1993 Ford Ranger: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 232 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (16% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 232 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Throttle stuck at high rpms and gas pedal stuck to the floor had to turn off the ignition before it blew up my truck. This was supposed to have been repaired in january by ford in ventura and now it is happening again this has happened to so many rangers and one of us owners of will wind up killed. Fix this please”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2019
“Gas tank cracked at 86000 miles can't hold more then half a tank. Transmission wearing out and driven lightly never used the bed of truck to carry things mainly freeway miles”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 ford ranger. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic noticed that the steering coupler was fractured in multiple places and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 176,000.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“1993 ford ranger severe frame / suspension rust. On the rear leaf spring have had to replace front and rear hangers / shackles. The oem ones rusted completely through and let the leaf springs break loose. Only contact was on the spring eyelet hitting the bottom for the truck bed. Have also had to replace the cab mounts, also rusted completely through so that the rear of the cab was sitting on the frame. The frame is also showing severe corrosion. The farther back the worse it is.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 ford ranger with firestone tires, size: p225/70/r14. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the rear driver side tire tread separated from the tire, causing the contact to crash into a highway divider. The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed and the contact sustained injuries. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 93,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2012
“Was driving around 50 to 55 mph when I seen smoke coming from truck so I pulled over to see what was wrong and seen transmission fluid pouring out of transmission onto exhaust pipe this has happen twice now don,t know why coming from front of transmission auto 3.0 engine only when I kick it in overdrive it happens. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2012
“On my 1993 ford ranger,my brake & clutch mounting bracket failed due to stress fracture of welds. This caused lose of brakes and use of clutch. Ford has a recall on failure of studs on the power brake booster that is mounted on this bracket, but nothing on the failure of the bracket. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 ford ranger. The contact stated the front frame was corroded and rusted. The dealer was contact and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,761. Updated 07/08/11*lj updated 08/05/11”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2011
“Frame is rotting - repaired the rear section and now the front is rotting where the shocks/springs are mounted to the frame. The entire frame is a mess but the rest of the body is good. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2011
“Noticed gasoline runs from under truck when tank is filled up with gas. On 11/30/2010, filler neck on fuel tank cracked profusely as well as fuel inductor line; fuel was pouring out under truck as I watched the gas gauge go from 1/4 of a tank full to empty in 2 seconds. Dealer indicates that original fuel inductor lines (that fits on top of tank) and tank are no longer available from ford dealer. Entire fuel system must be replaced. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 31 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 10 campaigns
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.
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.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR INTAKE DUCT AND VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED UNITS.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ranger by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 Ford Ranger reliable?
NHTSA has 232 owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Ford Ranger. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Ford Ranger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 94,808 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Ford Ranger have open recalls?
10 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning parking brake:conventional. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.