1990 Ford Ranger
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Ford Ranger is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1990 Ford Ranger at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1990 Ford Ranger recalls 5
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Fix: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
THROTTLE LEVER MAY CONTACT THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE, WITH POTENTIAL FOR THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Fix: MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT.
THROTTLE LEVER MAY CONTACT THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM THE FULL-THROTTLE POSTION IN TRUCKS WITH 4.0 L ENGINES.
Fix: MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE AIR INLET TUBE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT WITH AN INCREASED THROTTLE LEVER-TO-INLET TUBE CLEARANCE.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1990 Ford Ranger common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1990 Ford Ranger safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1990 Ford Ranger 2-DR. 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1990 Ford Ranger MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 9 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1990 Ford Ranger costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 Ford Ranger — ranges cover the 6 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1990 Ford Ranger. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Lights And Instruments
NOTE: ALSO INCLUDES SOME MEDIUM AND HEAVY TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE MAY MALFUNCTION WHICH CAN RESULT IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT DIM, FLICKER OR GO OFF OR IN SOME INSTANCES MAY REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. CORRECTION: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1992077 · Jun 1992Powertrain
THE PARK MECHANISM OF THE A4LD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR PERSONAL INJURY. CORRECTION: OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF CONDITION AND ADVISED TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE EACH TIME T…
Transport Canada #1991149 · Nov 1991Engine
ON VEHICLES WITH 4 LITRE ENGINES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE THROTTLE LEVER COULD CONTACT THE THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO STICK WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED FROM THE FULL THROTTLE POSITION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: AIR INLET TUBE WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE OF A NEW DESIGN, HAVING AN INCREASE IN TH…
Transport Canada #1989177 · Dec 1989Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is a compact or mid-size pickup truck marketed globally by Ford over a series of generations, varying between both in-house or outside development and manufacturing — and with a hiatus in North America from 2011–2018.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.