Model year record

1990 Ford Ranger

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 141 owner complaints on file.

Ford Ranger, 1983–1992 generation
Pictured: the 1983–1992 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V189000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
792,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-11-04
Owners notified
1992-03-02

Defect description

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.

Safety risk

DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V044000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,000
Reported to NHTSA
1990-03-01
Owners notified
1990-02-23

Defect description

THROTTLE LEVER MAY CONTACT THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE, WITH POTENTIAL FOR THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Safety risk

UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION COULD CREATE LACK OF CONTROLAND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V234000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,000
Reported to NHTSA
1989-12-22
Owners notified
1989-12-11

Defect description

THROTTLE LEVER MAY CONTACT THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM THE FULL-THROTTLE POSTION IN TRUCKS WITH 4.0 L ENGINES.

Safety risk

UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION COULD CREATE LACK OF CONTROLAND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT WITH AN INCREASED THROTTLE LEVER-TO-INLET TUBE CLEARANCE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch11—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior11—
Engine and engine cooling: engine8—
Vehicle speed control8168,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt7—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood6—
Tires6—
Unknown or other5180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump41,000 mi
Seats4—
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal360,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2114,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys21,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch21,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Power train: manual transmission260,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads21,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Suspension: front2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system1275,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Engine1275,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting1275,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system11,000 mi
Power train1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts1177,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1168,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings11,000 mi
Structure1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments11,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: hub1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1123,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 1989 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1991 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Ranger model years

All Ford Ranger recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.