1990 Ford Ranger
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.
- Complaints
- 106
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1990
Opened by NHTSA
19% of complaints
Complaints per year
1990: 106 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 36 |
| 1987 | 51 |
| 1988 | 90 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 133 |
| 1992 | 191 |
| 1993 | 235 |
| 1994 | 455 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 271 |
| 2020 | 130 |
| 2021 | 119 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 93 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
19% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing switch and front underhood.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle caught fire underhood after parked 12 hours in front of owner's house; cause unknown. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-08-11
Ignition switch failure. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-09
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-07-12
Also filed under Engine and exterior lighting
Tires
14% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.
Show complaint excerpts
Continuous problems with firestone tires going flat, also one tire blewout.
NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-19
Visibility
12% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing exterior and rearview mirrors/devices.
Vehicle speed control
12% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.
Show complaint excerpts
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle started smoking while parked in front of the house. Eventually the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-08-21
Put vehicle in drive, went to full throttle and crashed. Tt dealer replaced air valve, however did not guarantee that this would correct problem.
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-10-04
Engine and engine cooling
12% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing engine and belts and associated pulleys.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
1989-12-11Vehicle speed control89V234000 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…
Remedy: Manufacturer will replace air inlet tube with newly designed replacement with an increased throttle lever-to-inlet tube clearance.
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R
1990-02-23Vehicle speed control90V044000 Throttle lever may contact throttle body air inlet tube, with potential for throttle remaining open following release of the accelerator pedal.
Remedy: Manufacturer will replace air inlet tube with newly designed replacement.
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R
1992-03-02Power train91V189000 When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
Remedy: Repair the transmission with a new park pawl.
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I
1992-03-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-08-31 Whl separation/torque loss
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I
1992-10-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-02-26 Front seat track failure
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I
1997-10-29Recall queryClosed 1999-04-01 Parking pawl
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1998-04-15Service brakes, air98E010000 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…
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R
2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1990 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 20 reports on file for this year.
- Tires: 15 reports on file for this year.
- Visibility: 13 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 89V234000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 90V044000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 91V189000 · Power train
- Recall 98E010000 · Service brakes, air
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1990 Ford Ranger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Ford Ranger is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1990 Ford Ranger?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1990 Ford Ranger have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.