IllustrationTEMPERATURE/ THERMOSTAT KEEP BREAKING. HAS BEEN REPALCED 2 TIMES.*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
What owners actually said
438 reportsTRANSMISSION IS MAKING VERY LOUD AND NOISY SOUNDS. WHILE IN FIFTH GEAR TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK. *AK
AUTOMATIC FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED/REPALCED NOW WITH MANUAL SYSTEM. *AK
CLUTCH LEAKS FROM SLAVE CYLINDER WHEN APPLYING CLUTCH IN COLD WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
I'VE CALLED FORD GARAGES & THE MECHANICS SAYS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACING ALOT OF THESE LATELY WITH AN ADAPTER TO PUT ON MANUAL LOCK-IN/LOCK OUTS.*AK
I HAVE A 1994 FORD RANGER. A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA HAS ORDERD A RECALL OF A LOT OF FORD VEHICLES FOR STALLING. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE THICK FILM IGNITION (TFI) WHICH REGULATES CURRENT GOING TO THE SPARK PLUGS. SINCE THE TFI IS MOUNTED ON THE DISTRIBUTOR, IT HEATS UP AND FAILS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THIS CAUSES STAL…
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I HAVE A 1994 FORD RANGER. A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA HAS ORDERD A RECALL OF A LOT OF FORD VEHICLES FOR STALLING. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE THICK FILM IGNITION (TFI) WHICH REGULATES CURRENT GOING TO THE SPARK PLUGS. SINCE THE TFI IS MOUNTED ON THE DISTRIBUTOR, IT HEATS UP AND FAILS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THIS CAUSES STALLS AT ANY SPEED -- EVEN HIGHWAY SPEEDS! THE RECALL WILL BE FOR UP TO '93 RANGERS, BUT I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEMS STATED IN MANY ARTICLES: - HTTP://WWW.COOLCATS.NET/TFIWARNING.HTML , - HTTP://WWW.ABCNEWS.GO.COM/SECTIONS/US/DAILYNEWS/FORD_RECALL001011. I HAVE TAKEN MY RANGER TO THE DEALER SERVICE AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION MODULE AND A FUEL PUMP RELAY. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE TFI DEAL AND THEY INSIST THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM. - WHAT DO I DO? I FEAR FOR MY LIFE. *AK
OIL PLUGS IN GEAR BOX LEAKED CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT HAPPENED WHILE ON BUSY FREEWAY WAS LUCKY AS WE MADE IT TO SHOULDER AND NO ONE WAS INJURED EL CENTRO MOTORS WAS DEALER WHO FIXED IT AS ROBINSON FORD SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY EL CENTRO MOTORS EMPLOYEE ADMITTED IT WAS FAULTY(BAD)PLUGS BUT SAID WARRANTY DID NOT COVER PLUGS …
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OIL PLUGS IN GEAR BOX LEAKED CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT HAPPENED WHILE ON BUSY FREEWAY WAS LUCKY AS WE MADE IT TO SHOULDER AND NO ONE WAS INJURED EL CENTRO MOTORS WAS DEALER WHO FIXED IT AS ROBINSON FORD SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY EL CENTRO MOTORS EMPLOYEE ADMITTED IT WAS FAULTY(BAD)PLUGS BUT SAID WARRANTY DID NOT COVER PLUGS EL CENTRO MOTORS 385 MAIN ST EL CENTRO,CA 92251 (760) 352-8030 THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP ANOTHER MECHANIC I TALKED TO SAID HE HAD HEARD OF THAT SAME PROBLEM FROM SOME OF HIS OTHER CUSTOMERS (INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.*AK
FRONT WHEEL HUBS FOR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DO NOT WORK. DEALER HAS REPLACED HUBS THREE TIMES.*AK
ONE OF CONSUMERS FIRESTONE TIRES STARTED COMING LOOSE WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, CONSUMER DROVE DIRECTLY TO TIRE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT TWO OTHER TIRES WERE ALSO STARTING TO COME APART AND HE REPLACED ALL THREE, ONCE THE CONSUMER HEARD ABOT RECALL 00T-005 HE WAS DENIED REPLACEMENT TIRES. NLM
VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT ABOUT 35-40MPH, AND BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBACKS COLLAPSED 2 TO 3 NOTCHES BACK. SEATS WILL NOT COME BACK TO FULL UPRIGHT POSITION. *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.