IllustrationTWO TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF SEPARATION, NOW THE REMAINING FOUR TIRES HAVE SEPARATED, THE TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT, VIBRATES IN THE REAR, AND FRONT. MY TIRES ARE ON MY TRUCK AND I CAN DELIVER MY TRUCK TO ANYONE WANTING TO EXAMINE IT.( DOT NUMBER: OBBN PUA TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
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 reportsON 6/6/00, WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH 2 CARPOOL PASSENGERS THE LEFT REAR TIRE DISINTEGRATED AT 70 MPH IN 105 DEGREE HEAT. THE FIRST INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WAS AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT THUMPING FROM THE REAR. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT THE DRIVELINE BROKE AND WAS SMASHING THE PAVEMENT, BUT THEN, AFTER NO MORE THAN A SECOND, TH…
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ON 6/6/00, WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH 2 CARPOOL PASSENGERS THE LEFT REAR TIRE DISINTEGRATED AT 70 MPH IN 105 DEGREE HEAT. THE FIRST INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WAS AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT THUMPING FROM THE REAR. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT THE DRIVELINE BROKE AND WAS SMASHING THE PAVEMENT, BUT THEN, AFTER NO MORE THAN A SECOND, THE NOISE STOPPED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST WRENCHED FROM MY HANDS AS THE TRUCK LURCHED SEVERELY TO THE LEFT, HURTLING US TOWARDS THE BUSHES THAT ARE THE ONLY SEPARATION FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON THAT STRETCH OF HWY 99 NEAR SELMA CA. THE WHEEL HAD ACTUALLY LOCKED UP FOR AN INSTANT AS THE FAILED TREAD WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE BEFORE RIPPING FREE. IN THE FRACTION OF A SECOND IT TOOK TO REALIZE I WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS PROBABLY GOING TO CRASH INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE TREAD PEELED OFF ALL THE WAY. INSTANTLY, THE NOISE AND VIOLENT MOTION STOPPED AND I WATCHED THE TIRE'S TREAD TUMBLE INTO THE MEDIAN THROUGH THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. I NOTICED I HAD INSTINCTIVLY TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE, AND I WAS NOW CRUISING AT 60MPH WITH NO TROUBLE. I EASED INTO THE RIGHT LANE, SLOWING FURTHER, THING TO PULL OVER BUT THE TRUCK WAS HANDLING FINE. SEEING AN EXIT 1/4 MI. AHEAD, I HEADED FOR IT WITH FLASHERS AT ABOUT 50MPH. UPON STOPPING WE WERE AMAZED TO FIND THE LEFT REAR TIRE STRIPPED OF TREAD, BUT STILL FULLY INFLATED, (30 PSI ACCORDING TO MY GUAGE). THE SHREDDED TIRE IMPLODED MY REAR FENDER, LEFT BLACK GOUGES ABOVE AND AROUND THE FENDER, AND STRIPED AWAY THE MUDGUARD AND INTERIOR OF THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER CHANGING THE TIRE AND DEPOSITING MY SHAKEN PASSENGERS AT OUR CARPOOL SITE,I WENT TO THE NEAREST TIRE DEALER AND BOUGHT A SET OF UNIROYAL TIGER PAWS. THEY THREW AWAY THE FIRESTONES AND I HAVE NO RECORD OF THEM, BUT I DO HAVE A RECORD FROM MY LOCAL GOODYEAR DEALEAR WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK SOON AFTER I BOUGHT IT WITH A COMPLAINT OF A STRONG PULL TO THE RIGHT. THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT TEST AND TOLD ME A BE
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AND BLEW OUT. THEN HE HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER, AND VEERED OVER TO THE RIGHT, HITTING A GUARDRAIL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE, SIZE P215 70R14 M/S, AND DOT W2HY1NK142. *AK
NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: W29V TIRE SIZE: P265/75R15 )
TIRE HAD BECOME FLAT AND NOTICED SIGNIFICANT WEAR BUT ASSUMED THAT IT HAD BEEN PUNCTURED BY A SHARP OBJECT BUT NEVER CONSIDERED PRODUCT FAILURE. A NEW ATX TIRE WAS BOUGHT TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE AT A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
WHILE DRIVING 75MPH TREAD SEPARATED FROM LEFT REAR TIRE. LEFT SIDE OF TRUCK WAS TOREN UP DUE TO TIRE HITTING IT. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. CHANGED TIRE & CONTACTED FIRESTONE. MAILED TIRE TO FIRESTONE. BROUGHT NEW TIRES. HAD BROUGHT VEHICLE WITH USED TIRES ALREADY ON IT. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE RESULT OF FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC PLUGS LOCATED ON TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE AASTRO TRANSMISSION AND AUTOMOBLIE REPAIRS HAD REPORTED TO ME OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO HAD ENCOUNTERED OTHER VEHICLES LIKE MINE AND WITH THE SAME SITUATIONS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R14 )
A FUSE BLEW OUT, CAUSING ABS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE/ TAIL LIGHTS TO BE INOPERABLE, AND CRUISE CONTROL TO FUNCTION ERRATICALLY. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AT 55 MPH ,WENT DOWN A HILL AND OFF A 3 FOOT ENBANKMENT, LANDING AGAINST A CLIFF OF ROCKS. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, EVEN WITH FRONTAL AND REAREND DAMAGE . CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER THAT WITH THAT MODEL OF TRUCK DUAL AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN A FRONTAL AND REAREND IMPACT. THIS R…
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VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AT 55 MPH ,WENT DOWN A HILL AND OFF A 3 FOOT ENBANKMENT, LANDING AGAINST A CLIFF OF ROCKS. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, EVEN WITH FRONTAL AND REAREND DAMAGE . CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER THAT WITH THAT MODEL OF TRUCK DUAL AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN A FRONTAL AND REAREND IMPACT. THIS RESULTED IN INJURIES, SUCH AS TORN LIGAMENTS IN NECK AND BRUISES ON CHEST/ABDOMEN, AND A BRUISED BLADDER. *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.