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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

What owners actually said

438 reports
101,000 miles · Jan 26, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

1994 FORD RANGER, HAS A CRACKED FUEL FILLER HOSE THAT CAUSES FUEL TO SPILL OUT WHEN FILLING THE TANK, DURING WARM WEATHER YOU CAN GET TO 3/4 OF A TANK BEFORE FUEL SPILLAGE STARTS, IN WINTER JUST A LITTLE OVER 1/2 TANK. WHEN I APPROACHED THE DEALER ABOUT GETTING PARTS TO REPAIR I WAS TOLD THEY ARE ON BACKORDER. HIS COMMENT TO M…

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1994 FORD RANGER, HAS A CRACKED FUEL FILLER HOSE THAT CAUSES FUEL TO SPILL OUT WHEN FILLING THE TANK, DURING WARM WEATHER YOU CAN GET TO 3/4 OF A TANK BEFORE FUEL SPILLAGE STARTS, IN WINTER JUST A LITTLE OVER 1/2 TANK. WHEN I APPROACHED THE DEALER ABOUT GETTING PARTS TO REPAIR I WAS TOLD THEY ARE ON BACKORDER. HIS COMMENT TO ME WAS THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF RANGERS OUT THERE, THOSE THAT LEAK AND THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED. IN OTHER WORDS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FORD HAS WITH THE RANGERS THAT THEY ARE CHOOSING TO IGNORE. IN CHECKING OTHER SOURCES IT SEEMS TO BE RANGERS FROM AT LEAST 1993 - 2009 HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378733

120,000 miles · Jan 13, 2011
Suspension

3 OUT OF 4 LEAF SPRING BRACKETS (THOSE THAT ATTACH THE LEAF SPRING TO THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK) RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT OF COMPLETE SEVERING THE CONNECTION OF THE LEAF SPRING TO THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE 4TH BRACKET WAS ALSO REPLACED AT THE URGING OF MY MECHANIC SINCE IT APPEARED TO BE CLOSE TO BREAKING AS THE OTHER 3 DID.…

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3 OUT OF 4 LEAF SPRING BRACKETS (THOSE THAT ATTACH THE LEAF SPRING TO THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK) RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT OF COMPLETE SEVERING THE CONNECTION OF THE LEAF SPRING TO THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE 4TH BRACKET WAS ALSO REPLACED AT THE URGING OF MY MECHANIC SINCE IT APPEARED TO BE CLOSE TO BREAKING AS THE OTHER 3 DID. THESE BRACKET FAILURES WERE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AND PUT THE SAFETY OF ALL PASSENGERS AT RISK FOR PERSONAL INJURY. I PERSONALLY KNOW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD RANGERS. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPAIR THEIR TRUCKS COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE.

NHTSA ODI #10377404

125,000 miles · Oct 28, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK FILLER HOSE LEAKS AND CAUSES EXCESSIVE WASTE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362735

148,395 miles · Aug 29, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FAILURE OF FUEL TANK FILLER NECK TUBE RESULTING IN MAJOR LOSS OF FUEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352563

140,000 miles · Aug 28, 2010
StructureSuspension

I KEPT HEARING A SQUEAK IN THE REAR END. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK I FOUND THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT REAL BAD. PIECES ARE FLAKING OFF. HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR HANGERS ON LEAF SPRINGS AND SHACKLES DUE TO THEM BEING RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL AND I WILL ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRACKETS HOLDING…

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I KEPT HEARING A SQUEAK IN THE REAR END. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK I FOUND THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT REAL BAD. PIECES ARE FLAKING OFF. HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR HANGERS ON LEAF SPRINGS AND SHACKLES DUE TO THEM BEING RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL AND I WILL ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRACKETS HOLDING THE FRONT SPRINGS. MY EXHAUST IS THE ORIGINAL AND THE TRUCK HAS 147,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULD EXPECT THE EXHAUST TO RUST OUT BEFORE THE FRAME BUT I GUESS I AM WRONG. I AM STARTING TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY KIDS. I STILL HAVE THE PIECES THAT WERE REPLACED. TRUCK WAS ALSO ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH AN UNDERCOATING ON THE FRAME. I GUESS THIS DID NOT HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352496

