1994 Ford Ranger

◆ Worse than typical
1994 Ford Ranger
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Ranger Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1994 highlighted. 1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1994 1995: 321 complaints 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2016 2017: 1 complaints 2019: 264 complaints 2020: 126 complaints 2021: 112 complaints 2022: 37 complaints 2022 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 73 complaints 2025: 35 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
1994: 455 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198311
198412
198527
198636
198751
198890
198973
1990106
1991133
1992191
1993235
1994455
1995321
1996413
1997411
1998576
1999755
2000670
2001515
2002346
2003243
2004404
2005289
2006271
2007270
2008326
2009168
2010156
2011235
20141
20161
20171
2019264
2020126
2021112
202237
202318
202473
202535
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 18%

18% of complaints: service brakes — 83 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 13%

13% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 61 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing filler pipe and cap and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

SPLIT IN FUEL FILLER HOSE CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL ON TOP OF FUEL TANK CAUSING FIRE. MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021022

TIRES 13%

13% of complaints: tires — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180515

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and automatic transmission.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20041019

PARKING BRAKE 11%

11% of complaints: parking brake — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing conventional and linkage and cable.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER JUST GOT OUT AND EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGE WHILE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, PASSENGER SAW THIS, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950323

WHILE PARKED ON STEEP INCLINE WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED, BRAKE DISENGAGED ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN HILL HITTING A TREE, RECEIVED NOTICE NEXT DAY, 94V169

NHTSA ODI report, 19950322

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON HILL W/EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, BRAKE FAILED AND TRUCK CRASHED. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950310

SAFETY TIMELINE

1994 — complaint volume: 455
R 19940701 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 94V111001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19941216 — parking brake

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 W

Campaign 94V169001 — check if this car was fixed

I 19950619 — EA (closed 19960402)

SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER

R 19960131 — vehicle speed control

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR INTAKE DUCT AND VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH REVISED UNITS.

Campaign 95V231001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960322 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 CA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 96V024001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980415 — service brakes, air

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 F

Campaign 98E010000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000826 — tires

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 TIR

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.

Campaign 00T005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010604 — tires

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 WILDERN

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.

Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (83 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (61 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 94V111001 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V169001 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V231001 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V024001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98E010000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00T005000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2022 ▲ 1986

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1994 Ford Ranger reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Ford Ranger is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Ford Ranger?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Ranger have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.