1989 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
82,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 51 complaints (9.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 7.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Tires: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Electrical System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 44 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 | 12 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 12; 1996: 17; 2000: 12; 2001: 2; 2004: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10073088 · 2004-05-25 (May 25, 2004)
ON A RELATIVELY COLD AND RAINY EVENING, I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AND ATTENDED AN EVENT LASTING A COUPLE OF HOURS. AFTER THE EVENT I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE TO LEAVE. I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 15 MPH THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AND CAME TO A CORNER, AND APPROACHING THE CORNER APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN I FIRST TOUCHED THE BRAKES THEY GRABBED HARD, SENDING ME INTO A SLIDE WHICH SENT MY VEHICLE THROUGH A FENCE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOTHING TO HELP. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE RELATED TO NHTSA ITEM NUMBER …
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201603 · 2007-08-31 (August 31, 2007)
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 UNKNOWN. THERE WAS NO CURRENT MILEAGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201603 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10225977 · 2008-04-28 (April 28, 2008)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10225977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10256182 · 2009-01-24 (January 24, 2009)
1989 FORD RANGER. FAILED SMOG TEST FOR THE FIRST TIME. TOLD NEW TEST FOR SEAL IN GAS FILLER DOWN TUBE RESULTS IN PRETTY MUCH ALL VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE FAILING CALIFORNIA SMOG TEST. SUGGESTED FILE COMPLAINT AS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM MANUFACTURER (FORD) TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,629 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262142 · 2009-03-17 (March 17, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE FR380 TIRES, SIZE P215/70/R14. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE ALMOST FLAT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, HE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD LINES WERE BECOMING LOOSE AND APPEARED TO BE PEELING OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS 12,781. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 118,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10762300 · 2015-09-08 (September 8, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD RANGER EQUIPPED WITH HERCULES H/P 4000 TIRES, SIZE: 215/70R14 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS CRACKING AND EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,400.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10762300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10986335 · 2017-05-18 (May 18, 2017)
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 WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10986335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11245886 · 2019-08-22 (August 22, 2019)
VEHICLE BODY AND STRUCTURAL FRAME HAVE ABNORMAL CORROSION AND RUST AND CRITICAL COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED. CAB IS ATTACHED TO FRAME WITH FOUR BOLTS. THE METAL AROUND THE FRONT LEFT BOLT HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. CAB IS THEREFORE ONLY HELD DOWN NOW BY THREE BOLTS. RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING TOWER ROTTED AND WAS SUBJECT TO COMPLETE FAILURE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO FALL DOWN ONTO THE SHOCK ABSORBER. TIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN THRUST INTO FENDER WELL AND STEERING WOULD BEEN COMPRIMISED. REPAIRED IN 2006. GAS TANK MOUNTING STRAPS RU…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11245886 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V109000 · Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
Reported: 1989-07-05 (July 5, 1989)
FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUT RETAINING KEYS MAY BE MISSING FROM FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES, ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN DETACHMENT OF THE WHEEL AND HUBASSEMBLY FROM THE AXLE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINING KEYS IN FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WHERE MISSING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