1996 Ford Ranger Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 4%of 413 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1996 Ford Ranger, 4% of the 413 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dt: on july 10, 2005 the contact's vehicle was involved in an accident. Was sitting at a red light with the car in neutral. The bakes were not pressed. Because there were no brake lights illuminating the vehicle was hit from behind. The contact felt that vehicles should be equipped with brake lights that should stay on while the vehicle was not moving. This was a safety defect in all manual transmission vehicles. The vehicle sustained damage to the rear bumper and deck. There was no police report taken. The two vehicle operators only exchanged phone numbers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139675, filed 2005-10, 133,000 miles“Both headlights go out while driving, come back on within ten seconds. Occurs only once or twice in 3 to 4 month time frame. Ford and dealer can not help. Oiginally taken to dealer for repair on 5/16/97. Could not find problem. Ford customer service has no info related in their data base. Very serious problem. I haved tried to identify problem on my own (electrical engineer) but wiring diagrams do not explain the problem. I beleive there is a circuit breaker inline that does not show in the Ford wiring details for this truck. I cannot verify this thru Ford. …”
NHTSA complaint #752985, filed 2001-10“The contact owns a 1996 Ford Ranger. When the vehicle is idling or placed into neutral with the brake pedal not depressed, the brake lights do not illuminate. As a result, the vehicle has been rear ended four times in five years. The most recent crash occurred in march of 2008 and the vehicle was damaged. The contact has pictures. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The current mileage was 165,000 and failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 06/25/08. …”
NHTSA complaint #10230008, filed 2008-06, 75,000 miles“Headlights went out when using turn signal switch to signal lane change while overtaking slower moving vehicle at night. Headlights came back on after touching turn signal switch stalk. Switch stalk has excessive up-and-down play; able to reproduce incident at will by slightly moving switch stalk up (toward steering wheel). Vehicle now at dealer for repair.”
NHTSA complaint #727925, filed 2000-08“While driving on highway in the dark, lights will go out without prior warning, consumer had to touch dimmer switch so that lights will come back on. Switch had been replaced before under warranty. But, currently was not working again, consumer fees if it gets fixed again, it will not work again later on.”
NHTSA complaint #899685, filed 2001-11Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 14 | 5% |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 14 | 2% |
| 1999 | 13 | 2% |
| 1998 | 16 | 3% |
| 1997 | 14 | 3% |
| 1996 | 17 | 4% |
| 1995 | 15 | 5% |
| 1994 | 10 | 2% |
| 1993 | 7 | 3% |
| 1992 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
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 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsSeat belts
26 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsSuspension
21 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 31, 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