FaultScore

1994 Ford Ranger transmission problems

51 of the 531 complaints about the 1994 Ford Ranger are about the transmission — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.

D

51

Complaints

6

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 12 23.5%
Manual Transmission 12 23.5%
Driveshaft 5 9.8%
Axle Assembly 4 7.8%
Clutch Assembly 4 7.8%
Power Train 3 5.9%
Column Shift 3 5.9%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) 2 3.9%
Cooling Unit AND Lines 2 3.9%
Axle Hubs 2 3.9%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Ford Ranger year

1988 11 1.3%
1990 11 1.3%
1991 14 1.7%
1992 14 1.7%
1993 21 2.5%
1994 51 6.0%
1995 24 2.8%
1996 31 3.7%
1997 44 5.2%
1998 68 8.0%
1999 74 8.7%
2000 71 8.4%
2001 57 6.7%
2002 64 7.5%
2003 17 2.0%
2004 27 3.2%
2019 92 10.8%
2020 47 5.5%
2021 56 6.6%
2022 17 2.0%
2024 25 2.9%
2025 12 1.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Portage, IN

POWER TRAIN

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 100,000 miles Benton, KY Crash

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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

NHTSA complaint #10097140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Federal WAY, WA

POWER TRAIN

SPEEDOMETER IS NOT READING THE CORRECT SPEED, T KEEPS JUMPING 5 MILES LESS, THEN 5 MILES MORE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. *AK SPEEDOMETER COMPLETELY FAILED. DEALER REPLACED ENTIRE DASH. HOWEVER SPEEDOMETER IS DOING THE SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #8009947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Cajon, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION WILL LOSE POWER OR VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #8009057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nashville, TN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC A DEFECTIVE PLUG IN TRANSMISSION CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK OUT, THUS FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION OCCURRED. I WAS STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE AT 3:30AM, FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS THE TRUCKS TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP GOING 65MPH. FORD DECLINES ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION PLUG. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING ON OTHER RANGERS HE HAS FIXED. I FOUND (ONLINE) OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT RANGER TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO THE FAULTY PLUGS, A GRADUAL LEAK OCCURS, UNOTICABLE TO THE AVERAGE PERSON. THIS COULD BECOME A HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOR THOSE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAYS, ESPECIALLY IF THE VEHICLES ENGINE DIES, BECAUSE THE STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN THE ENGINE QUITS. I WOULD SIMPLY LIKE FOR ALL RANGER OWNERS TO BE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. I REALIZE THAT FORD WILL DO LITTLE OR NOTHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION, BUT SOME GOOD OLD FASHION CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WOULD BE NICE.

NHTSA complaint #744291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dudley, MA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

AUTOMATIC FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED/REPALCED NOW WITH MANUAL SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #741691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owings Mills, MD

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION IS MAKING VERY LOUD AND NOISY SOUNDS. WHILE IN FIFTH GEAR TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK.

NHTSA complaint #881985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakewood, CO

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

CLUTCH LEAKS FROM SLAVE CYLINDER WHEN APPLYING CLUTCH IN COLD WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #879938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Imperial, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

OIL PLUGS IN GEAR BOX LEAKED CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT HAPPENED WHILE ON BUSY FREEWAY WAS LUCKY AS WE MADE IT TO SHOULDER AND NO ONE WAS INJURED EL CENTRO MOTORS WAS DEALER WHO FIXED IT AS ROBINSON FORD SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY EL CENTRO MOTORS EMPLOYEE ADMITTED IT WAS FAULTY(BAD)PLUGS BUT SAID WARRANTY DID NOT COVER PLUGS EL CENTRO MOTORS 385 MAIN ST EL CENTRO,CA 92251 (760) 352-8030 THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP ANOTHER MECHANIC I TALKED TO SAID HE HAD HEARD OF THAT SAME PROBLEM FROM SOME OF HIS OTHER CUSTOMERS (INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #739939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burton, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #738372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Denver, CO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED ON 10/12/00. FORTY DAYS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. HAVE THEIR BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS TRUCK?

NHTSA complaint #737292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vanderhoof, AK

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

KNOWN DEFECT. FORD IS NOT INTERESTED IN REPAIRING. THEY ARE ON THEIR THIRD COMPONENT UPGRADE. LIVE IN INTERIOR BRITISH COLUMBIA. ONLY HAD ACCESS TO STATES, NO PROVINCES.THANKYOU FOR YOUR WEBSITE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED.

