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Model year record

1990 Ford Ranger recalls & problems

The 1990 Ford Ranger has 5 safety recalls and 105 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (23 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints105filed by owners
Crashes · fires9 · 15reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem
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
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix
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.
Service brakes, airApr 8, 1998

Disc › Rotor

Recall 98E01000023,500 vehicles

Problem
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
LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
Fix
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.
Power trainNov 4, 1991

Automatic transmission

Recall 91V189000792,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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
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.
Fix
REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
Vehicle speed controlMar 1, 1990

Vehicle speed control

Recall 90V0440004,000 vehicles

Problem
THROTTLE LEVER MAY CONTACT THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE, WITH POTENTIAL FOR THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Risk
UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION COULD CREATE LACK OF CONTROLAND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Fix
MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT.
Vehicle speed controlDec 22, 1989

Vehicle speed control

Recall 89V2340004,000 vehicles

Problem
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
UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION COULD CREATE LACK OF CONTROLAND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Fix
MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT WITH AN INCREASED THROTTLE LEVER-TO-INLET TUBE CLEARANCE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Ford Ranger 2-DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Ranger Pickup 2WD

23mpg combined
City / highway21 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

20mpg combined
City / highway19 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.9 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.9 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

16mpg combined
City / highway15 / 19 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 19 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Wiring › Front underhood231130—
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Exterior; Rearview mirrors/devices16000—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe15000—
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall14000—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cables13210123,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Delivery11121—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission11200—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Pads; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor90001,000 mi
Unknown or other5000—
StructureBody › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut; Frame and members4000—
SuspensionFront; Front › Shock absorber4000—
Seats4000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations