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.
1990 Ford Ranger: fire, smoke or burning smell
9 of the 104 complaints about the 1990 Ford Ranger describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
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
After turning vehicle off 15minutes noticed vehicle was on fire under hood.dealer has been contacted. Please provide further informaton.
Electrical short, consumer smelled a burning smell in the vehicle.
Electrical short or shock in the ignition switch, consumer smell a burning smell in the vehicle.
Vehicle caught fire underhood after parked 12 hours in front of owner's house; cause unknown. Tt
Service bulletins that may apply
- Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses
- Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) to reduce the possibility of...
- Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements
- Vehicles may have a disconnect of the ignition control module (ICM) connector or moisture buildup within...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1990 Ford Ranger fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1990 Ford Ranger?
9 of 104 owner complaints about the 1990 Ford Ranger (9%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 1992.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1990 Ford Ranger?
There are 0 recalls and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1990 Ford Ranger
VIN decoder
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