1990 Ford Ranger Owner Complaints

WHEN VEHICLE IS EITHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION THE PASSENGER HEAD LAMP MELTS, SOMETHING IS CAUSING THAT ONE LIGHT TO OVER HEAT AND HAS MELTED THE ENTIRE HEAD UNIT. I HAVE VERY LITTLE VISIBILITY WITH HEAD LAMPS ON. BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY CORRODED, NO MATTET HOW MUCH I CLEAN IT. AC/DEFROST DOES NOT WORK. RIGHT BLINKER DOES NOT STAY ON, SHUTS OFF WITH THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT OF STEERING WHEEL. GAUGES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY NOR DO THE LIGHT INDICATORS. CHECK ENGINE LINE COMES ON AFTER EXCEEDING 30MPH AND WHEN I HAVE IT CHECKED IT'S ONLY THE O2 SENSOR. TRUCK GETS HOT BUT DOES NOT OVER HEAT AND ALL FLUIDS ARE TOPPED OFF. WHEN IN MOTION I CAN SMELL THE EXHAUST AND CAN FEEL THE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE COMING THROUGH THE GEAR SHIFT MANIFOLD. AT TIMES DOES NOT WANT TO SHIFT IN REVERSE. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT SHUT PROPERLY, I BELIEVE IT WAS WRECKED AND THE DOOR WAS POINT OF IMPACT. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM PREVIOUS OWNER FOR $1,100 AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TELL ME ANYTHING REGARDING THE VEHICLE EXCEPT THAT IT DIDNT HAVE A SPARE OR OWNER MANUAL. MY FUEL IS LEAKING AND I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE POINT OF ESCAPE. I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE STARTER AND SOLENOID TWICE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER REPLACING THOSE ITEMS IT STILL WOULDN'T START UNTIL I HAD PULLED BY A U-HAUL AND I HAD TO POP THE CLUTCH TO GET IT TO START. I HAVE BOUGHT OVER 6 HEAD LAMPS IN TWO WEEKS ALONE. I WORK AT NIGHT AND IM CONSTANTLY GETTING PULLED OVER; SO I EXPLAIN TO THE OFFICERS WHAT'S HAPPENING. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK SINCE FEBRUARY AND DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DO UNTIL I TALKED TO A MECHANIC. THE TAILGATE DOES NOT OPEN AND I HAD TO TIE MY MUFFLER UP BECAUSE IT CAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND DRAGS THE GROUND. I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA ID

11231208

Incident

Feb 14, 2019

Mileage

275,000 mi

SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK IN 1996 I NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT DIDN'T SEEM TO LOCK WELL WHEN MANUALLY JERKED. IT HAS BEEN AN ON AND OFF CONCERN FOR MANY YEARS SINCE THEN. RETRACTION OF THE BELT HAS BECOME ALMOST NONEXISTENT. RECENTLY I NOTICED THAT NOT ONLY DOES THE DRIVER'S SIDE BELT NOT LOCK AT ALL BUT NEITHER DOES THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. AS IT STANDS ANY SIGNIFICANT COLLISION WILL RESULT IN INJURIES OR DEATH TO BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. PLEASE SEE SIMILAR COMPLAINT NHTSA ID NUMBER: 976257. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

10567312

Incident

Oct 10, 2013

Mileage

177,000 mi

TL*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. HE BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 2/2/09 *CN UPDATED 02/04/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10251793

Incident

Oct 27, 2008

Mileage

60,000 mi

SERPINTINE BELT BROKE OFF REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, FIRESTONE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, PAINT FADED HAD TO BE REPAINTED AT MY EXPENSE THEN THE PAINT FADED AGAIN, BRAKES STOPED WORKING HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE PARTS AT MY EXPENSE, WATER PUMP FAILED PAID BY FORD UNDER WARANTY BUT FORD TRIED TO SAY NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE PUMP, I HAD TO SHOW THE MECHANIC THE CHECK HOLE WAS LEAKING. WINDOWS HAVE NOT WORKED FOR YEARS, GOT THEM FIXED AT MY EXPENSE BUT WINDOWS STILL FAIL TO OPERATE, DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR YEARS CANOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN MUST LEAVE DOORS UNLOCKED, TRUCK HAS HAD A SLIGHT OIL LEAK FOR YEARS, FUEL PUMP STARTED LEAKING GAS, FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK, GAS TANK HAD TO BE REMOVED TO FIX AT MY EXPENSE, FUEL GAUGE DIDNT WORK FOR YEARS UP UNTILL FUEL PUMP WAS FIXED. *CN

NHTSA ID

10213661

Incident

Mar 11, 1992

Mileage

1,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD RANGER. THE PART FOR RECALL NUMBER 05S28 IS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART SHOULD ARRIVE IN MARCH OF 2008, BUT IT IS NOT DEFINITE. THE CONTACT FELT THIS EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED IF THE CONTACT IS INCONVENIENCED WITHOUT THE USE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,758.

