VehicleVerdict

1990 Ford Ranger electrical system problems

The 1990 Ford Ranger has 23 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

23

Electrical System complaints

16%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Ranger electrical system complaints by model year44 complaints1983: 5 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 14 complaints1986: 17 complaints1987: 16 complaints1988: 38 complaints1989: 16 complaints1990: 23 complaints1991: 23 complaints1992: 44 complaints1993: 18 complaints1994: 26 complaints1995: 33 complaints1996: 39 complaints1997: 30 complaints1998: 33 complaints1999: 41 complaints2000: 39 complaints2001: 25 complaints2002: 19 complaints2003: 18 complaints2004: 17 complaints2005: 22 complaints2006: 11 complaints2007: 4 complaints2008: 7 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 6 complaints2019: 41 complaints2020: 11 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 8 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 15 complaints2025: 5 complaints
Ranger electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“WHILE PARKED FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS BURNING AFTER 15 MINUTES. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. STEERING COLUMN WAS MELTED ALONG WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1990 Ford Ranger have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 1990 Ford Ranger electrical system — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.