1991 Ford Ranger Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 9%of 132 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1991 Ford Ranger, 9% of the 132 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, 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.
“Consumer purchased manual locking hubs from dealership to replace automatic locking hubs that were original equipment for vehicle. After manual locking hubs were installed on front wheels vehicle was taken for a test drive. After driving for five miles at a speed of 10 to 15 MPH, housing for right/front hub cracked and disconnected. Please provide any additional information / documentation.”
NHTSA complaint #8002936, filed 2002-01“While fully engaged in park, vehicle slipped into drive by itself, being both in park/drive and the same time, breaking the parking paw and sending the vehicle forward, stopping only when husband put brakes on. When contacted Ford, the consumer wqw told that because of the miles on the truck there was nothing they could do.”
NHTSA complaint #810488, filed 1998-02“The 5 speed manual transmission (made by mazda) used on 3.0l and 4.0l 2wd rangers leaks from three rubber plugs on the top of the transmission behind the shifter. This is well known among Ranger owners. After leaking very little fluid, my transmission l”
NHTSA complaint #710041, filed 1999-08“When purchased vehicle ABS lights were on and stayed on. Also, clutch became inoperable. Contacted dealer, and was told that the firewall was cracked broken, and needed to be repaired. Still having problems.”
NHTSA complaint #856044, filed 2000-02“Shift lever was placed in park position and the transmission remained in the reverse gear. I beleive that this is an fmvss violation of the shift /indication system.”
NHTSA complaint #747550, filed 2001-06Related 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 1991 Ford Ranger
20 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsTires
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 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