IllustrationTEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATES WITH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *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 reportsBRAKE LOCK UP AND SKID WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE OR REPAIR (96V-024). MJS
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILURE, PRIOR TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 97-10-97, DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. *YC *YC
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID. *YC
SECOND GEAR HAS GONE OUT IN MY RANGER. I HAVE HEARD OF 6 OTHER SIMILAR INCEDENTS. *AK
JUNE 3, L999 AFTER TAKING THIS TRUCK INTO THE DEALER.AT THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $1100 TO REPAIR THE OIL PAN GASKET, THE REAR MAIN, AND THERE WERE ADDITIONAL ONES. THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING FROM MORE THAN ONE PLACE. ALSO AT THIS TIME WERE INFORMED THAT FORD HAD REDESIGNED ALL OF THE ENGINE SEALS/GASKETS. THE SER…
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JUNE 3, L999 AFTER TAKING THIS TRUCK INTO THE DEALER.AT THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $1100 TO REPAIR THE OIL PAN GASKET, THE REAR MAIN, AND THERE WERE ADDITIONAL ONES. THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING FROM MORE THAN ONE PLACE. ALSO AT THIS TIME WERE INFORMED THAT FORD HAD REDESIGNED ALL OF THE ENGINE SEALS/GASKETS. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO METIONED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ORIGNAL SEALS/GASKETS. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS THAT HAVE GOTTEN TO WELL OVER 150,000 MILES (OUR HONDA HAD 230,000 MILES ) WILL NO SUCH LEAKS!!!! IF IT HAD BEEN ONE SEAL OR GASKET MAYBE I MIGHT BE OK WITH IT ,BUT ALL , AND AT THE TUNE OF$1100 AND FORD SO FAR NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY IS BEYOND ME. I PURCHASED AMERICAN, BUT UNLESS THIS IS RESOLVED TO MY SATISFACTION , NEXT CAR WILL BE HONDA. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SUCH CASES AND OR CAN YOU HELP IN ANY WAY THANK YOU. AK
THE LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC PLUGS LOCATED ON TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS REPORTED TO ME BY THE DEALERS SERVICE PERSONNEL WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIC WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA TRANSMISSION USED IN THE RANGER TRUCK. THER HAVE BEEN AT L…
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THE LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC PLUGS LOCATED ON TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS REPORTED TO ME BY THE DEALERS SERVICE PERSONNEL WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIC WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA TRANSMISSION USED IN THE RANGER TRUCK. THER HAVE BEEN AT LEAST TWO OTHER REPORTS TO NHTSA ON THIS PROBLEM. FROM INFORMATION I HAVE RECEIVED, IF THE FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION BECOMES LOW, IT WILL RESULT IN THE TRANSMISSION BEING DAMAGED. IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE COMMON THAT REPORTED AND SEEMS A RESULT OF THE USE OF PLASTIC PLUGS IN THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS INFORMED OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK TO BE SERVICED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAKING WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SAID THAT THE PLUG FAILURE WAS NOT UNCOMMON. IT APPEARS THAT THIS MAY BE A PROBLEN THAT IS MASKED BY OTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *AK
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
HAVE REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS APPROX. EVERY 9000 MILES. PAD CRACK CAUSING SHAKING. HAVE LOST THRE CALIPER PINS THAT HOLD CALIPER IN PLACE. REPLACED CALIPERS PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY. SHAKING HA SCAUSED BALL JOINTS TO FAIL. FORD DENIES ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE DESIGN OF THESE BRAKES
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.