FaultScore

1994 Ford Ranger engine problems

27 of the 531 complaints about the 1994 Ford Ranger are about the engine — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 115,500 miles.

B

27

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 8 29.6%
Gasoline 6 22.2%
Radiator Assembly 3 11.1%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 3 11.1%
Cooling System 2 7.4%
FAN 2 7.4%
Exhaust System 1 3.7%
Emission Control 1 3.7%
Catalytic Convertor 1 3.7%

Engine & Cooling across every Ford Ranger year

1988 15 2.6%
1989 13 2.2%
1990 16 2.7%
1991 16 2.7%
1992 20 3.4%
1993 14 2.4%
1994 27 4.6%
1995 17 2.9%
1996 36 6.1%
1997 19 3.2%
1998 57 9.7%
1999 51 8.7%
2000 43 7.3%
2001 35 6.0%
2002 46 7.8%
2003 27 4.6%
2004 24 4.1%
2005 17 2.9%
2006 20 3.4%
2019 32 5.4%
2020 18 3.1%
2021 15 2.6%
2025 10 1.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Portage, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10575893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 174,000 miles Spencerport, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE; HOWEVER, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH OTHER DAMAGES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 174,000.

NHTSA complaint #10285621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Chandler, AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

NO EVENT LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE UNLESS YOU CONSIDER THE EMISSIONS TEST , THE FAILURE IS OF THE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY ON THE GAS TANK, A CRACK OCCURS,THEN LEAKING ,DRIPPING,AND CONSTANT FUMES, THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON MY TRUCK AND MANY TRUCKS OF THE SAME MODEL. CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH A REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY, THE 2ND TIME,I ATTEMPTED TO SEAL THE ASSEMBLY,WHICH HELD FOR AWHILE BUT HAS ALSO FAILED..YES THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE ,AS FOR THE RADIATOR FAN, ITS PLASTIC AND BREAKS FROM HEAT EVERY YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED IT MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER,YES THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10239121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAC City, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

FAN BLADE HAS CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN HOT. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10029736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chula Vista, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

I WAS CHECKING FOR RECALLS ON MY 1994 FORD RANGER AND WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MANY RECALLS. THE REASON BEING THAT, MY FAMILY HAS OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 1994, WE'VE ONLY RECEIVED THE FIRESTONE RECALL NOTICE. IRONICALLY, I HAVE HAD AND STILL HAVE SOME OF THE LISTED COMPONENTS THAT WERE RECALLED AS WELL AS AS SOME UNLISTED COMPONENTS SINCE 1996, THESE PROBLEMS HAVE COST MY FAMILY ANY WHERE BETWEEN $1000.00 - $2000.00, EVERY YEAR JUST IN REPAIRS ALONE. THE VEHICLE BARELY HAS 147,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY USED TO COMMUTE TO ANF FROM WORK, AND OCCASSIONAL DRIVES TO L.A. COUNTY. SEE LIST BELOW.... 07/2002 - VEHICLE OVERHEATED RETURNING HOME FROM L.A. COUNTY, CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD - COST $1200.00 02/2002 - BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE & ALIGNMENT, AND FOUND THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE BAD, REPLACED BRAKE ROTORS, CALIPERS, GASKETS, SEALS, AND HOSES WERE LEAKING, THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING AND TO THIS DAY, I STILL SMELL GASOLINE EVERYTIME I PARK . COST - $950.00 07/2001 - BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR TIRES, AND FIND THE RADIATOR NOT WORKING, AND THE COOLING FAN WAS CRACKED ALL THE WASY AROUND ON EVERY BLADE, HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, FAN ASSY AND ALL HOSES & CLAMPS. - COST - $ 800.00 01/2001 - FRONT BRAKE DISC ROTORS WERE BAD, REPLACED - COST - $ 300.00 03/2000 - ROUTINE 30K SERVICE + VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND SHUDDER WHEN BRAKING, SO REAR BRAKE ROTORS & DRUMS WERE SURFACED AND/OR REPLACED, + REPLACED THE FOLLOWING GASKETS, SEALS, & PLUGS BECAUSE OF MAJOR LEAKS; WORK BY FORD DEALER, #FOTZ6710C OIL PAN GSKT, INTAKE MANIFOLD GSKT & VALVE COVER GSKT, #F5TZ9439A MANIF. GSKT, #F87Z6584AA COVER VALVE ROCKER ARM GSKT, THERMOSTATIC INSERT, , VALVES, OIL FILTER, AND THERMOSTAT - COST - $ 1425.00 SEE WHAT I MEAN...

NHTSA complaint #10005381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chula Vista, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

