IllustrationREAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTING BRACKETS RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM FRAME, FRAME IS VERY RUSTY. *TR
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 reports1994 FORD RANGER EXTENDED CAB PICKUP 4.0 L V6 ENGINE CURRENT MILEAGE 65,000. MILEAGE AT FAILURE 63,000. THE FUEL FILLER HOSE FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK TO THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS THAT ALLOWED FUEL TO SPILL ON THE GROUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFILLED. ODOR OF FUEL IS ALWAYS PRESENT WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. TOOK THE TRUCK T…
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1994 FORD RANGER EXTENDED CAB PICKUP 4.0 L V6 ENGINE CURRENT MILEAGE 65,000. MILEAGE AT FAILURE 63,000. THE FUEL FILLER HOSE FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK TO THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS THAT ALLOWED FUEL TO SPILL ON THE GROUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFILLED. ODOR OF FUEL IS ALWAYS PRESENT WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. TOOK THE TRUCK TO LOCAL SERVICE SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT OF FILLER HOSE. HOSE IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM DEALER AND COST OF PART WAS EXCESSIVE IF IT WERE AVAILABLE. REPAIR SHOP MADE TEMPORARY REPAIR BY APPLYING SEALANT TO FUEL FILLER HOSE UNTIL PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. WHILE PLACING GASOLINE INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
1994 RANGER PICK-UP FAILED SMOG TEST DUE TO A BREAK IN THE GAS TANK FILLER ASSEMBLY. SMOG SPECIALIST SAID ALL RANGERS MFGD BETWEEN 1989 AND 1997 WERE FAILING SMOG PRESSURE TANK. FACT VERIFIED BY MY MECHANIC. COST OF REPAIR $600. FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO EFFECT REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
NO EVENT LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE UNLESS YOU CONSIDER THE EMISSIONS TEST , THE FAILURE IS OF THE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY ON THE GAS TANK, A CRACK OCCURS,THEN LEAKING ,DRIPPING,AND CONSTANT FUMES, THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON MY TRUCK AND MANY TRUCKS OF THE SAME MODEL. CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH A REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY, THE 2ND TIME…
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NO EVENT LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE UNLESS YOU CONSIDER THE EMISSIONS TEST , THE FAILURE IS OF THE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY ON THE GAS TANK, A CRACK OCCURS,THEN LEAKING ,DRIPPING,AND CONSTANT FUMES, THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON MY TRUCK AND MANY TRUCKS OF THE SAME MODEL. CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH A REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY, THE 2ND TIME,I ATTEMPTED TO SEAL THE ASSEMBLY,WHICH HELD FOR AWHILE BUT HAS ALSO FAILED..YES THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE ,AS FOR THE RADIATOR FAN, ITS PLASTIC AND BREAKS FROM HEAT EVERY YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED IT MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER,YES THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. WHILE PLACING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE AT THE PUMP, GAS LEAKED FROM THE FILLER TUBE ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FILLER TUBE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FILLER TUBE WAS REPLACED IN JULY OF 2001. IN APPROXIMATELY MAY OF 2007,…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. WHILE PLACING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE AT THE PUMP, GAS LEAKED FROM THE FILLER TUBE ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FILLER TUBE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FILLER TUBE WAS REPLACED IN JULY OF 2001. IN APPROXIMATELY MAY OF 2007, THE FILLER TUBE FAILED AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 09/17/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/24/08. *JB
TRUCK HAD A SQUEAK IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. AFTER MY INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE LH REAR SPRING HANGER HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. I CHECKED THE RH AND FOUND THAT IT IS ABOUT TO RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT'S SISTER OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER FUEL IS PLACED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL LEAKS OUT ON TWO SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL OVERFLOW WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND FAILURE M…
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TL*THE CONTACT'S SISTER OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER FUEL IS PLACED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL LEAKS OUT ON TWO SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL OVERFLOW WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILLER TUBE DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. THE HOSE THAT EXTENDS FROM THE FUEL CAP TO THE FUEL TANK CRACKS NEAR THE FUEL TANK WHILE FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH GAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLS FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT DUE TO THE MATERIAL OF TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. THE HOSE THAT EXTENDS FROM THE FUEL CAP TO THE FUEL TANK CRACKS NEAR THE FUEL TANK WHILE FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH GAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLS FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT DUE TO THE MATERIAL OF THE HOSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED
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.