1990 Ford Ranger Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 10%of 105 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1990 Ford Ranger, 10% of the 105 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10251793, filed 2008-12, 60,000 miles“Left rear axle broke, including wheel assembly coming off truck while being driven 50 MPH. Leaf springs hit the asphalt, causing truck to roll. The vehicle rolled over and came to a rest on its top. The victim, driver was ejected from the vehicle and came to rest several feet from the vehicle. The driver tried to correct the vehicle causing the vehicle to skid left. This is what caused the vehicle to roll.”
NHTSA complaint #8016895, filed 2002-08“Vehicle moved out of park and rolled down a hill and struck another vehicle. Consumer parked vehicle crossways on top of a hill. Later on vehicle was not there, vehicle moved out of the park position. This may appear to be covered under recall 91v189, dated 30 oct 91. Manufacturer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #827169, filed 1998-08Related recalls
- 91V189000Nov 4, 1991When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.Covers: Ford Ranger 1990–1991, Aerostar 1989–1991, Explorer 1991 +1 more
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2025 | 18 | 40% |
| 2024 | 39 | 41% |
| 2023 | 5 | 28% |
| 2022 | 17 | 45% |
| 2021 | 60 | 50% |
| 2020 | 49 | 38% |
| 2019 | 92 | 34% |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 27 | 7% |
| 2003 | 16 | 7% |
| 2002 | 61 | 18% |
| 2001 | 51 | 10% |
| 2000 | 69 | 10% |
| 1999 | 67 | 9% |
| 1998 | 60 | 10% |
| 1997 | 42 | 10% |
| 1996 | 28 | 7% |
| 1995 | 22 | 7% |
| 1994 | 49 | 11% |
| 1993 | 19 | 8% |
| 1992 | 13 | 7% |
| 1991 | 12 | 9% |
| 1990 | 10 | 10% |
| 1989 | 5 | 7% |
| 1988 | 9 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 6% |
| 1985 | 5 | 19% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1990 Ford Ranger
20 complaintsTires
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology