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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

23 reports
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201,000 miles · Jan 6, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

RECALL 95V231001 CONCERNING THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT THROTTLE STICKING WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10106902

146,689 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE CABLE BROKE. THE DEALER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. *AK WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP COMING FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND LOST POWER. THE GAS PEDAL WAS LOOSE AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO GET ANY POWER…

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THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE CABLE BROKE. THE DEALER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. *AK WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP COMING FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND LOST POWER. THE GAS PEDAL WAS LOOSE AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO GET ANY POWER. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED IN TO PARK, THE GAS PEDAL FELL COMPLETELY OFF. THE PEDAL WAS SPOT WELDED TO THE FIREWALL. THE SPOT WELD HAD FATIGUE CRACKS. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10095234

146,000 miles · Aug 13, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL REMAINS IN THE HIGHWAY CRUISING POSITION AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. ORIGINALLY, WAS A COLD WEATHER PROBLEM, BUT NOW IS OCCURRING IN WARMER WEATHER. A NOVEMBER 30, 1995 RECALL EXISTS ON THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, BUT GAMBINO FORD IN LOCKPORT, N.Y. DENIES IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10032782

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO FLOOR IT IS JAMMED THERE BY THE CARPETING LEAVING YOU AT FULL THROTTLE. MUST MANUALLY PULL THE PEDAL UP WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING OR TURN THE KEY OFF.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763355

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE ACCELERATOR WAS WIDE OPEN, AND THEN THERE WAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT HIGH SPEED, VEHICLE RAN INTO A PARKED VEHICLE, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, AND MAJOR INJURIES TO DRIVER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011006

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT 5MPH AND APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT SNAPPED OFF. CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER.*AKI *TT

NHTSA ODI #8010971

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE ON TOLL ROAD-NEARLY CRASHED INTO TOLL BOTH WHICH WAS FILLED WITH OTHER CARS. WAS FORCED TO PANIC BRAKE. SYSTEM RELEASE AT ABOUT 30 MPH. -PROBLEM REPEATED AGAIN ON 06,21,01 AT LOWER SPEED. I WAS FORCED TO GO THROUGH A STPO LIGHT. COULD NOT STOP. I HAVE REPORTED THIS DEFECT TO FORD AND TOLD THAT …

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CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE ON TOLL ROAD-NEARLY CRASHED INTO TOLL BOTH WHICH WAS FILLED WITH OTHER CARS. WAS FORCED TO PANIC BRAKE. SYSTEM RELEASE AT ABOUT 30 MPH. -PROBLEM REPEATED AGAIN ON 06,21,01 AT LOWER SPEED. I WAS FORCED TO GO THROUGH A STPO LIGHT. COULD NOT STOP. I HAVE REPORTED THIS DEFECT TO FORD AND TOLD THAT NO RECALLS EXIST. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. MY LIFE WAS PUT AT RISK, ON TWO OCCASIONS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #747209

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE IS STICKING TO FLOOR, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT , DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX VEHICLE, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT DEALER AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #874397

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN ON HIGHWAY WHEN THE DRIVER TRIES TO SLOW IT DOWN. YH

NHTSA ODI #551824

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2000
Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

BRAKE SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO COME ON. SWITCH IS SOME HOW CONNECTED TO CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WILL ENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE LET GO. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #859088

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.