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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

Tires complaints

54 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
Tires

AT 4:50 PM ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 200, I WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON THE 210, A HALF MILE BEFORE THE 2 INTERCHANGE IN THE PASADENA, CALIFORNIA AREA. I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH IN THE SECOND LANE WHEN I BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON A WASH BOARD. MY BACK END BEGAN FISHTAILING BACK AND FORTH. I HAD TO FIGHT TO KEEP MY TRUCK IN …

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AT 4:50 PM ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 200, I WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON THE 210, A HALF MILE BEFORE THE 2 INTERCHANGE IN THE PASADENA, CALIFORNIA AREA. I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH IN THE SECOND LANE WHEN I BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON A WASH BOARD. MY BACK END BEGAN FISHTAILING BACK AND FORTH. I HAD TO FIGHT TO KEEP MY TRUCK IN THE LANE I WAS IN AT THE TIME. I GLANCED INTO MY DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR AND SAW CHUNKS AND STRIPS OF TIRE FLYING AWAY FROM MY TRUCK . I LOOKED OVER MY RIGHT SHOULDER AND SAW THAT THE LANES WERE CLEAR. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. ON EXITING MY VEHICLE, I SAW THAT ALL THE TREAD HAD SEPERATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. THERE IS NO TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. I HAD AAA COME AND PUT ON THE SPARE. I HAD A SAFETY CHECK DONE THE NEXT MORNING AT A TIRE SHOP. TWO MORE OF MY TIRES ARE CRACKED JUST OUTSIDE THE TREAD, AROUND THE ENTIRE PERIMETER OF THE TIRES ON BOTH SIDES. AS I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED WITH 26,000 MILES ON IT, I AM NOT REALLY SURE IF THE AFFECTED TIRE WAS ORIGINAL OR A REPLACEMENT.*AK( DOT NUMBER: W2FC1M9393 TIRE SIZE: P225/70R14 )

NHTSA ODI #732494

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2000
Tires

AFTER MARKET TIRES, P235/75R15, DOT#VDHL. TIRES BEGAN TO CRACK ALONG THE SIDEWALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #870572

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Tires

I HAVE NOTICED THAT 14 INCH TIRES ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. ARE THERE SIGNIFICANT ENGINEERING DESIGN DIFFERENCES IN 14 INCH AND 15 INCH TIRES, OR HAVE THEY JUST BEEN OVERLOOKED SINCE THEY ARE NOT A VERY COMMON SIZE. I HAVE HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER THEM. I AM CURRENTLY NEEDING TO REPLACE MY SECOND SET OF WILDERNESS HT TIRES. BOTH S…

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I HAVE NOTICED THAT 14 INCH TIRES ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. ARE THERE SIGNIFICANT ENGINEERING DESIGN DIFFERENCES IN 14 INCH AND 15 INCH TIRES, OR HAVE THEY JUST BEEN OVERLOOKED SINCE THEY ARE NOT A VERY COMMON SIZE. I HAVE HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER THEM. I AM CURRENTLY NEEDING TO REPLACE MY SECOND SET OF WILDERNESS HT TIRES. BOTH SETS ONLY LASTED ABOUT 20,000 MILES EVEN THOUGH I MAINTAINED THEM THE SAME AS ANY OTHER TIRES I OWNED WHICH LASTED 60,000 MILES. THANKYOU. WILL BE MONITORING YOUR PRESS RELEASES. CONTACT ME IF YOU'D LIKE. KAREN( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R14 )

NHTSA ODI #731419

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Tires

I HAVE NOTICED THAT 14 INCH TIRES ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. ARE THERE SIGNIFICANT ENGINEERING DESIGN DIFFERENCES IN 14 INCH AND 15 INCH TIRES, OR HAVE THEY JUST BEEN OVERLOOKED SINCE THEY ARE NOT A VERY COMMON SIZE. I HAVE HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER THEM. I AM CURRENTLY NEEDING TO REPLACE MY SECOND SET OF WILDERNESS HT TIRES. BOTH S…

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I HAVE NOTICED THAT 14 INCH TIRES ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. ARE THERE SIGNIFICANT ENGINEERING DESIGN DIFFERENCES IN 14 INCH AND 15 INCH TIRES, OR HAVE THEY JUST BEEN OVERLOOKED SINCE THEY ARE NOT A VERY COMMON SIZE. I HAVE HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER THEM. I AM CURRENTLY NEEDING TO REPLACE MY SECOND SET OF WILDERNESS HT TIRES. BOTH SETS ONLY LASTED ABOUT 20,000 MILES EVEN THOUGH I MAINTAINED THEM THE SAME AS ANY OTHER TIRES I OWNED WHICH LASTED 60,000 MILES. THANKYOU. WILL BE MONITORING YOUR PRESS RELEASES. CONTACT ME IF YOU'D LIKE. KAREN( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R14 )

NHTSA ODI #731417

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2000
Tires

I HAVE BEEN WAITING SEVERAL WEEKS AND STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED REPLACEMENT TIRES. NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE EITHER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )

NHTSA ODI #731231

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Tires

THE FIRESTONE TIRES THAT ARE BEING RE-CALLED, BLEW OUT AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL DAMAGE TO TRUCK. (CLAIM# 42-1281-305) *MW

NHTSA ODI #6900217

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

I OWNED A 1994 FORD RANGER I WENT INTO A SLIDE & ROLLED THE TRUCK 4 TIMES & TOTALED IT OUT , I HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES ON THIS TRUCK 265/75R/15 ........ I THEN BOUGHT A 1997 FORD RANGER WITH 265/75R/15 WILDERNESS TIRES ,,,,, NOW COMES THIS RECALL ON WILDERNESS AT TIRES ...... I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THESE TIRES....... YET THE…

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I OWNED A 1994 FORD RANGER I WENT INTO A SLIDE & ROLLED THE TRUCK 4 TIMES & TOTALED IT OUT , I HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES ON THIS TRUCK 265/75R/15 ........ I THEN BOUGHT A 1997 FORD RANGER WITH 265/75R/15 WILDERNESS TIRES ,,,,, NOW COMES THIS RECALL ON WILDERNESS AT TIRES ...... I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THESE TIRES....... YET THE FORD DEALER SAYS MY TIRES ARE NOT ON THE LIST , THEN I CALL FIRESTONE & THEY TELL ME MY TIRES ARE NOT ON THE LIST , YET I RECENTLY ROLLED A FORD RANGER & LIVED THROUGH IT , THAT HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES ON IT , & I WAS BEAT UP PRETTY GOOD , SO I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIRES I HAVE ON MY TRUCK NOW...... I WORK AT A HOSPITAL & THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAY I AM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE .......... SO IN CLOSING YES I AM WORRIED ABOUT THESE WILDERNESS AT TIRES I HAVE ON MY TRUCK ...........( DOT NUMBER: ?????????? TIRE SIZE: 265/R75/15 )

NHTSA ODI #730723

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
TiresCrash

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 68MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE THROWN INTO CENTER OF THE MEREDIAN STRIP. FRONT LEFT HAND SIDE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #869816

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
Tires

ALL 4 OF COMSUMER FIRSTONE TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION BETWEEN 17000 AND 26000 MILES. NLM

NHTSA ODI #554372

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2000
Tires

PE00 020; CONSUMER SAID THAT THE TIRE WERE WOBBLING WHEN HE TRAVELED DOWN THE ROAD. TIRES HAD BUBBLES AND STRESS MARKS. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE FIRESTONE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #869597

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.