The 1990 Ford Ranger has 3 recalls, all centered on the same serious defect: a stuck throttle that can keep the engine at full power even after the driver lifts off the accelerator, creating a risk of uncontrolled acceleration and loss of vehicle control.
All three recalls describe the same underlying problem on trucks equipped with the 4.0-liter engine. The throttle lever can contact the air inlet tube on the throttle body, and when that contact occurs at wide-open throttle, the throttle can remain stuck open when the driver releases the pedal. Instead of the engine pulling back to idle, it continues to accelerate, leaving the driver fighting the vehicle with brakes alone. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why multiple filings exist for what is essentially the same mechanical interference between these two components.
At a glance
What can fail
The throttle lever can touch the air inlet tube on the engine, causing the throttle to stay open even after you release the accelerator pedal.
What the fix does
The manufacturer will replace the air inlet tube with a newly designed part that prevents contact.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The throttle lever may touch the air inlet tube on the engine, causing the throttle to stay open even after you release the accelerator pedal. This affects trucks with 4.0L engines.
What the fix does
The manufacturer will replace the air inlet tube with a new design that provides more clearance between the throttle lever and tube.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On 4-liter engines, the throttle lever may contact the air inlet tube, causing the throttle to stick when you release the accelerator pedal from full throttle, risking loss of control.
What the fix does
The air inlet tube will be replaced with a redesigned version that provides more clearance between the throttle lever and tube.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
