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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

Power Train complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER PURCHASED MANUAL LOCKING HUBS FROM DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS THAT WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLE. AFTER MANUAL LOCKING HUBS WERE INSTALLED ON FRONT WHEELS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A TEST DRIVE. AFTER DRIVING FOR FIVE MILES AT A SPEED OF 10 TO 15 MPH, HOUSING FOR RIGHT/FRONT HUB CRACKED AND…

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CONSUMER PURCHASED MANUAL LOCKING HUBS FROM DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS THAT WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLE. AFTER MANUAL LOCKING HUBS WERE INSTALLED ON FRONT WHEELS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A TEST DRIVE. AFTER DRIVING FOR FIVE MILES AT A SPEED OF 10 TO 15 MPH, HOUSING FOR RIGHT/FRONT HUB CRACKED AND DISCONNECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8002936

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2001
Power TrainInjury

SHIFT LEVER WAS PLACED IN PARK POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN THE REVERSE GEAR. I BELEIVE THAT THIS IS AN FMVSS VIOLATION OF THE SHIFT /INDICATION SYSTEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #747550

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2000
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

CLUTCH WAS BAD DUE TO CRACK IN FIREWALL NOT ALLOWING FULL TRAVEL OF MASTER CYLINDER AND PROBLEMS SHIFTING. TRANSMISSION BEARINGS AND GEARS WORN OUT BEYOND REASONABLE REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #719047

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

WHEN PURCHASED VEHICLE ABS LIGHTS WERE ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, CLUTCH BECAME INOPERABLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FIREWALL WAS CRACKED BROKEN, AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #856044

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1999
Power Train

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #713931

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 1999
Power Train

THE 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION (MADE BY MAZDA) USED ON 3.0L AND 4.0L 2WD RANGERS LEAKS FROM THREE RUBBER PLUGS ON THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION BEHIND THE SHIFTER. THIS IS WELL KNOWN AMONG RANGER OWNERS. AFTER LEAKING VERY LITTLE FLUID, MY TRANSMISSION L

NHTSA ODI #710041

Mileage unknown · May 25, 1999
Power Train

DEFECT CAUSES SHIFING INTO ANY GEAR WHEN STOPPED , REPLACE CLUTCH TWICE, NO IMPROV.

NHTSA ODI #706864

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Power Train

CLUTCH CYLINDER LOCATED AT THE BASE OF FIREWALL BROKE THROUGH THE FIREWALL, CAUSING THE GEAR TO BECOME STUCK. WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF GEAR. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #834663

Mileage unknown · May 20, 1998
Power Train

GEAR SHIFT KNOB FELL OFF IN DRIVERS HAND WHILE SHIFTING GEARS.

NHTSA ODI #535807

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1998
Power Train

WHILE FULLY ENGAGED IN PARK, VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO DRIVE BY ITSELF, BEING BOTH IN PARK/DRIVE AND THE SAME TIME, BREAKING THE PARKING PAW AND SENDING THE VEHICLE FORWARD, STOPPING ONLY WHEN HUSBAND PUT BRAKES ON. WHEN CONTACTED FORD, THE CONSUMER WQW TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON THE TRUCK THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #810488

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