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1989 Ford RangerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 73 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford Ranger, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

74
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years65% below the Ranger median · #28 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7322 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage73kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 22, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Ford Ranger has problems

73 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system1510
Engine and engine cooling110
Fuel system, gasoline82
Tires72
Service brakes, hydraulic71
Power train50
Seats31
Seat belts30
Structure30
8 other systems143

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1989 Ford Ranger recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: wheel bearing

Recall 89V-109 · Jul 5, 1989 · 25,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN DETACHMENT OF THE WHEEL AND HUBASSEMBLY FROM THE AXLE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Ranger year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Ranger median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'14'16'17'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Ford Ranger, and the recalls they led to.

  1. WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSSPE92029 · closed Aug 31, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Ranger owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING SECONDARY IGNITION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE…
Complaint 10986335 · May 18, 2017 · 64,000 miles
ELECTRICAL FAILURE UNDER HOOD RIGHT SIDE RANDOMLY BURST INTO FLAMES IN MY GARAGE.....= = ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOAST...FAN BLADE IN A PUDDLE ON THE FLOOR ALONG WITH MOST OF THE GRILLE AND HEAD LAMP.=.GARAGE----SMOKE DAMAGED,,,,,PUSHED IT OUT WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING FIRE DEPT PUT IT OUT. *TR
Complaint 10225977 · Apr 28, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IMMEDIATELY PARKED AND EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SHERIFF ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TRANSPORTED TO A DEALER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE…
Complaint 10201603 · Aug 31, 2007 · 82,000 miles

Own a 1989 Ranger?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.