Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1986 Ford Ranger, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system13
- Seat belts7
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Power train2
- Wheels2
- Steering2
- Tires1
- Unknown or other1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1986 Ford Ranger failed the safety check 1.97% of the time — 158% more often than the average 1986 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 62,695 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 1986 Ford Ranger.
| 1991021 11 Feb 1991 | Engine THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 90-27 FOR VEHICLES IN THE MARITIMES. THE THROTTLE MAY STICK IN AN OPEN POSITION DUE TO LINKAGE BINDING CAUSED BY CORROSION. THI… |
| 1990027 9 Feb 1990 | Engine RANGER/BRONCO II - 2.9 LITRE ENGINES TAURUS/SABLE - 3.0 LITRE ENGINES NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN NEWFOUNDLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK AND PRINCE EDWARD … |
| 1988136 5 Oct 1988 | Electrical On certain vehicles, wiring for the power lumbar seat system was routed directly beneath the seat cushion springs on the side of the cushion. This could result … |
| 1987098 9 Sept 1987 | Fuel System ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BO… |
| 1985116 25 Oct 1985 | Not Entered VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.9 LITRE E.F.I.,V6 ENGINES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A NYLON FUEL LINE ON THE FUEL RETURN SIDE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ASSEMBL… |
| 1985106 30 Sept 1985 | Electrical VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN THE POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE FUEL INJECTOR RETURN AND BATTERY ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS CAUSED BY THE PROXIMITY OF THE WELDS I… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
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. 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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1986 Ford Ranger: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 82741 | UNKNOWN |
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 623944 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC |
| 616522 | SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT |
| 612203 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS |
| 6090087 | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT |
| 6090051 | SERVICE TIP INFORMATION ON REVISED OIL PAN GASKET REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT |
| 6089681 | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT |
| 608431 | INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT |
| 605573 | SUBJECT REGARDING A NEW SERVICE CENTER SUPPORT THAT USES A THRUST BEARING (#3 AND #4) IN PLACE OF THRUST WASHERS HAS BEEN RELEASED. *TT |
| 604059 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC |
| 601312 | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT |
| 601290 | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC |
| 601238 | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC |
| 601043 | A 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. *YC |
| 601012 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC |
| 51945 | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| 51689 | FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD |
| 50997 | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50940 | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW |
| 50908 | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50905 | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW |
| 46478 | THE 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. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS
THROTTLE STICKING
GEAR SHIFT LEVER FAILS
GEARSHIFT LEVER BREAKS
UNDER SEAT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation