1991 Ford RANGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
85 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
82,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 85 complaints (9.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 11.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 8 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 8 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 8; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior: 8; Structure:Frame And Members: 4; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 4; Tires: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 77 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 14 |
| 2000 | 22 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 15; 1996: 14; 2000: 22; 2001: 12; 2002: 11; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2009: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 484077 · 1995-07-14 (July 14, 1995)
REAR BRAKES NOISY, ALSO TOO SENSITIVE IN WET WEATHER. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 562154 · 2001-07-20 (July 20, 2001)
CONSUMER STATES HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE BECAUSE OF A HIGHLY CORRODED RUPTURED BRAKE LINE, VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED, CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM MANUFACTURER FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE BRAKES.*YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 562154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001471 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING OUT SIDE WHEN THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT. *JG *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8021108 · 2002-10-18 (October 18, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THAT A BATTERY EXPLODED, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. MANUFACTURE OF BATTERY IS JOHNSON CONTROLS INC. /SEAR DIE HARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8021108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719047 · 2000-02-21 (February 21, 2000)
CLUTCH WAS BAD DUE TO CRACK IN FIREWALL NOT ALLOWING FULL TRAVEL OF MASTER CYLINDER AND PROBLEMS SHIFTING. TRANSMISSION BEARINGS AND GEARS WORN OUT BEYOND REASONABLE REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 747550 · 2001-06-28 (June 28, 2001)
SHIFT LEVER WAS PLACED IN PARK POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN THE REVERSE GEAR. I BELEIVE THAT THIS IS AN FMVSS VIOLATION OF THE SHIFT /INDICATION SYSTEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747550 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10399530 · 2011-05-09 (May 9, 2011)
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 MILEAG…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976332 · 1995-12-08 (December 8, 1995)
PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE POOR PERFORMANCE ON THE FUEL PUMP. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10270103 · 2009-05-27 (May 27, 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 *…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10270103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 785323 · 2001-03-04 (March 4, 2001)
THE BODY OF THE TRUCK IS BENDING AND CRACKING CAUSING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO LEAK WHEN IT RAINS. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 862664 · 2000-05-30 (May 30, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER IN MARCH 1997, AND DEALER REPLACED SENSORS. IN MAY 2000, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND WON'T STALL AFTER FIRST INCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 862664 at NHTSA ↗