Complaints
88
Crashes
7
Fires
15
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Ford Ranger Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#16 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
#26 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:150,000 mi
Crash-related:1
#35 complaints
Tire Defects
Avg mileage:118,000 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Ford Ranger.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 | 1 | — | 150,000 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 118,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | 3 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 3 | — | 3 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Driveline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
150,000
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,000
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Driveline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Ford Ranger. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Ranger Years
1989 Ford Ranger — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Ford Ranger reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1989 Ford Ranger has 88 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Ford Ranger?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (6 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (6 complaints, avg 150,000 mi); Tire Defects (5 complaints, avg 118,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1989 Ford Ranger?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 135,455 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1989 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Ford Ranger include 7 crash-related reports, 15 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Ford Ranger as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Ford Ranger?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Ranger reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Ford Ranger
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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