1990 FORD RANGER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
141
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1990 FORD RANGER
The 1990 FORD RANGER has received a total of 141 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignitionswitch (11 complaints), Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior (11 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 1990 FORD RANGER
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 1990 FORD RANGER, potentially affecting up to 885,444 vehicles.
Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 98E010000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
| 23,500 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
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 FOR REPLACEMENT.
View full details →Recall 91V189000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 792,000 vehicles affected
Defect: WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 90V044000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 4,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THROTTLE LEVER MAY CONTACT THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE, WITH POTENTIAL FOR THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence: UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION COULD CREATE LACK OF CONTROLAND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT.
View full details →Recall 89V234000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 4,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1990 FORD RANGER
141 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1990 FORD RANGER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
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 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 976257. THANK YOU.
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. *JB
Safety Rating for the 1990 FORD RANGER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1990 FORD RANGER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1990 FORD RANGER
Ford Motor Company has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1990 FORD RANGER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SFA/94L04 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SPECIAL FIELD ACTION - 94L04 - RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.3L DUAL SPARK PLUG ENGINES, MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE SPARK PLUGS CHANGED AT THE PROPER INTERVAL. TO ASSURE THAT ALL 8 SPARK PLUGS ARE REPLACED AT THE APPROPRIATE INTERVAL, A SERVICE REMINDER LABEL WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS WITH INSTRUCTIONS...
NHTSA Investigations for the 1990 FORD RANGER
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1990 FORD RANGER.
Other Model Years of the FORD RANGER
- 1985 FORD RANGER — 33 complaints
- 1986 FORD RANGER — 50 complaints
- 1987 FORD RANGER — 58 complaints
- 1988 FORD RANGER — 117 complaints
- 1989 FORD RANGER — 88 complaints
- 1990 FORD RANGER (current)
- 1991 FORD RANGER — 145 complaints
- 1992 FORD RANGER — 231 complaints
- 1993 FORD RANGER — 272 complaints
- 1994 FORD RANGER — 531 complaints
- 1995 FORD RANGER — 451 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints