Ford Ranger Fires

Consumer Complaints & Reviews

Norma of Santa Barbara, CA on March 8, 2005

My car was totally destroyed due to a "mysterious" fire that happened in the middle of the night on March 4, 2005. My car was parked next to a Ford Ranger XLT 1999 truck. I was asleep as it was approximately 3:30 AM. There was a loud explosion and when I woke up and looked out the window I saw that both my car and the Ford truck were on fire. The fire was so hot that both cars were totally destroyed in a matter of minutes. During the fire investigation, which is still ongoing, the inspectors both commented on how peculiar the incident was.

Both the Ford truck and my car were totally destroyed. The fence behind the parking lot is also completely destroyed. A piece of metal flew through the air, smashing the livingroom window of a house diagonally across from the parking lot where the fire was burning. The metal object landed on the living room table, burning it and newspapers lying on it. Since I had no comprehensive insurance, I am now in dire straits financially. I need a car to travel 45 miles to work and back. I have no money to replace my car and the insurance company of the Ford truck owner will not cover my loss. I am devastated. I may have to file bankruptcy.

Cal of Pineville, LA on Nov. 17, 2003

Ford Ranger 1994, 4 cylinder, standard transmission, standard cab, short bed. While being driven it began to smoke, smoke came from under hood. Vehicle was pulled to a stop and turned off. Fire department called and extinguished fire but vehicle totalled. Fire consumed plastic components on right side of engine compartment and entered cab via the AC unit. Regarding accidents mentioned in this forum.
The Ford Ranger in the above configuration without weight in the bed is a very dangerous vehicle. Yes, the ABS system is known to be difficult to overcome when it is vital that you lock all your brakes. Also the rear brakes don't work properly because of the very light back end. On a dirt "wash board" road the driver will very easily lose control at speeds over 20 mph with the back end trying to come around and join the front end.
On a paved road the rear end will hydro plane extremely easily. If the paved road has "tire tracks" in it that hold the water in two parallel channels, the truck hydroplanes extreme easily with the rear end "coming loose." The truck's high center of gravity, relatively narrow stance, combined with the above make it an accident waiting to happen if you don't keep in mind what you are driving at all times. I bought mine new and kept it only because of the obvious financial considerations.

Eventually truck burned in above described fire. On several occasions prior to that I almost lost control of vehicle in above conditions.

Garett of Richmond, CA on Sept. 6, 2002

On 09/04/02 at 9:20AM I parked my '92 Ford Ranger in front of my workplace. I then entered the building to go to work. At about 9:30 I got a phone call from a coworker that my truck was on fire. I had them call 911 and several of my coworkers and I grabed fire extinguishers and went out to my truck. The cab was filled with black smoke and the engine compartment had flames comming out from under the hood.
Despite our attempts to extinguish the flames the truck continued to burn until the fire department arrived. They were able to control the fire after they ripped open the hood and used their fire hoses. My truck was completely destroyed beyond repair. The engine was completely ruined and the dash board was totally melted. Why did this happen?
Doing some research on the Internet, I quickly discovered that I was not alone. Hundreds of people have reported similar if not the exact same thing happening to their Ford truck and the cause of the fire could be traced to a faulty ignition switch or some other electrical defect. To my surprize I learned that Ford had issed a recall of many of its cars that had the exact same ignition problem as my truck. However, Ford had elected to NOT recall the Rangers with this same problem. Why?

I am left with a worthless Ford truck due to no fault of my own or any other person. I have no explaination as to why this happend and from the looks of it Ford knows that there is a problem and refuses to do nothing about it.

Susan of Madera, CA on Feb. 6, 2002

The engine and passenger area of my 1994 Ford ranger started on fire after being parked in the driveway for approx. 4 hours.

Jean-Luc of Langley, BRITISH COLU on May 26, 2001

I am writing to advise you of an incident I had with my truck's wiring to the interior light in the canopy. I was working at a property and the truck had been parked for about 5 hours when I suddenly saw smoke coming from under the hood and quickly disconnected the wires from the battery. My concern is what if this had happened when the truck is parked in our attached garage?

True the truck is a 91 Ford Ranger 4x4, but it sits in the garage for at least 6 months of every year and is in like-new condition. It has never been mistreated and I feel that this should never happen. What is the reason? Is the wiring faulty or what? The canopy was installed by a Ford dealership.

The consequences were minimal because I was right there when it happened and knew what to do, the truck had the wires burned and it scared the daylights out of me. It could have been much worse.

Brian of Holly, MI on Feb. 16, 2001

Last Friday morning (Feb 9th) about 12:30am I awoke to the smell of smoke. After investigating the house I found out that my 1993 Ford Ranger was on fire in the driveway. By the time the fire company arrived, the engine compartment and part of the cab was completly engulfed in flames. Also damaged was the front of my 3-year-old home. Thank God I didn't put the truck in the garage.

I live in a condo community so I might have to be responsible for the $1000.00 deductable as well as my $250.00 deductible for auto insurance. I should not be responsible for any. How can a perfectly running truck catch fire after sitting for over seven hours? I'll be lucky if I get "book value" for my truck which I will not be able to replace without additional cost. My truck was perchased new. The 90K miles were my mileage. I took good care of the vehicle. I feel Ford should be responsible for the loss.