1990 Ford Ranger: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 105 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Soon after purchasing the truck in 1996 I noticed the driver's side safety belt didn't seem to lock well when manually jerked. It has been an on and off concern for many years since then. Retraction of the belt has become almost nonexistent. Recently I noticed that not only does the driver's side belt not lock at all but neither does the passenger's side. As it stands any significant collision will result in injuries or death to both driver and front seat passenger. Please see similar complaint NHTSA id number: 976257. Thank you.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2013
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford ranger. The part for recall number 05s28 is unavailable. The dealer stated that the part should arrive in march of 2008, but it is not definite. The contact felt this exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The manufacturer stated that they were not concerned if the contact is inconvenienced without the use of the cruise control. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 101,758.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle started smoking while parked in front of the house. Eventually the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department determined the fire originated from under the hood on the driver's side and was more than likely of an electrical nature. There was a police report filed. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to the incident. The contact rarely used the cruise control. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“Ford ranger mid 1990. State troopers said that the fuel shut off did not work, after my brothers truck hit two small trees, and then went across the road and hit a bail of hay, which is where they said the fire started. I have pictures, and possession of the truck in ohio. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2005
“The charcoal gray paint on the hood and roof of my 1990 ford ranger has faded badly. Ford says they had never heard of this problem before and it is not subject to a recall. *nlm”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2003
“Tire equipment are missing dot numbers.*mr none of the four tire purchased new had dot numbers on them (bridgestone weather force). *nm”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2003
“Rear doors will not stay locked, causing child to fall out of vehicle while consumer was driving at 20mph, and no warning. Child sustained injuries. Dealer notified.*ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2002
“Leaks gas when fueled. Found crack in filler hose ( plastic) cost of new hose $240.00 truck has never been in wreck. Think hose cracked due to age. Would have never known about it if not for other motorist informing me,as I was filling up with gas that fuel was leaking on ground. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2001
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2001
“While driving could stop at stop sign or at a red light and engine will overheat then stall without a prior warning. Had taken vehicle to dealer for repairs, but there had been no recall related to it.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
THROTTLE LEVER MAY CONTACT THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE, WITH POTENTIAL FOR THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Remedy: MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT.
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.
Remedy: MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT WITH AN INCREASED THROTTLE LEVER-TO-INLET TUBE CLEARANCE.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ranger by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Ford Ranger reliable?
NHTSA has 105 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Ford Ranger. The most complained-about area is electrical system (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Ford Ranger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 145,500 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Ford Ranger have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.