Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving down the road when I smelled smoke and saw flames coming out from under the hood and the power to the vehicle began to cut out making it difficult to move or steer the truck to safety I then exited the vehicle and flames were coming out of the front passenger side good and headlight. So I called the fire department and they came and sprayed the truck putting the flames out. And cutting the wires to the battery
I was pulling a small trailer going about 15mph out of my driveway and felt the trailer drop off of the vehicle I stopped and got out and noticed that the last 2 feet of the rear frame rails fell out taking the license plate lights and bumper with it. After I realized that the rear frame rusted out, I inspected the whole vehicle and found that the radius arm bracket has holes in it, I had to replace all of the shackles, the driver side cab mount rusted out and now has fallen out of the vehicle, I also have noticed that there is a rather large hole in the frame in between the cab and the bed of the truck, my gas tank straps have rusted off and I now have it ratchet strapped it in because the mount for the strap rusted out of the frame. …
I have changed the driver side switch twice and the passenger side once. I feel this is an annoince and a hazard when your dome light and door buzzer come on at random or will not shut off when door is closed. Particulary at night, who can drive safely with the dome light on. I have had several incedences where I have tryed, foolishly, to pull the bulb when the light has come on while driving or would not shut off. Also try to drive down the road with your door buzzer sounding, I have talked to several Ford owners with the same problem and all have said the same thing about their vehicle. The dealership was quite helpful at first conversation be when I brought up safty issues they said "sorry" nothing in our data to show a recall, we'll change it for you( at a price) but then it only happens again in a few months. …
I am an owner of two Ford Ranger pick ups and had owned another Ranger in the past. All t here vehicles have had the same electrical problem door chimes dinging non stop, dome light failure, radio power failure and windshield wipers turning on and off all by themselves without the key being in the ignition. I made several complaints to Ford and was told to stop harassing them. My dealership said and I quote "you're just being a woman." well this after noon the problem took a very serious turn. Returning home from a vacation my 1995 Ford Ranger ex cab xlt 2.3 liter engine. Began to experience a electrical system failure. It started with power lose to the radio then a power surge to the wipers, and throughout the electrical system and those areas of persistent concerns. Then they all stopped. …
I have a couple of complaints actually. The two more serious is, 1) there is a constant dinging while im driving, and the dome light stays on constantly, car on or off. The saftey issue is that, how am I to cocentrate on driving while both of these two defects are constantly occuring. 2) my windshield wipers will randomly cut on while driving. This is another big distraction, expecially while trying to concentrate. I also have a couple of other friends with a Ranger "different year" that these same distracting events occur with thier truck. I hope you issue a recal on these two items befor something terrible happens. Please write back and tell me progress with this situation. Look forwarf to hearing from you soon. Shannon winburn.
I am having a problem with my dome light and door adjar chime. Problem has been repaired twice by Ford dealer and am now having same problem again. Chime and dome light will stay on even though the drivers side door is closed. As for the passenger side, the dome light stays on, even though the door is closed. Had to pull fuse to stop chime noise. Unfortunately, when I do that I have np windshield wipers. Dealer now wants me to pay to have this problem fixed again. After reading about all the other 1995 Ford rangers that have the same problem, I want the NHTSA to demand a recall from Ford and fix these problems correctly once and for all.
Check engine light stays on, door chime stays on constantly, light dome stays on even at night when you are driving down the road, heater doesn't work, and most important windshield wipers work intermitiently and spray fluid distracting driver. I've almost had accidents with the wipers not working right, sometimes the wipers don't work at all when raining. Please do something before someone is killed. Thank-you, shannon case
Interior dome light and "door ajar" lights stay on randomly. Creates large problem while driving at night. Have had a near miss on a two lane with a pedestrian due to glare and poor night vision as a result of the dome lamp being on. Windshield washer does not work consistently creating problems in winter conditions. Also, windshield wipers will turn on randomly.
Door chimes and dome lights stay on continuously. The only way to stop is to pull the fuse. Unfortunately when the fuse is pulled, windshield wipers do no work nor does the speedometer. This is the 2nd occurrence. The dealer claimed to have fixed the problem (after 3 days in shop) in 1997. Also the windshield washer & wipers come on without touching the controls.
Check engine light stays windshield wipers come on at random,stay on when turned off, operate at different speed than wanted, door chime stays on constantly, interior light on ceiling stays on at random; regarding brakes: during wet weather the first 2 or 3 times brake is applied severe "grabbing" occurs that could lead to an accident;on when turned off.
Headlight complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1995 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the lights of the 1995 Ford Ranger, 12% of the model year's 321 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal › flasher unit (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Ranger headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 1995 Ford Ranger, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Ranger headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 230,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.