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1991 Ford Ranger

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Ranger.

Body TRUCK

The 1991 Ford Ranger is a compact truck built on a sturdy body-on-frame platform. For routine maintenance, it requires 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API-rated engine oil. Across its model history spanning 1990-2020, this generation saw 6 recalls with a total of 143 owner complaints filed—electrical system issues emerging as the most frequently reported problem. Compared to later years that peaked at 818 complaints in 1999 and bottomed out at just 1 in 2014, the 1991 model's complaint volume places it toward the middle of the Ranger's reliability trajectory, suggesting neither exceptional durability nor notable early failures for this particular model year.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020191991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

ThermostatRT1106 alt RT1054

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height64.6 in
Wheelbase125.2 in
Curb weight3135 lb

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 holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7 Pints ( rear)
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 14-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15-22 ft-lbs

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 30,000 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 miBrake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Idle Air Bypass Solenoid (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Throttle Body (inspect)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle 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.

The 1991 Ranger sits at the low end of the generation's federal-record arc, with 143 complaints, six recalls, four investigations, and 60 TSBs — figures nearly identical to the 1990 model year and well below the sharp escalation that begins in 1992 (209 complaints) and peaks in 1999 (818 complaints, 11 recalls, 329 TSBs). Complaint volumes and recall counts remain modest through 1991 before climbing steadily across the 1990s, while TSB counts rise more gradually from 47 in 1990 to 60 in 1991 and then accelerate after 1993. The leading complaint categories for 1991 are Electrical System (22), Suspension (17), Engine & Engine Cooling (16), and Visibility (13); the data does not specify root causes for these areas. The year also records nine crash complaints and 23 fire complaints. Relative to the generation's trajectory, 1991 represents a comparatively clean entry point before the pronounced mid-generation surge in reported issues. For a buyer prioritizing lower documented complaint and recall frequency, the 1991 model year is a favorable choice within this platform.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
60
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
143
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 23 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 143 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System22
Suspension17
Engine & Engine Cooling16
Visibility13
Structure12
Tires12
Power Train12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 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.

00T005000Tires:Tread/BeltReported 21/08/2000

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… Remedy: 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…

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.

Vehicles taking 4.5 qtThermostat RT1106

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Ranger take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.