I WAS CHECKING FOR RECALLS ON MY 1994 FORD RANGER AND WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MANY RECALLS. THE REASON BEING THAT, MY FAMILY HAS OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 1994, WE'VE ONLY RECEIVED THE FIRESTONE RECALL NOTICE. IRONICALLY, I HAVE HAD AND STILL HAVE SOME OF THE LISTED COMPONENTS THAT WERE RECALLED AS WELL AS AS SOME UNLISTED COMPONENTS SINCE 1996, THESE PROBLEMS HAVE COST MY FAMILY ANY WHERE BETWEEN $1000.00 - $2000.00, EVERY YEAR JUST IN REPAIRS ALONE. THE VEHICLE BARELY HAS 147,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY USED TO COMMUTE TO ANF FROM WORK, AND OCCASSIONAL DRIVES TO L.A. COUNTY. SEE LIST BELOW.... 07/2002 - VEHICLE OVERHEATED RETURNING HOME FROM L.A. COUNTY, CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD - COST $1200.00 02/2002 - BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE & ALIGNMENT, AND FOUND THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE BAD, REPLACED BRAKE ROTORS, CALIPERS, GASKETS, SEALS, AND HOSES WERE LEAKING, THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING AND TO THIS DAY, I STILL SMELL GASOLINE EVERYTIME I PARK . COST - $950.00 07/2001 - BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR TIRES, AND FIND THE RADIATOR NOT WORKING, AND THE COOLING FAN WAS CRACKED ALL THE WASY AROUND ON EVERY BLADE, HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, FAN ASSY AND ALL HOSES & CLAMPS. - COST - $ 800.00 01/2001 - FRONT BRAKE DISC ROTORS WERE BAD, REPLACED - COST - $ 300.00 03/2000 - ROUTINE 30K SERVICE + VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND SHUDDER WHEN BRAKING, SO REAR BRAKE ROTORS & DRUMS WERE SURFACED AND/OR REPLACED, + REPLACED THE FOLLOWING GASKETS, SEALS, & PLUGS BECAUSE OF MAJOR LEAKS; WORK BY FORD DEALER, #FOTZ6710C OIL PAN GSKT, INTAKE MANIFOLD GSKT & VALVE COVER GSKT, #F5TZ9439A MANIF. GSKT, #F87Z6584AA COVER VALVE ROCKER ARM GSKT, THERMOSTATIC INSERT, , VALVES, OIL FILTER, AND THERMOSTAT - COST - $ 1425.00 SEE WHAT I MEAN...

NHTSA complaint #10005381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burlington, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, PHIL LONG.

NHTSA complaint #763382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bihmington, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MOTOR AND OIL PANS ARE DEFECTIVE. WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE IDLES, AND SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING AT ALL . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8011603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delaware, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 81000 MILES,. THE CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #562666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Champion, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL PAN IS RUSTED AND LEAKED OIL FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT AWARE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8000817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ciffton Park, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

VEHICLE MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THAT A CATALTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS WAS A PREMATURE WEAR. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #6900702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delaware, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 81000 MILES,. THE CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #562666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Dimas, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES-CAUSED BY OVERHEATING OF THE MODULE,WHICH IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, ON THE DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY. SEVERAL OF THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.. THE ENGINE SIMPLY SHUTS OFF, LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING OR BRAKE CONTROL UNTIL THE ENGINE CAN BE RESTARTED (AFTER IT COOLS DOWN) I HAVE BEEN QUOTED COSTS AS HIGH AS $400 TO REPLACE THE MODULE.. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #750934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tallahassee, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE SIMPLY QUIT AND IT WILL RESTART LATER. I'VE REPLACED TIMING BELT, IGNITION SYSTEM, FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP, DISTRIBUTOR STROBE AND IT CONTINUES TO STALL IN TRAFFIC, WHEN HOT OR COLD

NHTSA complaint #745759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tallahassee, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE SIMPLY QUIT AND IT WILL RESTART LATER. I'VE REPLACED TIMING BELT, IGNITION SYSTEM, FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP, DISTRIBUTOR STROBE AND IT CONTINUES TO STALL IN TRAFFIC, WHEN HOT OR COLD

NHTSA complaint #745759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owings Mills, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TEMPERATURE/ THERMOSTAT KEEP BREAKING. HAS BEEN REPALCED 2 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #882177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owings Mills, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

TEMPERATURE/ THERMOSTAT KEEP BREAKING. HAS BEEN REPALCED 2 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #882177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hawthorne, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

THERMOSTAT FAILURE CAUSED THE SMOG COMPONENTS TO FAIL. YH

NHTSA complaint #550168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bremen, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATES WITH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #708013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring Valley, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

JUNE 3, L999 AFTER TAKING THIS TRUCK INTO THE DEALER.AT THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $1100 TO REPAIR THE OIL PAN GASKET, THE REAR MAIN, AND THERE WERE ADDITIONAL ONES. THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING FROM MORE THAN ONE PLACE. ALSO AT THIS TIME WERE INFORMED THAT FORD HAD REDESIGNED ALL OF THE ENGINE SEALS/GASKETS. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO METIONED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ORIGNAL SEALS/GASKETS. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS THAT HAVE GOTTEN TO WELL OVER 150,000 MILES (OUR HONDA HAD 230,000 MILES ) WILL NO SUCH LEAKS!!!! IF IT HAD BEEN ONE SEAL OR GASKET MAYBE I MIGHT BE OK WITH IT ,BUT ALL , AND AT THE TUNE OF$1100 AND FORD SO FAR NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY IS BEYOND ME. I PURCHASED AMERICAN, BUT UNLESS THIS IS RESOLVED TO MY SATISFACTION , NEXT CAR WILL BE HONDA. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SUCH CASES AND OR CAN YOU HELP IN ANY WAY THANK YOU. AK

NHTSA complaint #707217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sonoma, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

SENSOR AND RELAY FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #543224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newlenox, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE OIL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH HEADS WERE CRACKED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #819474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VALVE LIFTER NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #513296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Land O LAK, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

NHTSA complaint #502985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Terrell, TX Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #506789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santee, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

NHTSA complaint #481256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

N. Lauderdal, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILS; PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA complaint #958127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Ford Ranger problems

← Full 1994 Ford Ranger report