2008 Ford Ranger Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 2%of 326 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Ford Ranger, 2% of the 326 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The dash lights would blink intermediately and if the truck was turned off while that is happening, the engine immobilizer would engage and the truck would not start. I drove the truck this way for a while and just let it run and not shut it off. Ford didn;t know what was causing it. Eventually I found out that the wiring harness that came together in a y shape, and was supposed to be securely taped only had one strand of tape wrapped around the wires. …”
NHTSA complaint #10913612, filed 2016-10, 57,000 miles“Monday 6/3/13 went to start car and nothing happened. You hear clicking in the fuse box on the passenger side and in the engine compartment. Put key to just before start or accessories and the lights come on and radio turns on but if you touch the breaks it all shorts out. Turn the key to start and it all shorts out and fuse area starts clicking. Drove the car sunday night and it was fine. Never had an issue with anything on this truck until monday morning when I went to go somewhere. Totally baffled on what's wrong. Only thing I know is it rained on sunday night monday am?????? …”
NHTSA complaint #10514921, filed 2013-06, 23,000 miles“2008 Ford Ranger. Has been in the shop now (6) time for the same problem. The engine light comes on. When this happens, the RPM's go up, the truck has no power, and stalls. Some times when the engine light comes on. I'm in stop and go traffic. The RPM's go up so high, that I have to put both feet on the brake, to avoid hitting the car in front of me. I have spent so much time, trying to get the this problem taken care of. The truck only has 5949 miles on it. This time it was in the shop for (8) days. Ford called, and said the tuck was ready/ repaired. Drove the truck 83 miles. Same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10240145, filed 2008-08, 749 miles“Purchased used 2008 Ford Ranger that has issues with multifunction switch malfunctioning on several occasions with the windshield wipers not working or high beams engaging although the turn signals are not affected as of yet. This happens when vehicle is stationary as well as moving . The windshield wipers will just quit working while driving same with high beams. I notified and asked Ford today if this was normal .”
NHTSA complaint #11288252, filed 2019-12, 182,500 miles“Takata recall, trying to find if my vehicle is affected. No reminder chime for headlights left on or keys left in ignition switch when drivers door opened.”
NHTSA complaint #11124192, filed 2018-09, 130,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 22% |
| 2025 | 10 | 23% |
| 2024 | 30 | 31% |
| 2023 | 2 | 11% |
| 2022 | 9 | 24% |
| 2021 | 8 | 7% |
| 2020 | 11 | 8% |
| 2019 | 41 | 15% |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 7 | 2% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 11 | 4% |
| 2005 | 21 | 7% |
| 2004 | 17 | 4% |
| 2003 | 17 | 7% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 22 | 4% |
| 2000 | 38 | 6% |
| 1999 | 39 | 5% |
| 1998 | 29 | 5% |
| 1997 | 28 | 7% |
| 1996 | 38 | 9% |
| 1995 | 29 | 9% |
| 1994 | 25 | 6% |
| 1993 | 18 | 8% |
| 1992 | 41 | 22% |
| 1991 | 20 | 15% |
| 1990 | 20 | 19% |
| 1989 | 15 | 21% |
| 1988 | 32 | 36% |
| 1987 | 14 | 28% |
| 1986 | 13 | 37% |
| 1985 | 12 | 44% |
| 1984 | 2 | 17% |
| 1983 | 3 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Ranger
295 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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