IllustrationEMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONED. THERE IS A RECALL 94V077 CONCERNING EMEGENCY BRAKE FAILURE. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO VIN. BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, IT CLICKS OR "RACHETS" DOWN AS IF FUNCTIONING BUT THEN VEHICLE BEGINS TO ROLL. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
Parking Brake complaints
47 reportsFIRESTONE TIRE BLEW OUT (SIDEWALL RUPTURED) 60 MPH. PLENTY OF TREADWEAR LEFT. REAR BUMPER UNUSUALLY WEAK, HEAVY DAMAGE UNDER 2 MPH COLLISION, WINDSHIELDS ABNORMALLY WEAK, CRACK VERY EASILY. PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY EVEN AFTER RECALL WORK IS PERFORMED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P22570R14 )
FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW OUT (SIDEWALL RUPTURED) 60 MPH. PLENTY OF TREADWEAR LEFT. REAR BUMPER UNUSUALLY WEAK, HEAVY DAMAGE UNDER 2 MPH COLLISION, WINDSHIELDS ABNORMALLY WEAK, CRACK VERY EASILY. PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY EVEN AFTER RECALL WORK IS PERFORMED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P22570R14 )
FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW OUT (SIDEWALL RUPTURED) 60 MPH. PLENTY OF TREADWEAR LEFT. REAR BUMPER UNUSUALLY WEAK, HEAVY DAMAGE UNDER 2 MPH COLLISION, WINDSHIELDS ABNORMALLY WEAK, CRACK VERY EASILY. PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY EVEN AFTER RECALL WORK IS PERFORMED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P22570R14 )
FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW OUT (SIDEWALL RUPTURED) 60 MPH. PLENTY OF TREADWEAR LEFT. REAR BUMPER UNUSUALLY WEAK, HEAVY DAMAGE UNDER 2 MPH COLLISION, WINDSHIELDS ABNORMALLY WEAK, CRACK VERY EASILY. PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY EVEN AFTER RECALL WORK IS PERFORMED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P22570R14 )
THE TWO PROBLEMS ARE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND HASN'T FOR SOME TIME, AT SPEEDS OVER 55 THE NEEDLE EITHER GOES TO 85 AND STAY'S THERE OR BOUNCES AROUND BETWEEN 50 AND 85, BOTH DEALERS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM HAVE SAID W/O EVEN SEEING TRUCK IT NEEDS NEW SPEEDO B/C THE ORIGINAL BATCH USED FROM THE FACTORY WERE DEFE…
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THE TWO PROBLEMS ARE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND HASN'T FOR SOME TIME, AT SPEEDS OVER 55 THE NEEDLE EITHER GOES TO 85 AND STAY'S THERE OR BOUNCES AROUND BETWEEN 50 AND 85, BOTH DEALERS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM HAVE SAID W/O EVEN SEEING TRUCK IT NEEDS NEW SPEEDO B/C THE ORIGINAL BATCH USED FROM THE FACTORY WERE DEFECTIVE. PROBLEM 2 IS THE PARKING BRAKE, WAS FIXED UNDER RECALL BUT HAS NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY AND DEALER HAS SAID THEY WON'T FIX AGAIN.
PARKING BRAKE FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLL OVER (WHEN UNOCCUPIED), RECALL NOTICE WAS NOT RECEIVED.
CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 94V169001. DEALER REPLACED PARTS ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. THESE PARTS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A NEAR…
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CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 94V169001. DEALER REPLACED PARTS ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. THESE PARTS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT. *AK
PARKING BRAKE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.(WEST VIRGINIA TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT).
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#94V169001), EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE. TOOK VEHICLE IN. SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED. FEW MONTHS LATER INFORMED PART NOT THERE. MUST HAVE FELL OUT OR NEVER INSTALLED. TOOK TO DIFFERENT DEALER & HAD IT REPLACED. THE PART FELL OUT ON THE FLOOR, AGAIN. INFORMATION FURNISHED BY OWNER'S ATTORNEY - PETER COWLES. *AK
Official recalls
496V024001 · 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
1EA95018 · 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.