MYRModel Year Report

1989 Ford Ranger

▲ Better than typical
1989 Ford Ranger
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:41:51.827Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Ranger Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 73 complaints 1989 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2016 2017: 1 complaints 2019: 266 complaints 2020: 127 complaints 2021: 114 complaints 2022: 37 complaints 2022 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 76 complaints 2025: 38 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1989: 73 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198311
198412
198527
198636
198751
198890
198973
1990106
1991133
1992191
1993235
1994455
1995321
1996413
1997411
1998576
1999755
2000670
2001515
2002346
2003243
2004404
2005289
2006271
2007270
2008326
2009168
2010156
2011235
20141
20161
20171
2019266
2020127
2021114
202237
202318
202476
202538
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%

21% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070831

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170518

Also filed under ENGINE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%

15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%

11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and mounting.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TRUCK WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT WENT TO START TRUCK THERE POPPING NOISE AND TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE NO ONE WAS HURT . TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960215

THE TRUCK BURNT UP FOR NO REASON. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950215

TIRES 10%

10% of complaints: tires — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150908

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19890724 — suspension

FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUT RETAINING KEYS MAY BE MISSING FROM FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES, ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINING KEYS IN FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WHERE MISSING.

Campaign 89V109000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920316 — PE (closed 19920831)

WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS

R 19980415 — service brakes, air

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.

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 F

Campaign 98E010000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 89V109000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98E010000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 1986 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1989 Ford Ranger reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Ford Ranger is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford Ranger?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Ford Ranger have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.