1991 Ford Ranger: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1991 Ford Ranger: 2 recalls, 132 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #91V189000 · 1991 · 792,000 vehicles
What's wrong: When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Repair the transmission with a new park pawl.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #96V024001 · 1996 · 108,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the power brake vacuum booster assembly.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (air) Equipment recall #98E010000 · 1998 · 23,500 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Loss of braking can result.
The 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.
Tires Tire recall #00T005000 · 2000 · 14,400,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx II tires, size p235/75r15. Operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread.
Why it matters: If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.
The fix: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on August 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.
Tires Recall #01X001000 · 2001 · 13,000,000 vehicles
What's wrong: This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Equipment description: Ford is replacing all firestone wilderness at 15, 16, and 17 inch tires mounted on Ford trucks and suvs. Ford reports tread separation can occur due to a combination of the sensitivity of the tire design to stress, aging, and manufacturing differences between…
Why it matters: Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
The fix: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on March 31, 2002. However, customers can contact Ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.Ford.com for possible assistance.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 21 mention a fire, 14 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (20): the most common themes are fire / smoke (17), electrical failure (10).
- Suspension (17): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (12), noise or vibration (3).
- Engine & cooling (16): the most common themes are fire / smoke (3), leaks (2).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (13): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1991 Ford Ranger has 132 owner complaints, ranking #22 of 33 Ranger model years for complaints (well below the 248 average). Complaints peaked in 1999 (23 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 82,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1990 (105 complaints, 3 recalls), 1992 (189 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 22 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1991 Ford Ranger.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1991 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1991 Ford Ranger, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1991 Ford Ranger problems?
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (20), suspension (17), engine & cooling (16).
What gas mileage does the 1991 Ford Ranger get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 11 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1991 Ford Ranger repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.