1984 Ford Ranger problems

General information about Ford-Ranger
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Ford Ranger is a compact or mid-size pickup marketed globally by Ford over a series of generations, varying between both in-house or outside development and manufacturing — and with a hiatus in North America from 2011–2018.

Debuting as a compact pickup in North America in 1982 for the 1983 model year, the Ranger was later introduced in some South American countries. From 1998 to 2011, the Ranger nameplate was used for models developed by Mazda for sale outside the North American market. In 2011, Ford introduced the first Ranger based on the T6 platform. Considered a mid-size pickup truck, the model was developed in-house by Ford Australia. In that same year, the North American-market Ranger was discontinued, leaving the T6 platform-based Ranger as the sole Ranger model worldwide.

For the 2019 model year, the Ranger was reintroduced in North America using the globally-marketed T6 model. It is manufactured at the Michigan Assembly Plant at Wayne, Michigan. The Ranger is smaller than the F-150 and larger than the Maverick in the Ford North American pickup truck range, while for markets outside the Americas it is typically the only Ford pickup offered for sale.

The second generation of the T6-based Ranger was released in 2021 for worldwide markets, using a revised T6 platform.

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Common 1984 Ford Ranger problems

The Ford Ranger 1984 is known for several common problems based on complaints from owners. These problems include issues with airbag deployment in collisions, poor fuel economy, rust, transmission and engine problems, and transmission and rust issues related to maintenance.

Firstly, many models of the Ranger, including the 1984 model, have historically had problems with airbag deployment in collisions. A crash is a worst-case scenario, and safety should be a top priority when considering a vehicle.

Secondly, the 3L and 4L V6 engines in the Ranger tend to prioritize performance over fuel economy. This means that drivers should not expect high mileage per gallon (MPG) if they choose one of the larger engines.

Thirdly, rust is a common issue in the Ranger, which can cause the frame to crack and significantly decrease the vehicle's value. This is especially true for automatic transmissions, where the engine often outlasts the transmission, usually becoming an issue at 200,000+ miles.

Fourthly, the Ranger has a history of engine and transmission problems, with some models having multiple recalls due to these issues. For instance, the 1999 and 2001 models are considered the worst years for the Ranger due to their numerous recalls and engine and transmission problems.

Lastly, transmission and rust issues in the Ranger are often related to the care and maintenance the vehicle receives. Therefore, it is essential to assess the type of care a used vehicle has received before purchasing it. Every vehicle can suffer from transmission and rust issues, but these problems are more prevalent in certain model years of the Ranger.

In conclusion, while the Ford Ranger 1984 has a solid all-around reputation, it is crucial to be aware of these common problems and consider them when purchasing or maintaining a Ranger. Proper care and maintenance can help prevent or mitigate some of these issues, ensuring a safer and more reliable driving experience.

What are the bad years for Ford Ranger?

A: Yes, some Ford Ranger model years have proven less reliable than others. It's best to avoid the following years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2019. These years have been subject to numerous customer complaints and issues.

How reliable is an old Ford Ranger?

The Ford Ranger has received above-average reliability ratings from JD Power and Consumer Reports. RepairPal ranks the used Ford Ranger with a 4.0/5 reliability ranking, which is #3 in its class. With few recalls and consumer complaints in its history, the used Ford Ranger is a reliable truck for sale near you.

What is the most common problem with the Ford Ranger?

Common engine problems on a Ford Ranger include a turbo failure and engine crank damage which causes excessive overheating, dark smoke from the exhaust, and a dip in fuel economy. Engine problems can land your car in serious trouble. Thus, it is always better to consult a mechanic right after you've spotted any faults.

What engine is in a 1984 Ford Ranger?

From 1983 to 1992, the first-generation Ranger was powered by 2.0L and 2.3L versions of the Ford "Lima" inline-4; the 2.8L, 2.9L, and 4.0L Ford Cologne V6; the 3.0L Ford Vulcan V6; and four-cylinder diesel engines sourced from Mazda (Perkins) and Mitsubishi.

What is the best years for Ford Ranger to avoid?

What year did Ford Ranger have problems?

Ford Ranger recent recalls

Affected model dates	Issue
01/09/18 - 31/05/19	Heavy loading could cause the rear differential to fail
01/12/16 - 28/02/19	Rear silencer may detach from the exhaust pipe creating an accident risk
01/01/04-31/12/06	Gas generator on front airbag may be defective which could cause uncontrolled inflation

What engine is in a 1984 Ford Ranger?

