1996 Ford Ranger Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 8%of 413 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Ford Ranger, 8% of the 413 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I went in to have the oil changed and they showed me that the oil pan gasket was about to blow out. I had just had the oil changed 3000 miles agoe and went on a trip whit a new oil change. I returned home and went to get the oil changed again the next day and found the oil gasket comming out. Thank god it did not blow while I was driving back home during the long trip I had gone on.”
NHTSA complaint #747404, filed 2001-06“Engine. Knocking rod at only 56,000 mi. Over $3,000 for new engine. Headlights failed to turn on before leaving driveway. Came on after turning on high beams and turn signals. On 4 separate occasions, I'm about to downshift to make a turn and the engine cuts off. No power steering, nearly lost control.”
NHTSA complaint #738332, filed 2000-12“The front suspension design defect prevents the cross camber from being adjusted within manufacturers specified tolerence during front end alignment resulting in rapid wear to the outside edge and sidewall of the front tires at highway speeds, causing roaring noise and unstable steering wheel, all four tires have been replaced and a front alignment has been performed but both have failed to correct the problem. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #560206, filed 2001-03“Engine will stall intermittently while traveling at any speed, regardless of weather conditions / temperatures. Dealership has examined vehicle, and was unable to determine a cause for this problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #898755, filed 2001-11“At least 12 sets of brakes put on vehicle 4 in uder 9000 miles, resulting in 2 accidents 3 times at turning rotors/engine rebuilt at 52000 miles still with loss of porwer. 2 EGR valves/2 wiper switches/syncronizers/2 slave cylinders on transmission and oil leak. All problems still exist. Engine idles high enough that the use of the gas pedal is not needed for intown driving. Speeds of 45mph can be obtained before hitting pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #705009, filed 1999-03Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 3% |
| 2004 | 17 | 4% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 39 | 11% |
| 2001 | 29 | 6% |
| 2000 | 37 | 6% |
| 1999 | 45 | 6% |
| 1998 | 51 | 9% |
| 1997 | 14 | 3% |
| 1996 | 31 | 8% |
| 1995 | 14 | 4% |
| 1994 | 23 | 5% |
| 1993 | 12 | 5% |
| 1992 | 16 | 8% |
| 1991 | 16 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 10% |
| 1989 | 11 | 15% |
| 1988 | 13 | 15% |
| 1987 | 7 | 14% |
| 1986 | 7 | 20% |
| 1985 | 3 | 11% |
| 1984 | 2 | 17% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Ranger
69 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
52 complaintsTires
41 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 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 Oct 27, 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