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1989 Ford Ranger

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Ranger.

The 1989 Ford Ranger logged 81 owner complaints overall, with the electrical system topping the list of issues and three recalls affecting the model year. Compared with the Ranger’s complaint history from 1990 through 2020 — where the worst year saw 818 reports in 1999 and the best year recorded just one complaint in 2014 — the 1989 figure sits well below the peak and modestly above the low. This places the 1989 Ranger as an early‑year example of relatively low problem frequency, indicating a more reliable start to the model’s later complaint trend.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020191989

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

ThermostatRT1106 alt RT1050

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight2859 lb
Track (front / rear)55.1 / 53.9 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Ranger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

14.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 14.80 sec — 1983 XLS Regular Cab
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1983XLS Regular Cab 2.0L I-414.80 sec19.97 sec73 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints, rear
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity3 PINTS

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miDisc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miIdle Air Bypass Solenoid (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1989 the primary complaint categories were Electrical System (15 complaints), Engine & Engine Cooling (11 complaints), Tires (8 complaints) and Fuel System, Gasoline (8 complaints), with 6 crash‑related and 15 fire‑related complaints recorded. The federal complaint data begin in 1990 with 139 complaints and rise steadily, reaching a peak of 818 complaints in 1999 before declining, indicating that problem reports expanded sharply after the 1989 model year. Consequently, the 1989 Ranger experienced a comparatively lower volume of documented complaints than many later years in the generation. However, the presence of fire complaints in the 1989 data signals a potential safety concern that should be evaluated. For a buyer, the 1989 model is likely a better prospect than later high‑complaint years, but a detailed mechanical inspection is essential before purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
31
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
81
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 15 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’11’14’16’17’19’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 81 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System15
Engine & Engine Cooling11
Tires8
Fuel System, Gasoline8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8
Power Train6
Structure4
Visibility3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

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… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

89V109000Suspension:Front:Wheel BearingReported 05/07/1989

FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUT RETAINING KEYS MAY BE MISSING FROM FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES, ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN. Remedy: INSTALL RETAINING KEYS IN FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WHERE MISSING.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ranger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Thermostat RT1106

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedules

Frequently asked

Does the 1989 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.