The 1994 Ford Ranger has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 981,191 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 531 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the parking brake. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC96V0240011996-02-05108,000 affected
Defect
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
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.
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
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.
PARKING BRAKE94V1690011994-09-07835,791 affected
Defect
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
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…
THE FRONT FUEL LINES HAVE A SECTION OF FLEXIBLE HOSE THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CRACKING WHICH CAN ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE.
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.
Complaints by component
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
34
13crashes2injuries
TIRES
28
4crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
24
5crashes1injuries
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
24
2crashes
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
19
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
16
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
13
1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
12
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
12
1crashes
Total complaints531
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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…”
“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”
“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…”
“Frame is rusted completely parts falling off and motor mounts have rusted apart. Rear bumber almost rusted away and falling off.”
“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.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA95018 Opened 1995-06-19 · closed 1996-04-02
SEPARATION 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…
InvestigationEA95018 Opened 1995-06-19 · closed 1996-04-02
SEPARATION 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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 Ford Ranger as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.