1990 Ford Ranger
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Ranger › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Ford Ranger. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1990 Ford Ranger. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Loss of braking can result.
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.
When the automatic transmission shift lever IS placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Throttle lever may contact throttle body air inlet tube, with potential for throttle remaining open following release of the accelerator pedal.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Uncontrolled acceleration could create lack of controland cause an accident.
Remedy
Manufacturer will replace air inlet tube with newly designed replacement.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
105 complaints9 involved a crash15 involved a fire4 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine · Exterior lighting
When vehicle IS either stationary or in motion the passenger head lamp melts, something IS causing that one light to over heat and has melted the entire head unit. I have very little visibility with head lamps on. Battery IS constantly corroded, no mattet how much I clean it. Ac/defrost does not…
When vehicle IS either stationary or in motion the passenger head lamp melts, something IS causing that one light to over heat and has melted the entire head unit. I have very little visibility with head lamps on. Battery IS constantly corroded, no mattet how much I clean it. Ac/defrost does not work. Right blinker does not stay on, shuts off with the slightest movement of steering wheel. Gauges do not function properly nor do the light indicators. Check engine line comes on after exceeding 30mph and when I have it checked it's only the O2 sensor. Truck gets hot but does not over heat and all fluids are topped off. When in motion I can smell the exhaust and can feel the heat from the engine coming through the gear shift manifold. At times does not want to shift in reverse. Passenger side door does not shut properly, I believe it was wrecked and the door was point of impact. I bought the truck from previous owner for $1,100 and he was unable to tell me anything regarding the vehicle except that it didnt have a spare or owner manual. My fuel IS leaking and I can't seem to find the point of escape. I've already had to replace the starter and solenoid twice because it would not start. After replacing those items it still wouldn't start until I had pulled by a u-haul and I had to pop the clutch to get it to start. I have bought over 6 head lamps in two weeks alone. I work at night and im constantly getting pulled over; so I explain to the officers what's happening. I have had the truck since february and didnt know what to do until I talked to a mechanic. The tailgate does not open and I had to tie my muffler up because it came detached from the frame and drags the ground. I can't afford to buy another vehicle and I dont know what to do.
- Seat belts
Soon after purchasing the truck in 1996 I noticed the driver's side safety belt didn't seem to lock well when manually jerked. it has been an on and off concern for many years since then. retraction of the belt has become almost nonexistent. recently I noticed that not only does the driver's…
Soon after purchasing the truck in 1996 I noticed the driver's side safety belt didn't seem to lock well when manually jerked. it has been an on and off concern for many years since then. retraction of the belt has become almost nonexistent. recently I noticed that not only does the driver's side belt not lock at all but neither does the passenger's side. as it stands any significant collision will result in injuries or death to both driver and front seat passenger. please see similar complaint nhtsa ID number: 976257. thank you.
- Power train › Manual transmission · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford ranger. the contact has been experiencing clutch pedal failure in the vehicle. he was unable to switch gears while driving 25 mph. he took the vehicle to the reapir shop they stated that the push rod falls off of the pedal, which prevents the vehicle from…
Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford ranger. the contact has been experiencing clutch pedal failure in the vehicle. he was unable to switch gears while driving 25 mph. he took the vehicle to the reapir shop they stated that the push rod falls off of the pedal, which prevents the vehicle from switching gears. the mechanic replaced it with a new master cylinder with a push rod. the replacement part met factory requirements, but had a plastic push rod. the contact was skeptical of the metal push rod being replaced with a plastic push rod. he believes that this IS a manufacturer defect that should be recalled. the current and failure mileages were approximately 60,000. updated 2/2/09 *cn updated 02/04/09. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system · Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
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…
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 canot open the door from the inside, door locks will not open must leave doors unlocked, truck has had a slight oil leak for years, fuel pump started leaking gas, fuel pump IS located in the gas tank, gas tank had to be removed to fix at my expense, fuel gauge didnt work for years up untill fuel pump was fixed. *cn
- Vehicle speed control
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…
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.