NHTSA ID

10211159

Incident

Oct 14, 2007

DT*: 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. *AK

NHTSA ID

10166092

Incident

Aug 8, 2006

Mileage

123,000 mi

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. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATER PEDAL DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT EFFORT. TO CONTROL THE SPEED THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE DEPRESSED HOWEVER THE BACK WHEELS BEGIN TO SPIN WITHOUT GRIPPING AND LUNGES FORWARD. TO MAKE THE VEHICLE STOP THE IGNITION HAS TO BE TURNED OFF. THERE IS A RECALL #89V234000 PERTAINING TO FUEL THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL. THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID

10163727

Incident

Jun 15, 2006

Mileage

168,000 mi

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. *AK

NHTSA ID

10148825

Incident

Dec 16, 2005

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. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN ALTERED IN ANY WAY. NO AFTER MARKET RADIO OR CD PLAYER OR ANY ELECTRICAL DEVISE HAS EVER BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. IT SIMPLY CAUGHT ON FIRE ON ITS OWN WHICH IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WE IN NO WAY CAUSED. WE HAVE NOT TRIED TO REPLACE ANYTHING AT THIS POINT. WE WERE ALSO NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL TO CORRECT WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN EXPERIENCE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE ENDURED BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. THE TRUCK IS SITTING IN OUR GARAGE AWAITING ANY POSSIBLE ACTION AS A RESULT OF THIS COMPLAINT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10098707

Incident

Nov 6, 2004

Mileage

114,000 mi

TIRE EQUIPMENT ARE MISSING DOT NUMBERS.*MR NONE OF THE FOUR TIRE PURCHASED NEW HAD DOT NUMBERS ON THEM (BRIDGESTONE WEATHER FORCE). *NM

NHTSA ID

10054005

Incident

Feb 16, 2003

THE CHARCOAL GRAY PAINT ON THE HOOD AND ROOF OF MY 1990 FORD RANGER HAS FADED BADLY. FORD SAYS THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10013825

Incident

Mar 1, 2003

Mileage

180,000 mi

REAR DOORS WILL NOT STAY LOCKED, CAUSING CHILD TO FALL OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 20MPH, AND NO WARNING. CHILD SUSTAINED INJURIES. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID

8017311

Incident

Aug 12, 2002

LEFT REAR AXLE BROKE, INCLUDING WHEEL ASSEMBLY COMING OFF TRUCK WHILE BEING DRIVEN 50 MPH. LEAF SPRINGS HIT THE ASPHALT, CAUSING TRUCK TO ROLL.*AK 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. *JG

NHTSA ID

8016895

Incident

Aug 23, 1999

TRUCK ROLLED WHEN IN PARK. *AK

NHTSA ID

765470

Incident

Aug 1, 2002

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. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD ONLY 6 MILES AT THE MOST TO TRAVEL AND RESPONDED QICKLY BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY LOST BY THEN. WHAT COULD HAVE MADE IT DO THIS JUST BY GETTING HOT? HAS ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE ON L990 FORD RANGER PICKUPS? I WAS TRAVELING ALONE AND GOT OUT SAFELY BUT I WAS VERY SCARED AND COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT COULD HAVE BURNT UP SO FAST. AND GOT OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID

765397

Incident

Aug 8, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT STATE SPEED LIMIT AND WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE WILL ACCELERATE 50-60 MPH WITHOUT APPLYING ACCELERATOR. THEN, SHUTDOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID

8015674

THE TREAD ON MY TIRE CAME OFF AND SENT ME SIDEWAYS AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND WHEN I FINELY GOT STOPPED AND LOOKED AT MY TRUCK IT HAD CAVED MY BACK RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL IN AND RIPPED OUT THE PLASTIC LINING THAT GOES UNDER THE FENDER AND I WOULD LIKE SOMONE TO TAKE CARE OF MY PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS A FIRESTONE ATX IT JUST WASNT THE SIZE YOU GUYS ANNOUNCED IT IS A 215/75R/15. IT HAD HAPPENED TO ME TWICE I STILL HAVE MY TIRES IF YOU WHAT TO SEE THEM. COULD YOU PLEASE REPLY A.S.A.P NORMA HOLDEN. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/75R/15)

NHTSA ID

759023

Incident

Jan 13, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM DASH. HE PULLED OVER AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY, FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT FIRE. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID

898736

Incident

Aug 29, 2001

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. *AK

NHTSA ID

754112

Incident

Oct 15, 2001

WHILE DRIVING COULD STOP AT STOP SIGN OR AT A RED LIGHT AND ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT THEN STALL WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL RELATED TO IT.*AK

NHTSA ID

893757

Incident

Aug 6, 2001

CONSUMER HAS TO DRIVE IN LOW SPEED DUE TO WIND MOVING THE SIDE MIRRORS WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OTHER VEHICLES. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

892806

Incident

Jul 13, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

741173

FIRESTONE FR480 TIRES P215/70R14 WERE PURCHASED DECEMBER OF 1997, IN THE SPRING OF 1999, 3 OF THE 4 TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION, FIRESTONE WOULD ONLY OFFER A PRO-RATED OFFER WHICH WAS STILL MORE THAN THE COSTS OF OTHER BRAND TIRES. *SLC

NHTSA ID

877726

Incident

Jun 1, 2000

AFTER MARKET BRAKE PADS MANUFACTURERED BY PERFORMANCE FRICTION CORP 83 CARBON METALLIC HIGHWAY, CLOVER SC. 29710-0819 PHONE 803-222-2141, WERE DEFECTIVE. PADS CAME UNGLUED, AND RETAINING CLIP BROKE ON TWO SETS. *AK

NHTSA ID

877174

TIRE CAME APART WHEN I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK AROUND 6:00 PM. AMBIENT TEMP 55-60 0F, DRY CONDITIONS, TIRE PRESSURE 30-32 PSI.*AK (DOT NUMBER: HYHY FR5 TIRESIZE: P215/70R14)

NHTSA ID

735691

Incident

Nov 1, 2000