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1994 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ranger years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 72 of 438 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

53 crash reports15 fire reports22 injury reports

What owners actually said

438 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2019
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION IS ROTTING HERE IS A RUST HOLE IN MY FRAME WHERE THE COIL SPRING GOES. THE TRUCK BODY HAS NO OTHER SIGNS OF RUST AND HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11242310

120,000 miles · May 15, 2018
Tires

DROVE MY TRUCK ONE DAY ALL WAS FINE. DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY AND FELT A STRANGE VIBRATION. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE TRUCK WANTED TO KEEP PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT. INSPECTION OF TIRES REVEALED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS WAS NOT TOUCHING THE COMPLETELY IN CONTACT WITH THE ROAD. TREAD IS GOOD. LOOKS LIKE BELT FAILURE. SCARRY. HAVE P…

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DROVE MY TRUCK ONE DAY ALL WAS FINE. DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY AND FELT A STRANGE VIBRATION. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE TRUCK WANTED TO KEEP PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT. INSPECTION OF TIRES REVEALED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS WAS NOT TOUCHING THE COMPLETELY IN CONTACT WITH THE ROAD. TREAD IS GOOD. LOOKS LIKE BELT FAILURE. SCARRY. HAVE PICTURES. IT IS A CORNELL 1000. P215-70R14.

NHTSA ODI #11093997

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2017
Structure

1994 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED FRAME ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME RUSTED AND BROKE RELEASING THE GAS TANK FROM THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED OR REPLACE THE FRAME. UPDATED 10/25/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11033730

123,000 miles · Jul 15, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER MIRROR SIDE A TRAIL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, WHERE I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER MIRROR SIDE A TRAIL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 94V111001 (FUEL SYSTEM/GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #10885083

205,000 miles · Jun 10, 2016
Structure

FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY PARTS FALLING OFF AND MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE RUSTED APART. REAR BUMBER ALMOST RUSTED AWAY AND FALLING OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10873566

170,000 miles · Jan 31, 2016
Structure

PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RUSTED JUST BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL CAUSE THE TRUCK TO FAIL THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION RENDERING THE TRUCK USELESS. UNLESS IT BRAKES BEFORE THAT TIME. DRIVERS SIDE IN BETTER CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #10823331

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE IF THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DURING TURNING, STOPPING AND GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS. FIGURED IT WOULD BE SOMETHING SIMPLE AND TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS A RUSTED FRAME MOUNT AND TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP. SO I DID AND THE SECOND OPINION WAS THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY IN TWO JUST …

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NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE IF THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DURING TURNING, STOPPING AND GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS. FIGURED IT WOULD BE SOMETHING SIMPLE AND TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS A RUSTED FRAME MOUNT AND TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP. SO I DID AND THE SECOND OPINION WAS THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY IN TWO JUST IF FRONT OF THE RIGHT SHOCK MOUNT. I CLIMBED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IT TRULY IS RUSTED COMPLETELY INTO TWO PIECES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS KEEP THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WHERE IT BELONGS. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. PARKED FOR NOW. WHERE DO I TURN NOW? NO PUN INTENDED.

NHTSA ODI #10749197

51,000 miles · Jan 17, 2015
StructureSuspension

REAR LEFT SPRING SHACKLE AND MOUNT RUSTED OFF. BIG RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME BESIDE FUEL TANK ON LEFT SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676261

45,000 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2000 I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FILL THE TRUCK WITH GAS. I CAN NOT FILL THE TANK, IF I DO THE FUEL WILL JUST SPILL ON THE GROUND. HOSE FROM FUEL FILL TO TANK MUST BE CRACKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651280

227,066 miles · Sep 20, 2014
Tires

FUZION TOURING TIRES P195/70R14 91T TREAD SEPARATING AT <14KMILES. I BOUGHT THIS SET OF TIRES AND RIMS USED FROM A FRIEND WHO HAD BOUGHT THE SET OF TIRES FROM ON ONLINE TIRE RETAILER, IN EARLY 2013 (TIRE DOT CODE JEFJ CAN 4412 MADE IN CHINA). THE RIMS AND TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON A 1996 FORD RANGER 2WD INITIALLY AND THEN ON MY …

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FUZION TOURING TIRES P195/70R14 91T TREAD SEPARATING AT <14KMILES. I BOUGHT THIS SET OF TIRES AND RIMS USED FROM A FRIEND WHO HAD BOUGHT THE SET OF TIRES FROM ON ONLINE TIRE RETAILER, IN EARLY 2013 (TIRE DOT CODE JEFJ CAN 4412 MADE IN CHINA). THE RIMS AND TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON A 1996 FORD RANGER 2WD INITIALLY AND THEN ON MY 1994 FORD RANGER XLT 2WD. FRONT TWO TIRES BEGAN TO FEEL WOBBLY AND VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. UPON INSPECTION, THE TIRES WERE DISFIGURED AND OUT OF ROUND. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION BOTH FRONT TIRES APPEARED AS IF THE INNER BELTS HAD PEAKED IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE ON THE TREAD SURFACE (LIKE THE TREAD SURFACE HAD BEEN FOLDED AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE TIRE), BUT NOT ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRES. THIS WAS THE OBVIOUS CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION. TIRES REPLACED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PUT ON THE REAR AND THE TWO REMAINING FUZION TIRES WERE MOVED TO THE FRONT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, ONE OF THE FUZION TIRES NOW ON THE FRONT REPEATED THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE OTHER TWO. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TIRES FOR 3 OF 4 TO GO BAD IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY WITH IN SUCH A CLOSE TIME RANGE. THE 4TH TIRE APPEARS TO BE OK, HOWEVER DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER THREE, I AM REPLACING IT TOO. IF YOU HAVE THESE TIRES AND EXPERIENCE VIBRATION, IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATE THE SHAPE OF THE TIRE TREAD SURFACE FOR DISFIGUREMENT - IF YOU FIND ANY, IMMEDIATELY REPLACE THE TIRE. I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS AS NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637724

Official recalls

4

96V024001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

Feb 5, 1996

THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

95V231001 · Vehicle Speed Control

Dec 5, 1995

DURING EXTREME COLD, NORTHERN CLIMATE WINTER CONDITIONS, ICE CAN FORM IN THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE ENGINE CAUSING THE THROTTLE PLATE TO REMAIN IN THE HIGHWAY CRUISING POSITION AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED OR THE SPEED CONTROL IS DEACTIVATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES CAN BE INCREASED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR INTAKE DUCT AND VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED UNITS.

94V169001 · Parking Brake:conventional

Sep 7, 1994

THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

Remedy: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

94V111001 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 13, 1994

THE FRONT FUEL LINES HAVE A SECTION OF FLEXIBLE HOSE THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CRACKING WHICH CAN ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LEAKING FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA95018 · Separation Of Master Cylinder

Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Apr 2, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.