1983 Ford Ranger Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1983 Ford Ranger (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1983 Ford Ranger. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and engine cooling (1). Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 27%
- Brakes1 9.1%
- Engine cooling1 9.1%
- Equipment1 9.1%
- Fuel system1 9.1%
- Seat belts1 9.1%
- Body and structure1 9.1%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “When driving the vehicle at any speed, the vehicle would stall. This caused the driver to drift to the side of the road. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #10065489, filed 2004-04Equipment: “Both fires occurred within the air conditioner evaporator core upper housing. Both appeared to result from the air conditioner blower motor resistor assembly igniting leaves which have ben sucked into the system.”
NHTSA complaint #835431, filed 1999-06Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 84V111000Sep 25, 1984Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LatchCovers: Ford Ranger 1983–1984
Secondary hood latch components may have been improperly positioned during assembly. If the hood is not closed tightly, or is inadvertently released, the secondary latch may not work and the hood may fly up without prior warning.
- 84V112000Sep 25, 1984Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Ford Ranger 1983
The flexible hose connecting the fuel pump to the carburetor fuel line may separate from the fuel pump.
- 84V082000Jul 9, 1984Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Ford Ranger 1983–1984
If truck is struck from the side, the cap on the fuel tank could become unsealed, allowing unsafe leakage of fuel. This is a failure to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 301, "fuel system integrity". Leakage can be caused…
- 83V032000Mar 22, 1983Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springsCovers: Ford Ranger 1983
Some of the involved vehicles may have been built with improperly heat treated front suspension lower spring seat attaching studs. These studs could fracture during vehicle operation, allowing the lower spring seat to move and possibly slide off the axle.
- 82V033000Apr 12, 1982Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeCovers: Ford Ranger 1983
On the involved vehicles, the muffler grass shields were inadvertently omitted during manufacture. Without the grass shield, and during certain operating conditions, the muffler surface temperatures could become hot enough to exceed specified standards and…
Recall details for the 1983 Ford Ranger → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1983 Ford Ranger.
Other model years of the Ford Ranger
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 32 | 8 | 4 | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 44 | 1,050 | 13 | 4 | 23 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 96 | 4,200 | 13 | 4 | 22 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 18 | 1,850 | 4 | 4 | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 38 | 15,500 | 5 | 4 | 23 | 26 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 119 | 32,800 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 67 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 130 | 20,000 | 7 | 4 | 23 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 270 | 19,500 | 11 | 4 | 23 | 90 · More | Rising |
| 2011 | 235 | 48,750 | 5 | 2 | 20 | 44 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 156 | 51,000 | 8 | — | 21 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 169 | 36,250 | 7 | — | 21 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 326 | 62,500 | 5 | — | 18 | 47 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 270 | 65,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 272 | 69,720 | 12 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 289 | 57,500 | 9 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 405 | 66,803 | 10 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 243 | 56,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 346 | 55,700 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 515 | 82,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 670 | 82,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 755 | 89,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 576 | 100,000 | 5 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 411 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 413 | 116,500 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 321 | 139,026 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 438 | 115,915 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 232 | 93,904 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 189 | 93,324 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 132 | 82,500 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 105 | 145,500 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 73 | 82,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 89 | 89,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 50 | 109,117 | 4 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 35 | 109,368 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 27 | 27,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 12 | 135,000 | 6 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 11 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Ranger model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1983 Ford Ranger have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1983 Ford Ranger as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1983 Ford Ranger is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1983 Ford Ranger been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.