no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED.
1990 Ford RangerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 105 owner complaints about the 1990 Ford Ranger, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 12, 2019. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1990 Ford Ranger has problems
105 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
20Electrical system13 crash/fire/injury
14Tires
13Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
12Visibility
11Fuel system, gasoline2 crash/fire/injury
10Engine and engine cooling
10Power train2 crash/fire/injury
6Service brakes, hydraulic
4Structure
1910 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 20 | 13 |
| Tires | 14 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 3 |
| Visibility | 12 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 11 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 0 |
| Power train | 10 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 6 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 19 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1990 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
Vehicle speed control
Risk. UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION COULD CREATE LACK OF CONTROLAND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION COULD CREATE LACK OF CONTROLAND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
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
1990 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
11122735508973105132189232438321413411576755670515346243405289272270326169156235111272131119391999469
'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
NHTSA crash tests
1990 Ford Ranger safety ratings
1990 Ford Ranger 2-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1990 Ford Ranger, and the recalls they led to.
- WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSSNo recall
- FRONT SEAT TRACK FAILURENo recall
- PARKING PAWLLed to recall 91V-189
In owners' words
What Ranger owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
WHEN VEHICLE IS EITHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION THE PASSENGER HEAD LAMP MELTS, SOMETHING IS CAUSING THAT ONE LIGHT TO OVER HEAT AND HAS MELTED THE ENTIRE HEAD UNIT. I HAVE VERY LITTLE VISIBILITY WITH HEAD LAMPS ON. BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY CORRODED, NO MATTET HOW MUCH I CLEAN IT. AC/DEFROST DOES NOT…
OUR 1990 FORD RANGER WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 5. ON SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 6TH, WE DISCOVERED THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUCK DESTROYED BY FIRE. THE CLUSTER OF GAUGES WAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND GONE. THE DASH SUNK IN OVER THE STEERING COLUMN. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHERE…
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM DASH. HE PULLED OVER AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY, FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT FIRE. *AK *YH
Own a 1990 Ranger?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.