IllustrationTHERE WAS A FIRE WITHIN THE FIREWALL WITH SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK
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
Compare all Ranger years →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
What owners actually said
132 reportsRIGHT FRONT SPRING BRACKET RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING BODY TO DROP ONTO FRONT TIRE.
THE COATING ON THE BODY MOUNTS RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE BODY MOUNT TO COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH. *AK
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
FORD DEALER IN THIS CASE DISPUTES CURRENT NHTSA CAMPAIGNS ON THIS VEHICLE. CAMPAIGN #S ARE 96V024001 (BRAKES-REGIONAL) & 91V189000- WARRANTY HISTORY REPORTS NO ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. DEALER IS LISTED IN THIS FORM, ORIGINAL SELLING DEALER - HOLMES TUTTLE FORD, TUCSON ARIZONA.
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
WHEN CLIMBING UPHILL USING CRUISE CONTROL, TRUCK ACCELERATES AND STICKS. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES OR USING THE OFF BUTTON, THE SYSTEM DOES NOT DISENGAGE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
FRONT MOUNTS THAT SUPPORT BODY OF VEHICLE DROPPED UNTO THE WHEEL, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK
DEFECT CAUSES SHIFING INTO ANY GEAR WHEN STOPPED , REPLACE CLUTCH TWICE, NO IMPROV.
BOTH OF THE PIECES OF THE LOWER DOOR HINGES BROKE OFF AS THE DOOR WAS OPENED. THIS RESULTS IN AN UNSAFE MANNER IN WHICH TO EXIT AND ENTER THE VEHICLE AS ONE MUST HOLD THE DOOR TO PREVENT IT FROM CLOSING ON BODY PARTS (LEGS ESPECIALLY) IF THE WIND IS BLOWING OR THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A HILL. *AK
Official recalls
296V024001 · 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
4RQ97015 · 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