What is the most common problem with the Ford Ranger?

1984 Ford Ranger car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Ranger problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Engine and engine cooling problems
Visibility problems
Electrical system problems
Unknown or other problems
Service brakes problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1984 Ford Ranger vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1984 Ford Ranger complaints

The NHTSA has received 12 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1984 Ford Ranger.

2003-04-10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1985-02-03
VIN: 1FTBR10S9EU
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

Add Complaint

2000-10-07

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1986-06-20
VIN: 1FTLR11S6EU
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: NO SUMMARY

Add Complaint

2000-05-11

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1990-06-15
Number Of Injuries: 2
Crash: 1
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Add Complaint

1999-02-23

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Fire: 1
VIN: 1FTCR10P2EU
Components: VISIBILITY
Summary: NOTICED IN LOCAL PAPER CONCERN OVER FIRES IN HEATING/VENTILATING SYSTEM OF FORD VEHICLES. BURNING OF LEAVES CAUGHT IN HEATER DUCTING WHICH WAS IGNITED BY HEATER MOTOR SPEED CONTROL RESISTANCE COILS LOCATED IN HEATER DUCTWORK HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES ON MY 1984 FORD RANGER PICKUP. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN THE LATE 1980'S IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER AND THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS OCTOBER OF 1997. HORTOCULTURIST AT BOTANICAL GARDEN WHERE I VOLUNTEER HAD A SIMILAR FIRE IN JANUARY OF 1999 IN A 1980'S FULL SIZED FORD PICKUP (DON'T KNOW EXACT YEAR). ALTHOUGH THIS TYPE OF FIRE IS SHORT AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO DO A GREAT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE; IT IS VERY DISTURBING AT THE TIME. YOUR VISIBILITY IS CLOUDED, YOU IMMEDIATELY GET OFF OF ROAD TO GET OUT OF 'BURNING' VEHICLE AND FOR SOME TIME VEHICLE HAS ASHES BLOWING FROM VENT SYSTEM AND ODOR OF SMOLDERING LEAVES LEFT IN VEHICLE. THIS COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC SAFETY OCCURANCE IF TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE WAS LOST OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC HIT VEHICLE AS IT WAS BEING STOPPED TO CHECK SOURCE OF THE 'FIRE'. I NOTICE THAT THE 1992 FORD E-150 VAN WHICH WE OWN HAS A FINER MESH SCREEN BELOW THE VENT AIR INTAKE IN FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD; WHEREAS, THE 1984 (AND OTHER) FORD VEHICLE DOES NOT. WHEN I CAN REMEMBER EACH YEAR, I REMOVE THE HEATER CONTROL SWITCH FROM THE DUCTING AND FISH OUT THE LEAVES WITH A PIECE OF WIRE THROUGH THE SMALL ACCESS HOLE. DON'T REMEMBER TO DO THIS EVERY YEAR--AND I EXPECT MOST OWNERS DON'T OR DON'T KNOW HOW AND FORD DEALERS PROBABLY ARE NOT AWARE THAT THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

Add Complaint

1998-06-03

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1998-05-04
Number Of Injuries: 1
Fire: 1
Components: VISIBILITY
Summary: THE DESIGN AND LOCATION OF THE OPEN WIRE WOUND MOTOR SPEED CONTROL RESISTOR BLOCK ALLOWS FOR DEBRIS TO COLLECT RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO CONSUMER. (ATTORNRY FOR CONSUMER).

Add Complaint

1997-06-16

TRAILER HITCHES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1997-05-11
Components: TRAILER HITCHES
Summary: TRAILER HITCH SNAPPED, DISCONNECTING TRAILER, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

Add Complaint

1997-05-05

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1996-10-01
Fire: 1
VIN: 1FTBR10A3EU
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: STARTED SMOKING FIRST AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER HOOD BECAUSE OF A GAS LEAKAGE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Add Complaint

1996-12-17

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1996-11-09
Number Of Injuries: 2
Crash: 1
VIN: 1FTBR10C8EU
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: TRAVELING ON WILLOW GROVE ROAD, SWERVED TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, CROSSED CENTER LINE AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESPOND, ALLOWING DRIVER TO BE PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES. *AK

