1995 Ford Ranger from North America - Comments

One huge problem: Electrical malfunctions. The dinger alarm for the opened door won't stop sometimes, the interior light won't go off as a result so I was forced to take the bulbs out of the interior light, the windshield wipers work sometimes, and sometimes not with no definite pattern, the check engine light is on one week, and may, or may not be off the next. The computer diagnostic shows nothing wrong with anything. The door ajar light goes on, and off constantly while driving, and will occasionally sound off while driving. These are common problems that others I know who own Ford Rangers have had, so I'm confident that it is manufacturer's defects that certainly should have been corrected, but were not.

The 4 cyl. engine IS very dependable, but far insufficient for power for such a heavy truck. (longbed version)

The lack of power makes it very annoying to drive through hills due to the necessary constant shifting that must be done. Downshifting is necessary even on relatively small hills.

Due to the lack of power, the fuel economy seems to be no better than the rangers with 6 cyl. engine.

I'm very discouraged that Ford declined to do anything about the electrical malfunctions on these Rangers.

The electrical system does present a problem. The dingier won't go off at times and because of that the overhead light stays on and gets hot. Check engine light used to go on and off and now stays on all the time. Cruise control tabs on the side of steering wheel break easily. Some times the windshield swipes give a little trouble, but seem to clear up sooner or later.

Sure miss the old Model A's when there was room in the engine compartment to put your hands in it.

Just have to have patience I guess.

Otherwise I like the truck. It's handy and economical.

Bought my truck used 5 months ago and the dome light was a problem the 2nd week and had to take the bulbs out. Tonight my Check Engine light came on and went looking for information as to what it could be. So glad to see that it may be nothing and is a common problem with this truck. I have had a rattling sound and wish I wasn't "blonde" when it comes to cars/trucks. Does the cam sensor cause a rattling sound?

We have a 1995 Ford Ranger. We have had the problems with the ding sound; the interior light staying on and now the check engine light. My husband thought that this may help with the ding sound for others with this problem. He sprays an electrical contact cleaner where the latch is in the door and the ding stops. (We have had to do this a couple of times already, works each time.) We are still trying to see what is causing the check engine light to come on.

I have read that it seems like all the Rangers have the electrical problems whith the door switches, buzzers etc. The scarry part is the window wipers too and the bad check engine light problem.

I just bought a used truck and had it a day with all those problems! I only paid 1500 so I'm not to dissappointed.

However those issues may seem minor to all saying they like there truck, why cost! That's it. Think again what may happen.

I suggest that this problem will never go away with ford until a list begins for recall and the death toll climes. What a major recall could you imagine. I can't believe my eyes reading everyones issues same thing over and over again.

I will never buy a ford again unless you pull the fuse by new and keep the warranty running to get back at them.

Especially when I pulled the fuse the speedometer stopped. Wow! If your buying that car what is the mileage that's what I'm thinking. It's a gamble. I like the truck, but I'm really concerened. There will be some deaths from these issues it obvious. If you get in accident use those reasons. You'll hit the big one...

Everyone should start e-mailing there issues, but where do you start to log this. Its bad when our safety is no concern to there money ther making fixing these things and probably just spraying the locks and your paying 500 for there issue.

Something for everyone to think about!!!

I too have or had the "magic wipers",the occasional "music and light" show, and the "I don't know what's wrong with me" light on, but over all it's been a very reliable and dependable truck.

Mine is an "XL" with long wheel base and the 2.3L engine mated to the 5 speed manual transmission, and have owned it since '97.

The "check engine" light issue happened back in October '97

and after a few trips to the dealer we finally traced it to a canister (not the charcoal) which is part of the emission system (I'll try to dig out the part number later), followed by a re-programming of the computer (dealers can do this for a price).

My "magic wipers" have always had this power to keep you awake and in tune with your truck. (lol)

"Musical light show" is a new thing for me (started about 6 weeks ago), and it can get annoying. Will follow this one up if I can fix it.

There are 3 other things that pop in mind, one being the alternator (I'm on my third one as of today), two the heater / air blower motor harness (had to twice replace the connection for the first two speeds), and three is the windshield.

But I do love this truck!!

I actually sprayed gummout in the door where the lock is and it actually worked. The alarm drove me nuts also.

Good Luck.

I have a 95 2x4 long bed with a 4cyl engine. The dinger/light issue can be cured by spraying a solvent into the door latch area. I used wd40 and it worked great. That was about a year ago and everything works fine.

I bought the truck because gas prices were too high to drive my big one all the time. It's a good little commuter, but does lack in the power department.

This is so crazy! I just found this site and have read post after post about the same problems I've had with a 1995 ranger Splash I used to own. The phantom wipers, the dome light never shutting off, etc.

I will say though, it was a great truck, I ran it up to 135,000 miles and it drove like new. Then I got greedy and traded it in for a 1999 ranger 4x4 which only lasted me 2 years after I bought it in late 2002. The truck was garbage. It had only 34,000 miles when I bought it, and by the time I traded it in it had over $4,000 in repairs needed!! I had sunk around $2,000 in maintenance in it in the short time I had it, and when I traded it in it had 87,000 miles to its history.

I replaced the hood, due to a factory defect in the paint, which was no longer under warranty; front and rear brakes, drive belt, just to name a few problems I fixed on it. When I traded it in, it needed front upper and lower ball joints, front and rear shocks and struts, rear brakes re-done, and countless other problems were wrong so I gave up and traded it in for a 2004 fx4 ford ranger and so far so good with that, but we'll see...

Joesph153.

Please checkout the free Ford Truck Forum boards forund at ford-trucks.com The door pin switched can be cleaned out with WD-40 or replaced very cheaply.

I am looking for ford ranger owners who have had problems with steering. My son was in an accident involving the steering in his 2000 ford ranger. As he was driving down the highway, his steering wheel stuck and he could not turn the wheel.

Good to see that everyone had these simple problems.

I am going to buy a ext-cab with a 3.0/auto combination tomorrow and even considering these problems I am excited.

I will just cut the wires going to the little dinger speaker if need be. Why do we need those? Interior light comes in handy though, so that will be something I will have to try and remedy.

Caravans have weak trannies, honda/mazda have CV shaft problems, fords have engine probs and these listed above.

The problem as I see it is that everyone wants the newest model and car manufacturers have to change designs every 2 years, if people cared more for dependable consistent vehicles and less on keeping up with the jones's we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with.

No one, but ourselves to blame, name 1 car maker that hasn't had any design flaws on anything in the past 10 years? I don't know of any. if it isn't big things like engines/trannys, id be calling yourselves lucky.

OK I have a 95 Ranger XLT... and everything except the cigarette igniter and the lights in the dashboard were working... but just today, all hell brake loose, radio stopped working, ABS light came on, A/C stopped I mean... everything electrical stopped working, except the reverse lights and the head lights... even my brake lights stopped working...

Tomorrow I'm having it looked at, but I'm not too concerned because I'm buying a Toyota Yaris in 2 weeks.... Ford's electricals stink.