CarModelProblems.com

1991 Ford Ranger Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior — runs 1.6× the fleet median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.
132Complaints
6Recalls
9Crashes
21Fires
14Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior (8.3% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior complaints here are 1.6× the median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior11 · 8.3%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine9 · 6.8%No official action
Tires:tread/belt8 · 6.1%RecalledRecall 00T005000 · Recall 01X001000
Electrical System:ignition:switch7 · 5.3%No official action
Structure:frame And Members7 · 5.3%No official action
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs6 · 4.5%Investigation closedPE92029

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR11 · 8.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE9 · 6.8%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT8 · 6.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH7 · 5.3%
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS7 · 5.3%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS6 · 4.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH5 · 3.8%
SUSPENSION:FRONT5 · 3.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 132 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:tread/belt

NHTSA campaign 00T005000 · 2000 · reported 08/21/2000

IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:tread/belt

NHTSA campaign 01X001000 · 2001 · reported 05/22/2001

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 96V024001 · 1996 · reported 02/05/1996

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 91V189000 · 1991 · reported 11/04/1991

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Air:disc:rotor

NHTSA campaign 98E010000 · 1998 · reported 04/08/1998

LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“BOTH MIRRORS FOLDED UP AGAINST THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING. DRIVER'S SIDE WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TWICE. HOWEVER, DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR MALFUNCTIONED…”NHTSA complaint 10095230 — filed 10/06/2004 · VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
“BOTH MIRRORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONE TIME BECAUSE THEY DO NOT STAY POSITIONED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE…”NHTSA complaint 8018649 — filed 09/13/2002 · VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
“BOTH OUTSIDE MIRRORS FAILED FOR 3RD TIME. THEY FOLD IN WHILE DRIVING, AND CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO SEE TRAFFIC.”NHTSA complaint 880566 — filed 02/14/2001 · VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

151995229199715201999291220011122003322009322012

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Ranger?

Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior issues are the most-reported category, cited in 11 of 132 NHTSA complaints (8.3%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (9), tires:tread/belt (8), electrical system:ignition:switch (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1991 Ford Ranger have?

132 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 21 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1991 Ford Ranger have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E026000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1991 Ford Ranger's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.