1986 Ford Ranger
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Ranger › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Ford Ranger. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1986 Ford Ranger. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Wiring for the power lumbar seat system was routed directly beneath the seat cushion springs and may be abraded by the springs.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
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.…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Repair wiring harness, check engine and catalyst for damage.
Owner complaints
35 complaints2 involved a crash12 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Unknown or other
Consumer would like information regarding a 1986 ford ranger she sold to her son. *Kb
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver's side seat belt does not latch properly. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Catastrophic shutdown at any speed, engine stops running. dt
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle stalled while driving. Also, saw flames coming from under the dash. Vehicle was totalled.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch would stick. Would short out everthing connected to it. Had everything related to ignition switch & wiring replaced due to being burned.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly · Suspension › Front
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…
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 june 11,2000. it caused both fuel pumps to short out, the high pressure pump appeared to have welded marks on outside casing of pump, when purchased dealer stated no defects but had just come out of ford's shop, hood has mark of compulsion and melted paint on top hood, cross member IS isde hood has outside sheet metal, also shorted alternator along with starter, starter solenoid june 1998 it appears the short started in the throttle position sensor then went to the injector harness, consumer has reported to manufacturer consumer also had front brakes replaced as wells as tie rod end and wheel balanced and tires rotated.*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Tires
On 2/25/2000 I bought these tires at sears auto center in findlay ohio. They have not maintained the correct air presure. I have to put air in them every other day . They are not safe to drive on because they are constantly loosing air pressure. I have been back to sears on…
On 2/25/2000 I bought these tires at sears auto center in findlay ohio. They have not maintained the correct air presure. I have to put air in them every other day . They are not safe to drive on because they are constantly loosing air pressure. I have been back to sears on 4/21/2000,6/14/2000,7/10/2000 and they said they would take a look at them and each time the tires continued to loose air presure. On 9/22/2000 I went to sears again and they said they would look at the tires. I said that you have already looked at them 4 times and they continue to leak and I wanted to know what they were going to do about it. They asked me what kind of tires they were and I told them firestone response. They said that firestone IS recalling all of their tires and that I should contact firestone myself. I checked on the firestone web sight and these tires are not included in the recall. None the less they are defective and unsafe. I need some help at getting these tires replaced before they cause an accident. Sears wont stand behind them and they aren't in the recall. Please help!!!!! Sincerely neal mackedanz nealmacpac@aol.com. *ak( dot number: tire size: p19575s14 )
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Gas tanks willnot fill properly and leaks. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
ABS system IS working intermittently. Also, sun roof doesn't work, and water pump had to be replaced. in addition, vehicle IS shifting hard. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery · Steering
Leak in either the rubber fuel lines or high pressure power steering hoses routed along the left side of the V-6 motor.
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Starter assembly · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Ignition module and starter assembly failed causing stalling.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt buckle failed to release.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine fails intermittently.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving vehicle stalls and engine dies out for no reason. Cause unknown. *Ak
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Studs on tires keep coming loose, causing the tire to separate from the wheels. They have been replaced at least 4 times by the tire company. Has not taken vehicle to dealership as of yet. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The driver's side seat belt does not latch. The spring in the buckle IS broken. The problem has not been corrected. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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
- Power train › Manual transmission
Reverse gear thrust washer broke, causing reverse and overdrive gears to clash, transmission to freeze, locking up tires.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch fire. *Sd
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle parked in driveway, upon starting, fire broke out in the ignition switch area due to an electrical short. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes lock up occasionally, causing vehicle to skid or hydroplane on wet roads. *Dsh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
After parking, short while later noticed smoke coming from steering column, then flames shot out of ignition switch while pushing down drive way. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
After being parked for approx. 10 hour, found vehicle engulfed in flames, fire dept was extinquishing, and made no determination as to why it started. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Whl separation/torque loss
There is no summary currently available
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Gear shift lever fails
There is no summary currently available
- Gearshift lever breaks
Summary: consumers allege that gear shift lever in the subject vehiclesequipped with manual transmission may fracture, resulting in inabilityto shift gears.additionally, fracture may occur at a location whichallows trunnion pin to fall into gearshift mechanism, possibly locking upthe transmission and causing a loss of vehicle control.===
- Under seat fires
There is no summary currently available
- Engine compartment fires
Analysis:a review of ford motor company's responses to odi informationrequests issued under preliminary evaluations pe 87-012, pe 87-017, andpe 87-020, indicated that the failure and/or malfunction of the spring-lockfuel line couplings appeared to be the major source or cause of enginecompartment fires in the subject…
Analysis:a review of ford motor company's responses to odi informationrequests issued under preliminary evaluations pe 87-012, pe 87-017, andpe 87-020, indicated that the failure and/or malfunction of the spring-lockfuel line couplings appeared to be the major source or cause of enginecompartment fires in the subject vehicles.based upon this, an engineeringanalysis was initiated which incorporated all three of the above referencedpreliminary evaluations.additional reports were received which indicatedthat spring lock fuel-line coupling separation had been responsible forengine compartment fires in other ford vehicles.the ea was then expandedon august 18TH to include all ford vehicles which use or did use springlock couplings in the fuel delivery and/or the fuel return system.status:by letter dated september 1, 1987, ford agreed to recall 3,600,0001986 through 1988 passenger cars and light trucks equipped with electronicfuel-injection (efi) and central fuel-injection (cfi) engines that wereproduced with a specific typeof spring lock fuel-line coupling.if thespring lock fuel-line coupling were improperly engaged or damaged duringassembly or servicing, then fuel pressure, vibration, or engine movementcould result in fuel line separation and the subsequent risk of a vehiclefire.to prevent this potential separation, the recalled vehicles willhave retainer clips installed over the spring lock couplings.the recallnumber IS 87v-139.proposed action:based upon the nature and scope of the recall, ea 87-020should be closed and the recall's effectiveness monitored.===
- Engine compartment fires
Summary of information from manufacturer:instances were found wherespring lock couplings failed causing gasoline to be released throughoutthe engine compartment causing fires. Failure of the couplings can takeplace after compliance with a ford recall campaign, on newly deliveredvehicles from the factory with minimal…
Summary of information from manufacturer:instances were found wherespring lock couplings failed causing gasoline to be released throughoutthe engine compartment causing fires. Failure of the couplings can takeplace after compliance with a ford recall campaign, on newly deliveredvehicles from the factory with minimal mileage on the odometer, and at anyvehicle mileage.---------------------------------------------------------------------------analysis:data indicates that the alleged problem may be caused by thespring lock quick connect couplings which connect the fuel supply andreturn lines to the engine.---------------------------------------------------------------------------proposed action:upgrade this pe to an ea.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090051Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 605573Subject regarding a new service center support that uses a thrust bearing (#3 and #4) in place of thrust washers has been released.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601043A grabbing and/or sticking condition during the first few brake applications when the brakes are cold or in the morning after an overnight rain may occur on some vehicles.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 82741Unknown
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
Every Ford Ranger model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.