1991 Ford Ranger: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 132 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (15% 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 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owned a 1991 ford ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when it caught on fire. The fire department was notified and no injuries were reported at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure and current mileages were 150,000. Updated 8/23/12 *cn”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2012
“The frame has horrible corrosion. All the spring hangers are were failing bad. I don't even think it can be welded because it is rusted from one end to another. Ford really messed this one up. And why do all the fuel gauges quit working? *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford ranger. The contact noticed that the front passenger side of the vehicle had dropped approximately five inches from the regular position and the front fender was covering the top of the front passenger side tire. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostics. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and noticed that the passenger side coil spring mount was corroded and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that a local auto shop was contacted and advised that the part was no longer available. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Peeling factory paint primarily on top surfaces..I.e. Hood, cab roof, cowling. I have owned truck since 12/8/99 and has had problem since,it has lost nearly all paint on roof , hood has about 1/3 left. Primarily lifts/peels when washed or when left out in rain. Has had bits peel back at highway speeds. Mainly occurs though with washing. Have inquired with dealers to no avail. Was told by one that there was a recall but that the period for repair of condition had passed. I have not received nor heard anything from mfr regarding this issue whatsoever. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 ford ranger. While driving 5 mph with the defroster activated, the vehicle began to smoke. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed flames under the hood. The fire department was called and stated that there was a faulty wire under the hood that caused the fire. Prior to the failure, the clutch and power steering were repaired and the gas line was cleaned. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer or mechanic. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 100,000. Updated 062909 *bf updated 07/01/09”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2009
“Both mirrors folded up against the vehicle when driving. Driver's side was replaced three times, and the passenger's side twice. However, driver's side mirror malfunctioned again. *ak truck is in garage from 11-1 tomay 1. And I stikk only get1 year to 18 months per mirror. I realize the vehicle is 13 years old and redesigning the mirror is not anoption. However, ford motor corp surely could do something about the price! Retail is closre to $7500 per piece. I know redesigning is out of question, but for those of us that intend on keeping our vehicles, the company could reduce the price. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2004
“Consumer states that his motor mounts are rusting right out from the frame. He states he has never seen anything like it. He states he has not seen a recall for this problem, but he does not think this is normal. *nm”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2004
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 ford ranger. The contact stated that the fuel tank strap became corroded and was partially fractured from the vehicle. The contact was concerned that it would cause the fuel tank to detach. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the strap would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who advised that there were no related recalls to the failure and provided no further assistance. The current mileage was approximately 142,800 and the failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2003
“Traveling n on I-95 on 12/20/2002 at approx 4 p.m. Right front tire tread separated, beat and damaged fender; however, tire maintained same pressure. 1 was assisted by officer k.r. Meares of tobeson county sheriff's dept,tel 910-671-3100. Dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis------770783. *ak *nlm”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2002
“While parked, the vehicle caught fire due to a failed ignition switch, manufacturer informed consumer that the failed part was not worthy of any type of assistance to compensate for a vehicle destroyed by fire. Ph. Consumer was injured while trying to put the fire out. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
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.
THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
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 1991 Ford Ranger reliable?
NHTSA has 132 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Ford Ranger. The most complained-about area is electrical system (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Ford Ranger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,500 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Ford Ranger have open recalls?
6 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.