34 of the 531 complaints about the 1994 Ford Ranger are about the suspension — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 139,216 miles.
34
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11242310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10749197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
REAR LEFT SPRING SHACKLE AND MOUNT RUSTED OFF. BIG RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME BESIDE FUEL TANK ON LEFT SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10676261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10535816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
PREMATURE SEVERE RUST ON UNDER BODY OF FRAME AND JUST ABOUT EVERY COMPONENT CONNECTED TO THE FRAME ITSELF, INCLUDING BODY MOUNTS, LEAF SPRING BRACKETS, STEERING COMPONENTS. WITHOUT PROPER KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ACTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE RUST CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF STEERING, CONTROL, AND SHIFTING LOADS AS REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKET HAS ALREADY FAILED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE. BODY MOUNTS HAVE RUSTED LEAVING THE CAB WITH POTENTIAL TO FALL OFF, OR SHIFT DURING A SIMPLE DRIVING MANEUVER . FRAME HAS PANCAKES OF RUST FLAKING OFF AT THIS TIME IN IT'S AGE (NOW 18 YEARS). THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE TO INTERNET FORD TRUCK CLUB MEMBERS WITH SEVERE RUST THAT DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE SAFETY AND INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME AND IT'S COMPONENTS ATTACHED TO IT.
NHTSA complaint #10474551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
3 OUT OF 4 LEAF SPRING BRACKETS (THOSE THAT ATTACH THE LEAF SPRING TO THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK) RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT OF COMPLETE SEVERING THE CONNECTION OF THE LEAF SPRING TO THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE 4TH BRACKET WAS ALSO REPLACED AT THE URGING OF MY MECHANIC SINCE IT APPEARED TO BE CLOSE TO BREAKING AS THE OTHER 3 DID. THESE BRACKET FAILURES WERE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AND PUT THE SAFETY OF ALL PASSENGERS AT RISK FOR PERSONAL INJURY. I PERSONALLY KNOW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD RANGERS. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPAIR THEIR TRUCKS COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10377404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
I KEPT HEARING A SQUEAK IN THE REAR END. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK I FOUND THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT REAL BAD. PIECES ARE FLAKING OFF. HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR HANGERS ON LEAF SPRINGS AND SHACKLES DUE TO THEM BEING RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL AND I WILL ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRACKETS HOLDING THE FRONT SPRINGS. MY EXHAUST IS THE ORIGINAL AND THE TRUCK HAS 147,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULD EXPECT THE EXHAUST TO RUST OUT BEFORE THE FRAME BUT I GUESS I AM WRONG. I AM STARTING TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY KIDS. I STILL HAVE THE PIECES THAT WERE REPLACED. TRUCK WAS ALSO ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH AN UNDERCOATING ON THE FRAME. I GUESS THIS DID NOT HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10352496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
TRUCK HAD A SQUEAK IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. AFTER MY INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE LH REAR SPRING HANGER HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. I CHECKED THE RH AND FOUND THAT IT IS ABOUT TO RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10227850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR LEAF SPRING REAR BRACKETS & SUPPORTS RUSTED & DETACHED FROM FRAME. FRAME VERY RUSTED. FRONT-SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKETS APPEAR IN NEAR-DAMAGE CONDITION. 1994 RANGER EXT CAB, XLT, 4L, 2WD. MFG IN 1993, 138K MILES. DEALER REFUSES HELP. DAMAGED DISCOVERED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED D/T LOSS OF REAR END CONTROL. *JB. UPDATED 01/11/08.
NHTSA complaint #10202198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE REAR AXLE LEAF SPRING. IT TOTALLY RUSTED. THE FRAME IS PERFECT BUT THE BRACKETS HAVE COMPLETELY BEEN DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #10118877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
NOISE IN FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #543826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
ALL WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
ALL BALL JOINTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ALL BALL JOINTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
THE REAR SPRINGS IN THE VEHICLE HAVE BROKEN, CAUSING A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #824024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF
THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER HAVE RUBBED A HOLE THROUGH THE STEEL CASING, LEAVING IT OPEN TO THE SALT/RAIN AND ETC..
NHTSA complaint #822849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER HAVE RUBBED A HOLE THROUGH THE STEEL CASING, LEAVING IT OPEN TO THE SALT/RAIN AND ETC..
NHTSA complaint #822849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEEL BEARING/BALL JOINTS HAVE WORN OUT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #812136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #602516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
UPON ASSEMBLY, LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS LEFT OUT, CAUSING METAL TO HIT METAL WHEN HITTING BUMPS.
NHTSA complaint #809944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
REAR SPRINGS CUT BY EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE.
NHTSA complaint #512593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF
LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILURE, CAUSING INSTABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #507371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #503673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT AND REAR TIRES HAVE UNEVEN WEAR CAUSING DIFFICULTY STEERING. TT
NHTSA complaint #979195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE WAS ROLLED OVER WHILE TRAVELLING ABOUT 25 MPH. TT
NHTSA complaint #976693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. TT
NHTSA complaint #974463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
IF ROAD IS DISFIGURED/BUMPY, TRUCK WILL LOSE CONTROL POSSIBLY RUNNING OFF ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #974035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR END IS UNCONTROLLABLE DUE TO MISSING SWAY BAR, SWAY BAR IS AN OPTION. TT
NHTSA complaint #968897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
RIGHT REAR AXLE BENT. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #482627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.