IllustrationBRAKE LOCK UP AND SKID WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE OR REPAIR (96V-024). MJS
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 reportsON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID. *YC
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED PREMATURELY BECAUSE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT REMOVE THE SEAM BURR ON PLASTIC FLUID RESERVOIR, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE MASTER CYLINDER BODY. I REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JULY OF 1998. LAST JANUARY I DISCOVERED THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING AGAIN, AFTER I EXPERIENCED A BRAKE LIGHT…
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BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED PREMATURELY BECAUSE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT REMOVE THE SEAM BURR ON PLASTIC FLUID RESERVOIR, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE MASTER CYLINDER BODY. I REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JULY OF 1998. LAST JANUARY I DISCOVERED THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING AGAIN, AFTER I EXPERIENCED A BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON DURING TURNS. EXPERIENCE LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT MY BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW, IT WAS. THIS EVENING, I REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AGAIN. UPON PRIMING TO CYLINDER, MY FRIEND DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID SEEPING THROUGH THE CYLINDER BODY AND THE RESERVOIR. BOTH MASTER CYLINDERS, BRAND NEW, FROM NAPA AUTO PARTS STORE IN BOISE, ID FAILED PREMATURELY. *AK
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES(NOT SURE IF AIR OR HYDRAULIC) LOCKED UP, CAUSING ME TO SLIDE INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
BRAKES LOCK UP INTERMITTANTLY.
WHEN I WENT TO MOVE MY TRUCK IN THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 30, 1998, THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I TRIED TO ROCK IT LOOSE BY SHIFTING GEARS. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THEY HAD TO DRAG IT ONTO THE ROAD IN ORDER TO LIFT THE REAR, AND NEITHER REAR BROKE LOOSE WHILE THEY DRUG IT. THE MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE CY…
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WHEN I WENT TO MOVE MY TRUCK IN THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 30, 1998, THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I TRIED TO ROCK IT LOOSE BY SHIFTING GEARS. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THEY HAD TO DRAG IT ONTO THE ROAD IN ORDER TO LIFT THE REAR, AND NEITHER REAR BROKE LOOSE WHILE THEY DRUG IT. THE MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ALL THE REAR BRAKE HARDWARE WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, I HAD TO GET A NEW CLUTCH FROM TRYING TO BREAK THE WHEELS FREE. THE TOTAL BILL WAS $1000.00 . I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A TRUCK BARELY 4 YEARS OLD SHOULD HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. LUCKILY, THE BRAKES DID NOT LOCK UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE BRAKE PADS FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHICH DAMAGED THE ROTORS AND OTHER PARTS ON THE VEHICLE. *AK
BRAKES LOCK-UP WHEN COLD OR WET
COMING TO A STOP; HEARD A POP; HAD NO BRAKES. HIT A BUILDING. CHECKED UNDER HOOD & NOTICED MASTER CYLINDER JUST HANGING; NO SUPPORT. CALLED DEALER. WAS INFORMED RECALL ON VEHICLE'S MASTER CYLINDER STUDS (#96V024000 & 396V024001). TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & LEFT IT. LATER WAS CALLED INFORMED NO RECALLS FOR MASTER CYLINDER. *AK
VEHICLE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP WHEN APPLIED AT NORMAL SLOWING SPEEDS.
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.