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1990 Ford Ranger problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Ford Ranger is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical Ranger model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
104
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
42
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
16-23mpg

The worst 1990 Ford Ranger problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1990 Ford Ranger

Fire or smoke 9Fuel leak 6

Recalls 3

Power train: automatic transmissionReported November 4, 1991 · 792,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Repair the transmission with a new park pawl.

Recall number 91V189000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported March 1, 1990 · 4,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Manufacturer will replace air inlet tube with newly designed replacement.

Recall number 90V044000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported December 22, 1989 · 4,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Manufacturer will replace air inlet tube with newly designed replacement with an increased throttle lever-to-inlet tube clearance.

Recall number 89V234000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1990 Ford Ranger

Defect investigations

Parking pawlOpened October 29, 1997, closed April 1, 1999

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

RQ97015

Front seat track failureOpened October 23, 1992, closed February 26, 1993

There is no summary currently available

PE92084

Whl separation/torque lossOpened March 16, 1992, closed August 31, 1992

There is no summary currently available

PE92029

Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Ford Ranger 42

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 42 bulletins for the 1990 Ford Ranger

1990 Ford Ranger fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cylRWD18-2122-2620-23
2.3L 4‑cyl4WD192320
2.9L 6‑cylRWD15-1620-2117-18
2.9L 6‑cyl4WD15-1619-2016-18
4.0L 6‑cylRWD152117
4.0L 6‑cyl4WD141916

What 1990 Ford Ranger owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 12, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 275,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Mar 4, 2014 · Seat belts · 177,000 miles · CA

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 the federal safety agency id number: 976257. Thank you.

Filed Dec 15, 2008 · Acceleration, Transmission · 60,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jan 4, 2008 · Body, Brakes · 1,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Dec 7, 2007 · Acceleration · OH

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.

Filed Aug 21, 2006 · Acceleration · 123,000 miles · VA · fire

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.

Filed Jul 27, 2006 · Acceleration, Brakes · 168,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jan 27, 2006 · Fuel system · VA · crash · fire · 1 injury

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.

Filed Nov 11, 2004 · Electrical · 114,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Jan 14, 2004 · FL

Tire equipment are missing dot numbers.*mr none of the four tire purchased new had dot numbers on them (bridgestone weather force).

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1990 Ford Ranger before you buy

Compare the 1990 Ford Ranger

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Other model years

199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120142016201720192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 1990 Ford Ranger

Is the 1990 Ford Ranger reliable?

Owners have filed 104 complaints about the 1990 Ford Ranger, fewer than a typical Ranger model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Ford Ranger?

Electrical system, with 20 complaints. Next is tires (14).

How many recalls does the 1990 Ford Ranger have?

3 recalls, covering power train and vehicle speed control.

What year does the Ford Ranger have the most electrical problems?

The Ford Ranger model years with the most electrical complaints are 1992 (41 complaints), 2019 (41 complaints) and 1999 (39 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Ranger get?

Official estimates for the 1990 Ford Ranger range from 16 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18-21 city and 22-26 highway.

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