1990 Ford Ranger problems
Owners have filed 141 complaints about the 1990 Ford Ranger with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 16.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of visibility at 11.3%.
Complaints141
Crashes10
Fires16
Injuries5
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 16.3% · 23
Visibility 11.3% · 16
Engine and engine cooling 10.6% · 15
Tires 9.9% · 14
Vehicle speed control 9.2% · 13
Fuel system, gasoline 7.8% · 11
Power train 7.8% · 11
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.4% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 10 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire, 5 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 26 model years of the Ford Ranger in this data, 1990 draws comparatively few complaints; 1999 is the outlier year.
Filings are rising — 15 in the last three years against 7 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 60,000 miles.
In owners' own words
While parked for 10 to 15 minutes consumer noticed vehicle was burning after 15 minutes. Fire department came. Steering column was melted along with the instrument panel. Ford has been contacted. Electrical system
Owner states that his vehicle burned down due to a faulty ignition switch. He further notes that there was a recall for this problem but his vehicle was not identified. Electrical system
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 Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…