1990 Ford Ranger Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year are dominated by two long-running patterns: side mirrors that fold back at highway speed, and tread separation or tread loss on tires fitted to the truck. Electrical problems are the largest single category and several of those complaints describe dash or steering-column fires while the truck was parked. Most reports come from vehicles with high odometer readings, though some fire, mirror and throttle reports were filed on trucks with little or no mileage recorded.

1. 1
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and tread loss

   • 10 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 10.9 yrs old
   • filed 2000–2002

   Complaints describe large sections of tread peeling away or the tread cap coming off while driving at highway speeds, sometimes damaging the fender or wheel well and sometimes leaving the tire flat. Several owners identify the tires as Firestone models and say the tire maker offered only a pro-rated adjustment or no adjustment. Mostly reported at 55 to 70 mph on tires with tread remaining; odometer readings were not recorded in these complaints.

   What to check: Check tire date codes and DOT numbers, look for cracking at the tread edge or bulging, and ask how old the current tires are.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The two tires shed their entire tread caps while traveling at 65mph. I still have the other two thires that I purchased as the set on my vehilce, and they are showing signsof cracking at the tread cap as well. ( DOT number: tire size: 28.5/7.514 )”

   NHTSA complaint #732026, filed 2000-09

   “On march 11, 2000, I purchased 4 firestone wilderness a/t tires new from les schwab tires in mount vernon, washington. Approximately three months later the right rear tire disintegrated at 55 miles per hour while going down highway 20. I took photographs because of the extreme nature of the damage to the tire and will provide them upon request. Please consider adding my tires to your recall list. Thank you.( DOT number: w2hlipy316 tire size: p235/r15 )”

   NHTSA complaint #731628, filed 2000-09
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Engine speeds up or throttle sticks open

   • 9 complaints (9%)
   • median 123,000 mi at 16.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners report the engine revving or accelerating without the accelerator being pressed, and pedals that stay down after the foot is removed. Some say the dealer replaced the throttle body assembly or an air valve; others report no diagnosis was found. Two recalls on this model year cover a throttle lever contacting the air inlet tube and possibly staying open. Reported at speeds from parking-lot pace up to highway speed; mileage was mostly not recorded.

   Recall 90V044000Recall 89V234000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 90V044000 / 89V234000 work was performed, and check that the throttle lever and linkage return freely and do not contact the inlet tube.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Throttle: pulling vehicle out of parking lot and gas pedal stuck to the floor. Removed foot from pedal , but pedal was still to the floor. Dealer replaced throttle body assembly.”

   NHTSA complaint #813581, filed 1997-06

   “When driving at 35 MPH to 45 MPH vehicle accelerated on its own. When coming to a stop light or red light vehicle accelerated, and the consumer had to apply the brakes very hard.”

   NHTSA complaint #842345, filed 1999-07
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Dash or steering-column fire while parked

   • 10 complaints (10%)
   • median 114,000 mi at 15.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2004

   Owners describe smoke or flames coming from the dash, gauge cluster or steering column, often after the truck had been parked for a short time, with the instrument panel and column melting. Some reports say an ignition switch or wiring was identified as the origin; one owner notes a related switch recall did not cover their truck. Appears across a wide mileage range, in several cases shortly after the truck was shut off and parked.

   What to check: Inspect the fuse box, ignition switch and dash wiring for scorching or melted plastic, and ask whether any electrical repairs or switch replacements have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10098707, filed 2004-11, 114,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #765397, filed 2002-08
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Side mirrors fold back at highway speed

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 7.6 yrs old
   • filed 1996–2000

   Owners describe the side-view mirrors bending backward against the window once the truck reaches roughly 40 mph and above, leaving them unable to see or change lanes. Some report replacement mirrors doing the same thing again within about a year, and several say the dealer had no record of the problem or told them it was not covered by a recall. Reported at highway speeds from about 40 mph upward; mileage was not recorded in most of these complaints.

   What to check: Test the mirrors at road speed and check whether the housings are stiff or already loose; aftermarket replacements are commonly mentioned by owners.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ford's side-view mirrors blow in, sometimes as low as 40 MPH. I complained to Ford and was told that they'd never heard of that problem, but the more early 90's rangers I see, the more blown mirrors in I notice. I have replaced the mirrors on my truck three times in two years.”

   NHTSA complaint #731165, filed 2000-09

   “As indicated above, both side mirrors collapsed, possibly for over a year. I have noticed three other rangers just in my area that have the same problem. Ford customer service has indicated it is not a recall problem when I contacted via telephone on 10/15/99. I stated I wanted it on record that I ask customer service to inform whomever is responsible for initiating a recall to be informed of the matter and that I would be contacting appropriate national safety board.”

   NHTSA complaint #713428, filed 1999-10
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks from lines and filler hose

   • 9 complaints (9%)
   • median 1,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2008

   Complaints describe fuel leaking where a hose rubs against the metal fuel lines, a cracked plastic filler hose leaking during refueling, and a fuel tank connection cracking at its mounting flanges. Owners describe fuel smell and, in a few cases, fuel reaching hot engine parts; one mentions a replacement hose designed to avoid chafing. Reported on trucks with older age and mixed mileage, including low-mileage examples.

   What to check: Look for fuel smell or staining around the lines, tank flanges and filler neck, and fill the tank at the pump while watching the filler hose for drips.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Leaks gas when fueled. Found crack in filler hose ( plastic) cost of new hose $240.00 truck has never been in wreck. Think hose cracked due to age. Would have never known about it if not for other motorist informing me,as I was filling up with gas that fuel was leaking on ground.”

   NHTSA complaint #754112, filed 2001-11

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10148825, filed 2006-01

Buying note. Check mirror stiffness, tire age and DOT codes, and any signs of dash or wiring heat before buying, and confirm whether the throttle-lever recalls were completed. Because these trucks are old and often high-mileage, a pre-purchase inspection of the fuel lines, wiring and brakes is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 59 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.