1986 Ford RANGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
109,368 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 25 complaints (36.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 9; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 504676 · 1996-05-23 (May 23, 1996)
VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, UPON STARTING, FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AREA DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 883288 · 2001-03-16 (March 16, 2001)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 883288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8011622 · 2002-06-12 (June 12, 2002)
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8011622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975207 · 1995-11-17 (November 17, 1995)
WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO CHANGE SPEED THE ENGINE COLLAPSED. TT CONSUMER STATES DEALER WOULD TRY TO CORRECT JERKING AND STALLING PROBLEMS BY REPLACING THE EGR VALVE, HOWEVER THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER FOUND TSB 87-16-19 REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FAULTY EEC UNIT. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500238 · 1995-11-06 (November 6, 1995)
BRAKES LOCK UP OCCASIONALLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID OR HYDROPLANE ON WET ROADS. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983987 · 1996-05-01 (May 1, 1996)
AFTER PARKING, SHORT WHILE LATER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, THEN FLAMES SHOT OUT OF IGNITION SWITCH WHILE PUSHING DOWN DRIVE WAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983987 at NHTSA ↗