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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

23 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

JM AUTO SALES AT 12248 N. 600 E. DEMOTTE, IN 46310, SOLD ME AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, HE ASSURED ME THAT HE SERVICES ALL HIS VEHICLES BEFORE HE SELLS THEM BECAUSE HE WANTS HIS CUSTOMERS HAPPY, WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC HE TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, CENTER LINKS, WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND EXHAUST FLANGE MANIFOLD, IT…

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JM AUTO SALES AT 12248 N. 600 E. DEMOTTE, IN 46310, SOLD ME AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, HE ASSURED ME THAT HE SERVICES ALL HIS VEHICLES BEFORE HE SELLS THEM BECAUSE HE WANTS HIS CUSTOMERS HAPPY, WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC HE TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, CENTER LINKS, WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND EXHAUST FLANGE MANIFOLD, ITS UNFAIR FOR THIS BUSINESS TO SELL A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD, THIS SHOULD FALL UNDER THE UNSAFE AND DECEPTIVE ACTS AND PRACTICES ACT. IF HE SERVICES THE VEHICLE HE WOULD KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH THEM AND NOT PUT THEM FOR SALE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575893

174,000 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE; HOWEVER, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LOCATED. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE; HOWEVER, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH OTHER DAMAGES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 174,000.

NHTSA ODI #10285621

57,000 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

NO EVENT LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE UNLESS YOU CONSIDER THE EMISSIONS TEST , THE FAILURE IS OF THE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY ON THE GAS TANK, A CRACK OCCURS,THEN LEAKING ,DRIPPING,AND CONSTANT FUMES, THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON MY TRUCK AND MANY TRUCKS OF THE SAME MODEL. CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH A REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY, THE 2ND TIME…

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NO EVENT LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE UNLESS YOU CONSIDER THE EMISSIONS TEST , THE FAILURE IS OF THE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY ON THE GAS TANK, A CRACK OCCURS,THEN LEAKING ,DRIPPING,AND CONSTANT FUMES, THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON MY TRUCK AND MANY TRUCKS OF THE SAME MODEL. CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH A REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY, THE 2ND TIME,I ATTEMPTED TO SEAL THE ASSEMBLY,WHICH HELD FOR AWHILE BUT HAS ALSO FAILED..YES THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE ,AS FOR THE RADIATOR FAN, ITS PLASTIC AND BREAKS FROM HEAT EVERY YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED IT MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER,YES THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239121

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAN BLADE HAS CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN HOT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10029736

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

I WAS CHECKING FOR RECALLS ON MY 1994 FORD RANGER AND WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MANY RECALLS. THE REASON BEING THAT, MY FAMILY HAS OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 1994, WE'VE ONLY RECEIVED THE FIRESTONE RECALL NOTICE. IRONICALLY, I HAVE HAD AND STILL HAVE SOME OF THE LISTED COMPONENTS THAT WERE RECALLED AS WELL AS AS SOME UNLISTED …

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I WAS CHECKING FOR RECALLS ON MY 1994 FORD RANGER AND WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MANY RECALLS. THE REASON BEING THAT, MY FAMILY HAS OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 1994, WE'VE ONLY RECEIVED THE FIRESTONE RECALL NOTICE. IRONICALLY, I HAVE HAD AND STILL HAVE SOME OF THE LISTED COMPONENTS THAT WERE RECALLED AS WELL AS AS SOME UNLISTED COMPONENTS SINCE 1996, THESE PROBLEMS HAVE COST MY FAMILY ANY WHERE BETWEEN $1000.00 - $2000.00, EVERY YEAR JUST IN REPAIRS ALONE. THE VEHICLE BARELY HAS 147,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY USED TO COMMUTE TO ANF FROM WORK, AND OCCASSIONAL DRIVES TO L.A. COUNTY. SEE LIST BELOW.... 07/2002 - VEHICLE OVERHEATED RETURNING HOME FROM L.A. COUNTY, CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD - COST $1200.00 02/2002 - BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE & ALIGNMENT, AND FOUND THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE BAD, REPLACED BRAKE ROTORS, CALIPERS, GASKETS, SEALS, AND HOSES WERE LEAKING, THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING AND TO THIS DAY, I STILL SMELL GASOLINE EVERYTIME I PARK . COST - $950.00 07/2001 - BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR TIRES, AND FIND THE RADIATOR NOT WORKING, AND THE COOLING FAN WAS CRACKED ALL THE WASY AROUND ON EVERY BLADE, HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, FAN ASSY AND ALL HOSES & CLAMPS. - COST - $ 800.00 01/2001 - FRONT BRAKE DISC ROTORS WERE BAD, REPLACED - COST - $ 300.00 03/2000 - ROUTINE 30K SERVICE + VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND SHUDDER WHEN BRAKING, SO REAR BRAKE ROTORS & DRUMS WERE SURFACED AND/OR REPLACED, + REPLACED THE FOLLOWING GASKETS, SEALS, & PLUGS BECAUSE OF MAJOR LEAKS; WORK BY FORD DEALER, #FOTZ6710C OIL PAN GSKT, INTAKE MANIFOLD GSKT & VALVE COVER GSKT, #F5TZ9439A MANIF. GSKT, #F87Z6584AA COVER VALVE ROCKER ARM GSKT, THERMOSTATIC INSERT, , VALVES, OIL FILTER, AND THERMOSTAT - COST - $ 1425.00 SEE WHAT I MEAN...

NHTSA ODI #10005381

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, PHIL LONG. *AK

NHTSA ODI #763382

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

MOTOR AND OIL PANS ARE DEFECTIVE. WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE IDLES, AND SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING AT ALL . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011603

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL PAN IS RUSTED AND LEAKED OIL FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT AWARE. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #8000817

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THAT A CATALTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS WAS A PREMATURE WEAR. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #6900702

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 81000 MILES,. THE CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *YH

NHTSA ODI #562666

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.