1990 Ford Ranger Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 12%of 105 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1990 Ford Ranger, 12% of the 105 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are 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.
“Dt: the contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH the vehicle began to shake suddenly and then started to shake violently. There was a burning smell and the vehicle was pulled over. It was towed to the dealer who determined there was a fishing line wrapped around the brake pads, rotor and drum which needed to be removed. A month and a half later while traveling 45-50mph, the vehicle began to shake and there was a burning smell. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who could not duplicate the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10163727, filed 2006-07, 168,000 miles“The contact stated the vehicle started smoking while parked in front of the house. Eventually the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department determined the fire originated from under the hood on the driver's side and was more than likely of an electrical nature. There was a police report filed. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to the incident. The contact rarely used the cruise control.”
NHTSA complaint #10166092, filed 2006-08, 123,000 miles“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“While driving at state speed limit and without warning engine will accelerate 50-60 MPH without applying accelerator. Then, shutdown. Dealer has been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #8015674, filed 2002-08“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 1999-07Related recalls
- 90V044000Mar 1, 1990Throttle lever may contact throttle body air inlet tube, with potential for throttle remaining open following release of the accelerator pedal.Covers: Ford Ranger 1990
- 89V234000Dec 22, 1989Throttle lever may contact throttle body air inlet tube, with the potential for throttle remaining open following release of the accelerator pedal from the…Covers: Ford Ranger 1990
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 11% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 11% |
| 2022 | 3 | 8% |
| 2021 | 8 | 7% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 2% |
| 2004 | 19 | 5% |
| 2003 | 40 | 16% |
| 2002 | 51 | 15% |
| 2001 | 57 | 11% |
| 2000 | 55 | 8% |
| 1999 | 54 | 7% |
| 1998 | 71 | 12% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 34 | 8% |
| 1995 | 20 | 6% |
| 1994 | 23 | 5% |
| 1993 | 23 | 10% |
| 1992 | 7 | 4% |
| 1991 | 5 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 12% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 2 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1990 Ford Ranger
20 complaintsTires
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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