125,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

1994 RANGER XLT. WAS FILLING FUEL TANK WHEN FUEL BEGAN LEAKING FROM UNDER SIDE OF TRUCK. STOPPED FILLING PROCESS IMMEDIATELY AND WHEN I INSPECTED THE LEAK, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL WAS COMING FORM THE CLAMP AREA OF THE FILLER HOSE. CHECKED PRICES OF REPLACEMENTS AND OPTED TO DO SELF REPAIR USING METAL DUCT TAPE. REPAIR HAS HELD…

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1994 RANGER XLT. WAS FILLING FUEL TANK WHEN FUEL BEGAN LEAKING FROM UNDER SIDE OF TRUCK. STOPPED FILLING PROCESS IMMEDIATELY AND WHEN I INSPECTED THE LEAK, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL WAS COMING FORM THE CLAMP AREA OF THE FILLER HOSE. CHECKED PRICES OF REPLACEMENTS AND OPTED TO DO SELF REPAIR USING METAL DUCT TAPE. REPAIR HAS HELD FOR 3-4 YEARS. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS ON ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310269

160,000 miles · Feb 13, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SPILLING FROM TOP OF GAS TANK AND FUEL INLET. CRACKS IN FUEL FILLER NECK/HOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310170

160,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THIRD COMPLAINT REGARDING FUEL FILLER HOSE ASSEMBLY ON 1994 FORD RANGER. FAILURE OF HOSE ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN AT THE SAME PLACE ON ALL THREE GENUINE FORD PARTS. AFTER THE BEATING THEY ARE GIVING TOYOTA WITH 100 COMPLAINTS, IT SEEMS THAT SOMEONE WOULD ACT ON OUR BEHALF. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR AGAIN SO WILL SEEK ALTERNATIVES SU…

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THIRD COMPLAINT REGARDING FUEL FILLER HOSE ASSEMBLY ON 1994 FORD RANGER. FAILURE OF HOSE ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN AT THE SAME PLACE ON ALL THREE GENUINE FORD PARTS. AFTER THE BEATING THEY ARE GIVING TOYOTA WITH 100 COMPLAINTS, IT SEEMS THAT SOMEONE WOULD ACT ON OUR BEHALF. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR AGAIN SO WILL SEEK ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS FABRICATING MY OWN, BET IT WONT LEAK THEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305661

150,000 miles · Nov 6, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL FILLER NECK HAS SPLIT AT THE TANK CONNECTION BEND. FUEL LEAKS PROFUSELY OUT OF THIS SPLIT WHEN TANK IS FILLED. WHEN THE TANK REACHES FULL CAPACITY, THE FUEL FILLER OUTER HOSE FILLS UP PARTIALLY. THE FUEL IN THE OUTER HOSE THEN LEAKS OUT ONTO THE TANK AND GROUND. I AM REPEATING THIS CLAIM FOR 2 SEPARATE VEHICLES, A '93 AND A…

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FUEL FILLER NECK HAS SPLIT AT THE TANK CONNECTION BEND. FUEL LEAKS PROFUSELY OUT OF THIS SPLIT WHEN TANK IS FILLED. WHEN THE TANK REACHES FULL CAPACITY, THE FUEL FILLER OUTER HOSE FILLS UP PARTIALLY. THE FUEL IN THE OUTER HOSE THEN LEAKS OUT ONTO THE TANK AND GROUND. I AM REPEATING THIS CLAIM FOR 2 SEPARATE VEHICLES, A '93 AND A '94. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291274

174,000 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE; HOWEVER, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LOCATED. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE; HOWEVER, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH OTHER DAMAGES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 174,000.

NHTSA ODI #10285621

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.