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1991 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Ford Ranger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 144.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 8 of 132 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports21 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

20 reports
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150,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1991 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1991 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10467104

50,000 miles · Jan 10, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING OUT SIDE WHEN THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT. *JG *JB

NHTSA ODI #10001471

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Electrical SystemFireInjury

WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A FAILED IGNITION SWITCH, MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE FAILED PART WAS NOT WORTHY OF ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE TO COMPENSATE FOR A VEHICLE DESTROYED BY FIRE. PH. CONSUMER WAS INJURED WHILE TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #8024028

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2002
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER STATED THAT A BATTERY EXPLODED, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. MANUFACTURE OF BATTERY IS JOHNSON CONTROLS INC. /SEAR DIE HARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

NHTSA ODI #8021108

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

THERE WAS A FIRE WITHIN THE FIREWALL WITH SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #849756

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE PARKED. INFORMED VEHICLE ON FIRE. POPPED HOOD & NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM ALTERNATOR AREA. PUT FLAMES OUT 3 TIMES. NOTICED THE WIRE CONNECTOR HAD CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #845769

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 1998
Electrical System

WHILE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #820130

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 1998
Electrical SystemFire

IGNITION SWITCH/WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED/BURNED, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #522984

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1997
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL PERFORMED A DETAILED INVESTIGATION AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #819488

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 1997
Electrical System

LOOSE FRONT WHEEL WELL WIRING CONNECTOR CAUSED INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #518480

Official recalls

2

96V024001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

Feb 5, 1996

THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

91V189000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Nov 4, 1991

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

RQ97015 · Parking Pawl

Opened Oct 29, 1997 · Closed Apr 1, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARKING PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OF GEAR UNINTENTIONALLY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO START ROLLING INADVERTENTLY

EA95018 · Separation Of Master Cylinder

Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Apr 2, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.

PE92084 · Front Seat Track Failure

Opened Oct 23, 1992 · Closed Feb 26, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

There is no summary currently available

PE92029 · Whl Separation/torque Loss

Opened Mar 16, 1992 · Closed Aug 31, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available