1991 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10006552 · 2002-12-24 (December 24, 2002)
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 [phone removed]. DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS------770783. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006552 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021440 · 2003-06-11 (June 11, 2003)
RIGHT FRONT SPRING BRACKET RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING BODY TO DROP ONTO FRONT TIRE, AND I NOTICED THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS WANTING TO KNOW IS FORD GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR ARE WE THE PUBLIC GOING TO GET STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM ? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 58,212 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082109 · 2004-07-15 (July 15, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095230 · 2004-10-06 (October 6, 2004)
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 KEEP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099241 · 2004-11-02 (November 2, 2004)
THE CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE FOR THE FRONT END SUSPENSION PART THAT WAS DISCONTINUED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099241 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 10293674 · 2009-11-27 (November 27, 2009)
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 WHA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10293674 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗96V024001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic
Reported: 1996-02-05 (February 5, 1996)
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.
Consequence: IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