1989 Ford Ranger Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year mostly report electrical problems — engine-bay and under-dash wiring shorts, ignition module and ignition switch failures, and stalling — with a number of complaints describing fires that started at or near the wiring. A second cluster involves rust in the fuel system (tank straps and sending unit), and cooling, brake and tire complaints appear in smaller numbers on these older, higher-mileage trucks.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Electrical shorts and wiring fires

   • 15 complaints (21%)
   • median 73,000 mi at 23.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2017

   Complaints describe sudden electrical failures and fires: vehicles catching fire while parked, while being started, or while driving at highway speed, with damage reported under the hood, behind the dash, or at a connector the dealer had previously replaced. Several owners report the vehicle was a total loss, and others describe the ignition module or ignition switch failing, causing the engine to die. Some had the affected parts replaced by a dealer or with aftermarket parts. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 64,000 to 82,000 miles in the sample, and at varied ages including while the truck sat parked.

   What to check: Inspect the wiring harness, fuse box and connections under the hood and behind the dash for chafing, corrosion or signs of prior repair, and ask whether the ignition module or switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Electrical failure under hood right side randomly burst into flames in my garage.....= = engine compartment toast...fan blade in a puddle on the floor along with most of the grille and head lamp.=.garage----smoke damaged,,,,,pushed it out when I smelled something burning fire dept put it out.”

   NHTSA complaint #10225977, filed 2008-04

   “The ignition failed on a country road going uphill and around a bend in the road. Several vehicles stopped behind me, including a school bus, which was right behind me and would not pass me because of limited visability. After several unsuccessful attempts to sart my pickup three men came by in a offerred to push me off of the roadway so that I no longer impeded traffic. I replace the ingnition module myself with an after market unit and have not had any more problems to date.”

   NHTSA complaint #731178, filed 2000-09
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Rusted fuel tank straps and sending unit

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 11.3 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2001

   Complaints describe the steel straps holding the fuel tank rusting completely through, in one case leaving only one strap supporting the tank. Others report the fuel sending unit rusting through and leaking fuel, a cracked fuel tank, and a plastic fuel line fitting that came off at the pressure regulator. Repairs were largely done by owners or private mechanics, and in several cases the dealer was not contacted. Reported on older, high-mileage trucks; one sample report notes the issue at roughly 140,000 miles.

   What to check: Look under the truck at the tank straps and the area around the sending unit for heavy rust, and check for a fuel smell or wet spots near the tank and filler neck.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The main strap the hold the gas tank to the truck had rusted completely through. Leaving only the front strap to hold the tank from falling onto the road (possibly being hit by the automobile behind me). I had both straps replace at my expense before any damage or injury occurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #748465, filed 2001-07

   “Design of the fuel tank caused a crack in the fuel tank, resulting in a fuel leak which could cause a fire is there was a source of ignition. Dealer said there was a newer design of the fuel tank which contained fuel strap and a heat shield. Manufacturer was not willing to help. Please provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #864039, filed 2000-06
3. 3
   Brakes

   Rear anti-lock brakes not working or grabbing

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 150,000 mi at 14.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe the rear anti-lock system not engaging at all, with the ABS light staying on, and brakes grabbing hard and sending the truck into a slide at low speed. Others report pulling to one side, vibration, grinding and a warped front rotor, and one report describes rear wheel lock-up while braking in traffic. Reported across a wide mileage range; one sample report places the brake issue at 150,000 miles.

   What to check: On a test drive, brake firmly from low speed on a clear surface and check that the ABS light goes out after startup and that the truck stops straight without grabbing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On a relatively cold and rainy evening, I parked my vehicle in a parking lot and attended an event lasting a couple of hours. After the event I returned to my vehicle to leave. I was travelling about 15 MPH through the parking lot and came to a corner, and approaching the corner applied the brakes to slow down. When I first touched the brakes they grabbed hard, sending me into a slide which sent my vehicle through a fence. In addition, the rear anti-lock braking system did nothing to help. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10073088, filed 2004-05, 150,000 miles

   “The rear wheels locked up while braking and trying to avoid hitting another vehicle causing consumers to loose control of the vehicle resulting in the truck sliding and hitting a bridge shoulder rail. Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #548892, filed 1999-10
4. 4
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and cracking

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • median 84,200 mi at 23.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners report tread separating from the carcass, bulges with steel belt visible, and sidewall cracking, sometimes at highway speed and in one case with reported loss of control. Several complaints name specific tire brands and sizes fitted to the truck rather than the vehicle itself, and owners were advised to replace tires. Reported on tires with substantial remaining tread as well as older tires; sample vehicle mileages range from about 50,000 to 118,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the tire date codes and look for cracks in the sidewalls or bulges in the tread, and factor replacement into the price on any truck still running older tires.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Tire tread separated from tire and damaged left front of veh 1. This loss involves firestone wilderness ht tires and then ni is interested in pursuing subrogation. (claim# 40-2069-856)”

   NHTSA complaint #6900221, filed 2000-09

   “Left home in morning to go to work. In first 200 yards felt bump, bump, bump in steering. Stopped and looked at left front tire. Tread was separated from carcass for about six inches along edge of tire as part of a one foot long bulge about half the tread surface in width. Steel belt was showing in gap and some wires were broken. Had noticed previous day that steering pulled to the right. Tires are not worn out - about 1/8 in tread left. Bought truck used with 30k miles. Don't know if these are original tires or not. …”

   NHTSA complaint #730183, filed 2000-09
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Stalling, no-start and ignition faults

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 27.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2017

   Owners describe the engine dying while driving, slowing down or turning, leaving hard steering and a dead vehicle; one report notes the ignition failed on a hill and the truck would not restart. Others point to the ignition switch, whose plastic and metal halves separated, or the ignition module as the cause, with repairs done by the owner, an independent mechanic or a dealer. Mostly reported on higher-mileage trucks; one sample report places the failure at 64,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask about prior ignition module or ignition switch replacement, and check that the truck restarts reliably and idles steadily when warm after a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving and slowing down vehicle will die. When it dies it's hard to steer. Consumer states that it could be the ignition module. The engine stalls when turning sharp curve and when stopping at light.”

   NHTSA complaint #874365, filed 2000-11

   “The contact owns a 1989 Ford Ranger. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact, a certified independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle as having secondary ignition failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10986335, filed 2017-05, 64,000 miles

Buying note. This is an old truck, so condition matters more than the complaint list: inspect the wiring and under-dash area closely, check the fuel tank straps and lines for rust, and verify the brakes and tire age before a test drive. Service records showing electrical and brake work are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 38 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.