The 1994 Ford Ranger has 9 safety recalls and 438 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (80 complaints).
Recalls9safety recalls
Complaints438filed by owners
Crashes · fires53 · 15reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths26 · 1reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 08E050000 · Aug 11, 2008 · 1,921 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006 · 61,944 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
Problem: 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.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Hydraulic
NHTSA recall 96V024001 · Feb 5, 1996 · 108,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 95V231001 · Dec 5, 1995 · 26,000 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES CAN BE INCREASED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR INTAKE DUCT AND VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED UNITS.
Parking brake › Conventional
NHTSA recall 94V169001 · Sep 7, 1994 · 835,791 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 94V111001 · Jun 13, 1994 · 11,400 vehicles
Problem: THE FRONT FUEL LINES HAVE A SECTION OF FLEXIBLE HOSE THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CRACKING WHICH CAN ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: LEAKING FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1994 Ford Ranger 2-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Ranger Pickup 2WD
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 4WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 4WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 2WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
80
11
0
3
—
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
60
0
3
0
101,500 mi
Tires Tread/belt; Sidewall
57
6
0
2
120,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
51
6
0
2
—
Parking brake Conventional; Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable
47
16
0
2
126,000 mi
Suspension Front; Rear
34
1
0
2
139,216 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
27
0
2
0
—
Electrical system Ignition; Ignition › Module
26
1
7
0
110,000 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Cables
24
2
0
3
146,689 mi
Structure Body › Bumpers; Body
21
0
0
0
119,351 mi
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist system
19
1
0
0
—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Head restraint
17
6
0
6
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 7, 2019Structure › Body 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.
May 14, 2018 · 120,000 milesTires 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.
Sep 1, 2017Structure 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
Jul 13, 2016 · 123,000 milesFuel/propulsion system 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.
May 9, 2016 · 205,000 milesStructure › Body FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY PARTS FALLING OFF AND MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE RUSTED APART. REAR BUMBER ALMOST RUSTED AWAY AND FALLING OFF.
Jan 4, 2016 · 170,000 milesStructure › Body 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.
Aug 13, 2015Suspension 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.
Jan 17, 2015 · 51,000 milesStructure REAR LEFT SPRING SHACKLE AND MOUNT RUSTED OFF. BIG RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME BESIDE FUEL TANK ON LEFT SIDE. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA95018 · opened Jun 19, 1995 · closed Apr 2, 1996 · led to recall 96V024001SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER 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.