RoadVitals

1989 Ford Ranger

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
73
Latest Aug 22, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Mar 23, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
19
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 73 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Ford Ranger, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 30 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1317.3%
  • Engine1317.3%
  • Fuel system1013.3%
  • Brakes79.3%
  • Tires & wheels79.3%
  • Interior & seats68.0%
  • Transmission45.3%
  • Driver assistance34.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
98E010000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

Apr 8, 1998
23,500 units potentially affected
The defect: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
The risk: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
The remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
AIMCO PRODUCTS INC.View on NHTSA.gov
89V109000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

Jul 5, 1989
25,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUT RETAINING KEYS MAY BE MISSING FROM FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES, ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN DETACHMENT OF THE WHEEL AND HUBASSEMBLY FROM THE AXLE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL RETAINING KEYS IN FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WHERE MISSING.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE92029ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS

Opened Mar 16, 1992
Closed Aug 31, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 73
EngineFuel systemSuspension
Filed Aug 22, 2019

VEHICLE BODY AND STRUCTURAL FRAME HAVE ABNORMAL CORROSION AND RUST AND CRITICAL COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED. CAB IS ATTACHED TO FRAME WITH FOUR BOLTS. THE METAL AROUND THE FRONT LEFT BOLT HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. CAB IS THEREFORE ONLY HELD DOWN NOW BY THREE BOLTS. RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING TOWER ROTTED AND WAS SUBJECT TO COMPLETE FAILURE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO FALL DOWN ONTO THE SHOCK ABSORBER. TIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN THRUST INTO FENDER WELL AND STEERING WOULD BEEN COMPRIMISED. REPAIRED IN 2006. GAS TANK MOUNTING STRAPS RUSTED AWAY SUBJECTING THE TANK TO FALL FROM VEHICLE. REPAIRED IN 2005. LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING ATTACH BRACKET (SHACKLE) RUSTED AND BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FALL ONTO END OF LEAF SPRING, WHICH IS NO LONGER ATTACHED. ENGINE OIL PICK UP SCREEN BECAME CLOGGED WITH DETERIORATED OIL PAN GASKET MATERIAL. ENGINE BECAME STARVED OF OIL AND SEIZED UP WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAUSING A MAJOR HAZARD. ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN 2016.

NHTSA ID
11245886
Incident
Jun 2, 2005
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 18, 2017

TL* 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 ID
10986335
Incident
Apr 20, 2016
Mileage
64,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD RANGER EQUIPPED WITH HERCULES H/P 4000 TIRES, SIZE: 215/70R14 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS CRACKING AND EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,400.

NHTSA ID
10762300
Incident
Jan 15, 2015
Mileage
50,400 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 17, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE FR380 TIRES, SIZE P215/70/R14. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE ALMOST FLAT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, HE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD LINES WERE BECOMING LOOSE AND APPEARED TO BE PEELING OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS 12,781. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ID
10262142
Incident
Mar 17, 2009
Mileage
118,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 24, 2009

1989 FORD RANGER. FAILED SMOG TEST FOR THE FIRST TIME. TOLD NEW TEST FOR SEAL IN GAS FILLER DOWN TUBE RESULTS IN PRETTY MUCH ALL VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE FAILING CALIFORNIA SMOG TEST. SUGGESTED FILE COMPLAINT AS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM MANUFACTURER (FORD) TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256182
Incident
Jan 22, 2009
Mileage
3,629 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 28, 2008
Fire reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225977
Incident
Apr 27, 2008
Electrical
Filed Aug 31, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IMMEDIATELY PARKED AND EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SHERIFF ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TRANSPORTED TO A DEALER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THERE WAS NO CURRENT MILEAGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10201603
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Mileage
82,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 25, 2004
Crash reported

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. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE RELATED TO NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 601043, FORD TSB #985A36. I TALKED TO THE DEALER SHORTLY AFTER THIS HAPPENED, AND THEY SAID THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MANY FORD TRUCKS AND THAT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO EXPECT SUCH A BRAKE CONDITION ANY TIME IT IS COLD AND WET AND USE BRAKES/ACCELERATOR SIMULTANEOUSLY TO WARM/DRY BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
10073088
Incident
Nov 18, 2002
Mileage
150,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

002310

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Ranger by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026460—
20253313062.0
20246813058.8
2023184058.5
2022375056.7
20211116064.1
20201257163.7
201926311059.1
2018000—
2017100—
2016100—
2015000—
2014100—
2013000—
2012000—
20112356053.5
20101569053.2
20091688051.6
20083256158.3
20072706159.9
200627112052.1
200528911362.3
200440412365.5
20032435160.5
20023467056.0
20015159263.3
20006708056.3
199975510056.2
199857611161.4
19974117261.3
19964138055.9
19953217157.9
199443811161.3
199323210264.6
19921896163.9
19911326467.5
19901055366.3
1989Viewing733163.0
1988892266.4
1987505471.3
1986355775.0
1985273167.6
1984128169.0
1983117057.4
1979100—
1978100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.