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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…
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic · Vehicle speed control
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…
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 accelerater pedal depressed the vehicle accelerates without effort. To control the speed the brake pedal has to be depressed however the back wheels begin to spin without gripping and lunges forward. To make the vehicle stop the ignition has to be turned off. There IS a recall #89v234000 pertaining to fuel throttle linkages and control. The vin IS not included in the recall due to the vin.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
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
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
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…
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 been altered in any way. no after market radio or cd player or any electrical devise has ever been installed in the vehicle. it simply caught on fire on its own which IS clearly a manufacturer's defect we in no way caused. we have not tried to replace anything at this point. we were also never notified of any recall to correct what appears to be an experience many other owners of this vehicle have endured based on the complaints on this site. The truck IS sitting in our garage awaiting any possible action as a result of this complaint. *jb
- Unknown or other
Tire equipment are missing dot numbers.*mr none of the four tire purchased new had dot numbers on them (bridgestone weather force). *nm
- Unknown or other
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
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Rear doors will not stay locked, causing child to fall out of vehicle while consumer was driving at 20mph, and no warning. child sustained injuries. dealer notified.*ak
- Power train › Axle assembly
Left rear axle broke, including wheel assembly coming off truck while being driven 50 mph. leaf springs hit the asphalt, causing truck to roll.*ak the vehicle rolled over and came to a rest on its top. The victim, driver was ejected from the vehicle and came to rest several feet from the…
Left rear axle broke, including wheel assembly coming off truck while being driven 50 mph. leaf springs hit the asphalt, causing truck to roll.*ak the vehicle rolled over and came to a rest on its top. The victim, driver was ejected from the vehicle and came to rest several feet from the vehicle. the driver tried to correct the vehicle causing the vehicle to skid left. this IS what caused the vehicle to roll. *jg
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Truck rolled when in park. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Pick-up gauge showed hot. Got help at nearest station and replaced lost coolent. Seemed to have cooled down. Drove about four (4) miles and noticed smoke comming into cab down by the gear shift in floor board. Immeddiately pulled in to a school parking lot away from other cars. Got out and looked…
Pick-up gauge showed hot. Got help at nearest station and replaced lost coolent. Seemed to have cooled down. Drove about four (4) miles and noticed smoke comming into cab down by the gear shift in floor board. Immeddiately pulled in to a school parking lot away from other cars. Got out and looked under the pickup. Smoke was pouring out by then. Within about 5 min. At the most a fire started underneath and within min. The whole truck went up in flames. Fire department had only 6 miles at the most to travel and responded qickly but it was completely lost by then. What could have made it do this just by getting hot? Has anything like this been reported before on L990 ford ranger pickups? I was traveling alone and got out safely but I was very scared and couldn't believe that it could have burnt up so fast. and got out.*ak
- Vehicle speed control
While driving at state speed limit and without warning engine will accelerate 50-60 mph without applying accelerator. Then, shutdown. Dealer has been notified.*ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
The tread on my tire came off and sent me sideways and almost caused an accident and when I finely got stopped and looked at my truck it had caved my back right rear quarter panel in and ripped out the plastic lining that goes under the fender and I would like somone to take care of my problem…
The tread on my tire came off and sent me sideways and almost caused an accident and when I finely got stopped and looked at my truck it had caved my back right rear quarter panel in and ripped out the plastic lining that goes under the fender and I would like somone to take care of my problem since it was a firestone atx it just wasnt the size you guys announced it IS a 215/75r/15. It had happened to me twice I still have my tires if you what to see them. Could you please reply a.s.a.p norma holden. *ak (tiresize: 215/75r/15)
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Leaks gas when fueled. Found crack in filler hose ( plastic) cost of new hose $240.00 truck has never been in wreck. Think hose cracked due to age. Would have never known about it if not for other motorist informing me,as I was filling up with gas that fuel was leaking on ground. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
While driving about 5 mph consumer saw smoke coming from dash. He pulled over and disconnected battery, fire department was called to put out fire. *Ak *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
While driving could stop at stop sign or at a red light and engine will overheat then stall without a prior warning. had taken vehicle to dealer for repairs, but there had been no recall related to it.*ak
- Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
Consumer has to drive in low speed due to wind moving the side mirrors where it IS difficult to see other vehicles. please provide more information.*ak
- Tires
No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Firestone fr480 tires p215/70r14 were purchased december of 1997, in the spring of 1999, 3 of the 4 tires had tread separation, firestone would only offer a pro-rated offer which was still more than the costs of other brand tires. *slc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads
After market brake pads manufacturered by performance friction corp 83 carbon metallic highway, clover sc. 29710-0819 phone 803-222-2141, were defective. Pads came unglued, and retaining clip broke on two sets. *ak
- Tires
Tire came apart when I was driving back from work around 6:00 pm. Ambient temp 55-60 0F, dry conditions, tire pressure 30-32 psi.*ak (dot number: hyhy FR5 tiresize: p215/70r14)
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Parking pawl
When the automatic shift lever IS placed in the park position, the parking pawl does not always engage the park gear.this can lead to the vehicle jumping out of gear unintentionally and cause the vehicle to start rolling inadvertently
- Front seat track failure
There is no summary currently available
- Whl separation/torque loss
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6091931Some vehicles may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the customer as a piston / connecting rod bearing knock.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090051Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3055120Unknown
- 627752Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0L ohv engine may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the customer as a piston / onnecting rod bearing knock.
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 610704Some vehicles may exhibit an audible pinging or creaking noise that may be heard from the driveline when engine torque IS initially applied to the driveline.
- 608921Some vehicles may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the customer as a piston / connecting rod bearing knock.
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606460Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 605577Information regarding comprehensive pull and drift diagnostic procedure developed to assist technicians with vehicle service.
- 605573Subject regarding a new service center support that uses a thrust bearing (#3 and #4) in place of thrust washers has been released.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601043A grabbing and/or sticking condition during the first few brake applications when the brakes are cold or in the morning after an overnight rain may occur on some vehicles.
- 601025A comprehensive pull and drift diagnostic procedure has been developed to assist technicians with vehicle service.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601010Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles.
- 53668Concerns with "pinging" or "creaking" being heard from the driveline when shifting from park to drive or reverse, between drive and reverse, or when engaging the clutch.
- 52810Authorized warranty part replacement of brake pads to correct excessive brake noise.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50915Noise - pinging or creaking from driveline when vehicle IS put into gear.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 45934Temperature gauge - fluctuating and /or inaccurate high readings.
- 45756High altitude transmission available.
Every Ford Ranger model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.