1990 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
145,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 64 complaints (10.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 10.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 4.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.7% |
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 | 7 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Tires: 5; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 56 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 | 14 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 14; 1996: 12; 2000: 15; 2001: 6; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2014: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10013825 · 2003-04-02 (April 2, 2003)
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-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054005 · 2004-01-14 (January 14, 2004)
TIRE EQUIPMENT ARE MISSING DOT NUMBERS.*MR NONE OF THE FOUR TIRE PURCHASED NEW HAD DOT NUMBERS ON THEM (BRIDGESTONE WEATHER FORCE). *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098707 · 2004-11-11 (November 11, 2004)
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 THE FLAME APPARENTLY VENTED THROUGH THE DEFROSTER VENT ON THE DASH. THE HEADLINER IS BLACK. THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL PELTED WITH DROPS OF HARDENED PLASTIC. POLICE CAME TO INVESTIGATE AND SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER B…
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148825 · 2006-01-27 (January 27, 2006)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163727 · 2006-07-27 (July 27, 2006)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE SUDDENLY AND THEN STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A FISHING LINE WRAPPED AROUND THE BRAKE PADS, ROTOR AND DRUM WHICH NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. A MONTH AND A HALF LATER WHILE TRAVELING 45-50MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WITH THE ACCEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 168,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166092 · 2006-08-21 (August 21, 2006)
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-reported narrative. 123,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211159 · 2007-12-07 (December 7, 2007)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10211159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10213661 · 2008-01-04 (January 4, 2008)
SERPINTINE BELT BROKE OFF REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, FIRESTONE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, PAINT FADED HAD TO BE REPAINTED AT MY EXPENSE THEN THE PAINT FADED AGAIN, BRAKES STOPED WORKING HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE PARTS AT MY EXPENSE, WATER PUMP FAILED PAID BY FORD UNDER WARANTY BUT FORD TRIED TO SAY NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE PUMP, I HAD TO SHOW THE MECHANIC THE CHECK HOLE WAS LEAKING. WINDOWS HAVE NOT WORKED FOR YEARS, GOT THEM FIXED AT MY EXPENSE BUT WINDOWS STILL FAIL TO OPERATE, DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR YEARS CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213661 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V234000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1989-12-22 (December 22, 1989)
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.
Consequence: UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION COULD CREATE LACK OF CONTROLAND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT WITH AN INCREASED THROTTLE LEVER-TO-INLET TUBE CLEARANCE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V044000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1990-03-01 (March 1, 1990)
THROTTLE LEVER MAY CONTACT THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE, WITH POTENTIAL FOR THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence: UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION COULD CREATE LACK OF CONTROLAND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V189000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1991-11-04 (November 4, 1991)
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Consequence: DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