1996 Ford Ranger XLT from North America - Comments

I have a '96 ranger and have had only a few problems with it. The automatic four wheel drive was awful and was replaced with warn manual hubs and they are excellent. I am beginning to notice a clicking noise in the engine when I accelerate. I am new to trucks and wondered if anyone had any suggestions on what it might be. overall a great truck.

Yesterday, I left my keys in my 1996 Ranger and as a result the battery went dead. I jump-started the car and everything seemed to work as before except: The dome light no longer worked and the wipers would no longer turn on. I did the obvious thing and checked the fuses, but they were good. It seems that this is a common thread on-line: dome light and wipers (and power windows if you have them) failing simultaneously.

I'm the original owner of a 1996 Ford Ranger XLT 5-speed,4.0 liter. I curently have over 300,000 miles (mostly highway) and have enjoyed driving this truck over the years.

At 268,000 miles, I finally had to replace the engine. I've always had problems with the brakes, especially the emergency cable. First gear has a tendency to be difficult to engage. Some of the repair work I've done are:

- Replaced upper/lower ball joints

- Bearings all the way around

- Brakes (at least 4 times)

- Water pump

- New clutch

- Gasket at lower intake.

(other than the engine replacement, all of the work was performed by me... Too cheap to have someone else do it)

From a design standpoint, I was disappointed in the design of the windshield. It sits too upright and is a magnet for rocks and other debris. Most of the cracks appear at the lower half of the windshield.

Lately, I have been experiencing electrical problems. The originally installed cassette player and dash lights turn off and on at will. The exterior (driver-side) door latch has lost its spring, but still functions to open the door. The AC is on the fritz, but I normally don't use it anyway.

I like the vehicle because it's good for utility and is PAID FOR.

Will continue to drive it until it falls completely apart.

Hello. I have a 96 xlt 4x4 5 speed 4.0 long bed I've had it for a year now. this is my first small truck. it has a 187 k on the engine and is still going very strong.things I've replaced since I've had it clutch 2 times, left ball joint and the pulley belt. that's it... well OK I just had it smogged and I'm gonna have to replace the purge sol. and the other thing the reads if it is working. the only bad thing about it that I can find is the cab is to small for me alittle bit. now the good things this truck is damn fun, off road,I've never had so much fun I've never jumped higher in any other truck I have owned and came down on all four wheels at the same time hahahah. on road I'm always in the fast lane. and in town when its safe I have been sideways many times this truck is just great I love it..ps I'm gonna do something about that rev limiter. thanks, bob from california.

I have a 96 Ford Ranger Extended Cab V6. The engine, with regular maintenance has ran flawlessly for 137,000 miles.

On the other hand I have had to change out the carrier bearing three times. I have the same problems everyone else has with the windshield wipers coming on by themselves. I am currently having problems with the ABS system.

I am 16 and own a beautiful Red Ranger STX Supercab from 1992. It has 149,000 miles and, aside from the modifications I've made, is all original. I am extremely pleased with the build quality of this truck. The paint has held up nicely, and it has no rust. My 3.0 liter engine is bullet-proof. I am a lead-foot and drive the crap out of it, and it doesn't give me any grief. My 5-speed manual transmission is also bullet-proof. I'm still on my original clutch, and it shows no signs of wearing down (even after painfully learning how to do drive a stick). This truck won't die, and I plan on keeping it for many more years. This truck has made me a Ford follower.

I own a 96 Ranger flareside 4cyl 5 spd. I am the 2nd owner and it has 86,000 miles on it. Yes the wipers come on every once in a while. I have had no real problems and it had 45,000 miles on it when I purchased it. Previous owner advised the truck had been hit in the left door and fender in a mild accident. Now the clear coat is starting to bubble up.

Uses no oil, has always been dependable. However during the winter I find it is difficult to shift between gears or put it in first gear. I blames this on a clutch slave cylinder that may be getting worn. I am 52 years old and only drive it 7000 miles a year. Always I have to charge the AC each spring.

Overall I like this truck and would consider buying another.

I bought my 96 Ford Ranger XLT new, and from the day I drove it off the lot, the wipers would come on all crazy when ever they wanted to. No one believed me, because of course, it never happened when I was trying to show anyone about it! I had to replace my transmission at 54,000 miles. I am now at 95,000, and it is slipping again. We replaced the filter and fluid, it is better but not perfect. Someone suggested replacing the filter and fluid a second time. Has anyone had any luck with that? This is my 2nd Ranger, after reading all these reviews, and seeing that my problems were not isolated ones (which I was told they were at the time) Not so sure I'll buy a 3rd Ranger. Too bad, I like it.

My 1995 Ford Ranger, extended cab (4.0L) just past 200K miles and it has treated me well. I have owned it since 48K miles and have only needed to do minor repairs. Thus far, excluding normal maintenance (i.e. brakes, tune-ups, oil, AC re-charge, belts, filters, etc..), I have had to replace my heater core, fan clutch, and radiator (the radiator was my fault because I postponed replacing my fan clutch and the truck overheated one too many times and cracked the radiator). My most recent problem I just found out this week is a clogged catalytic converter, which will probably be the most expensive repair done to the truck.

This truck has been very good to me and I have nothing negative to say, well maybe one thing, the gas mileage is crappie.

You can order a catalytic converter and install it yourself for a very reasonable price. The Rangers sit so high you can probably replace it without having to raise the truck. I've replaced 2 catalytic converters on my Fords, and the most expensive one was just under $200.