1986 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10018848 · 2003-05-17 (May 17, 2003)
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 109,368 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164744 · 2006-07-25 (July 25, 2006)
CONSUMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION REGARDING A 1986 FORD RANGER SHE SOLD TO HER SON. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10164744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486211 · 1995-04-13 (April 13, 1995)
LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL/SPIN, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT (OHIO STATE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486211 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 501402 · 1996-02-09 (February 9, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501402 at NHTSA ↗
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 725706 · 2000-07-20 (July 20, 2000)
GAS TANKS WILLNOT FILL PROPERLY AND LEAKS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 725706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 732319 · 2000-09-23 (September 23, 2000)
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 CONT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 732319 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V116000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 1985-09-24 (September 24, 1985)
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.
Remedy: REPAIR WIRING HARNESS, CHECK ENGINE AND CATALYST FOR DAMAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V130000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1985-10-18 (October 18, 1985)
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.
Remedy: REPLACE NYLON FUEL HOSES WITH RUBBER HOSES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V145000 · Seats
Reported: 1988-09-02 (September 2, 1988)
WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