NHTSA complaint #735943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northfield Center, OH Crash

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

FIRESTONE ATX TIRES, P26575R15, DOT W29VINS423 EXPERIENCED VIBRATION, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE JUMPED AND LEFT ROAD INTO A DITCH CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE TIRES SHOOK SO BAD AND CAUSED THE 4WD HUB TO ENGAGE CAUSING VEHICLE TO DRAG ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND STEER LEFT, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THE HUB DID FAIL IN THE SUMMER OR FALL OF 2000 AND IT WAS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #869548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kerman, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

THE LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE RESULT OF FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC PLUGS LOCATED ON TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE AASTRO TRANSMISSION AND AUTOMOBLIE REPAIRS HAD REPORTED TO ME OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO HAD ENCOUNTERED OTHER VEHICLES LIKE MINE AND WITH THE SAME SITUATIONS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R14 )

NHTSA complaint #724467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THERE ARE THREE PLUGS ON TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION MADE OF RUBBER THAT CRACKED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #862134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midland, MI

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

AFTER MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS FOR THE 4 WD SYSTEM TRIED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING OF THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A LOUD WHINING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF.

NHTSA complaint #719905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midland, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

AFTER MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS FOR THE 4 WD SYSTEM TRIED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING OF THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A LOUD WHINING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF.

NHTSA complaint #719905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alvin, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WHINED FOR A TIME, FLUID LEVEL WAS VERIFIED OK. TRANSMISSION THEN "JUMPED" OUT OF GEAR AT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE (GEAR WAS OVERDRIVE). TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED AT THAT TIME. TRANSMISSION NOW WHINES AGAIN AT 82K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #716331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Torrington, CT

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

AUTO-LOCKING HUBS MAKE WHINING SOUND AND 4WD WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE. UNDERSTAND FROM AREA MECHANICS THAT THIS IS COMMON DUE TO POOR DESIGN IN AUTO LOCKING HUB FEATURE. PREPARING TO BRING TO DEALER FOR AN ESTIMATE. THIS ITEM SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT FROM NORMAL DRIVING. (REF. SIMILAR: SBN# BC2261060194, NHTSA ITEM# SB036362)

NHTSA complaint #713097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

WHEN TOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #845807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hamlet, IN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SECOND GEAR HAS GONE OUT IN MY RANGER. I HAVE HEARD OF 6 OTHER SIMILAR INCEDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #707259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albuquerque, NM

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

THE LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC PLUGS LOCATED ON TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS REPORTED TO ME BY THE DEALERS SERVICE PERSONNEL WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIC WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA TRANSMISSION USED IN THE RANGER TRUCK. THER HAVE BEEN AT LEAST TWO OTHER REPORTS TO NHTSA ON THIS PROBLEM. FROM INFORMATION I HAVE RECEIVED, IF THE FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION BECOMES LOW, IT WILL RESULT IN THE TRANSMISSION BEING DAMAGED. IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE COMMON THAT REPORTED AND SEEMS A RESULT OF THE USE OF PLASTIC PLUGS IN THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS INFORMED OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK TO BE SERVICED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAKING WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SAID THAT THE PLUG FAILURE WAS NOT UNCOMMON. IT APPEARS THAT THIS MAY BE A PROBLEN THAT IS MASKED BY OTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #705831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Painted PO, NY

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

AXLE DRIVESHAFT FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #543826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clearwater, FL

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL ON INERSTATE BLOWING MOST OF THE GEARS APART.

NHTSA complaint #537759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chico, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AND WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTON TO ENGAGE THE AUTOMATIC FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA complaint #831941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chico, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

THE PLUGS IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE (I'M NOT SURE OF THE EXACT ANATOMY) SHRUNK RESULTING IN THE LOST OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN TURN, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED FROM DRIVING WITHOUT FLUID. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME AND DID NOT REALIZE SOMETHING WAS WRONG UNTIL TOO LATE. THE TRUCK WAS STILL DRIVEABLE, BUT ONLY FOR A MATTER OF TIME. IT IS BEING REPAIRED NOW. I'VE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS LOCALLY WHO HAVE ALL TOLD ME THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD TRANSMISSION FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I'VE FOLLOWED ALL OF FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CHANNELS AND HAVE RECEIVED NO HELP. I'VE ALSO MET WITH AN ATTORNEY. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE.

NHTSA complaint #700197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orange PAR, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE STALLED WHEN CROSSING MAJOR INTERSECTION. VEHICLE ALSO JUMPS WHEN SHIFTING.

NHTSA complaint #540663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION TOTALLY FAILED DUE TI IMPROPER SEALS, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #540549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redlands, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #536492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tallahasse, FL

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

TRANSMISSION

NHTSA complaint #536458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Ford Ranger problems

← Full 1994 Ford Ranger report