RoadVitals

1994 Ford Ranger Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Aug 17, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 438 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1994 Ford Ranger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 17, 2015

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 ID
10749197
Incident
Aug 13, 2015
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering+1 more
Filed Mar 31, 2014

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10575893
Incident
Mar 10, 2014
Steering
Filed Aug 19, 2001

THE POWER STEERING PUMP METAL HOSES ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED. METAL IS FLAKING OFF THE HOSE. DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO HEAT. ALL METAL HOSES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE ARE EXPERIENCING EXTREME RUST. SPOKE TO AN OWNER OF AN EXPLORER, SIMILAR VINTAGE, AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE SIMILAR HOSES AND BRAKE LINES. THIS IN MY OPINION CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF THE HOSE BECOMES PERFORATED AND STEERING IS LOST. I NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH METAL HOSES SO BADLY CORRODED.

NHTSA ID
750747
Incident
Aug 1, 2001
Steering
Filed Nov 27, 2000

THE STEERING ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL BROKE AT THE WHEEL CONNECTION WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT APPROX. 5MPH. UNABLE TO STEER. LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS HAPPENED.WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. I'M ONLY GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING 65 ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY CURVE AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ID
736878
Incident
Nov 26, 2000
ElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 3, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH WHEEL WILL LOCKUP. THEN, ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. THIS HAS HAD HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND ALWAYS HAD HAPPENED ON LOW SPEED.*AK

NHTSA ID
874379
Incident
Nov 3, 2000
Steering
Filed Apr 6, 2000

THE FRONT INNER TIE ROD BROKE OFF, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
859829
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Steering
Filed Jan 3, 2000

ACCORDING TO HILCHER FORD THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF. CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. *AK

NHTSA ID
716781
Incident
Dec 29, 1999
Body & structureBrakesSteering
Filed Aug 19, 1998

STEERING DAMPNER LOOSE.

NHTSA ID
538862
Incident
Jun 12, 1998
Steering
Filed Dec 17, 1997

WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE DRAG-LINK AT THE ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE CONNECTION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ID
526738
Incident
Nov 29, 1997
Steering
Filed Aug 13, 1996

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IT STICKS. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK

NHTSA ID
800832
Incident
Aug 13, 1996
EngineSteering
Filed Apr 4, 1996

UPON DRIVING VEHICLE THROUGH PUDDLES, POWER STEERING FAILS/VEHICLE STALLS.

NHTSA ID
502985
Incident
Nov 4, 1995
Steering
Filed Mar 20, 1996

STEERING; THE STEERING IS LOCKING UP WHEN MAKING A TURN. *AK

NHTSA ID
980975
Incident
Mar 16, 1996
Steering
Filed Aug 9, 1995
Crash reported

STEERING; BOTTOM OF STEERING BOX SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY RESULTING IN NO CONTROL OF TRUCK AND ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ID
970053
Incident
Aug 2, 1995
Steering
Filed Aug 3, 1995

IN HEAVY RAIN THE POWER STEERING BECOMES INOPERATIVE AND DRIVING ON STANDING WATER.OCCURS WHEN AIR CONDITIONER OR DEFROSTER IS ON. TT

NHTSA ID
969821
Steering
Filed Jun 19, 1995

WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER WATER, TENSION BELT GETS WET, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING/ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY. *SD

NHTSA ID
485276
Incident
Jun 19, 1995
Steering
Filed Apr 14, 1995

VEHICLE PERIODICALLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ID
963807
Incident
Apr 14, 1995
Steering
Filed Apr 3, 1995

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER POWER STEERING IS LOST MANUFACTURER SAYS IT'S THE FAULT OF THE DRIVER. TT

NHTSA ID
962969
Incident
Sep 1, 1994
Steering
Filed Mar 23, 1995

STEERING DIFFICULTY. TT

NHTSA ID
962466
Incident
Mar 23, 1995
BrakesSteering
Filed Jan 23, 1995

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *TW

NHTSA ID
480869
Incident
Jan 23, 1995
Steering
Filed Jan 13, 1995

EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE CLASSIC STYLE STEERING WHEEL IS FELT A DESIGN PROBLEM. TT

NHTSA ID
958694
Incident
Oct 10, 1994

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .