1994 Ford Ranger: problems, recalls and reliability
11 recalls and 438 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (14% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 model years look 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 438 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The frame and suspension is rotting here is a rust hole in my frame where the coil spring goes. The truck body has no other signs of rust and has never been abused or neglected.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2019
“Drove my truck one day all was fine. Drove it the next day and felt a strange vibration. While driving I noticed the truck wanted to keep pulling hard to the right. Inspection of tires revealed the left front tire was was not touching the completely in contact with the road. Tread is good. Looks like belt failure. Scarry. Have pictures. It is a cornell 1000. P215-70r14.”Owner report · Tires · May 2018
“1994 ford ranger. Consumer writes in regards to rusted frame on vehicle. *ld the consumer stated the frame rusted and broke releasing the gas tank from the vehicle, while driving. The consumer requested to be reimbursed or replace the frame. Updated 10/25/2017*js”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford ranger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact observed from the front driver mirror side a trail. In addition, there was fuel leaking from the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle, where it was determined that there was a crack in the fuel line. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 94v111001 (fuel system/gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2016
“Frame is rusted completely parts falling off and motor mounts have rusted apart. Rear bumber almost rusted away and falling off.”Owner report · Structure · May 2016
“Passenger side frame rusted just behind the front wheel. This is a potential safety issue and will cause the truck to fail the state safety inspection rendering the truck useless. Unless it brakes before that time. Drivers side in better condition.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2016
“Noticed a clunking noise if the right front of the vehicle during turning, stopping and going over small bumps. Figured it would be something simple and took it to my mechanic. He said it was a rusted frame mount and to take it to a body shop. So I did and the second opinion was that the frame was rusted completely in two just if front of the right shock mount. I climbed under the vehicle and it truly is rusted completely into two pieces. I don't know what is keep the front right wheel where it belongs. Unsafe to drive. Parked for now. Where do I turn now? No pun intended.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2015
“Jm auto sales at 12248 n. 600 e. Demotte, in 46310, sold me an unsafe vehicle, he assured me that he services all his vehicles before he sells them because he wants his customers happy, when I took the truck to my mechanic he told me that it needs a new transmission, center links, wheel alignment, and exhaust flange manifold, its unfair for this business to sell a vehicle that is unsafe for the road, this should fall under the unsafe and deceptive acts and practices act. If he services the vehicle he would know what's wrong with them and not put them for sale. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2014
“I left my truck for inspection on 12/9/13. It would not inspect because of a small leak in one of the flexible fuel line cables that lead from the main fuel line to the engine. This part was supposedly on recall at some past date. The NHTSA recall is #94v111001. I never received any correspondence on this recall. Unfortunately, ford informs me that the part is discontinued, and my mechanic is unable to find a replacement part anywhere. I am currently trying to find a machine shop that can make the part. My question is "do I have any options that I could pursue against ford". *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2013
“Purchased a very nice 1994 ford ranger xlt with approx. 63,709 original miles the frame perches and leaf spring purchases are like swiss cheese the scale on the frame is terrible the mechanic could not safely put this truck on a lift looks like truck underneath was dipped in rust any information or reply would be appreciated. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 53 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 11 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 FRONT FUEL LINES HAVE A SECTION OF FLEXIBLE HOSE THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CRACKING WHICH CAN ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY.
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 1994 Ford Ranger reliable?
NHTSA has 438 owner complaints and 11 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Ford Ranger. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Ford Ranger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 115,915 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Ford Ranger have open recalls?
11 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.