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1996 Ford Ranger: headlights failing or too dim

9 of the 413 complaints about the 1996 Ford Ranger describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints
9
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

  • 2024
    1
  • 2022
    2
  • 2020
    2
  • 2019
    2
  • 2011
    5
  • 2009
    1
  • 2008
    2
  • 2005
    1
  • 2004
    3
  • 2003
    2
  • 2002
    3
  • 2001
    1
  • 2000
    6
  • 1999
    8
  • 1998
    8
  • 1997
    4
  • 1996
    9
  • 1995
    8
  • 1994
    1
  • 1993
    4
  • 1992
    2
  • 1991
    1
  • 1990
    1

What owners say

Filed Oct 6, 2001 · Lights · OH

Both headlights go out while driving, come back on within ten seconds. Occurs only once or twice in 3 to 4 month time frame. Ford and dealer can not help. Oiginally taken to dealer for repair on 5/16/97. Could not find problem. Ford customer service has no info related in their data base. Very serious problem. I haved tried to identify problem on my own (electrical engineer) but wiring diagrams do not explain the problem. I beleive there is a circuit breaker inline that does not show in the ford wiring details for this truck. I cannot verify this thru ford. Would have to tear truck appart to find.

Filed Dec 27, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · CO

Engine. Knocking rod at only 56,000 mi. Over $3,000 for new engine. Headlights failed to turn on before leaving driveway. Came on after turning on high beams and turn signals. On 4 separate occasions, I'm about to downshift to make a turn and the engine cuts off. No power steering, nearly lost control.

Filed Aug 14, 2000 · Lights · OH

Headlights went out when using turn signal switch to signal lane change while overtaking slower moving vehicle at night. Headlights came back on after touching turn signal switch stalk. Switch stalk has excessive up-and-down play; able to reproduce incident at will by slightly moving switch stalk up (toward steering wheel). Vehicle now at dealer for repair.

Filed Mar 31, 2000 · Lights · MI

Vehicle has a bad headlight switch. Switch has to be jiggled around to get the lights to come on. Also, when high beams are activated the lights go out completely. Dealer has been contacted.

Filed Jan 12, 2000 · Electrical · KY

Under dash electrical wiring malfunctioned, causing headlights/ tail lights, and dome lights, etc, to fail. This may result in visual difficulty, and cause a crash. Please provide further information.

Filed Nov 17, 1999 · Lights · PA

While driving headlights went off. After putting the headlights on high beam, the light came back on. Problem was reported to the manufacturer. Consumer has not experienced any problems at this time.

Filed Feb 2, 1999 · Lights · VA

Driving down road all headlights go out.

Filed Oct 1, 1998 · Lights, Visibility · FL

Windshield wipers would work intermittently, sometimes not at all. Headlights work sometimes. A/c would not work all the time. Dealer being contacted.

Filed Jun 16, 1998 · Visibility · MD

Windshield wipers come on and go off without reason, once the headlights went out also.

Questions about the 1996 Ford Ranger headlights

Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 1996 Ford Ranger?

9 of 413 owner complaints about the 1996 Ford Ranger (2%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 1996.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Ford Ranger?

There are 0 recalls and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 1996 Ford Ranger

Wipers 37Tire blowout 23Seat belt 17Fire or smoke 14ABS 11Brake failure 9Fuel leak 9Stalling 8Adaptive cruise 7No deployment 7Pulling 6Fuel smell 5

All model years of the Ford Ranger

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