IllustrationEMERGENCY BRAKES WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. ONCE THEY FAILED, AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A POST. *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 reportsCONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. IT RAN INTO A TREE HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
THERE ARE THREE PLUGS ON TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION MADE OF RUBBER THAT CRACKED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. *AK
THE TRUCK IS A 1994 RANGER. IT PRESENTLY HAS 37000 MILES ON IT . BOTH FRONT ROTORSDEVELOPED CRACKS . A THUMPING OCCURRED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES . I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT . HE SHOWED ME THE CRACKS IN THE ROTORS . I HAD IT FIXED . THE ROTORSS COST ME 118. DOLLARS . THIS FAILURE SEEMS PREMATURE TO ME . I DON'T DRIVE MANY MI…
Read full complaint
THE TRUCK IS A 1994 RANGER. IT PRESENTLY HAS 37000 MILES ON IT . BOTH FRONT ROTORSDEVELOPED CRACKS . A THUMPING OCCURRED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES . I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT . HE SHOWED ME THE CRACKS IN THE ROTORS . I HAD IT FIXED . THE ROTORSS COST ME 118. DOLLARS . THIS FAILURE SEEMS PREMATURE TO ME . I DON'T DRIVE MANY MILES DURING THE YEAR SO IT DIDN,T SHOW UP DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 7000 MILES A YEAR . DO I HAVE A RECOURSE OR DO I JUST PAY IT AND SHUT UP ? THANK YOU LLOYD. *AK
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF PARKING BRAKES. MUCH LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 94V169000 AND 94V169001
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN ON HIGHWAY WHEN THE DRIVER TRIES TO SLOW IT DOWN. YH
THE FRONT INNER TIE ROD BROKE OFF, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
BRAKE SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO COME ON. SWITCH IS SOME HOW CONNECTED TO CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WILL ENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE LET GO. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
AFTER MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS FOR THE 4 WD SYSTEM TRIED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING OF THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A LOUD WHINING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF. *AK
WE'VE FOUND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THE BRAKES, FUEL, WINDOWS, ECT. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IN FACT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EVER BEEN ADDRESSED, AS WE HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED, AND MARROONE, AND WORLD FORD HAVE DONE BRAKE JOBS ON THIS VEHICLE- NOONE EVER MENTIONED THESE RECALLS TO US, AND I'LL BET THESE PROBLEMS W…
Read full complaint
WE'VE FOUND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THE BRAKES, FUEL, WINDOWS, ECT. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IN FACT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EVER BEEN ADDRESSED, AS WE HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED, AND MARROONE, AND WORLD FORD HAVE DONE BRAKE JOBS ON THIS VEHICLE- NOONE EVER MENTIONED THESE RECALLS TO US, AND I'LL BET THESE PROBLEMS WERE NEVER FIXED, AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO KEEP HAVING THIS VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. HOW CAN WE FIND OUT THIS INFORMATION??? *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.