1996 Ford Ranger: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jun 3, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · MD

The two buttons on either side of the horn, on the steering wheel, that control the cruise control melt in the heat and expose the circuit boards. This has been going on for a few years and I finally need to report this.

Filed Oct 14, 2009 · Acceleration · 17,000 miles · WA

Cruise control failed to operate and has not operated since. This ford ranger has the same wiring harness as the recalled ford f-150 wiring harness.

Filed Oct 14, 2009 · Acceleration · 97,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford ranger. When he entered his vehicle he found that the cruise control off and on switch melted. The dealer stated they have never seen this occur. Recall 09v399000 repair was performed; however, they did not repair the switch. The failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2008 · Acceleration, Electrical · 130,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford ranger. While activating the right turn signal, the contact heard an electrical crackling sound in the dashboard. The failure has been occurring daily for the last nine months. The failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 164,000. Updated 04/08/08. *lj the right turn signals and emergency flashers did not work. The consumer also stated the cruise control was a problem as well. Updated

Filed Sep 5, 2007 · Acceleration · 209,000 miles · AL

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford ranger. As the contact attempted to engage the cruise control, he noticed that the switch was burned and the plastic was melted. The dealer informed him that his vehicle was not under a recall. A new cruise control switch will cost $50. The manufacturer could not inform him if the new switch would fail and advised him to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. The contact will replace the switch himself, but will investigate to see if it will burn again. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 210,000 and failure mileage was 209,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2005 · Acceleration · 72,000 miles · MI

About two years ago (I don't recall the exact date) I had taken my 1996 ford ranger xlt into north gate ford (port huron/ft. Gratiot, mi) for a trace on electronics?'check engine' light was on. After they had placed my truck on their computer they said that they had to 'download updates' to my truck, which would take some time (3 billed hours!). Ever since then my cruise control would 'act up'. It will increase speed above the set speed by 5-7 MPH, occasionally up to 12 MPH, and then the throttle would release with a thunk sound. Using the brake pedal, or the 'off' button would work after a couple of tries however. Also, the cruise control was not always available?would not turn on or set. I believe that the ford dealer unknowingly, or maybe even willingly, inserted a computer virus or corrupted code into my truck's ECM module. I attempted to take it to another dealer to be checked, but it would have cost me more than I could afford to put it back on the diagnostic computer. I'm afraid that this will result in an accident?I have ms and rely on the cruise control when on the highway.

Filed Feb 3, 1997 · Acceleration · AZ

Failure of the cruise control, while driving the cruise control was engaged and applied the brakes to disengage and would not release, off button would not function, to stop vehicle ignition was turned off.