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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.

About this comparison →

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

Suspension complaints

17 reports
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65,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAD DROPPED APPROXIMATELY FIVE INCHES FROM THE REGULAR POSITION AND THE FRONT FENDER WAS COVERING THE TOP OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAD DROPPED APPROXIMATELY FIVE INCHES FROM THE REGULAR POSITION AND THE FRONT FENDER WAS COVERING THE TOP OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING MOUNT WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOCAL AUTO SHOP WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10406865

42,000 miles · Nov 2, 2004
Suspension

THE CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE FOR THE FRONT END SUSPENSION PART THAT WAS DISCONTINUED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10099241

58,212 miles · Jun 11, 2003
Suspension

RIGHT FRONT SPRING BRACKET RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING BODY TO DROP ONTO FRONT TIRE, AND I NOTICED THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS WANTING TO KNOW IS FORD GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR ARE WE THE PUBLIC GOING TO GET STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM ? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021440

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2002
Suspension

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #786433

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2002
Suspension

RIGHT FRONT SHOCK TOWER COLLAPSED ON VEHICLE WHICH CAME APART FROM FRAME. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK. CONSUMER STATES THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION HOUSING CORRODED AND FAILED, CONSUMER STATES PART MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY HEAT TREATED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8009213

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2001
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING WOULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM HOUSING ASSEMBLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #888432

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Suspension

PLASTIC NYLON BUSHING ON FRONT RADIAL ARM CRACKED, CAUSING FRONT SUSPENSION TO BECOME LOOSE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #883644

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Suspension

WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #558614

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2000
Suspension

SPRING HOUSING CORRODED, CONSUMER DISCOVERED PROBLEM BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE OCCURED. *ET

NHTSA ODI #784926

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2000
Suspension

NOTICED RUST FELL OFF NEAR FRONT RIGHT TIRE. HAD MECHANIC AT WORK CHECK HE SAID THAT IT IS READY TO BREAK AND THE TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED FORD I LOOKED AT YOUR SITE AND FOUND MANY TRUCKS WITH SAME PROBLEM.NOT SURE WHAT TO DO SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM THAT NOT ONLY MY TRUCK HAD. I FEEL FORD SHOULD …

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NOTICED RUST FELL OFF NEAR FRONT RIGHT TIRE. HAD MECHANIC AT WORK CHECK HE SAID THAT IT IS READY TO BREAK AND THE TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED FORD I LOOKED AT YOUR SITE AND FOUND MANY TRUCKS WITH SAME PROBLEM.NOT SURE WHAT TO DO SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM THAT NOT ONLY MY TRUCK HAD. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE REPLACING THEM. MY TRUCK ALSO HAS LOW MILAGE.

NHTSA ODI #729321

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