Add Complaint

1996-07-30

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Fire: 1
VIN: 1FTBR10C7EU
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *SD

Add Complaint

1996-05-03

PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-06-12
VIN: 1FTCR14U2RT
Components: PARKING BRAKE
Summary: FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY. *AK

Add Complaint

1996-04-25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1990-05-01
Fire: 1
VIN: 1FTBR10C4EU
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND THE SOURCE IS UNKWON. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Add Complaint

1996-02-14

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1992-02-14
Fire: 1
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: FIRE DEVELOPED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT

Add Complaint

1984 Ford Ranger recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the 1984 Ford Ranger.

2007-08-27

Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

1998-04-08

Manufacturer: AIMCO PRODUCTS INC.
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
Summary: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.

1984-09-25

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Summary: SECONDARY HOOD LATCH COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THE HOOD IS NOT CLOSED TIGHTLY, OR IS INADVERTENTLY RELEASED, THE SECONDARY LATCH MAY NOT WORK AND THE HOOD MAY FLY UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: THE HOOD ASSEMBLY WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE HOOD AND LATCH COMPONENTS WILL BE ADJUSTED, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER.

1984-09-06

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: SUSPENSION
Summary: WEIGHT RATING INFORMATION IS INCORRECT ON VEHICLE MANUAL LABELS AND RATING DECALS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE REVISED VEHICLE INFORMATION. IF VEHICLE WEIGHT IS FOUND TO BE GREATER THAN THAT SPECIFIED ON WEIGHT RATING, THE AFFECTED VEHICLE"S REAR AXLE MAY BE REPURCHASED FROM FORD. A PRICE ADJUSTMENT WILL ALSO BE MADE IF APPROPRIATE.

1984-07-09

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Summary: IF TRUCK IS STRUCK FROM THE SIDE, THE CAP ON THE FUEL TANK COULD BECOME UNSEALED, ALLOWING UNSAFE LEAKAGE OF FUEL. THIS IS A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". LEAKAGE CAN BE CAUSED BY AN ORANGE-COLORED PLASTIC DIESEL FUEL INFORMATION RING WHICH IS FOUND AROUND THE FUEL TANK NECK, OR BY THE TETHER.
Remedy: UPON INSPECTION, FUEL CAP TETHERS WILL BE REPLACED OR DIESEL FUEL INFORMATION RINGS WILL BE REMOVED.

1984-03-06

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Summary: COMPONENTS IN THE LOCKING HUBS WERE IMPROPERLY HEAT-TREATED AND MAY CRACK OR FRACTURE UPON ENGAGEMENT OF THE FRONT DRIVE AXLES. THE BROKEN COMPONENT ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL MAY BECOME JAMMED AGAINST THE NUT.
Remedy: CAM ASSEMBLIES IN FRONT WHEEL AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS WILL BE REPLACED.

1983-12-20

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.

1983-11-07

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
Summary: VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL OR VAPOR LINE DAMAGE CAUSED WHEN AN INCORRECT PROCEDURE WAS USED IN TIGHTENING BOLTS ON ADJACENT COMPONENTS DURING ASSEMBLY. THE FUEL TANK MAY BECOME DAMAGED DUE TO A LOOSE CROSS MEMBER THAT SUPPORTS IT.
Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, WHEN NECESSARY, FUEL AND VAPOR LINES WILL BE REPLACED AND THE CROSS MEMBER WILL BE TIGHTENED.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1984 Ford Ranger problems:

'84 Ford Ranger Problems | The Ranger Station

https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/84-ford-ranger-problems.137409/

I have a '84 Ford Ranger 2.8l V6. I have replaced the ignition control module, alternator, coil, starter, wiring harness, and several other ...

Some technical advice for a 1984 Ford Ranger? - Ford Truck ...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/946552-some-technical-advice-for-a-1984-ford-ranger.html

Apr 7, 2010 ... I just bought a 1984 Ford Ranger(2.8L 6 cyl 5 spd)and I had a few concerns over its performance that I hope could be clarified by the ...

1984 Ford Ranger Problems & Recalls - The Ranger Station

https://www.therangerstation.com/ford-rangers-buyers-guide/1984-ford-ranger-problems-recalls/

Summary: Components in the locking hubs were improperly heat-treated and may crack or fracture upon engagement of the front drive axles. The broken component on ...