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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 →
438Owner complaints

Model-year median: 144

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
132
1991189
1992232
1993438
1994321
1995413
1996411
1997
Compare all Ranger years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
66Fuel System, Gasoline
58Tires
54Power Train
49Parking Brake
47
All reported categories
Suspension
30Electrical System
25Engine And Engine Cooling
23Vehicle Speed Control
23Structure
21Steering
19Seats
17Visibility
13Seat Belts
11Exterior Lighting
10Unknown Or Other
10Equipment
6Air Bags
3Fuel System, Other
3Wheels
3Fuel/propulsion System
2Service Brakes, Air
2Child Seat
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes
1

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

Visibility complaints

13 reports
Clear category filter
110,000 miles · Mar 8, 2005
Electrical SystemVisibilityFire

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE CONSUMERS SON TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER …

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WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE CONSUMERS SON TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER AND SMOKE FILLED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10109645

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2001
VisibilityFire

SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS 3 YEARS OLD THE HEATER FAN WHEN SET ON THE LOWEST TWO SETTINGS , WILL START TO SMOKE AND ONE CAN SMELL BURNING UNDER THE DASH. IT WILL STOP WHEN FAN SWITCH IS ON 3,4 OR 5 SETTING. CONTACTED FORD YEARS AGO THEY SAID NOT UNDER WARRENTY. ON 9/3/01 MECHANIC TEST DROVE VEHICLE WITH FAN SET ON 2, CAB FILLED WITH…

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SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS 3 YEARS OLD THE HEATER FAN WHEN SET ON THE LOWEST TWO SETTINGS , WILL START TO SMOKE AND ONE CAN SMELL BURNING UNDER THE DASH. IT WILL STOP WHEN FAN SWITCH IS ON 3,4 OR 5 SETTING. CONTACTED FORD YEARS AGO THEY SAID NOT UNDER WARRENTY. ON 9/3/01 MECHANIC TEST DROVE VEHICLE WITH FAN SET ON 2, CAB FILLED WITH SMOKE HAD TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF A BRIDGE COULD NOT SEE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #751784

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 1999
Parking BrakeStructureTires

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 )

NHTSA ODI #701782

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 1999
Parking BrakeStructureTires

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 )

NHTSA ODI #701781

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 1999
Parking BrakeStructureTires

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 )

NHTSA ODI #701780

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 1999
Parking BrakeStructureTires

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 )

NHTSA ODI #701779

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1998
Visibility

FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI #780709

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 1996
VisibilityFire

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HEATER VENTS, CUT OFF VEHICLE, UPON RESTART WHITE SMOKE POURED OUT OF VENTS, CAUSED BY LEAVES OVER THE HEATER. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #983859

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 1996
Visibility

POOR LOCATION OF FRONT DEFROST VENT, CAUSING INADEQUATE DEFROSTING OF WINDSHIELDS. *SD

NHTSA ODI #501762

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 1995
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER/PASS REARVIEW MIRRORS MOVE, NO WAY TO TIGHTEN. TT

NHTSA ODI #976176

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.