking them up from some school functions ....and would appreciate a call or letter knowing this is going to soon be taken care of ..thanks”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2015
“I have had to replace 3 of the 4 shackles in my ranger due to them rusting off and breaking. The fourth shackle is well on its way to being rusted off. The frame of the truck seems to be getting weak in the spots around the shackles as well. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford ranger. The contact stated that one of the fuel tank straps were corroded and the other one was found to be broken. The manufacturer advised the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number 11v385000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was repaired. The fuel tank straps was replaced. The approximate failure and current mileage was 112,000. Updated 08/27/13*lj”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2013
“In 2011, I was informed by letter that there was a recall on my vehicle. I went into the dealer in fort walton beach fl. And they installed a wire connection to the brake master cylinder area on the ABS control. They said everything was ok. In spring of 2013 the ABS light came on as it does every time I start the car. This time it stayed on and does not go out every time the vehicle is driven. This is a safety issue and must be resolved. This light indicates a failure in the braking system. *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford ranger. The contact stated that the subframe was severely corroded and fractured. As a result, the rear springs and tires separated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2013
“1995 ford ranger. My nephew was driving on the highway when the right rear shackle let loose and he lost stability. I replaced both right side front and rear shackles. I pulled the bed off to replace the sending unit and found both left side shackles rotted, left side frame rotted in half, cross member, gas tank splash pan and straps, along with all cab mounts rotted completely. I parked the truck and have not drove it science 2012. The body is beautiful, and all the mechanics have been kept up. I don't want to give up on this truck.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ranger by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Ford Ranger reliable?
NHTSA has 321 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Ford Ranger. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Ranger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 139,026 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Ford Ranger have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.