1996 Ford Ranger Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 69about this part
- Share
- 17%of 413 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 147,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Ford Ranger, 17% of the 413 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 147,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Truck was parked on the garage pad for a week. I opened the hood and checked all fluid levels, and found the brake fluid a little low. Topped off the master cylinder and got back into the truck. Started engine, and pushed the brake pedal. It went to the floor, got out of the truck and heard fluid dripping. I looked under the truck and saw a puddle of brake fluid near the left rear wheel. I asked my wife to push the pedal down and I saw brake fluid spraying from the main steel brake line. …”
NHTSA complaint #10875143, filed 2016-06, 147,000 miles“My 1996 Ford Ranger has a recurring problem of the front brakes sticking. This occurs most often in wet weather but isn't strictly limited to that. I noticed a Ford Ranger that had slid into another car on a sanded corner and recalled the same thing happened to me a few years ago as my brakes locked up on the gravel causing the truck to slide sideways and I only missed running into the car in the other lane by letting off the brake and twisting the steering wheel. That poor man probably got a ticket for going too fast but it is a design flaw, not a matter of speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10305101, filed 2010-02, 188,000 miles“1. Underbody corrosion leading to perforation of metal brake lines 2. Partial up to complete loss of braking function. Five times in three years. Catastrophic loss of braking 3. Replacement of brake lines - old corroded lines available.”
NHTSA complaint #10383471, filed 2011-02, 90,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Ford Ranger. While depressing the brake pedal, the brakes would make a loud grinding noise. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 161,200 and the current mileage was 162,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10426758, filed 2011-09, 161,200 miles“The contact owned a 1996 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle rolled away for a few seconds. The failure recurred intermittently and became permanent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis however, the contact was uncertain of the required replacement part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailalbe. The contact no longer owned the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10872304, filed 2016-06, 40,000 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 22% |
| 2025 | 7 | 16% |
| 2024 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 3 | 17% |
| 2022 | 3 | 8% |
| 2021 | 15 | 13% |
| 2020 | 9 | 7% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 10 | 3% |
| 2004 | 23 | 6% |
| 2003 | 35 | 14% |
| 2002 | 23 | 7% |
| 2001 | 55 | 11% |
| 2000 | 78 | 12% |
| 1999 | 88 | 12% |
| 1998 | 60 | 10% |
| 1997 | 44 | 11% |
| 1996 | 69 | 17% |
| 1995 | 60 | 19% |
| 1994 | 116 | 26% |
| 1993 | 60 | 26% |
| 1992 | 17 | 9% |
| 1991 | 12 | 9% |
| 1990 | 6 | 6% |
| 1989 | 7 | 10% |
| 1988 | 9 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 3 | 9% |
| 1984 | 2 | 17% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Ranger
52 complaintsTires
41 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsSeat belts
26 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsSteering
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology