1993 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
170 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
93,904 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 36 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 170 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 46 | 27.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 3.5% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 3.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 17 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 14 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
Tires: 17; Tires:Tread/Belt: 14; Vehicle Speed Control: 14; Parking Brake:Conventional: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 134 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 |
| 1996 | 28 |
| 2000 | 38 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 38; 1996: 28; 2000: 38; 2001: 19; 2002: 3; 2003: 5; 2004: 9; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 46 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004194 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. TS WHEN THE CONSUMER LIFTED THE HOOD, HE VIEWED THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016365 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
LEAF SPRING SHACKLE BRACKETS RUSTED THROUGH WHICH CAUSED THE LEAF SPRINGS TO RIDE ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK BED WHEN THE SHACKLES BROKE. THE SHACKLES SHOULD BE MADE OF A BETTER MATERIAL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020787 · 2003-05-31 (May 31, 2003)
MY 1993 FORD RANGER 4WHEEL DRIVE PICK UP SUDDENLY STARTED LEAKING GAS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE GAS TANK SEPARATED AND THATS WHAT CAUSED THE LEAK. THIS VEHICLE IS 4WHEEL DRIVE, BUT I NEVER TAKE IT OFF ROADS AND I LIVE IN A VERY TEMPERATE CLIMATE (THE BAY AREA). WE HAVE NO EXTREME COLD OR HEAT AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS NOT SOME DEFECT.
Owner-reported narrative. 158,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038316 · 2003-10-15 (October 15, 2003)
THE FUEL TANK CRACKED ON THE UPPER PORTION OF THE TANK IN THE AREA WHERE THE MIDDLE STRAP CROSSED THE TANK WHICH WAS LEAKING FUEL. *AK GALLONS OF FUEL LEAKED AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER OBTAINED THE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK AND FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 67,860 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048083 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
REAR SPRING HANGERS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED. *AK *JB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049593 · 2003-12-11 (December 11, 2003)
THE REAR BRAKE CABLE GOES THOUGH A OBLONG HOLE IN THE FRAME. IN MY 1993 FORD RANGER THE OBLONG HOLE EDGE IS NOW RAZOR SHARPE. THIS CAN CAUSE A FATIQUE CRACK LEADING TO FRAME FAILURE. I USED RTV TO TRY TO KEEP THE CABLE AWAY FROM THE EDGE OF THE HOLE. THE FRAME HOLE IS NOW TOO SHARP FOR ME TO MESS WITH. I DO NOT WANT TO GET CUT. ABOUT 1995 I CALLED FORD AND ASK ABOUT A NEW CABLE. I WAS TOLD NO DEAL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 11 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055867 · 2004-02-12 (February 12, 2004)
PROBLEMS WITH FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061078 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A THUMP AT THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. LEFT REAR SIDE DROPPED ABOUT SEVEN INCHES LOWER THAN THE RIGHT SIDE. AFTER STOPPING AND FURTHER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER FOUND A SMALL HOLE IN THE BED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE LEAF SPRING HANGER BRACKET BROKE.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061078 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
94V169001 · Parking Brake:Conventional
Reported: 1994-09-07 (September 7, 1994)
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 VEHICLE IS PARKED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V231001 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1995-12-05 (December 5, 1995)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V024001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic
Reported: 1996-02-05 (February 5, 1996)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