IllustrationBOLT BROKE BETWEEN THE VACUUM BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER. *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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
66 reportsI WAS COMING FROM PORT AUTHOR TEXAS, AND WHEN I WAS ABOUT 1 OR 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE CALIPER THAT WORKS THE BRAKE CAME OUT AND LOCKED THE WHEEL UP. I WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH WHEN IT LOCKED UP, AND I DID NOT APPLY MY BRAKE FOR IT TO HAPPEN. I REALIZE MY TRUCK IS A 1994 MODEL, HOWEVER, THE …
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I WAS COMING FROM PORT AUTHOR TEXAS, AND WHEN I WAS ABOUT 1 OR 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE CALIPER THAT WORKS THE BRAKE CAME OUT AND LOCKED THE WHEEL UP. I WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH WHEN IT LOCKED UP, AND I DID NOT APPLY MY BRAKE FOR IT TO HAPPEN. I REALIZE MY TRUCK IS A 1994 MODEL, HOWEVER, THE ISSUE I'AM TRYING TO STRESS IS THIS; I ONLY HAVE 15,000 MILES, AND DRIVE IT VERY LITTLE. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THE WEAR AND TEAR FOR THIS TO HAVE HAPPENED! I FEEL IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT, AND I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. I AM REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, AND A REMIBURSMENT FOR THE REPAIR COST I HAVE ALREADY MADE. POINT TO MENTION: IF IT WAS NOT A DEFECT, THEN WHY DID THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CHANGE THE FRONT LEFT CALIPERS. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE TRUCK IS A 1994 RANGER. IT PRESENTLY HAS 37000 MILES ON IT . BOTH FRONT ROTORSDEVELOPED CRACKS . A THUMPING OCCURRED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES . I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT . HE SHOWED ME THE CRACKS IN THE ROTORS . I HAD IT FIXED . THE ROTORSS COST ME 118. DOLLARS . THIS FAILURE SEEMS PREMATURE TO ME . I DON'T DRIVE MANY MI…
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THE TRUCK IS A 1994 RANGER. IT PRESENTLY HAS 37000 MILES ON IT . BOTH FRONT ROTORSDEVELOPED CRACKS . A THUMPING OCCURRED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES . I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT . HE SHOWED ME THE CRACKS IN THE ROTORS . I HAD IT FIXED . THE ROTORSS COST ME 118. DOLLARS . THIS FAILURE SEEMS PREMATURE TO ME . I DON'T DRIVE MANY MILES DURING THE YEAR SO IT DIDN,T SHOW UP DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 7000 MILES A YEAR . DO I HAVE A RECOURSE OR DO I JUST PAY IT AND SHUT UP ? THANK YOU LLOYD. *AK
WE'VE FOUND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THE BRAKES, FUEL, WINDOWS, ECT. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IN FACT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EVER BEEN ADDRESSED, AS WE HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED, AND MARROONE, AND WORLD FORD HAVE DONE BRAKE JOBS ON THIS VEHICLE- NOONE EVER MENTIONED THESE RECALLS TO US, AND I'LL BET THESE PROBLEMS W…
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WE'VE FOUND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THE BRAKES, FUEL, WINDOWS, ECT. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IN FACT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EVER BEEN ADDRESSED, AS WE HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED, AND MARROONE, AND WORLD FORD HAVE DONE BRAKE JOBS ON THIS VEHICLE- NOONE EVER MENTIONED THESE RECALLS TO US, AND I'LL BET THESE PROBLEMS WERE NEVER FIXED, AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO KEEP HAVING THIS VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. HOW CAN WE FIND OUT THIS INFORMATION??? *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS, HOWEVER REIMBURSEMENT WAS ONLY FOR BOOSTER UNIT NOT THE OTHER COMPONENTS. (96V-024) MJS
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES, AND THEY WOULD LOCK UP AND SHIMMY. *AK
ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SLIDING WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PROBLEM OCCURS AT LOW OR HIGH SPEED. VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. DEALER / M.ANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER FIBER DISC BRAKE PISTON BENT, CAUSING, THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. DEALER REPLACED BOTH CALIPERS WITH STEEL PISTON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THE FRONT FIBER DISC BRAKE PISTON BENT WHICH CAUSES THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. REPLACED BOTH CALIPERS WITH STEEL PISTON. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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.