1996 Ford Ranger: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 6, 2022 · KY · fire

heading back from picking up meal at pizza hut when "POP" sound from front of truck and then cabin filled with smoke. within 20-30 seconds of exiting the car it was in flames (See attached photos) recall notification was never sent to current owner and current owner didnt own in 2009 when it was first recalled. Ford customer service informed that auto insurnace would be required to handle loss of vehicle, but current owner doesnt have comprehensive coverage so insurance company is unable to payout for loss due to fire. This recall should have been communicated to titled owner after purchase.

Filed Jan 31, 2019 · Engine · 300,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 1996 ford ranger. While driving 30 MPH, flames appeared under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The cause of the fire was unknown. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not towed, but was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000. *tr *js *bf consumer stated both odi 11173289 and 11173291 had manufacturer defect that caused the fire.

Filed Aug 7, 2014 · Fuel system · 141,000 miles · VA

Rubber fuel vapor hose between fuel vapor purge valve and charcoal canister can't be repaired because ford has made part obsolete. This hose is not a normal off the shelf bulk hose. It is rubber performed with a different inside diameter on both ends. Ford won't even give me part number! Three parts vendors were recommended to maybe find part. The vendors all want part number though-so that doesn't help me. The vehicle constantly leaks gasoline fumes. I'm not expecting ford to fix it because of age of truck. Something ought to done by ford to make part available to consumer. This is a serious safety issue. Truck could easily catch on fire!

Filed Sep 1, 2011 · Acceleration · 127,000 miles · AL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford ranger. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, smoke was emitted from under the hood. The vehicle was merged onto the shoulder of the road and as the hood was raised flames started to rise. The contact extinguished the flames and noticed that the wires from the vehicle speed control started the fire. As a result, the wires for the master cylinder switch melted and all of the brake fluid leaked out. The fire department was not notified and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed home. The dealer was not notified and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2011 · Electrical · 201,000 miles · KS · fire

Overnight the truck caught fire while parked outside without the key in the ignition. Damage from the fire was contained to under the dash throughout the electrical components as well as ductwork. It re-ignited and burned after being put out once then after the battery was successfully disconnected, did not catch fire again.

Filed Jul 11, 2005 · Electrical · MO · fire

Dt: on 7/8/05 after driving the vehicle for about 20 minutes , vehicle was parked when owner noticed the tire had blown out, and a boom was heard. The owner ran outside and vehicle was in flames. The flames were noticed under hood of truck. The flames went into cab. The fire lasted about 30 or 35 minutes before it was put out. The fire was put out by fire department. The fire department never gave indication of what caused fire. There was a police report filed. No indication from the police department as to what caused the fire. There is a recall on 1996 extended cab ranger regarding the pressure break switch. But owner doesn't have the recall number. Work tools were inside the vehicle when it burned. There were no lights inside the vehicle or warnings of a problem prior to the fire. There were no other major problems with vehicle. The fire has not been reported to insurance company.

Filed Jul 13, 2002 · Electrical · PA · fire

Vehicle caught fire after 1 hour drive, vehicle was 40% burned and declared a total loss. Fire originated in engine compartment on drivers side.

Filed Mar 6, 2000 · Acceleration, Brakes · GA · fire

While driving on a narrow two-lane road, I proceeded to pass another vehicle. I accelerated and kicked the truck into passing gear. The throttle went to the wide open position and would not release. I used the brakes to fight the out of control engine and vehicle. I proceeded down the curvy for 3 to four miles until I got to a pullout place where I applied the brakes so hard that it killed the engine. The brakes were down to no pads, were very hot, and cooked out grease that caught on fire. I restarted the engine at which time the throttle was no longer stuck in the wide open position.

Filed Mar 26, 1999 · Electrical · GA · crash · fire

Consumer was involved in a collision in which the vehicle caught on fire inside on the driver's side. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed Feb 25, 1999 · Electrical · IL · fire

Had noticed smoke filling gauges & then turned black. Had stopped vehicle & smelled smoke. Checked vehicle & dashboard twice before it caught fire. The fire occurred from under the steering wheel/dashboard area.

Filed Feb 23, 1999 · Fuel system · NC

The truck could have caught fire and cost a life,this needs to be looked into and a recall done if it is a common problem with this make and yr of truck

Filed Sep 8, 1998 · Brakes, Fuel system · TX · fire

While consumer was driving on dry pavement ready to make a turn she put on brakes, the brake pedal went all the way down to the floor. Consumer managed to turn into a parking lot after pumping the brakes. Vehicle began to smoke and fluids leaking from the left side of the car. Then car caught on fire.